Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, December 26, 2024 - Volume 995
Top Tech Tidbits. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access technology.A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication
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New Tech Innovations
Mobility equipment supplier Dash Rehab has introduced the latest addition to its range, which it claims is the lightest carbon fibre powered wheelchair on the market. Made entirely from carbon fibre, the Dash Carbon Pro is the firm's lightest powerchair yet, weighing just 11.80 kg without battery and 12.85 kg with.
Meta provides a guide on utilizing live AI features on Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, covering requirements such as a Meta account, compatible phone, and internet access. The guide highlights supported features, age restrictions, and the need for compliance with local laws, alongside potential impacts on personal devices and safety considerations.
This tutorial introduces Thunderbird, a free and accessible email client with over two decades of development. It provides a comprehensive guide for screen reader users to navigate Thunderbird's interface, including setting up, managing emails, using keyboard shortcuts, and exploring advanced features.
Apple has released iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2, introducing significant accessibility improvements for VoiceOver and braille users, alongside features like refined audio ducking and new braille chord commands for QWERTY keyboards. This update also debuts Apple Intelligence features such as ChatGPT integration with Siri, Genmoji, and Image Playground, enhancing user productivity and creativity.
Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses now feature continuous live AI assistance and real-time translation, using always-on cameras and microphones for extended interactive capabilities. The features, demonstrated earlier this year, allow seamless translations and conversations with a slight delay but impact battery life, lasting only 30 minutes per charge.
Episode 2 of Access Tech Weekly covers the latest update to Meta Ray-Ban glasses, a demo of NotebookLM Interactive Audio Overview with conversational AI podcast hosts, and the launch of iOS 18.3 developer betas by Apple.
Spotlight: Perkins School for the Blind
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Throughout its history, Perkins has expanded its reach beyond traditional education. The school has developed a range of services, including the Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library, which circulates thousands of recorded and braille titles, and the production of the Perkins Brailler, a device used worldwide for braille writing. Additionally, Perkins International collaborates with partners in numerous countries to support individuals with visual impairments globally.
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AI Innovations
Lauren Goode explores the effectiveness of AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Perplexity AI in autonomously handling holiday shopping, finding that while they assist with product suggestions, they fall short of fully managing purchases.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University have developed an AI system capable of recognizing American Sign Language (ASL) alphabet gestures with 98% accuracy, utilizing computer vision technology to interpret hand movements in real-time. This advancement aims to enhance communication accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.
The TechShare Pro 2024 conference highlighted how AI is revolutionizing accessibility for disabled users and developers. Innovations like real-time transcription, AI-powered tools, and automated testing platforms are streamlining inclusion efforts. However, ethical challenges, accuracy, and privacy concerns remain critical considerations.
The inaugural episode of Accessibility Smackdown addresses accessibility challenges such as linking child tags to parent figure tags in PDFs, understanding WCAG color contrast guidelines, and downloading the PAC 2024 tool for improving PDF accessibility, offering practical solutions for inclusive digital content.
Celebrate the end of 2024 with Eyes On Success in this year-end special! Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey usher in the new year with two pairs of AI-powered podcast hosts who talk about the show and its creators, then unveil a fresh website design for 2025, and finish with a special song written by Pete celebrating multi-cultural seasonal holidays.
