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From: NCBI Tech News <technews=3Dncbi.ie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> On =
Behalf Of NCBI Tech News
Sent: 6 March 2018 4:01 pm
To: hollyandopal@xxxxxxxxx
Subject: NCBI Tech News - Spring 2018
=20
Technology E-newsletter=20
Spring 2018
Issue 4
=20
Welcome
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the first Tech News of =
2018. We are excited to bring you another packed edition with news from =
NCBI and beyond.
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In this edition you'll read about exciting developments at our library =
service, learn about the Amazon Echo's availability and official support =
in Ireland and find out about Soundscape, our app of the month.
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We're always happy to receive feedback and suggestions for future =
editions of Tech News, so please do get in touch with any comments you =
may have.
Stuart Lawler
Head of Technology Innovation, NCBI=20
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=09
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In this Edition
* Latest News
* New Product Releases
* NCBI Technology Podcast
* Recent and Upcoming Events
* Sharon Shortcuts
* Technology Tutorials =20
* App of the Month
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=09
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Latest News
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NCBI Library becomes member of Bookshare and ABC consortium
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As of December 2017, the NCBI Library has access to over 600,000 titles =
in alternative formats. The NCBI Library has joined Bookshare and The =
ABC Consortium, both international organisations and consortiums paving =
the way for access to international academic and leisure reading titles.
=20
Based in the USA, Bookshare offers the world's largest collection of =
accessible titles. Books can be listened to in high quality text to =
speech. A physical Braille, or large print copy can be produced from a =
digital file, and texts can be read directly from an internet browser. =
All titles can be read on a suite of different devices including =
computers, tablets, smartphones and assistive technology devices.=20
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All Books that are available to the NCBI Library through Bookshare are =
copyright cleared and the Library would have access to approximately =
340,000 accessible digital titles immediately. Bookshare in the USA is =
used mainly by students with sight loss and Libraries to access =
educational reading material.
=20
The ABC Consortium is an alliance of WIPO and other international =
organisations for the blind. The service offers titles in accessible =
formats in over 55 languages making this a unique global repository for =
the search and exchange of digital copies. The ABC service currently =
requires that rights be granted from rights holders in order to allow =
the exchange of books from one country to another. Once the Marrakesh =
Treaty is ratified, this barrier will be lifted and the exchange of =
digital files between libraries for people with sight loss =
internationally will happen seamlessly. The Marrakesh Treaty is due to =
be transposed into Irish Law by the 11th of October 2018.
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What does it mean for NCBI Library members? This is good news for =
students in higher education and individuals with specific leisure =
reading requests. NCBI Library staff can search, download or make =
available in digital format requested titles. If you have a student in =
your area in higher education, or is considering enrolling in the next =
academic year, the Library would be more than happy to advise their =
course coordinator, disability officer or the student directly on the =
availability of their curriculum in digital formats.=20
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Amazon Echo and Alexa launch in Ireland
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Amazon has announced that its Echo voice activated smart speaker range =
and its Alexa smart assistant are now available to customers here in =
Ireland.
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The devices come equipped with Irish broadcasting stations including =
RT=C3=89 News and Dublin=E2=80=99s FM104 and services such as Irish =
Radioplayer and Ryanair.
The Echo boasts far-field voice recognition to clearly hear the user =
from across the room.
Alexa is the brain that powers Echo and answers the questions, makes =
calls, sends messages, plays music, reads audiobooks, turns on and off =
the lights as well as give news and weather updates.
The Alexa Skills Kit and Alexa Voice Service are also available for =
developers in Ireland to build apps =E2=80=93 known in Alexa vernacular =
as =E2=80=98skills=E2=80=99 =E2=80=93 for Alexa-enabled devices in the =
Irish market.
The system was first launched in the US in 2014 and since then has been =
slowly rolled out by the internet giant around the world and localised =
for individual markets. It had been possible to buy the products in =
other countries and use them here, but the system wasn=E2=80=99t =
optimised for the Irish market.
Now Amazon says it will sell the Echo and Echo Dot devices directly into =
Ireland from its Amazon.co.uk website. The main difference between the =
Echo and Echo Dot is the speaker: The Echo Dot is essentially the top =
portion of the regular Amazon Echo, without the beefy speaker underneath =
it. Instead, The Echo Dot is designed to be hooked up to a set of =
external speakers, if required.
It is predicted the move will increase competition and choice in the =
rapidly growing smart assistant market here.
Customers in Ireland can order an Amazon Echo from =C2=A389.99 =
(=E2=82=AC103.28) or an Echo Dot for =C2=A349.99 (=E2=82=AC57.37) from =
<https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3D0075302c481fdf615a1e203=
7f&id=3Da6e8a4a4f6&e=3D02448e8027> Amazon.co.uk, with the option to pay =
in Euro at the checkout.
