New Vision Newsletter
December 2023
Welcome to your December New Vision Newsletter. New Vision at Goodwill seeks to promote independence and equality for people who are blind and visually impaired. We educate, inform, and provide resources, so people with visual impairments can live their fullest lives. We hope you find this newsletter useful, and we would love your feedback through the link shared at the end of this newsletter.
Virtual Training
Personal electronic devices can enhance the lives of people who are blind and visually impaired. New Vision offers free instruction on how to use the latest technology and devices to connect to the world and increase independence. Instruction can be provided, in many cases, virtually via telephone, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, FaceTime, and in-person by appointment. Please contact us to find out more.
Echo Tips Podcast
New Echo Tips Podcast episodes are released every Wednesday. They are available on your Echo or computer. The podcast features New Vision's instructor, David Ward. These episodes contain micro-sized tutorials on various Amazon Echo features. The newest episodes are available below.
A special thank you to our sponsor, the Virginia Board for the Blind and Vision Impaired, for supporting New Vision's diverse programming!
Latest Episodes
Episode 274 Alexa Deals & Buying Guide
Episode 275 Deals on FireTV Sticks and Cube with Alexa
Episode 276 Setting Up a Alexa Device (Echo or Echo Show)
Episode 277 Setting Up an Echo Dot in Under 15 Minutes
Episode 278 BREAKING NEWS! Alexa AI LLM Beta is Here!
So how can I get it on my Echo? You can ask your Echo the following:
- Alexa, play Echo Tips Podcast.
- Alexa, play next episode or Alexa, skip.
This will play the previous episode since the podcast is sorted from newest to oldest.
If you have an Apple device such as an iPhone or iPad, you can also ask Siri to play the most recent episode. Simply say: "Siri, play the Echo Tips Podcast."
Alternatively, you can play the podcast via the website below, which is screen reader compatible. You can navigate the episode title via heading number 2. Simply press the space bar or otherwise activate the link to start that episode.
tunein.com/podcasts/Education-Podcasts/Echo-Tips-p1118403/
Podcasts
In this episode of Double Tap Express, the weekend edition, you'll hear from David Ward a buying guide for those interested in getting a new Echo or FireTV device. Check out the link below.
https://chrt.fm/track/A26365/locator.simplecastcdn.com/d838244c-2029-41b5-aa66-d28628ab36fa/6d359d1f-1121-493b-9931-cf1e7a15f86b.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=MhX_XZQZ
In this episode of Double Tap, with Steven and Shaun, you'll here the group talk about new Aps, for the Blind, coming to Android. Also you'll hear a informative interview with Android accessibility experts. Listen at the link below.
https://chrt.fm/track/A26365/locator.simplecastcdn.com/d838244c-2029-41b5-aa66-d28628ab36fa/6d359d1f-1121-493b-9931-cf1e7a15f86b.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=MhX_XZQZ
iPhone & iPad Apps
Here's the AppleVis' Unlimited Newsletter for November 2023. AppleVis is a premier website for reviewing Apple-related devices and Apps from a visual impairment perspective. This edition features a curated selection of community-submitted updates, including new app entries, updates, news, and podcasts. Some of the new and noteworthy app entries include several games, a AI object recognition app, and other noteable app updates. Check out the newsletter for more information on these and other exciting updates from the AppleVis community!
https://www.applevis.com/blog/applevis-unlimited-whats-new-noteworthy-november-2023
Echo Things to Try
Here are a few things to try with your Echo. Some practical, some just fun.
- Alexa, remember that I need to watch Casablanca sometime.
- Alexa, tell me a cat joke.
- Alexa, enable NPR notifications.
- Alexa, start Knight Manager.
- Alexa, open Song Blast.
- Alexa, when's the next bus home.
- Alexa, will it rain tomorrow.
- Alexa, start my free Audible trial.
- Alexa, shop women-owned small businesses.
- Alexa, play Country Heat in DJ Mode.
- Alexa, tell me a movie joke.
- Alexa, play smooth jazz.
For more about what's new with Alexa check out the official blog by clicking the following link: Alexa Blog.
Your Thoughts
If you have any thoughts about what could be mentioned in an upcoming newsletter or comments on this newsletter feel free to reply or fill out the following form. See the following link: New Vision Feedback Form.
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Contact Info
Assistive Technology Instructor,
New Vision at Goodwill Industries of the Valleys
dward@goodwillvalleys.com