[SC-CSTD] FW: V I Labs Tech On Tap Newsletter Edition 290

Fri Feb 13 22:57:45 UTC 2026

From: V I Labs <content at vi.ie> 
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2026 9:01 AM
To: floza58 at bellsouth.net
Subject: V I Labs Tech On Tap Newsletter Edition 290

 <https://mailchi.mp/52b0f9a59f4c/v-i-labs-tech-on-tap-newsletter-edition-290?e=bcd617a5bc> View this email in your browser 

Featured articles: 

*	Spotlight on iPhone a great productivity tool 
*	How to spring clean your smartphone 
*	Updates for HumanWare Braille displays 

The Talking Technology Big Question

It’s time to have your say on the issues of the day. Send us a WhatsApp Voice note answering our big question and we might discuss your thoughts in a future episode of our Talking Technology podcast.

This weeks question is…

What are your favourite things to use Alexa or a smart speaker for? 

Send us a Voicenote now to 
086 199 00 11

Remember, a voice note is not a call.  To send a voice note, use the voice note button on the bottom right of the WhatsApp chat interface.  

 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=8b4ac37487&e=bcd617a5bc> Send WhatsApp Voicenote 

Spotlight on iPhone a great productivity tool

Apple’s Spotlight function is surprisingly powerful and often underused. While a search bar isn’t anything fancy, there’s lots to know about Spotlight and how it could improve your productivity. In this article, Joe tells us more about Spotlight on iPhone. 

 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=f797798a75&e=bcd617a5bc> Spotlight article 

How to spring clean your smartphone

Your smartphone can often become a bit cluttered without you noticing. Photos, old apps, and emails you no longer need can make finding what you want more difficult. In this article, Dereck shares advice on giving your smartphone a spring clean.  

 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=63a39b4d2a&e=bcd617a5bc> Spring clean article 

Updates for HumanWare Braille displays

HumanWare has announced software updates for many of their Braille devices to add new features such as a recorder application and support for Google Drive and OneDrive. In this article, David explores what’s new for those using HumanWare Braille devices. 

 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=23eff1a163&e=bcd617a5bc> Braille article 

Making Europe more accessible. IAAP comes to Dublin - Talking Technology episode 105

The International Association of Accessibility Professionals, in association with Vially, brought their EU conference to Dublin last week. David caught up with some of the speakers from the event to learn more.  
Vision Ireland’s group CEO, Chris White, calls for stronger leadership and enforcement of the European Accessibility Act, and explains why Vision Ireland made a complaint to the Irish Aviation Authority.
Susanna Laurin from the IAAP tells us about the organisation and its role, and gives her view on how the European Accessibility Act is working so far.
Shadi Abou-Zahra, from Amazon, tells us what it’s like leading accessibility for one of the world’s largest companies. How do you ensure accessibility across a company with such a wide variety of products? Shadi tells us more. 
We discuss Narrator, paper travel passes, and rodents in this week’s Tech News. And we tell you about a new course now available on Vision Academy.
All that and more on this week’s episode of Talking Technology. 

 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=032eba9911&e=bcd617a5bc> Listen online 

 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=a1a8463bd8&e=bcd617a5bc> Watch on YouTube 

Want to learn more about Technology? Why not try a V I Labs Training course

V I Labs offer a variety of courses to help you improve your technology proficiency. To sign up or get more details on any of these courses, send an email to training at vi.ie  

List of upcoming courses 

*	Smart Home Technology

A smart kitchen equipped with accessible technology can significantly enhance the independence and confidence of visually impaired individuals when cooking or managing household tasks.
This session explores smart kitchen devices and apps that can be useful.
 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=4cf6bb4fad&e=bcd617a5bc> Smart Home Technology course details 

*	Apple Accessibility

This course provides an overview of Apple’s built-in accessibility features designed for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=a81c420fa6&e=bcd617a5bc> Apple Accessibility course details 

*	Connecting with others - WhatsApp

This session is designed for people who are blind or visually impaired who want to use WhatsApp confidently and independently to stay connected with family, friends, and support networks.
Participants will learn how to use WhatsApp with accessible tools, including sending and receiving messages, voice notes, photos, and making voice or video calls. The session will also cover managing contacts, joining group chats, adjusting accessibility settings, and staying safe online.
 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=e579919452&e=bcd617a5bc> Connecting with others - WhatsApp course details 

*	Scanners and Scanning Apps

Scanners and scanning apps are valuable tools for visually impaired individuals to independently access printed materials like books, letters, and product labels.
These tools convert physical documents into digital formats, which can then be read aloud using screen readers or text-to-speech systems.
This V I Labs session aims to explore a range of options available.
 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=c07be3b824&e=bcd617a5bc> Scanners and Scanning Apps course details 

*	Contracted Braille

We at Vision Ireland are inviting you to start a Contracted Grade 2 Braille training course.
Come join us, and together we will embark upon a journey of great learning that will lead you to having one of the most empowering skills of sight loss.
The course will take place over eight weeks, one hour a week and will be conducted online through Microsoft Teams.
 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=ed3f98043c&e=bcd617a5bc> Contracted Braille course details 

*	Touch Typing

This Touch Typing Course is for anyone who would like to learn how to Touch Type.
This absolute beginner’s course includes step-by-step, instructor-led training on the QWERTY keyboard, ergonomics, and correct posture, achieving accuracy and fluency.
 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=646d80edb8&e=bcd617a5bc> Touch Typing course details 

*	Siri / Google Assistant Commands

This Overview is designed to help users maximise the power of Siri (Apple) and Google Assistant (Android) through voice commands.
 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=0e986a3964&e=bcd617a5bc> Siri / Google Assistant Commands course details 

*	Smart Glasses Overview

Smart glasses are innovative wearable devices designed to enhance the independence and daily lives of individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
These glasses integrate advanced technology to provide features that aid navigation, reading, and interaction with the world.
This session reviews some smart glasses that are available for people with visual impairments
 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=1edc2ad95a&e=bcd617a5bc> Smart Glasses Overview course details 

*	Uncontracted Braille

This beginner-friendly course introduces learners to Uncontracted Braille (Grade 1), the fundamental Braille system where each letter, number, and punctuation mark is represented individually.
 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=acd8f9bf7a&e=bcd617a5bc> Uncontracted Braille course details 

Talking Technology with V I Labs

Our Technology Podcasts 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=b6d8e365e2&e=bcd617a5bc> Talking Technology YouTube Playlist 

 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=3f12b10f67&e=bcd617a5bc> Listen to Talking Technology with Audio 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=06e4063e00&e=bcd617a5bc> Apple Podcasts 

 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=98d58c5587&e=bcd617a5bc> Spotify 

 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=f4e3f0dd7c&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=06c878171e&e=bcd617a5bc> Support Vision Ireland 

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NCBI · Whitworth Road · Drumcondra · Dublin 9, Co. Dublin · Ireland 

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