Double Tap

Discover how accessible Lego building is transforming for blind and low-vision creators, plus the latest updates on Microsoft Surface Pro and Laptop devices, skyrocketing hardware prices, and the rise of AI-powered coding tools.

Steven Scott and Shaun Preece explore a packed episode of Double Tap, diving into tech news, accessibility, and AI innovation. They discuss Microsoft’s new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop models featuring Snapdragon X2 processors, higher RAM and storage prices, and improved battery life—though at significantly higher costs. The duo also touch on AI trends, including SpaceX’s $60 billion acquisition of coding platform Cursor...

Discover how Hapware’s AlEye wristband pairs with Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses to translate facial expressions, body language, and gestures into intuitive haptic feedback. Learn how this innovation can restore non-verbal communication for blind, low vision, and deafblind users.

Expanded Summary
This episode of Double Tap dives into the world of assistive wearables with Hapware co-founder Jack Walters. AlEye is a wristband that detects up to 27 non-verbal social cues—including smiles, waves, and even a middle finger—and translates them into discreet vibrations on the user’s wrist. By integrating with Meta’s smart glasses through their wear...

Explore the latest in assistive technology with a hands-on look at the Braille Pen 24, plus deep insights on Anthropic’s AI shutdown and the UK and Canada banning under-16s from social media.

Steven Scott and Shaun Preece open this episode with a light-hearted celebration of Scotland’s World Cup win before diving into the serious tech news of the week. They cover the sudden US government-ordered shutdown of Anthropic’s most advanced AI models, Fable 5 and Mythos 5, and discuss the implications of governments treating AI as a potential cyber weapon.

The conversation then shifts to glo...

Gain insights into Apple’s decision to withhold Siri AI in the EU, the regulatory clash with Brussels, and Intel’s push to redefine AI PCs with the new Core Ultra Series 3. Discover how privacy, interoperability, and next‑gen computing are shaping the future of tech.

Steven Scott and Shaun Preece dive into the ongoing standoff between Apple and the European Union over Siri AI. The discussion unpacks Apple’s privacy‑centric approach, EU interoperability requirements under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), and the potential implications for innovation and user choice across Europe.

The episode also shift...

From Nairobi's Zero Project Tech Forum: Steven Scott and Shaun Preece meet innovators using AI robots to teach deaf students STEM, digital avatars to interpret sign language at scale, and 3D printing to put custom prosthetics within reach across Africa.

Day two of Double Tap's coverage from the Zero Project Tech Forum in Nairobi centres on communication and care. Steven Scott and Shaun Preece speak with three innovators whose work shares a common thread: using off-the-shelf technology and African-built data sets to solve problems that mainstream assistive tech has repeatedly overlooked.

Maxwell Kamau, Partnerships Lead...

The Zero Project Tech Forum has arrived in Africa. Steven Scott and Shaun Preece meet three innovators from Nairobi using sonar wearables, local wheelchair manufacturing, and AI-powered cardiac monitoring to reshape assistive technology on the continent.

The Zero Project, a global initiative of Austria's Essl Foundation, has taken its Tech Forum to Nairobi for the first time, gathering disability-focused innovators from across Africa and beyond. Steven Scott and Shaun Preece speak with three of them who are each solving a distinct but connected problem: how to make assistive technology appropriate, affordable, and available where it is needed...

Discover the world of affordable multi-line Braille displays with Ed Rogers of Bristol Braille Technology. Learn how the Canute Scientific and Canute 360 are transforming Braille literacy, education, and STEM access for blind users.

Expanded Summary
Steven Scott and Shaun Preece speak with Ed Rogers, founder and managing director of Bristol Braille Technology, a UK-based social enterprise creating innovative multi-line Braille devices. Ed shares the journey from the original Canute 360, dubbed the “Kindle for Braille readers,” to the Canute Console and the new Canute Scientific, a fully customisable STEM workstation for blind students and professionals.

The...

Explore WWDC highlights, Apple Intelligence, and Mac accessibility with Steven Scott, Shaun Preece, and guest David Nason from Ireland. Learn how Apple’s new parental controls, Mac VoiceOver challenges, and EU regulations affect blind and low-vision users.

In this episode of Double Tap, Steven and Shaun dive into the latest announcements from WWDC, including the debut of Apple Intelligence, new parental controls, and updates to macOS. Guest David Nason, formerly of Sky TV Accessibility and now at Ireland’s communications regulator, shares his insider perspective on accessibility in large tech companies and the impact of the European Acce...

