[NJTechDiv] Notes from Presentation

[Andy]

Hello!

Here are some notes from a short presentation I gave yesterday night at the meeting.

The National Library Service is planning to distribute new players this upcoming spring <https://www.loc.gov/nls/about/news/news-october-december-2024/?loclr=fbnls> for its patrons.  The player will be based off the Victor Stratus and will have 28 GB of memory, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and the familiar cartridge slot.  NLS also has an Amazon Echo skill in beta; if interested, contact the library to learn more.  If you have an eReader, NLS is also offering a monthly session to get the most out of it.  Learn more here <https://www.loc.gov/nls/news-and-updates/that-all-may-eread/>.

The OKO app, used for pedestrian signal accessibility, has now gone subscription.  It is $5 a month or $30 a year.  AppleVis has a lengthy discussion on the OKO app page <https://www.applevis.com/comment/181581#comment-181581> about varying opinions.

AppleVis has recently released their yearly Golden Apple <https://www.applevis.com/blog/announcing-winners-2024-applevis-golden-apples-david-goodwin-award> awards for 2024.  The community recognizes hard work that developers have put into making iOS apps accessible to VoiceOver users.  In 2024, Seeing AI was voted as the best app.  The community has also recognized a game, developer of the year, and a "David Goodwin Award", which is recognized for a developer which has had multiple apps and is actively engaged in the community.

HumanWare is offering a discount <https://store.humanware.com/hus/promotion> on select Braille products until the end of March.  They're also launching their podcast <https://www.radio.net/podcast/see-things-differently-with-humanware>  See Things Differently, this month.

The Consumer Electronic Show (CES),  held in early January every year, offers mainly theoretical products, or technology still under development as prototypes.  But, this smart garden <https://www.cnet.com/home/grow-your-next-salad-using-fog-and-this-indoor-smart-garden/> is available now for purchase and can be shipped to you.  I reached out to the company, but haven't been able to get any feedback about accessibility.  Also, these batteries made of paper, <https://www.cnet.com/tech/check-out-these-mind-blowing-concept-products-from-ces-2025/> still in development, may very well be in consumer products someday.  You can find much more about CES here. <https://www.cnet.com/pictures/ces-2025-see-the-35-coolest-tech-products-we-cant-shake/>

I hope everyone had a good holiday season, and I look forward to more tech on 10 February!  Also, don't forget to check the state calendar <https://nfbnj.org/events-calendar> for more events!
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