Blind Android Users Podcast

EPISODE 239 THE STATE OF RADIO APPS IN 2025Welcome to Episode 239. In this week’s episode, our focus is on the state of Radio apps in 2025. Android Basics: RADIO APPS IN 2025 1. TuneIn Radio, 2. VRadio, 3. Cloud Radio, 4. AudialsPlay AND 5. Radio - Apps (Radio FM). SpotlightIn the spotlight, we spotlight the “Nothing Phone.: App of the weekFor this week’s “App of the week,” our focus is on the “Open Document Reader. Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel. Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 238, Blastbay TTS for Windows and the Quest for an Android Version Android BasicsWe discuss what's new in Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2.1. SpotlightWe have the privilege of talking to Philip Bennefall of Blastbay Studios, the developer behind new text-to-speech voices for Windows. We discuss the process of creating the TTS engine and the possibility of an Android Version. Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel. Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Episode 237. In this week’s episode, our focus is on the review and impressions of the Motorola Razr+2024. SpotlightJohn treats us to a quick review and impressions of the Motorola Razr+2024, where the crew members voice their opinions of the phone. App of the weekFor this week’s “App of the week,” our focus is on the “Office Viewer Reader” by “nTools.” Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel. Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EPISODE 236 ANDROID 16 RELEASE AND MOREWelcome to Episode 236. This week has been busy for Google as Android 16 Public release drops including the “Pixel Feature-drop” and the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2  ANNOUNCEMENTS We knew that at some point, the ElevenLabs Reader would become a subscription-based access, but we didn’t think it was coming this soon. The usage of this app requires subscription. ANDROID BASICS Besides Google dropping Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2, Samsung wasn’t sitting around, thus, One UI 8 Beta 2 for the S25-Series of phones equally dropped. SpotlightIn the spotlight is the Android 16 Public release and the “Pixel-feature-drop.” App of the weekFor this week’s “App of the week,” our focus is on the “1Cross” Bible app. ANDROID JOURNEY WITH mckensie ParkerMckensie Parker joins us to talk about her Android Journey story. Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel. Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 235, a visit with the developers of TableEx Android basicsWe discuss the release of Android 16 QPR Beta 1.1. SpotlightWe are joined by the developers of TableEx – an app designed so that blind and visually impaired people can play classic board and card games. App of the weekWarren brings us a demonstration of a new bible app, Random Scripture Verse Picker. Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel. Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 234, Seeing Assistant Go Android basicsWe discuss what’s new in the recently launched Samsung One UI 8 Beta available on the S25 series of phones.  Enroll via the Samsung Members app. SpotlightWe are joined for a conversation by the developers of Seeing Assistant GO – an app we recently discussed when we surveyed the state of GPS apps. Talkback highlightsJohn demonstrates the new table navigation mode in Talkback 16. Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel. Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 233, Google I/O 2025 Android16 QPR1Beta1 Google preceded the public release of Android16 with “Android16QPR1Beta1.” SpotlightThis week, the focus is on Google I/O 2025 – Google’s annual developer conference which took place on 20 and 21 May.  The crew discuss the highlights, but it’s worth reading the 100 I/O announcements in full. App of the weekFocusing on one of the I/O announcements, Warren demonstrates the Google Notebook LM app. Talkback highlightsJohn demonstrates the new screen description feature in Talkback 16. Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel. Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 232, Talkback 16 Android basicsThis week, we discuss the release of Talkback 16. SpotlightIt’s a busy section this week.  We talk about various phones including the Samsung S25 Edge, The Sony Xperia 1 VII and the latest Android 16 Beta. Talkback highlightsJohn shows us how to ask follow up questions when you have a Talkback image description – a new feature of Talkback 16. Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel. Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 231, Screen readers for Android Android basicsIn recent episodes we have been revisiting app categories we looked at in the early days of the podcast.  However, we have never dedicated a full segment to screen readers though we have discussed the differences in passing, so we are remedying that now.  