Discover Apple’s WWDC 2026 highlights with a focus on Siri AI, iOS 27, and hands‑on insights from Steven Scott, Shelly Brisbin, and Michael Babcock. Learn how Apple’s new AI, on‑screen awareness, and password automation could transform accessibility and productivity.

In this WWDC round‑table, Steven Scott is joined by Shelly Brisbin and Michael Babcock to unpack Apple’s 2026 keynote. They explore how Siri AI builds on 2024’s promises with personal context, on‑screen awareness, and cross‑device conversation history—while also addressing concerns about real‑world usefulness and accessibility.

Key topics include:

Discover how the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians is bridging the technology knowledge gap for blind and partially sighted users. Marcia Yale, AEBC’s national president, shares actionable insights on teaching foundational tech skills, addressing accessibility barriers, and empowering lifelong learning.

In this episode of Double Tap, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece welcome Marcia Yale, national president of the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC). Marcia reflects on her early tech journey in the 1980s, learning DOS and mainframe navigation, and how that early foundation shaped her love of technology.

The discussion explores th...

Explore the biggest announcements from Microsoft Build 2026, including the Surface Laptop Ultra with NVIDIA’s new RTX Spark chip, on-device AI breakthroughs, and Project Solara—a new agent-first platform redefining computing.

Steven Scott and Shaun Preece dive into Microsoft’s high-profile week, unpacking the innovations unveiled at Microsoft Build. The show covers the Surface Laptop Ultra, a 15‑inch powerhouse featuring NVIDIA’s RTX Spark processor with unified memory for local AI performance, and what this means for developers, professionals, and future workflows.

The hosts discuss the shift toward AI‑driven experiences, highlighting tools like Open Claw, Copilo...

Discover how the Agiga Echo Vision smart glasses empower blind and visually impaired users with live AI scene descriptions, transit directions, text reading, and seamless integration with Be My Eyes and Aira.

In this episode of Double Tap Weekend, Shaun Preece explores the growing world of smart glasses for visually impaired users, featuring an in-depth demo from listener Roger Cusson. Roger showcases the Agiga Echo Vision glasses, demonstrating their unique hardware features—like haptic battery indicators and audible case alerts—and their powerful AI capabilities.

Listeners get a real-world look at scene descriptions, live AI navi...

Explore how the Zero Project Tech Forum is amplifying assistive technology innovation in Africa, with insights from Bernard Chiira of AT4D and Innovate Now, driving real-world solutions for accessible tech.

Steven Scott and Shaun Preece take Double Tap listeners virtually to Nairobi for the first-ever regional Zero Project Tech Forum. This episode dives into the growing global movement to make assistive technology affordable and widely available, particularly in regions like Africa, India, and South America.

Bernard Chiira, founder of AT4D and co-founder of Innovate Now, shares his journey from living with brittle bone...

Discover the latest innovations in assistive tech with Matt Ater from Vispero, including updates from Sight City Frankfurt, the new NVDA built-in magnifier, and the latest JAWS, ZoomText, and Focus Braille display developments. Learn how these changes impact blind and low vision users.

Steven Scott and Shaun Preece are joined by Matt Ater from Vispero to dive into the highlights of Sight City in Frankfurt, one of the leading events for assistive technology. They discuss exciting updates for blind and low vision users, including the surprise launch of a new Focus Braille display and the latest enhancements...

Discover the launch of Soundscape for Android by the Scottish Tech Army — a free, community-driven navigation app designed to empower blind and partially sighted users with 3D audio mapping, offline maps, and local search.

Steven Scott and Shaun Preece share exciting updates on accessible tech projects, including new apps developed by blind and visually impaired creators. The highlight: Soundscape, once a Microsoft app, now lives on Android thanks to the Scottish Tech Army and Double Tap’s support. Developer Dave Craig and STA’s Kirsty McIntosh explain how volunteers brought the app to life, why Android support matter...

Discover how Microsoft’s new Surface Laptop Ultra and Nvidia’s RTX Spark chip are set to revolutionise AI-powered computing, plus Ira’s Build AI programme returns with exciting opportunities for blind and low vision users to test real-world AI applications.

