[SC-CSTD] FW: V I Labs Tech On Tap Newsletter Edition 211
floza58 at bellsouth.net
floza58 at bellsouth.net
Fri Jul 5 17:51:58 UTC 2024
From: V I Labs <content at vi.ie>
Sent: Friday, July 5, 2024 9:00 AM
To: floza58 at bellsouth.net
Subject: V I Labs Tech On Tap Newsletter Edition 211
<https://mailchi.mp/f573bd15e83d/v-i-labs-tech-on-tap-newsletter-edition-4039482?e=bcd617a5bc> View this email in your browser
Featured Articles:
• ElevenLabs Reader, Narration With AI voices
• How to use Quick nav keys on the Blind shell Classic 2
• Information from Dorian about the Dublin Virtual Technology club
• Upcoming Training Courses & Events
The ElevenLabs reader, AI voice narration
By Joe Lonergan
Recently there has been an interesting app making some noise in the form of AI voices with the capabilities to read text from different sources. It is called the Eleven Labs Reader.
Their slogan is text read by realistic voices.
This app is not made specifically for people who are blind or have Low vision, but it is getting a lot of interest because of its naturally speaking realistic voices.
ElevenLabs describes their app as the following: The ElevenLabs Reader App is a powerful tool that enables users to convert text into natural, expressive speech. Whether you're reading articles, EPUBs, PDFs, or any form of text, this app is designed to enhance your reading experience by providing high-quality, human-like voices.
I downloaded the app and I have been testing its usefulness over the last few days. After downloading it asks you to set up an account, I used my Apple ID to do this, so it was a seamless process.
Then I got the following message:
Click on the info button on the reading page if you come across any issues, we will try to resolve any feedback you send us and respond back to you. I think it is a good thing that they have an option like this as the more blind and low-Vision users let them know there issues the better the app should become with future updates.
You can open the reader with Siri by simply saying Siri open Reader, so which makes it easy for those who prefer to use the virtual assistant to launch apps.
After you have registered and got to the home page of the app, you get a few sample documents or free e-books such as The Emperor's new clothes, Cinderella, and Sherlock Holmes to practice with.
At the moment you can import text to be narrated from sources like Files, and URL Links and you can paste or type in the text to be read aloud.
You can also send a text to the reader App from the share menu, for example, if you are on a website such as Breaking News or the Irish Times and you want the article read by one of the AI real speak voices, go to share at the bottom of the page and navigate down, the app is called reader in the share menu, tap on this and wait, then the article will start to be read aloud by your chosen voice from ElevenLabs Reader. These Links will remain in your ElevenLabs reader Library until you delete them. You can delete it by tapping on more when inside the article.
There are some playback options when playing text, some of these were not working well when I downloaded the app first but have improved with the most recent update.
Playback options include seek back, seek forward, Pause, and speed1.0x, every time you tap on this it toggles the speed of the voice to go faster.
Even though you have these options navigating to different pages in an article or document is not easy with voiceover, seek forward or seek backward only goes back and forward a few seconds, to make the app really useful ElevenLabs will have to improve this. There is a help button that allows you to give feedback, so hopefully this will be on the shortlist of fixes very soon.
While reading a document you can change the reading voice by tapping on the select voice button. Tapping on all voices will bring up a list of voices.
I found most of the voices very good, especially the female voices, Lily was probably the best of them.
The voices are excellent and sound very realistic. The AI voices will add different tones to some sentences, and it is hard to tell the difference at times. Also, in the most recent update they have added some novelty celebrity voices such as James Deane and Judy Garland, ElevenLabs calls these their Iconic voices. I am not a fan of these voices myself as regards reading; the stock voices are better in my opinion.
Conclusion
Eleven Labs was valued at 1B at the start of the year giving it Unicorn status, a billion-dollar start-up, and raised funding of 80m in January 2024, so I don’t think this train is stopping anytime soon. The Reader App is only one branch of their business, I look forward to seeing how it improves over the coming months.
The progress in AI voices and voice cloning throws up a lot of questions. Should professional narrators be worried? Will the Government have to come up with some regulations on AI voices? Will the likes of Audible approach ElevenLabs and seek to use their AI Voices to read audiobooks?
I think it could be a game-changer in the future of narration and the reader app has massive potential.
The ElevenLabs reader can be downloaded on the <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=fab08882bb&e=bcd617a5bc> Apple app Store for iPhone or iPad.
What do you think? send us a voice note to 0861990011 and we will play it on the talking technology podcast.
<tel:+353861990011> 0861990011
Quick navigation keys on the BlindShell Classic2
By Joe Lonergan
The Blind Shell Classic 2 is a smartphone with tactile buttons, but did you know you can make your web browsing experience better by using some quick nav keys?
A quick nav key is a key you press to get you to a section on a page quicker than using your up and down arrow keys.
One place where quick nav keys are useful is on the built-in internet browser in the BlindShell classic smartphone.
Open the web browser
Select Enter URL type in a web address and press select, alternatively, you can select the search menu item.
After you have entered an address or a search you can navigate the page by pressing the up or down arrow and if you want to click on a clickable element press the select button, some people call it the confirm button.
To make browsing more efficient, you can now use quick nav keys, some users will be familiar with web browsing by using other screen readers and have navigated by headings or links you can do this on the blind shell too.
Each numeric button has a quick nav option, I will mention the most common as regards browsing.
* Press 1 to navigate via default elements
* Press 2 to navigate via headings
* Press 3 to navigate via controls such as buttons
* Press 4 to navigate via links
* Press 5 to navigate via words
* Press the #key usually Pronounced as the hash key by your phone to display a full list of quick nav keys.
So, by now you are getting the idea, that this should make your web browsing experience a lot more productive.
