Talking Tech for Jan 31 2017

Synapptic Update

 

Please note that Synapptic version 6 has been released and is available to update via the settings menu in Synapptic. It could take 5 to 10 minutes to download and you will be taken to the Android screen where you need to press the install button after it has been downloaded.  Naturally when you go out to Android you will need to turn on Talkback or Voice Assist depending on what phone you are using. When you go back into Synapptic please remember to turn off  Talkback or Voice Assist again.

 

Following are the list of changes in version 6.

 

A new simplified calendar makes finding dates and typing appointments quicker and easier. The enhanced Agenda View allows upcoming appointments to be easily viewed, edited or deleted.

 

The new weather forecast option in the Tools Menu gives accurate forecasts and current weather details for anywhere in the world.

 

Android apps can now be launched directly from Synapptic. Find this new option in the Tools menu. This new feature, in combination with the triple tap feature to start or stop TalkBack, provides simple and powerful access to the more complex parts of Android.

 

The new magnifier option converts your phone or tablet into a premium hand-held electronic magnifier and has options to freeze, zoom up to x100, save, rename, switch colours/contrast, and also gives direct access to the reading machine!

 

A new line-view reading mode makes eccentric reading easy with text automatically scrolling across the screen at an adjustable speed. This can be used to read emails, text messages, reading machine documents, notes, etc.

 

If you use the Synapptic Radio player, you'll really appreciate the new features we've added to make it quicker and easier to find your favourite radio stations. A new search feature allows you to search easily though the thousands of stations, and a favourites list makes it quick and simple to play your favourite ones.

 

Get the most out of every photograph and image with the super-powerful photo viewer. It can now magnify up to x100 and is easily operated with pinch and zoom.

 

To make it easier to group and find photos, each photo you take can now be given a name. The list of photos can be quickly and easily searched to find the photo or group of photos required.

 

If you take lots of photos the new photo viewer is now super-quick to operate and allows many unwanted photos to be deleted at once.

 

The reading machine now has two new modes. Normal Mode is great for normal text from books, magazines and newspapers. Ignore Columns Mode will ignore any columns of text and just reads from left to right. This mode is particularly useful for things like bank statements.

 

Reading machine text can now be saved and the file given a specific name.

 

A new Reading Machine search option makes it quick and easy to find previous text.

 

Reading machine text can now also be transferred to the Notepad for further editing.

 

When you have lots of Voice Memos, the new rename and search features allow you to easily organise memos and quickly find specific or groups of memos.

 

To help keep Synapptic even more simple to operate we have made the bottom left of the screen the standard location for buttons to continue or confirm a selection of emails, photos or folders, etc.

 

With an ever increasing number of emails being sent and received we have introduced a new feature to make it quicker and easier to delete multiple emails at the same time.

 

Synapptic can automatically fetch new emails, but a new Fetch Emails menu option towards the top of the Email Menu now makes it quicker and easier to fetch emails manually.

 

No one likes to suddenly loose an email, note or text message they're in the middle of working on. To help make sure this never happens, we've introduced a new prompt which asks if you are sure you wish to exit a Synapptic screen without saving the text.

 

To help with organising and quickly finding specific notes in the Notepad, we've added the ability to rename notes and to search for notes with a specific name or containing specific words.

 

When there are hundreds of contacts in your address book, we've improved the speed and responsiveness of screens that allow you to pick a contact.

 

If you like to write long emails, this new feature will definitely help! A new email drafts feature allows an email to be saved and worked on over several days.

 

To help make voice recognition easier, the button to turn voice recognition on and off for the keyboard has been enlarged, so it's easier to locate.

 

It's now easier to manage text you have spoken in with voice recognition. The delete key has two functions. It first deletes the complete last utterance, then continues to function as a normal delete key, deleting one character at a time.

 

If you use Synapptic in Double Tap mode, it can be slow and frustrating when using the keyboard. A new setting allows the keyboard to work in normal Single Tap mode, independently of the menus working in double tap mode.

 

If you're new to a computer keyboard, the QWERTY layout can be confusing and make it slow to type. A new keyboard setting now allows the keyboard to be configured as an ABC style keyboard or a QWERTY style keyboard.

 

Want to customise your Main Menu and add shortcuts for quick access, or delete options for an even simpler menu? The new Customise option in the Settings Menu makes this much quicker and easier. Move an option to a new location, add in an extra option or delete an unwanted option. Certain sub-menu items, like the new  Magnifier, Weather and App Launcher options can also be added directly to the Main Menu for quick access.

 

The comma key on the keyboard now changes to an at ( @ ) sign when typing an email address. This saves time and means you don't need to switch to the numbers keyboard to complete an address.

 

The option to password protect the Settings Menu has been removed due to the new lock screen options. A new lock screen adds new security and protection features. Set the lock screen to be operated by either a PIN, Swipe or disabled altogether.

 

With the line between Smartphones and Tablets becoming ever more blurred, a new setting allows you to manually select the type of device (Tablet or Smartphone) that Synapptic is running on, if it's not been detected automatically.

 

For overseas customers, a new feature is available to automatically detect, or manually set, the required language for menus and other text within Synapptic.

 

New stations have been added to both the Radio Player and Digital TV player.

 

Various other minor enhancements have also been made to version 6.

 

How to Get Siri to Read an Article Out Loud on iPhone or iPad

 

Siri can read any screen of your iPhone with the Speak screen command if this is turned on in Settings, General, Accessibility, Speech, Speak Screen.  Note - this doesn’t work on the Home screens.

 

http://osxdaily.com/2016/10/31/have-siri-read-screen-ios/

 

 

How to Factory Reset the New AirPods from Apple

 

https://www.macobserver.com/tips/quick-tip/factory-reset-apple-airpods-may-help-battery-pairing-issues/?utm_campaign=rss_applenews&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=macobserver

 

Where do AirDrop Files Go To

 

http://osxdaily.com/2017/01/20/where-airdrop-files-go-located/

 

How to Use Skype to Spy on Your Pets

 

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-use-skype-to-spy-on-your-cats-or-dogs/?ftag=COS-05-10aaa0g&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_content=5878983f19d6ba0007ecb142&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

 

Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 1502: Narrator improvements

 

https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2017/01/09/announcing-windows-10-insider-preview-build-15002-pc/#.WHQAboZbjyY.twitter#OWjBti1bOFF1V6ai.97ATUG

 

Access Technology Users Group Feb 8 2017

 

ATUG will hold its monthly phone based meeting on Wednesday 8 February.

Meeting starts at 7:30 pm Sydney time.

Anyone is welcome to participate, only cost is the cost of dialing a Melbourne number.

Dial-in Number:

03 86720100

 Participant Access Code:

767530

 

Jim Pipczak from VA will talk about the following.

beacon technology

a recorder that can record 60 messages

Talking Microwave

Samsung tv and computer screen with voice guidance – better picture for VIP’s

Dragon Naturally Speaking