Talking Technology with V I Labs

Hosted by Vision Ireland

Technology Education NewsInterviews guestsExplicit

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Episodes

231

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-IE

About the show

This podcast is focused on technology that supports people who are blind and visually impaired. Our panel of IT Trainers & guest panelists discuss all the latest in mainstream and inclusive technology innovations in a fun and informative manner. V I Labs is the technology function within Vision Ireland. Vision Ireland is the national sight loss agency in Ireland. V I Labs provide technology assessments and training for all our service users. We are a not for profit charity, which offers support and services to people of all ages who are experiencing difficulties with their eyesight. Visit www.vi.ie to discover more about our technology services and other range of services Vision Ireland provide

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 25, 2026Episode 11954 min

New assistance booking app on the way from Irish Rail - Talking Technology episode 119

On this episode of Talking Technology, we are joined by Irish rail to discuss a new assistance booking app that is on the way later this year. Ahead of its launch Ronan discusses how Irish rail assistance actually works and what is going to change. David and Daniel discuss The latest on the Vision Ireland Meta glasses partnership, and we explore how taxi app Bolt is using E scooters to improve accessibility. Check out the braille survey here 0:00 - intro 2:01 - Contact Details 3:16 - catching up on Meta Glasses 19:02 - The new assistance booking app from Irish Rail 32:51 - Talking Technology News 52:59 - outro Support the show

August 12, 2026Episode 11951 min

Meta and Vision Ireland announce free glasses partnership - Talking Technology extra

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 Support the show

August 11, 2026Episode 11854 min

The future of accessibility at Tesco - Talking Technology episode 118

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 Support the show

July 28, 2026Episode 1171 hr 5 min

Brian Hartgen discusses Leasey 11.5, and Mayo are all Ireland champions - Talking Technology episode 117

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 Support the show

July 14, 2026Episode 11659 min

What does Vision Ireland want from the budget? - Talking Technology episode 116

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 Support the show

June 30, 2026Episode 1151 hr 0 min

Magnification, maths and more, the latest updates to NVDA - Talking Technology episode 115

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 Support the show

June 16, 2026Episode 1141 hr 4 min

The technology making professional tandem cycling accessible - Talking Technology Episode 114

On this episode of Talking Technology, we are joined by Jessica Kennedy, who tells us all about the technology she uses when competing internationally at tandem cycling competitions. We explore accessible cooking and the OOrion app in your voice notes, as well as accessibility improvements for Tesco stores. There is an audible Monopoly game for Tonieboxes in tech news, and how are blind people benefiting from the Freedom 250 UFC fight at the White House? All that and more on the latest episode of Talking Technology. 0:00 - intro 3:10 - Voice notes 29:20 - Jessica Kennedy discusses Technology for tandem cycling 46:55 - Talking Technology News 63:43 - outro Support the show

June 9, 2026Episode 11451 min

Recap of WWDC 2026, and an all-new Siri - Talking Technology extra

On this episode of Talking Technology, we dive into the new updates announced by Apple at yesterday‘s Worldwide Developers Conference Keynote. The big topic of conversation is, of course, the new and improved Siri, but why aren’t we getting it in Europe yet? David Redmond, Daniel Dunne, Derry Lawler, and Tyler Stephen discuss all that and more. Join the conversation with a WhatsApp voice note. The number you need is +353 86 199 0011. 0:00 intro 2:13 contact detail 2:59 Apple WWDC 2026 discussion 50:07 outro Support the show

June 2, 2026Episode 1131 hr 6 min

What’s the news? - Talking Technology episode 113

On this episode of Talking Technology, we explore how you can access the news in an accessible format. Brian discusses the importance of staying informed and how blind people can participate equally in the information age, and we demo news apps including The Journal, The Irish Times, and The Irish Examiner. We explore the world of audiobooks and hear about some of the teams recent reads, and we hear about new accessible recipes that have been made available by supermarket brand Tesco. Join the conversation with a WhatsApp voice note now. The number you need is +353 86 199 0011. 0:00 intro 2:23 contact details and voice notes 15:11 how to access the news in accessible formats 30:53 the incredible world of audiobooks 44:41 Talking Technology News 1:05:38 Outro Support the show

May 19, 2026Episode 1121 hr 13 min

New Apple Accessibility Features and the Latest in the World of Braille – Talking Technology Episode 112

On this episode of Talking Technology, we react to the latest accessibility features announced by Apple. Peter joins us to discuss updates to digital braille devices, including news on the BrailleNote Evolve and the BrailleSense 7. We also explore the Paige Braille app for those learning braille for the first time with Mairead, while Brian tells us everything we need to know about a new braille book club from Vision Ireland. It’s bank scams and blue screens in this week’s tech news — and why are all the big technology companies suing each other? Join the conversation with a WhatsApp voice note now. The number you need is +353 86 199 0011. 0:17 - intro and chat about Apple Accessibility features 8:06 - The actual official podcast intro with the American fella 11:05 - Contact details, MayFest 2026, and the new Google Fitbit Air 19:30 - Peter discusses the BrailleNote Evolve and BrailleSense 7 32:09 - Brian discusses the Vision Ireland bookclub, and David has some canine competition 44:39 - Paige Braille with Mairead 54:33 - Talking Technology News 1:01:51 - outro Support the show