Quick nav keys work in other apps too, probably too many to mention here, but one other example is WhatsApp.
The most useful quick nav keys in whats app include being able to access links by pressing the number 4
You can access other controls quickly by pressing the number 3 to get to buttons such as call and send.
Please note quick nav can be inconsistent in apps not made by BlindShell but they try to set them up for the best user experience.
Also Please Note the original BlindShell classic is not in production anymore so when the current stock is gone it’s gone.
TheBlindShell Classic 2 is now Blind shells flagship phone and has the ability to run many more apps and can even access the Google Play Store.
The BlindShell Classic 2 is available at the following link <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=32cb04a07b&e=bcd617a5bc> BlindShell Classic 2 Vision Ireland
If you are a blindshell user let us know if you use Quick nav keys, with a voice note to the talking technology podcast to 0861990011.
A note From Dorian A Dublin Technology Trainer
Hi, my name is Dorian, and I am a Technology Trainer, but also the facilitator of the Weekly Dublin Virtual Technology Club.
Our members are made up of people who are in some way affected by sight loss.
Our core focus is on discussing the latest and greatest improvements in Assistive Technology.
Some of the many topics that we regularly discuss include:
* Social media platforms
* iPhones
* Android phones
* Alternative phones
* Tablets
* Useful apps for iOS or Android
* Troubleshooting
* Websites
* Instant messaging and opportunities to join in with the global texting community
* Help in setting up smart speakers like the Alexa Echo Dot and the Google Home
* Technology History
That said, I understand that Assistive Technology, or Technology in general can make people feel anxious.
Especially in a discussion setting, where you might feel like some of the technical terms go above your head.
My role, aside from introducing a new topic each week, is also explaining the information being discussed for all backgrounds and experience levels, whilst also making sure that everyone has an opportunity to ask questions.
If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, here are a few extra details to get you excited.
* We meet weekly via Microsoft Teams.
* Specifically, every Wednesday from 12 pm to 1 pm.
* I can provide you with training and support to join our meetings on Microsoft Teams
* Otherwise, you can be dialed into the meeting via a traditional telephone call, I like to make sure everyone can join in!
I know it may seem like a daunting thing, but you are more than welcome just to listen every week if you are still new to these topics.
All ages and experience levels are welcome,
We would love to have you!
There is also Virtual Technology clubs held by other trainers in different parts of the country
Nationwide, if you are interested in joining any of these call 1800 911 110 or send an e-mail to training at vi.ie
Hi Digital Courses
Unlock Your Digital Potential with Vision Ireland Labs
Are you ready to embark on a journey towards digital empowerment? VI Labs is thrilled to announce our FREE Digital Literacy Courses, designed to equip people with essential digital skills! In an increasingly digital world, everyone deserves the tools to be digitally independent. Our courses will help you:
* Improve Communication and Collaboration Skills: Connect with others and expand your horizons.
* Access a World of Information & Resources: Unleash the power of the Internet for learning and growth.
* Enhance Job Prospects: Boost your career by understanding essential digital skills.
* Reduce Social Isolation: Stay connected with loved ones and your community.
* Improve Mental & Emotional Health: Harness technology for your well-being.
Course Details: Course Topics: Computers and the internet, using my smartphone, connecting with others, entertainment and shopping, hobbies and travel, and online banking.
Register Your Interest: Contact us at <mailto:training at ncbi.ie> training at vi.ie to reserve your spot and receive updates or speak to your technology trainer directly. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to level up your digital skills. Join VI Labs in our mission to empower Ireland with digital literacy.
Talking Technology with VI Labs
We are running Technology Podcasts that cover a wide variety of subjects relating to all sorts of technologies that might be of interest to someone with sight loss. All shows are recorded and made available on YouTube and podcast platforms for you to listen to or watch back afterward.
To listen back to previous shows please select the button below.
<https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=bab2ace086&e=bcd617a5bc> Talking Technology YouTube Playlist
Talking Technology Ep 60: Voice Notes, Audio Described Commentary, and Be My Eyes' Language Guide
We kick off the show this week by sharing your voice notes on a range of topics, from AfterShokz headphones to accessible dating apps.
Next, we dive into the world of Audio Described Sports Commentary, a service that brings all the excitement of live football to fans with sight loss. Shamrock Rovers FC audio described commentator Phelim Warren joins us to explain how he's making this possible for the club's blind and vision-impaired supporters.
Finally, we explore the new Inclusive Language Guide from Be My Eyes. What is it, and how can it help promote inclusivity in everyday language?
Contact Shamrock Rovers using the email <mailto:info at shamrockrovers.ie> info at shamrockrovers.ie
<https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=4238067c1e&e=bcd617a5bc> Listen to the podcast here
Subscribe to V I Labs Podcasts
V I Labs Podcasts are hosted on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and TuneIn. Please subscribe to the following and give us a listen on your favourite device.
<https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=3503495f8d&e=bcd617a5bc> Apple Podcasts
<https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=5e569609b5&e=bcd617a5bc> Google Podcasts
<https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=02393a96a2&e=bcd617a5bc> Spotify
<https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=9952709081&e=bcd617a5bc> TuneIn
Technology Support Line
We offer a dedicated support line and email address for technical support related to assistive and mainstream technology.
The service is free for people with sight loss and their families. We also offer technical advice on assistive technology to schools and employers.
The Technology Support Helpdesk is operated between 09:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday.
Contact V I Labs nationwide on 1800 911 110.
Support Vision Ireland
Your continued support for Vision Ireland's work to help people with sight loss is hugely appreciated. Please click the link below for more information on how you can help.
<https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=9b9a86c58d&e=bcd617a5bc> Support Vision Ireland
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