Talking Technology with V I Labs

Hosted by Vision Ireland

Technology Education NewsInterviews guestsExplicit

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Episodes

224

Latest episode

Jun 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

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 - intro3:10 - Voice notes29:20 - Jessica Kennedy discusses Technology for tandem cycling46:55 - Talking Technology News63:43 - 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 intro2:13 contact detail2:59 Apple WWDC 2026 discussion50:07 outroSupport 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 intro2:23 contact details and voice notes15:11 how to access the news in accessible formats30:53 the incredible world of audiobooks44:41 Talking Technology News1:05:38 OutroSupport 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 features8:06 - The actual official podcast intro with the American fella11:05 - Contact details, MayFest 2026, and the new Google Fitbit Air19:30 - Peter discusses the BrailleNote Evolve and BrailleSense 732:09 - Brian discusses the Vision Ireland bookclub, and David has some canine competition44:39 - Paige Braille with Mairead54:33 - Talking Technology News1:01:51 - outro Support the show

May 5, 2026Episode 11157 min

What’s with all the labels? A chat with Hable about Speechlabels - Talking Technology episode 111

On this episode of Talking Technology, we learn about Speechlabels, a new product from the team behind the Hable One and Hable Easy smartphone controllers.The team also tell us about Stactiles, their new tactile sticker product.We explore new laptop chargers and Meta Glasses in Tech News, and can GameStop afford to buy eBay?All that and more on the latest episode of Talking Technology with V I Labs.Join the conversation with a WhatsApp voice note now. The number you need is +353 86 199 0011. 0:00 intro2:14 Voice Notes9:51 Hable Speechlables interview32:39 Talking Technology News56:12 OutroSupport the show

April 21, 2026Episode 11048 min

Tim Cook steps down, and a new Irish assistive technology company - Talking Technology episode 110

Tim Cook is officially stepping down as Apple CEO in September. In this episode of Talking Technology, David and Joe react to the news.Nathan Proudfoot tells us what it’s like to launch an assistive technology company as a teenager and shares his new calculator app available on iOS, Android, and Windows devices.We explore Fire TV and Firefox improvements in tech news, and we discuss the launch of Aira on Meta glasses.Join the conversation with the voice note now. The number you need is +353 86 199 0011. 0:00 intro0:42 Tim Cook stepping down from Apple6:20 Voice Notes14:20 Nathan Proudfoot on his new calculator app27:16 Talking Technology News47:20 outroSupport the show

April 7, 2026Episode 1091 hr 13 min

What is Aira? And how does visual interpreting work? Talking Technology episode 109

On this episode of Talking Technology, we discuss the world of visual interpreting with Aira. Jenine Stanley discusses what Aira is and how the platform works, sharing exciting news on the future of integrations with the Meta glasses.We also hear from Rebekah, who is a visual interpreter for the service. She shares what kind of tasks people use Aira for as well as some of the coolest things that she has got to describe.We hear about a new virtual town for Braille users, complete with an AI-powered bartender, and could Be My Eyes volunteers help you run a marathon?Join the conversation with a voice note now. The number you need is +353 86 199 0011.To call Aira support in Ireland the number that you need is 1-800-851 255. To sign up you use the Aira Explorer app.0:00 intro2:24 voice notes21:22 what is Aira? A chat with Jenine Stanley.40:00 visual interpreting chat with Rebekah53:53 Talking Technology News71:47 outro Support the show

March 24, 2026Episode 10859 min

Tactile graphics, iPhone warnings, and the latest from CSUN 2026 - Talking Technology 108

On this episode of Talking Technology, we catch up with Michael Grimes from Canon to learn about their world unseen exhibition and the technology behind printing tactile images.We share our thoughts on the latest updates from the CSUN conference in the US, discussing new products from Habel, as well as lots of Meta Glasses updates. We discuss the Garda iPhone warning and share how Vision Ireland can help, and we explore the invisible button causing havoc for screen reader users on Facebook.Join the conversation with a WhatsApp voice note now. The number you need is +353 86 199 0011. 0:00 - intro 2:29 - Voice Notes and CSUN 202626:16 - Tactile Graphics Discussion37:31 - Talking Technology News57:48 - OutroSupport the show

March 10, 2026Episode 1071 hr 9 min

What is the weWALK Smart Cane? - Talking Technology episode 107

On this episode of Talking Technology, we explore the WeWALK smart Cane and ask how technology can be used to enhance the traditional long cane we know and love. Jean Marc Feghali Chief Innovation Officer at WeWALK tells us about the WeWALK smart cane too and shares some exclusive news on their ever expanding WeAssist service. We dive into all the new products from Apple, discuss the new tech support hub from Vision Ireland, and say hello to Zippay, a new payment service from AIB, Bank of Ireland, and PTSB.Joe shares info on a new archive of Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh’s GAA commentary, and in a week where Ring announced a new Irish voice for Ring video doorbells, David shares how he just missed out on the job.The archive : TheReplay.ie2:16 Voice Notes12:54 WeWALK Smart Cane and the WeAssist service39:29 Elaine discusses the Tech Support Hub and Vision Ireland’s Tech Clubs.49:33 Talking Technology News68:01 OutroSupport the show

February 24, 2026Episode 10652 min

Audio Description research in Ireland, and Be My Eyes in the workplace - Talking Technology episode 106

On this episode of Talking Technology, we catch up with Lucia Pintado Gutierrez to learn about her ADESI research looking at audio description in Ireland. We explore the newly announced Be My Eyes Workplace in Tech News, and speculate on what new fancy toys we might be getting at next weeks Apple event.Joe investigates why David made the RTE News, and shares details of a new public Consultation being conducted by the Irish government into the cost of disability.Handy linksCost of disability survey: www.Gov.ie/COD Read the Audio Description research: https://adesireland.comJoin the conversation with a WhatsApp voice note. The number you need is +353 86 199 00110:18 intro2:18 contact details3:41 tactile images and the World Unseen exhibition12:29 Lucia Pintado Gutierrez on her Audio Description research33:30 Talking Technology News50:57 OutroSupport the show