In this episode, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece share a series of apologies, from mix-ups with listener audio to missed events, and give updates on upcoming content featuring Roger’s impressive Giga Ecovision glasses demo. They dive deep into the launch of the Surface Laptop Ultra unveiled at Computex, powered by Nvidia’s groundbreaking RTX Spark chip desig...

Discover how Voice Claw Real Time transforms AI accessibility by connecting voice commands to Open Claw, enabling hands-free, intelligent computer use for everyday tasks and people with disabilities.

Steven Scott and Shaun Preece welcome developer Ben Badejo to explore Voice Claw Real Time, his new voice interface for Open Claw. This system allows AI models to take direct action on computers and mobile devices, not just respond in chat. Ben explains how Open Claw can read emails, manage calendars, browse the web, and even complete booking forms, all triggered by speech.

The conversation dives deep...

Explore the features and real-world performance of the AGIGA Echo Vision smart glasses for blind and visually impaired users. Discover how scene descriptions, live AI, transit directions, and text recognition can transform daily life.

In this episode of Double Tap Weekend, Shaun Preece shares a detailed listener demonstration of the AGIGA Echo Vision smart glasses. Listener Gregory walks us through powering on the glasses, using the touchpad and dual buttons, and experiencing their standout accessibility features.

You’ll hear how the glasses deliver accurate scene descriptions, live AI streaming with spatial awareness, and detailed text re...

Discover how smart glasses like EchoVision, Ally Solos, and Meta Ray-Bans are shaping accessibility for blind users. Plus, listeners share creative solutions for navigating buses and using AI to manage daily tasks.

In this episode of Double Tap, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece dive into listener experiences with the latest smart glasses. Amy compares the EchoVision and Ally Solos glasses, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and impressive integration with apps like Be My Eyes. Ian shares his perspective on camera limitations in Meta Ray-Bans, while Cody opens up about transport, shopping, and employment challenges for people with vision...

Explore accessible tech tips, high-quality audio alternatives to Sonos, custom iPhone VoiceOver gestures, guide dog versus cane mobility, and the challenges of embracing Android as a blind user in this lively Double Tap episode with Steven Scott and Shaun Preece.

Steven and Shaun dive into a packed inbox covering a wide range of topics for blind and visually impaired tech users. They discuss listener questions about Sonos speakers, the declining Sonos app, and whether alternatives like WiiM or Brennan can deliver accessible, high-quality audio. The hosts share practical insights on customising iPhone VoiceOver gestures for easier control...

Discover practical tips for blind and visually impaired tech users, from mastering Mac keyboard commands to navigating frustrating audio description on smart TVs. Steven Scott and Shaun Preece share listener stories, accessibility rants, and laughs along the way.

In this episode of Double Tap, Steven and Shaun dive into a “Dolly Mixture” of feedback, blending humour with honest talk about living with vision loss in a tech-driven world. They explore smart TV accessibility challenges, like inconsistent audio description volumes, unhelpful voice guidance, and why engineers should be forced to use the tools they build.

Listener Glen...

Explore the evolving world of smart glasses and AI wearables for blind and low vision users. This episode dives into first-hand user feedback on devices like EchoVision Pioneer, Ally Solos, Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses, and emerging players such as Rokid Rocket. Learn about usability, battery life, AI capabilities, and how these devices compare in real-world accessibility.

Steven Scott and Shaun Preece unpack listener emails filled with insightful experiences testing smart glasses. Gregory shares a detailed comparison of EchoVision Pioneer, Ally Solos, and Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses, highlighting the challenges of latency, battery life, and AI reliability. Charles ad...

Blind tech hosts Steven Scott and Shaun Preece unpack your feedback with humour and honesty, diving into accessibility rants, community stories, and why Mastodon’s decentralised social media model drives Steven mad.

In this lively episode of Double Tap, Steven and Shaun return for a Monday marathon of community emails, tech chat, and a few epic rants. Steven kicks things off with a hilarious review of the Netflix film Thrash, complete with “sharks in the shed,” before moving into a serious discussion about accessibility in web design and the value of “Skip to Main Content” links for screen rea...

Explore the week’s biggest tech stories, including the Elon Musk vs Sam Altman court verdict, the launch of Voice Claw Real Time for hands-free Mac control, and fresh rumours on Apple’s smart glasses. Discover how AI is reshaping accessibility, voice control, and wearable tech in 2026.