Already own an Amazon Echo? Why not check out this =
<https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3D0075302c481fdf615a1e203=
7f&id=3D68f1fb6710&e=3D02448e8027> list of 15 top rated Amazon Echo =
Skills.=20
=20
=09
Talk of 5G dominates Mobile World Congress in Barcelona
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The prospect of a 5th generation or =E2=80=9C5G=E2=80=9D mobile network =
turned out to be the focal point at this year=E2=80=99s Mobile World =
Congress that took place from 26th Feb to 1st March in Barcelona.
5G is the next generation of mobile signal that looks set to transform =
the way consumers use their smartphones. With a much larger bandwidth, =
5G allows more data to travel across the networks at much faster speeds =
with the service expected to allow consumers to, for example, download a =
full HD movie in a matter of seconds.
In recent weeks, Ireland's two big mobile operators have begun =
discussing the next big step in cellular technology. Vodafone has =
already begun testing 5G, and Three said it would invest =E2=82=AC100 =
million a year on the rollout of its next generation network as it =
prepares to go live with the new technology over the next 12 to 24 =
months.
Perhaps most promisingly, it offers some hope to those in rural Ireland =
with poor broadband access, where 5G is potentially able to offer fast =
internet access to previously underserved areas.=20
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=09
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New Otter app lets you record, transcribe, search and share your voice =
conversations
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Developed by former employees from Google and well-known =
speech-recognition software producer Nuance, Otter is a free app that =
transcribes speech on the go through the power of artificial =
intelligence (AI).
To use Otter, you tap a microphone icon to begin a recording, and almost =
immediately, a live raw transcript of what you're saying begins to =
appear in front of you.
Otter's transcripts also are searchable, not only within one transcript =
but across all your stored recordings. It automatically generates =
keywords you can tap to search. You can form teams in Otter, and content =
can be shared within the Otter app with individuals or team members. You =
can also send anyone a link to a transcript viewable on the web.=20
Otter is available for devices running Google's Android system and on =
Apple mobile products.=20
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=09
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Twitter lets you describe your pics for people with impaired vision
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Did you know that Twitter has an option that lets you add a description =
to pictures, to help the visually-impaired? Well, now you do!
The accessibility option has been there for some time, but it=E2=80=99s =
nevertheless an important one. What=E2=80=99s better, it=E2=80=99s easy =
to use!
In the accessibility menu, you simply need to check the =E2=80=9CCompose =
image descriptions,=E2=80=9D check box, which allows you to =
=E2=80=9Cdescribe images for the visually impaired=E2=80=9D.
When you upload an image to Twitter via iOS or Android, you have the =
option to add a short description to the pictures. When you do so, users =
who have VoiceOver turned on can hear the description read out along =
with the tweet.
Images aren=E2=80=99t as big a part of Twitter as they are of Instagram, =
for example, but they do play a large part of some posts and can provide =
crucial context that visually impaired users might miss.=20
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=09
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New Product Releases=20
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Focus 40 Blue 5th Generation
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The new Focus=C2=AE 40 Blue 5th Generation from Freedom Scientific is a =
portable refreshable braille display with 40 braille cells and an 8-dot =
keyboard.
=20
Features include convenient thumb key and panning buttons; exclusive NAV =
Rockers for rapid scrolling by line, sentence, paragraph, or panning =
through a document; menu button for quick access to settings; adjustable =
key repeat for rapid scrolling and panning; option to select your =
braille firmness with VariBraille; and time and date display.
=20
You can use the Focus 40 Blue 5th Generation with JAWS for combined =
speech and braille access or use it with JAWS for Braille Study Mode to =
learn and teach braille.=20
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=09
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Acuity Speech Electronic Magnifier
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The Acuity marks a new evolution in Electronic magnifiers from Rehan =
Electronics. Incorporating a 22=E2=80=9D screen, the Acuity can be =
customized to suit the requirements of all end users and now comes with =
Full A4 OCR incorporating auto language detection.
The Acuity is provided with a Full HD (1080p) camera and display as =
standard, giving the user a very sharp and stable image along with a =
very wide viewing angle.
The XY-table offers space for A3 reading material and also incorporates =
our own unique Magnetic Lines technology that ensures the reader will =
never lose track of their text.
