2015-04-11

Our look at gaming continues, and who better to talk with JJ and Joe but Mr. Audyssey himself, Michael Feir.

Michael has been giving talks about games recently, he has started work on a book detailing the history of audio gaming and he is about to embark on the biggest adventure of them all with his impending marriage later this year. Since this is a Canadian wedding, poutine might be on the menu for the wedding reception. Or maybe not. However, Jenine Stanley shows us some of the best ways to cook potatoes in our demo segment. Plus we have a tip, your feedback and of course the odd story or two in the "Last Word" all coming up in episode 11!

Sponsor:

This episode is brought to you by HIMS, who would like to remind you that "Your needs are our solutions". Check out the E-Bot Video Magnifier, the Blaze EZ reading solution, the new Smart Beetle Braille Display and more by visiting the HIMS website. Or, follow them on Twitter.

In The News:

Freedom Scientific and ABiSee Join Forces

Apple Watch Confirmed to Have VoiceOver, Zoom, and Dynamic Type Support

and
The Weekly Apple Rundown: Happy Birthday iPad Edition
Nearby Explorer 2.2.2 Includes OpenStreetMap, Bug Fixes

APH Product Ideas Form

Cornell University Researchers Exploring Viability of Smart Glasses to help Low Vision users

MIPsoft Receives 2015 Winston Gordon award for Excellence in Accessible Technology from CNIB and Reveals Plans for an Indoor Navigation System

Microsoft Accessibillity Hub launchs

Also of note, the "Daily Tech News Show" had a wonderful discussion about the topic of Microsoft Access. Check out the show.

UK Forces Microsoft To Adopt Open Document Standards

From Forbs, 7 Innovative Education Products For The Blind And Visually Impaired

Ordering Household Items with Amazon Is As Easy As Pushing A Button

Amazon launches Home Services to sell everything from an oil change to piano lessons

[National Federation of the Blind Congratulates Sachin Dev Pavithran](NFB Leader Unanimously Elected Chair of Access Board](https://nfb.org/national-federatison-blind-congratulates-sachin-dev-pavithran)

9th Circuit rules Netflix isn t subject to disability law

Demonstration: Frying Fries And More With Jenine

How long is too long to bake or fry a potato? Take a listen to hear some suggestions and tips for working with that carbohydrate filled spud of goodness. And if you have tips, or would like to send in a demo just like Jenine, send them along to feedback@blindbargains.com

Here are two other links worth a mention, as we did after the demo, from our Articles section.

A Cooking Resource You Won't Be Able to Live Without

Fashion Sense with Jywanza: Just the Basics

Discussion Topic: Michael Feir And Gaming With Your Ears

We start off our look into audio gaming in the "here and now" with things like the Playstation 4 and the rise of games on iOS. Then, we begin to work our way backwards throughout the past 20 years. Michael was kind enough to provide the following show notes. We thank him for doing that legwork as no one knows this subject quite like he does.

From Michael

http://www.audiogames.net

This site should be your first destination. It has become the central

point for information and discussion surrounding games specifically

relying on audio. These games need not be made for blind people

exclusively. Most will be accessible to blind people provided they are

able to hear. Key resources include a large database of all known

auditory games. Each entry has a description, download and developer

links, and much more. Very active well-moderated forums allow for

hundreds of ongoing discussions between interested people to take

place. Be sure to stop by the "new releases" forum to learn about the

latest accessible games.

http://www.applevis.com

As its address implies, this site is focused on providing information

to people using Apple products. There are tutorials, guides, thriving

discussion forums, and rapidly expanding directories of information

about apps. These directories are very well-organized and easy for

community members to add to. If you're uncertain whether a given app

is accessible, check for an entry in the app directory. Moderators

also encourage people to make entries for apps which are found to be

inaccessible. This serves to warn other people who might contemplate

purchasing apps which are not useful to those requiring Voiceover.

http://www.inclusiveandroid.tk

This initiative is similar to Applevis. However, it focuses

exclusively on Android devices and apps.

http://www.audyssey.org

This site contains all 54 issues of the Audyssey e-zine I created in

1996 and edited up to issue 40 in 2004. Although the magazine itself

is of purely historical value, the community which grew out of it is

still a thriving conduit of email communication between players, game

creators and other interested parties.

http://www.64ouncegames.com/

This successfully launched business aims to make modern board games

accessible to blind players. People will need to purchase the original

board game plus the accessibility kit designed by 64 ounce Games.

Sleeves containing Braille will cover pieces or cards. Dice, pieces

and other essentials will be produced using 3d printing. For people

seeking physical board and card games, this is your destination of

choice.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1704875037/rpg-dice-for-the-visually-impaired

This project reached its funding goal and will soon offer Braille dice

used in role playing games produced by 3d printing.

http://www.ulule.com/a-blind-legend/

This project aims to create a video game experience completely in

audio and make it accessible to blind players on mobile devices like

smartphones. Using bin oral sound, players will be able to navigate,

solve puzzles and fight in a fully 3d audio environment.

Notable Games:

All In Play: This site was the first attempt at a game portal whose

objective was to create games and a community for both blind and sighted players. It currently focuses on word and card games including

Post a comment

Shopping is a breeze with our Blind Bargains Apps.

Share: |
Twitter or
Facebook

Show more