Steven Scott and Shaun Preece break down a whirlwind of tech news. The episode opens with Elon Musk’s failed lawsuit against Sam Altman and OpenAI, explaining why the jury dismissed the case and what it means for OpenAI’s potential $10 trillion IPO. They highlight the reputational consequences for Altman and how...

[Overview]
Learn how to add alt text to social media images to make your posts accessible and inclusive. Allison Sheridan demonstrates practical tips for Slack, Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon, Discord, and more from her recent ScreenCastsONLINE demonstration.

In this accessible tech tutorial, Allison Sheridan walks through the essential steps of adding alt text (alternative text) to images across popular social media platforms. You’ll hear how screen reader users experience posts with and without alt text, highlighting why it’s so important to include meaningful descriptions.

Alison explores platforms like Slack, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Mastodon, and...

Discover how blind tech enthusiasts are navigating smartphone accessibility, creating custom VoiceOver gestures, and exploring the exciting rise of AI-driven shortcuts. Plus, we cover the return of the Scribe Me app and the home release of OneCourt for sports fans.

In this episode of Double Tap, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece dive into the challenges of personalising smartphone gestures on iOS and the hilarious mishaps that can ensue—like accidentally disabling VoiceOver. They discuss Apple Shortcuts, the potential for AI-powered natural language automation, and the accessibility obstacles that remain in Apple’s interface.

The duo also...

Explore the impact of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD 2026) with Steven Scott, Shaun Preece, and guest Joe Devon, co-founder of the event. Learn how AI, vibe coding, and personalised apps are reshaping accessibility while uncovering the ongoing challenges faced by developers and users alike.

This episode of Double Tap dives into the 15th anniversary of GAAD, reflecting on progress and persistent barriers in digital accessibility. Steven and Shaun discuss the debate around whether GAAD should be celebrated, given that over 90% of websites remain inaccessible to many users. Guest Joe Devon shares insights into the origins of GAAD...

Explore the biggest announcements from Microsoft Ability Summit and Google I/O 2026, including breakthroughs in accessibility, AI-powered video editing, and Google’s new intelligent audio glasses. Discover how screen readers like Narrator are evolving and how AI agents are reshaping the way blind and low-vision users interact with technology.

The discussion covers:

Get ready to explore Apple’s latest accessibility innovations, from AI-powered VoiceOver and live image recognition to on-device subtitles and Vision Pro eye-tracking for wheelchair control. Plus, we cover new Meta Ray-Ban features and the Microsoft Ability Summit highlights.

In this episode, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece dive deep into Apple’s announcements for Global Accessibility Awareness Day. They explore how Apple Intelligence brings smarter image descriptions, live recognition, and conversational support to VoiceOver, Magnifier, and Accessibility Reader. There’s a first look at Vision Pro’s new eye-tracking feature for power wheelchair navigation, generated subtitles across Apple de...

Samsung finally unifies TalkBack with Google, OpenAI considers legal action against Apple, and new AI simulations reveal alarming behaviour — plus the story of a robot dog that went terribly wrong. Steven Scott and Shaun Preece break down the tech headlines everyone’s talking about this week.

This episode dives deep into the accessibility tech world, starting with Samsung’s decision to retire its own version of TalkBack and adopt Google’s unified screen reader across One UI 9. This major change means Galaxy users will now get Play Store updates for accessibility features rather than waiting for system updates...

Discover how Soundscape Community is empowering blind and low vision users through open-source navigation, adaptive sports, and trail experiences. Learn how it enables safer, independent movement in parks, city routes, and even kayaking.

In this in-depth conversation, Steven Scott welcomes the team from Soundscape Community to explore the remarkable journey of the app. Following Microsoft’s decision to discontinue the original Soundscape app, the team rallied to open-source the technology, build partnerships, and expand its impact.

From adaptive sports like skiing and kayaking to trail and terrain navigation in national parks, Soundscape Community provides blind an...

Discover practical travel tips and confidence-building strategies for blind and low-vision travellers with author and vision rehabilitation specialist Lynn Jensen. Learn how to plan, prepare, and enjoy safe, independent travel—whether close to home or overseas—using modern tools, accessibility resources, and mindset shifts.

In this engaging conversation, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece speak with Lynn Jensen, author of Best Kept Secrets for Travellers with Sight Loss. Lynn shares her personal journey of sudden sight loss in 1997 and how she rebuilt her confidence to travel independently with the support of cane skills, guide dogs, and vision rehabilitation trai...