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=09
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NCBI Technology Podcast Episode 70
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NCBI's monthly Technology Podcast takes a look at the world of assistive =
technology for people with sight loss, but with an Irish slant. The =
podcast features interviews, product demonstrations, tutorials and =
occasional lifestyle segments with people throughout Ireland and abroad. =
This month:=20
* Lina Kouzi, NCBI=E2=80=99s Library and Media Centre Manager is with =
Stuart to tell us about some really exciting developments to the library =
service. Stuart follows this with a demonstration of how to search the =
<https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3D0075302c481fdf615a1e203=
7f&id=3D0a442c4433&e=3D02448e8027> Bookshare Service that Lina has just =
talked about.
* Sharon Lyons is back to talk about shortcuts that can be used in =
conjunction with the Windows key. We=E2=80=99ll be continuing this =
series over the next few months.
* Finally, Stuart catches up with Gareth Hickey and Shane Ennis from =
<https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3D0075302c481fdf615a1e203=
7f&id=3Daae5bee85d&e=3D02448e8027> News Over Audio, and we find out more =
about the company and their plans for the future.
Listen to =
<https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3D0075302c481fdf615a1e203=
7f&id=3D4fd4e19172&e=3D02448e8027> NCBI's Technology Podcast for March =
2018.=20
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=09
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Recent and Upcoming Events
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NCBI Fundamentals in Assistive Technology Course
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Are you interested in learning about assistive technology for people =
with vision impairment?
Whether you=E2=80=99re an assistive technology user, a parent/family =
member, an educator, or just someone with a general interest in this =
area, this training course will help you get the most out of what =
technology can offer.
This e-learning course will be delivered primarily online in combination =
with a select number of on-site face to face training days at =
NCBI=E2=80=99s National Training Centre in Drumcondra, Dublin 9. Upon =
completion, participants will be able to:=20
* Understand what is meant by the term =E2=80=9Cassistive =
technology=E2=80=9D.
* Demonstrate an awareness of a range of technological solutions (both =
assistive and mainstream) and their application in the lives of people =
with impaired vision.
* Understand other students=E2=80=99 experiences with assistive =
technology through the course=E2=80=99s online discussion forum and face =
to face training days.
* Develop a specialist interest in at least one aspect of assistive =
technology for people with sight loss.
Background
In September of 2017, NCBI launched its first ever online training =
programme, entitled =E2=80=98Fundamentals in Assistive =
Technology=E2=80=99. The course, an initiative of NCBI=E2=80=99s =
Technology Specialist Team, was designed to provide a broad overview of =
assistive technologies used by people with impaired vision and ran over =
12 weeks. Students learned how assistive and mainstream technologies can =
work together to provide access to solutions in environments including =
education, work and leisure. It was primarily delivered online alongside =
two on-site training days where students were given a chance to try out =
a significant amount of the technology that featured in the course for =
themselves.=20
More Information and Register Your Interest
For more information or if you are interested in participating in the =
next Fundamentals in Assistive Technology Course taking place in 2018 =
please contact NCBI today. You can call Stuart Lawler or JP Corcoran in =
NCBI on 018307033.=20
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NCBI Virtual Technology Club =E2=80=93 Next Session Thursday 29th March
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The Virtual Technology Club was established in 2017 in recognition of =
the fact that for many people with sight loss who rely on technology to =
live an independent life, it can be difficult to travel to access =
training or support, or to meet other users and share knowledge.
=20
Our Virtual Technology Club takes place on line. Participants learn and =
share from each other in a space where knowledge and experiences can be =
exchanged freely.
=20
Since it was launched in April of last year, the club has enjoyed =
participation from technology enthusiasts from all over the country and =
international sight loss community. Guest speakers regularly appear on =
the virtual club and new participants are invited to join the =
conversation at any time. In our February meeting, Dave Nason introduced =
us to the world of Smart Home technology. We talk smart plugs, smart =
devices and how to put all this new and exciting tech together.
=20
How does it work?
Virtual Tech Club sessions are run on Zoom - a high definition video =
conferencing and desktop sharing software. Using Zoom will allow people =
all over the world to dial in using a standard telephone, which makes =
the club very accessible.=20
Next Virtual Technology Club Session
The next session will take place at 7pm on Thursday 29th March. All club =
sessions are available as podcasts at =
<https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3D0075302c481fdf615a1e203=
7f&id=3D55bd68b2bb&e=3D02448e8027> www.ncbi.ie/technology. Please =
<mailto:stuart.lawler@xxxxxxx> get in touch for more information.=20
=20
=09
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Sharon's Shortcuts =E2=80=93 IT Training without the Mouse=20
=20
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Tech News is delighted to be back with more Sharon's Shortcuts for 2018!
