Talking Tech for June 4 2013

Using MarsEdit (blog editor) to post to my own blog

I came across MarsEdit, a Mac application, which allows you to post directly or work on a post draft blog to various blog sites such as WordPress, Blogger etc.

My first thought to myself was "why haven't I been using this before". I can work on a blog draft for as long as I like (such as items to the next Talking Tech program), post when I'm ready, and edit existing posted blogs.

So I quickly scuttled off to (electronically speaking)

http://www.blogger.com

and created my own blog (yes, the one your reading now - smile).

I then downloaded and installed MarsEdit from the Mac App Store, ran the program, gave it my blogger details, and I was ready to draft or post directly to my new blog.

This instalment of Talking Tech for June 4 started life out as a draft to which I just added stuff over a few days, and when ready, just posted to the blog site.

It's the best $41 I've spent for a while.

For more information on MarsEdit, go to:

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/marsedit-blog-editor-for-wordpress/id402376225?mt=12

Oh and yes, I can also monitor the blog site by using the Blogger app from Google:

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/blogger/id459407288?mt=8

Predictions for Apple's World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) June 10 2013

I agree with the below article from The Loop that we will see iOS 7 (which hopefully will be available for developers to download), Mac OS X 10.9 (next major upgrade to OS X) top features (may be not to download by developers), and some new hardware on the Mac side of things. Given that the seed cycle for OS X 10.8.4 apparently has just completed, this may be available to download which according to some sources has improvements for VoiceOver in text and pdf documents. So no iPhone, iPad, smart watch etc.

Hopefully I'll be able to stream the keynote address via the Apple TV as I did with Apple's last keynote address.

Will be getting up way before the crack of dawn (Australian time(, and letting you know what actually got announced in the afternoon with the next Talking Tech.

http://www.loopinsight.com/2013/05/29/wwdc-expectations/

From CyberShack - How to set up a home wireless network

With all of the wireless devices around these days, this article is a great reminder on how to go about setting up your home wireless network and connecting your wireless devices such as laptops, tablets, phones etc.

http://cybershack.com/news/how-setup-wireless-network

A quick overview of smart phone accessibility by the RNIB February 2013

Youtube video discussing speech and large print in iOS, Android, and large print in Windows phone 8.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV_iLcfzuEg&feature=youtu.be

From TechHive: iPhone and Android users have different smart phone usages:

I hardly every use my iPhone for making calls, just using all of the apps.

http://www.techhive.com/article/2040527/smartphone-usage-trends-show-iphone-owners-busier.html#tk.twt_http://www.techhive.com/article/2040527/smartphone-usage-trends-show-iphone-owners-busier.html

Using a screen reader with Google docs

This page gives instructions on using JAWS, NVDA, Chromevox, and VoiceOver with Google Docs.

http://support.google.com/drive/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1632201

Marco's accessibility blog - another look at Facebook accessibility

Looks at the desktop and mobile web site versions of Facebook, and the native apps for iOS and Android: overall thumbs up.

http://www.marcozehe.de/2013/06/02/advancements-in-the-accessibility-of-facebook/

New iPod touch 16gb (without EyeSight camera or wrist loop)

A cheaper way of getting yourself an iPod touch, in Australia, $240. Still has all the bells and whistles, besides the back camera, and the wrist loop of course.

http://store.apple.com/au/browse/home/shop_ipod/family/ipod_touch_16gb

Audio Archery - Archery for your Ears

Audio archery brings archery to IOS. Use only your ears and your reflexes to shoot targets. The game is entirely auditory, so there are no pictures or icons. You will hear a target move from left to right. When it is centered, flick down on the screen with one finger to pull back your bow. Release your finger to fire your arrow.  The game consists of 10 rounds with 7 shots each. Your goal is to meet or exceed the minimum score given to pass to the next round. Can you pass the tenth round and become the audio archery champion?

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/audio-archery-archery-for/id531019563?mt=8

Here is the link to my demo of Audio Archery:

http://davidwoodbr.podbean.com/2013/05/30/demo-of-the-free-audio-archery-game-from-lworks

Here is the Android version of the game as well:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.l_works.audio_archery&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsIm5ldC5sX3dvcmtzLmF1ZGlvX2FyY2hlcnkiXQ