Discover the new Victor Reader Stratus 2 from HumanWare, a modernised, at‑home audiobook player built for blind and low‑vision users. Learn how it differs from the classic Stratus, why it’s ideal for home listening, and how AI personalisation with Lady A+ is changing smart speakers for accessible tech enthusiasts.

In this episode of Double Tap, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece explore accessible technology for blind users.
They kick off with lively banter about AI, browsers, and the nostalgia of classic software like Notepad, then dive into audience feedback on coding with AI for tasks like B...

Explore all the highlights from Google’s latest Android showcase, including Android 17 features, the debut of Gemini intelligence, and the reveal of the Google Book — Google’s new AI-powered laptop platform set to redefine ChromeOS.

Steven Scott and Shaun Preece react to Google’s recent Android event, sharing candid thoughts on Android 17, Gemini-powered personal intelligence, and how AI integration is evolving for accessibility. They dive into form autofill, dictation enhancements, and agentic AI capabilities that promise to handle more tasks automatically.

The conversation also covers the surprise unveiling of the Google Book, positioned as a next-gen...

Explore affordable mini PCs, HDMI dummy adaptors, and accessibility tips for blind tech users with Steven Scott and Shaun Preece. From Geekom setups to switching from iPhone to Pixel, discover practical advice for blind-friendly computing.

Steven and Shaun dive into a packed inbox of listener questions, unpacking everything from Geekom mini PCs and HDMI dummy adaptors to the pros and cons of moving from iPhone to Pixel for blind users. They discuss heat management, app compatibility, and the rising cost of mini PCs, with helpful buying tips including refurbs and open-box deals.

Listeners share experiences...

Learn how blind tech enthusiasts Steven Scott and Shaun Preece explore accessible coding with AI, tackle NVDA 2026.1 updates, and debate when to upgrade your smartphone. Packed with tips on AI-driven coding, accessible app building, and maintaining your devices, this episode is a must for anyone navigating tech with a screen reader.

In this episode of Double Tap, Steven and Shaun dive into the latest NVDA 2026.1 update and share relief that vocaliser voices and key add-ons are fixed after the initial release hiccups. They discuss “vibe coding” — using conversational AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT to create custom, access...

Explore the launch of the Google Fitbit Air, the evolution of distraction‑free health tracking, upcoming AI and Android developments from Google I/O 2026, and how Lutron is making homes smarter with intelligent lighting and accessible automated blinds.

Steven Scott and Shaun Preece dive into a wide‑ranging discussion on mainstream tech. They begin with the Google Fitbit Air, a screenless fitness tracker focused on comfort and core health features like 24/7 heart rate monitoring, AFib alerts, SpO2, and sleep tracking. The hosts examine its real‑world benefits, from week‑long battery life to fast charging and the promise...

Discover how smart speakers like Amazon Echo and Google Nest can transform daily life for blind and visually impaired users. Learn to access entertainment, manage information, and control a smart home using only your voice.

Shaun Preece takes a back-to-basics look at smart speakers, demonstrating why they are such powerful tools for accessibility. Drawing on real-life experiences, he explains the core concept of what “smart” means, how voice control creates instant usability for blind and visually impaired users, and why smart speakers are a must-have gadget.

From playing music, podcasts, and radio to answering questions and...

Discover how blind and partially sighted tech enthusiasts are embracing smart tools like the Orion app, Meta smart glasses, and accessible cooking apps. Learn about the highs and hurdles of using assistive tech, plus listener stories on safety gadgets and smart home solutions.

In this lively episode of Double Tap, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece read listener emails covering everything from the Orion app for Meta smart glasses to the joys and mishaps of home tech. Gregory shares his first-hand experience with Orion detecting obstacles outdoors, while listeners debate the accessibility of smoke detectors and smart timers...

Discover the new Perkins Braille Bloom, an innovative add-on that transforms the classic Perkins Brailler into a Bluetooth and USB Braille keyboard, compatible with computers, tablets, and smartphones. Learn how it supports real-time translation, enhances Braille learning, and connects decades-old devices to the digital world.

In this episode, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece explore the release of NVDA 2026.1 and its important compatibility changes, including the end of 32-bit and Windows 8.1 support. They discuss the practical impact for users, add-on compatibility, and why holding off on immediate updates can save frustration.

The conversation then dives into...