Talking Technology with V I Labs

It’s a very exciting day in Vision Ireland as we finally get to share details of a groundbreaking new partnership that will see Meta donate 15,000 pairs of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses to eligible Vision Ireland service users.
On this episode, we catch up with Vision Ireland group CEO Chris White and head of Technology Sean Doran to learn about the partnership, and we’re joined by a range of guests who give their reaction to the news.
Expressions of interest are now officially open. Visit Meta.vi.ie or call the dedicated phone line on 01 882 1910
0:00 - intro
 1:55 - Chris and Sean share the big Ray-Ban Meta news
 15:45 - Brian Manning on the impact Meta glasses have for those who are blind
 24:00 - Hilary Devlin on how the Meta glasses help with parenting
 37:10 - Bobbie Hickey on assistive tech going mainstream and how they help her stay stylish
 42:22 - Denis Nolan on Meta glasses training sessions and upcoming roadshows
 48:55 - how to get your name on the list

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On this episode of Talking Technology, David takes a trip to a Tesco superstore to hear from James Hurst, head of UX design and research for the store experience.

They explore Scan as You Shop, as well as the recent accessibility improvements made to Tesco self-service machines.

There’s a long way to go, so David and James discuss new changes that will see accessibility preferences saved to a customer’s ClubCard, as well as the possibility of screen readers for self-service and scan as you shop devices.

The Google graveyard expands in this week’s tech news, and we have good news for users of Windows 10.

All that and more on this week’s episode of Talking Technology.

Join the conversation with a WhatsApp voice note now. The number you need is +353 86 199 0011. 

1:42 – Comments from Toni regarding live AI, and explaining Scan as You Shop

8:03 – Demo of a Scan as You Shop at Tesco

28:26 – Tesco self-service machines

40:09 – Talking Technology News
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After 75 years of heartbreak, 11 final defeats, and a curse from a Catholic priest, Mayo finally won the All Ireland. After a weekend that will go down in Irish sporting history for generations to come, Sara tells us what that incredible moment was like with audio description in the stadium.

Brian Hartgen from Hartgen Consultancy tells us what’s new in the latest release of their Leasey product, demoing the new Leasey Media Centre and integrations with ChatGPT.

We hear about a sitcom from The RNIB, and find out how AI is overcharging people for Guinness.

All that and more on this week’s Talking Technology.

The WebAIM screen reader survey

Vision Ireland survey on shopping apps

Leasey from Hartgen Consultancy

0:00 - intro
0:40 - Mayo are all Ireland champions after 75 years of heartbreak
10:56 - voice notes, and a sitcom about blindness from the RNIB
24:20 - What is Leasey? A chat with Brian Hartgen from Hartgen Consultancy.
52:49 - Talking Technology News
1:04:29 - outro
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On this episode of Talking Technology, we dive into the Vision Ireland pre-budget submission for Budget 2027.

The submission contains 13 asks for six different government departments, so Kevin Kelly and Jamie Millar break it all down for us to explain what it’s all about. 

In tech news, we explore a new assistance booking app from Irish Rail, and we respond to your voice notes discussing various WhatsApp-related topics.

Kevin asked us very nicely for a show notes link, so you can find the Vision Ireland pre-budget submission here.

Join the conversation with a WhatsApp voice note now. The number you need is +353 86 199 0011

0:00 - intro
2:42 - WhatsApp Voice Notes
18:20 - Pre-budget submission for Budget 2027
37:08 - Talking Technology News
57:36 - outro
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On this episode of Talking Technology, we catch up with Quentin Christensen from NV Access. 

We learn about upcoming features to the NVDA screen reader as well as how they keep the software secure.

We discuss a new variant of the Meta glasses in tech news and share details on why drone delivery won’t be taking off in Ireland anytime soon.

Join the conversation with a WhatsApp voice note now. The number you need is +353 86 199 0011. 

0:00 Intro
1:57 Voice Notes
17:48 NVDA chat with Quentin Christensen
42:18 - Talking Technology News
59:11 - Outro
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