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Common iOS and Android apps plus my Favorate iOS apps

Common apps between iOs and Android   Most of the apps that are listed here I mainly use on my iOS device (iPhone or iPad).  I can’t vouch for their accessibility 100 percent on Android, particularly for the main stream apps).   I have also included apps that work with the hardware that I use in my smart home such as those for my Ring Video Doorbell, Samsung Smart TV or Powerbot Vacuum Cleaner, Google Home, Sensibo for use with the Air Conditioner.     One other app that I have included for the hardware that I use is the Coffee Link app for my De’Longhi Primmadonna Touch coffee machine. Oddly the iOS version is less accessible than the Android version mainly in accessing the popup Windows that come from the machine (eg out of water etc), can still use the app to select your coffee.   Another app which deserves a note due to its lack of accessibility on iOS, and a bit on Android, is the Sensibo app for the Air Conditioner.  There messy to use with a screen reader on iOS or Android, the ...
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My Siri Shortcut Testing Notes

    Siri Short-Cuts   Short Cuts let you get things done either via suggestions within Settings/Siri & Suggestions on iPhone or iPad or the Short Cuts app to create your own Short Cuts or use/modify the sample shortcuts within the Shortcuts app.   Within the Settings, Siri & Search screen you have the following:   Heading - Siri Shortcuts   My Shortcuts XX button (mine is currently 32).   Can go in to this and list all of your current Shortcuts plus their phrases.   Heading -Suggested Shortcuts.   Lists several suggested Shortcuts.   All Shortcuts button (lists all possible apps that offer Shortcuts or multiple shortcuts within an app). This is the end of the Siri Shortcuts section, rest of screen is the usual Siri Setup & Search  screen.   Siri Shortcuts will work on all iOS devices sort of including: iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Apple Watch, and HomePod.  Some Siri Shortcuts are app specific and may only run on iPhone or iPad (eg not the HomePod or Apple Watch).  Of course, ...
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What Makes Up My Connected Home So FAr

My Connected Home My Smart Home is a collection of various hardware and software from different manufacturers including Amazon, Apple, Google, and Microsoft.  Besides most devices being “smart”, I have also have been gradually replacing non accessible devices with accessible ones or at least apps that I can run to make the actual hardware accessible.   Whilst some devices within themselves are not smart home tech, they give me a complete house experience that is accessible or at least convenient.   The main device that I use to drive most of the tech in my house is my iPhone with the inbuilt screen reader VoiceOver.   Running apps on my iPhone gives me control to access/use my:  Ring Video Doorbell at the front door, Coffee machine (which in itself is not accessible due to the touch screen), Home Kit switch’s (lights, fans and electric blankets), globes, and weather stations (indoor and outdoor),, Front door and backdoor smart lights, Playing music to my Google Home/Mini/Chromecast aud...
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My Samsung Series 32 inch Smart TV comments

Samsung Smart TV Samsung Series 5 32 inch M5500 full HD TV (AU32M5500AWXXY)   To use the Samsung Smart TV you will need an aerial to access free to air digital content, Wi-Fi network to access the Internet, and if you use other Samsung smart devices, your Samsung account.   Check with the store where you are purchasing a Samsung TV from that it does include Voice Guide in particular as its not available in all regions.  The model at the top of this article was purchased in Australia and did include Voice Guide.   You are able to plug in various HDMI devices such as a Chromecast, Xbox One, Apple TV etc.   An external hard drive can be connected for recording of programs - this was not tried.   Note - Both the Xbox One and the Apple TV have accessibility options including Narrator (speech output) for the Xbox One or VoiceOver (speech output) for the Apple TV). The Smart Remote for the Samsung TV can also be used to navigate the Apple TV   If you are a Voice Guide user, you will have full...
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Playing Around with the Google Home

These are a few of the things I do with my Google Home, Google Home Mini, Chromecast Audio, Chromecast, and other devices that I have used over the years and continue to use.   1. Using multiple timers on Google Home/Mini. 2. Checking the weather. 3. Playing music on Google H/M and Chromcast audio devices organised in to groups around the house. 4. Watching shows from Netflix on Chromecast. 5. Broadcasting on Google H/M or via the Google Assistant app when out and about or at home to all Google H/M speakers. 6. Controlling the air conditioner via Sensibo hardware via Google H/M. 7. Controlling the Samsung Powerbot Vacuum cleaner via Google H/M. 8. Reading (listening) to audio books from Play Store. 9. Listening to podcasts such as Talking Tech from Vision Australia.. 10. Listening to Radio such as Vision Australia Radio Melbourne. 11. Asking for next bus or train on Google H/M. 12. Using the Google H/M as a Bleutooth speaker from my iPhone. 13. Using the Google H/m to play to a Bluetoo...
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Playing Around with the HomePod - My Thoughts, Suggestions, and Podcasts

Notes on the HomePod from an Accessibility and User Perspective   This post will be added to as I play more with the HomePod which I’ve now had since Feb 9 2018 when it became available.   Thoughts and Suggestions   Great to see a sound played on HomePod when speaker first turned on.   After setting up the HomePod with the pop-up dialog, there is then no indication to then go to the Home app, Rooms, HomePod to complete configuration of the HomePod.  At least , nothing was spoken by VoiceOver on my iPhone 8 plus.  Initially my iPhone was about 30CMS away from HomePod (pop-up not triggered), wasn’t until I put iPhone on HomePod that pop-up came up to start  setting up the speaker.   I was quite surprised when HomePod announced “VoiceOver on”.  I really should stop being surprised by Apple’s inbuilt accessibility after all this time, and the fact that if your iPhone is running Voiceover, the HomePod will turn it on automatically: very very nice.   Two accessibility modes available for the...
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