This week, we look at Talkback available as part of Google’s Android Accessibility Suite, Jieshuo/Commentary and Prudence. Check out this comparison article between TalkBack and Jieshuo on Accessible Android. SpotlightThis week, we touch on some of the fixes in the May security patch. App of the weekWarren demonstrates the text to speech app, TTS Router. Tip of the weekJohn shows us how to handle different aspects of the Notifications and Quick Settings panels in Samsung One UI 7. Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel. Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 230, GPS apps Android basicsIn recent episodes we have been revisiting app categories we looked at in the early days of the podcast.  This week, we look at the state of GPS apps in 2025.  Apps discussed include Google Maps, Lazarillo Accessible GPS, Seeing Assistant Move and the simpler Seeing Assistant Go, Goodmaps Outdoors and Waymap (disclaimer: this one hasn’t been tested)! UnboxingJoe Hodge unboxes his new tablet, the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3. CommentaryKarene brings us the next episode in our Jieshuo series, looking at its ability to take full and partial screen shots, as well as a direct touch and hold function. App of the weekWarren demonstrates the Text to Speech engine, Speecx. Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel. Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 229, Audio book apps Android basicsIn recent episodes we have been revisiting app categories we looked at in the early days of the podcast.  This week, we look at the state of audio book apps in 2025.  We discuss various apps including  Audible, Smart AudioBook Player, Listen Audiobook Player, mAbook and  LibriVox SpotlightWe talk about the new phones from Motorola. My Android JourneyKirt Manwaring joins us to tell his Android journey story. Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel. Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 228, a look at browsers and Android 16 Beta 4 AnnouncementsThe developer of the app  Magnifier which John demonstrated a few weeks ago has very generously donated a number of codes which will remove ads from the app.  Get in touch if you’d like one. Android basicsIn recent episodes we have been revisiting app categories we looked at in the early days of the podcast.  This week, we look at the state of browsers in 2025.  We discuss Google Chrome, Vivaldi, Brave, Samsung Internet Browser, Microsoft Edge and Firefox. Spotlight It’s a busy Spotlight section this week.  First, we discuss the changes in Android 16 Beta 4.  Next, we talk about Samsung resuming the roll-out Of OneUI 7.  Finally, we look at the Honor Power, notable for its massive battery. CommentaryIn keeping with the theme of this week’s episode, Karene demonstrates the web browser built into Jieshuo. Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel. Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode227: The state of Email Clients in2025 Welcome to Episode227, where we discuss the state of email clients in2025. ANDROID BASICSEmail clients continue to be a hot subject matter on both our email and Telegram groups. Thus, this week, we focus on the state of email clients in 2025. In this week’s discussion, we touch on the following clients: Gmail, Email Lite, Edison mail, Spark Mail, TwoBird, Aquamail, etc. where we talked about their strengths and weaknesses. SPOTLIGHTIn the spotlight is the One UI 7 stable release for the S24-series and the new changes it brought. Alongside with that is a spotlight on the Pixel update for the month of April as well as the Android 16 beta 2 coming in for the OnePlus 13. TIP OF THE WEEKJohn brings us an updated tutorial on how to install the Google Talkback on a Samsung device. The required batch files are found using this URL. ANDROID JOURNEYTo close this week’s episode, our friend Devin Prater brings us his Android Journey story. Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel. Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode226: 2025 2nd Quarter Open-Listener Session Welcome to Episode226, our 2nd Quarter Open-Listener Session. SPOTLIGHTSince this is an open-listener session, we moved segments around some, thus, the “spotlight” segment is about Android16Beta3.2 and One UI7Beta for the Galaxy A55 phone. BACKUP DISCUSSION This segment is a general discussion on Android backup, especially focusing on Talkback. TTS DISCUSSION In this segment, the focus is on the implementation of the Google TTS update policy. EMAIL DISCUSSIONThe question of how email threads are handled in Gmail and others is the focus of this segment. THE CUSTOMIZATION OF BRAILLE COMMANDSThis segment spotlights the inability of customizing commands for either the Braille Display or the virtual Braille keyboard. Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel. Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 225: The State of eBook Readers In 2025 Part 2 (Off-the-shelf Readers) Welcome to Episode 225 where we talk about the state of eBook Readers in 2025. Android BasicsIn this segment, we feature part 2 of the state of eBook Readers in 2025 with the emphasis on the “off-the-shelf” eBook readers in the way of the following apps: Speech Central, ElevenLabs Reader, @Voice Aloud Reader, etc. SPOTLIGHTThe One UI 7 Beta 2 for the S23-series is spotlighted where the use of the Side-Key can be used for a different digital Assistant instead of Bixby. APP OF THE WEEKTo commensurate with the theme of this week’s episode, the “app of the week” highlights “Reedy.” TIP OF THE WEEKFor the “Tip of the week,” our friend, Joe Hodge demonstrates how to use the “Share Screen,” while using “Gemini Live.” Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel. Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 224, launch of the Google Pixel 9A Android basicsWe discuss the changes in Android 16 Beta 3.1. SpotlightThis week Google launched the Pixel 9A.  The crew discuss the phone and whether or not they’ll be buying it. App of the weekJohn demonstrates the Button Mapper app. Tip of the weekWarren shows us how to perform some basic phone operations using Google Gemini in place of the Google Assistant. Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel. Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 223: PODCAST CLIENTS IN 2025 Welcome to Episode223. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Google is looking for participants from the U.S. and the UK for the “Phone Typing Research study.” Details: Length of Study: 75 minutes Dates: March 20th through April 4th Compensation for your time: $100 or 80 British Pounds URL for remote participation: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeYWM6XHX8WXtDN5o1XZ0I2DbHCVkG6FKDWJlkr7oCpYH_81g/viewform Android BasicsIn this segment, we take a look at the state of podcasts clients in2025 where we mentioned the likes of: “Pocketcasts,” “Antennapod,” “AudialsPlay,” “Podcast Addict,” “Tune-In Radio,” “Spotify,” etc. SPOTLIGHTIn the week of March 10th, both Google and Samsung dropped betas. Android16Beta3 for Pixels6-9 and Samsung dropped the first beta of One UI7 for the S23-Series for U.S. users. CSR ENTRY: Kareen brings us another entry from Jieshuo called “Translation.” Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel. Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 222: MWC2025 AND MARCH2025 PIXEL DROP Android BasicsWelcome to Episode222. In this segment, Google dropped both the March Pixel Feature-drop for Pixel phones and the Watches.  SPOTLIGHTIn the spotlight segment, we highlight what took place at the MWC2025 week, where Samsung dropped a trio of phones—A26, A36 and A56. We also mentioned in passing phones from the likes of Honor, Xiaomi and ZTE. HARDWARE DEMOOur friend and listener of the podcast Aaron Spears shows us how to install a Ruki screen protector. TIP OF THE WEEK: In this week’s “tip of the week,” we highlight the “Read Mode” of the “Aggregator News RSS Reader.” Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel. Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 221: OnePlus 13 Review and New Voices for RHVoice TTS  Android BasicsWelcome to Episode 221. In this episode, Olga, the Dev of “RHVoice” informs us of what’s going on with the new voices for Armenian and Finish languages. Google dropped a little patch for Android 16 Beta 2, bringing it to Android16Beta2.1 with the following fixes: Fixed an issue that sometimes prevented devices from entering Doze mode. (Issue #396603519) Fixed issues that caused some animations to appear choppy while configuring live wallpapers. (Issue #397659072) Fixed an issue that sometimes caused devices to reboot unexpectedly. (Issue #396541565) Fixed various other issues that were impacting system stability, connectivity, and performance. During the same week, Google and Qualcomm team up to extend support for future SnapDragon 7 and 8 powered phones by 8 years. SPOTLIGHTIn the spotlight segment, John gives us a review of the OnePlus 13. The app mentioned to correct the bluetooth issue can be found here. Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel. Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 220, shopping with innosearch AI Android basicsTalkback 15.2 has been released.  Braille displays which use the HID protocol are now supported via Bluetooth, such as the most recent releases from Humanware. SpotlightWe are joined by Patrick Long from Innosearch AI, a shopping site which aims to make the experience of shopping from major retailers more accessible. App of the weekWarren brings us a demonstration of the game Project Dark. CommentaryKarene shows us the touch locking feature in Jieshuo. Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel. Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.