Amazon's new Alexa Tablets drop Fire OS for Android 16, TalkBack and the Google Play Store. Chris Cooke, host of At Your Fingertips, has been testing the Alexa Tablet 8 and tells Steven Scott and Shaun Preece how accessible it really is for blind users.

Chris covers setting the tablet up on her own with the TalkBack shortcut, the widget-heavy home screen, and a touch-tracking problem that means you aren't always where you think you are on the screen. She goes through the accessibility settings, including switch access, voice access, live captions and hearing aid support. She also tests Alexa+ for product summaries, opening apps and on-screen descriptions, and confirms that a Bluetooth keyboard and a USB-C braille display both work.

Before that, Steven and Shaun talk about rising computer prices, memory shortages and possible price gouging, then move on to AI data centers, energy and water use, and whether one person can change anything.

Apple's Pro and Tell event on October 28 is expected to bring an OLED MacBook Pro, and maybe a touchscreen, which neither host is keen on. There's also talk of a new iMac and iPad mini, and why leasing could make assistive technology more affordable.

To finish, Amazon's Bee Frontier and Bee Eclipse arrive in the US. They listen through the day and turn your conversations into summaries and to-do lists.

Chapters
0:00 – Intro and the Alexa tablet naming problem
3:30 – Rising computer prices and memory shortages
7:03 – AI, data centers and who pays the price
15:41 – Apple's Pro and Tell event and the touchscreen MacBook Pro
27:13 – Leasing computers and assistive technology
29:03 – Chris Cooke tests the Amazon Alexa Tablet 8
51:34 – Amazon Bee Frontier and Bee Eclipse
55:17 – Wrap up

Relevant Links
Amazon Alexa Tablets: https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/devices/new-amazon-alexa-tablets-alexa-plus
At Your Fingertips, Braille Then and Now: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/at-your-fingertips-braille-then-and-now/id1841245814
Bee: https://bee.computer/
Plaud: https://www.plaud.ai/

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About Double Tap

Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.

"Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.

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