Shortcut of the Week
Sharon sends out an email every Monday with her Shortcut of the Week. =
Right now she is going through the Windows key shortcuts. The ones =
mentioned on her weekly emails so far have been:
=20
Windows + A: Action Center
Windows + B: System Tray
Windows + C: Cortana Voice Assistant
Windows + D: Desktop
Windows + E: File Explorer
Windows + F: Feedback
Windows + G: Game Bar
Windows + H: Dictate (US language setting only) Windows + I: Settings
*These are all based on Windows 10 (some are available in older versions =
but not all).
Latest Pocket Podcasts
Sharon=E2=80=99s Shortcuts also has a section on its website called =
<https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3D0075302c481fdf615a1e203=
7f&id=3Dcef3a4c2c9&e=3D02448e8027> Pocket Podcasts. This contains the =
Sharon=E2=80=99s Shortcuts slots from each monthly NCBI Technology =
Podcasts, including a list of shortcuts from each episode as a handy =
reference.
Check out Sharon's Shortcuts =
<https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3D0075302c481fdf615a1e203=
7f&id=3D81806724cc&e=3D02448e8027> Pocket Podcast for February 2018. =
This pocket podcast is all about using the accessibility menu in Google =
Docs.
Contact Sharon on <mailto:info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> =
info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx or for further information or if you would =
like to sign up to Sharon=E2=80=99s mailing list.=20
=20
=09
=20
Technology Tutorials=20
=20
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This month, NCBI=E2=80=99s Technical Support Officer Paul Traynor =
outlines steps you can take when you first open up MS Outlook versions =
2013 and 2016 to make folders such as the Inbox and any sub folders =
easier to view with a screen reader.
=
<https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3D0075302c481fdf615a1e203=
7f&id=3D91c2d7659b&e=3D02448e8027> Technology Tutorial: Configuring =
Outlook 2013 and 2016 for easier viewing
=20
In addition, accessibility advocate and close friend of NCBI David Nason =
is back with a video tutorial on using the Control Centre in iOS7, which =
gives quick and convenient access to toggles and settings including =
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and music controls.
=
<https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3D0075302c481fdf615a1e203=
7f&id=3D7da92d6108&e=3D02448e8027> Technology Tutorial: iOS7 with =
VoiceOver: Control Centre=20
=20
=09
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App of the Month
Soundscape from Microsoft
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This month we take a look at the recently launched Soundscape app from =
Microsoft that is designed to help blind and vision impaired people =
navigate cities.
=20
Microsoft launched the app on 1st March on with the aim of providing =
people who are blind or visually impaired with a greater awareness of =
their surrounding by using 3D cues.
=20
It=E2=80=99s worth stressing that the app isn=E2=80=99t about replacing =
guide dogs or canes. Instead, it=E2=80=99s all about enriching =
people=E2=80=99s perception of their surroundings. A guide dog =
can=E2=80=99t tell you that your favorite store is right around the =
corner if you=E2=80=99re in an unfamiliar city or what street you are =
on, after all. With the app, users can set audio beacons for =
destinations and landmarks. Using GPS and the built-in compass in the =
phone, the app then generates its spatial audio cues. The mapping data =
is provided by OpenStreetMap.
=20
=E2=80=9CObstacle avoidance is not the problem, we have a dog, a cane =
and our blindness skills for that,=E2=80=9D according to Erin Lauridsen, =
Access Technology Director at the LightHouse for the Blind in San =
Francisco. =E2=80=9CThe gap is knowing where things are and being able =
to decide what=E2=80=99s of interest.=E2=80=9D
The app offers three modes: =E2=80=98locate=E2=80=99 tells you where you =
are, =E2=80=98around me=E2=80=99 calls out four points of interest =
around you and =E2=80=98ahead of me=E2=80=99 provides the names of five =
landmarks in front of you.
=20
Currently, Microsoft Soundscape is not available in the App store from =
Ireland, only the UK and US. Further plans for an Android version are =
yet to be announced.
For now, if you want to see the app in action, check out this =
<https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3D0075302c481fdf615a1e203=
7f&id=3D9be2703512&e=3D02448e8027> Soundscape Demonstration Video.=20
=20
=09
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Keep in Touch
If there is something you would like to see featured in the next issue =
of Tech News please get in touch. We would love to hear from you! Please =
email technews@xxxxxxx or call on 018307033.=20
=
<https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3D0075302c481fdf615a1e203=
7f&id=3De7b35b37da&e=3D02448e8027>=20
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<https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3D0075302c481fdf615a1e203=
7f&id=3D36264c8df8&e=3D02448e8027>=20
This email was sent to hollyandopal@xxxxxxxxx =
<mailto:hollyandopal@xxxxxxxxx> =20
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