Code Factory is bringing back Eloquence for Android as a 64‑bit text‑to‑speech voice via subscription, sparking debate among blind tech users. Steven Scott and Shaun Preece share first impressions, explore subscription concerns, and test new TalkBack 16.1 features like Reduced Delay on the Google Pixel 10 Pro.

In this episode of Double Tap, Steven and Shaun dive into the big news that Eloquence, the iconic screen reader voice, is returning to Android after a five‑year absence. Code Factory has rebuilt it as a 64‑bit app and plans to launch it on Google Play with a subscription model, sparking discussion on pricing, fairness for past buyers, and the rise of micro‑subscriptions in tech.

The hosts also explore TalkBack 16.1’s Reduced Delay feature, which dramatically improves typing responsiveness and gestures on the Pixel 10 Pro—making Android feel closer to iPhone in speed and usability. They share personal anecdotes, from challenges with PIN entry to trying new accessibility settings, plus insights on the future of accessible voices, subscriptions, and cross‑platform choices.

Relevant Links
Code Factory: https://www.codefactory.es
Google Play Store: https://play.google.com
VOCR for macOS: https://github.com/chigkim/VOCR

Find Double Tap online: YouTube, Double Tap Website

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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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Vispero has officially extended the upgrade deadline for JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion licences, giving users extra time to transition without losing access. In this episode, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece sit down with Matthew Horspool to clear up the confusion around JAWS pricing, SMAs, and subscriptions, and what home and professional users need to know.

If you’ve been puzzled by the recent Vispero licensing changes, this episode breaks it all down. Steven and Shaun revisit the ongoing debate about perpetual licences vs. subscriptions, why some users face high upgrade costs, and how the new deadlines impact both home and professional licences for JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion.

Matthew Horspool, assistive tech expert and certified JAWS trainer, provides detailed insight on:

• How perpetual licences still work in 2025
• Why updating your SMA can be more cost-effective than waiting
• The difference between home annual licences and traditional home licences
• What new users and those losing sight today need to consider
• How access to work, DSA, and funding affect your options

The hosts also discuss NVDA as a free alternative, frustrations with confusing pricing, and how clearer communication could help home users stay engaged with JAWS.

Relevant Links
Vispero: https://www.freedomscientific.com
Sight and Sound Technology: https://www.sightandsound.co.uk
Double Tap Feedback: feedback@doubletaponair.com

Find Double Tap online: YouTube, Double Tap Website

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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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Thanks to Turtleback Low Vision for sponsoring this episode of Double Tap. As a thank you to the Double Tap community, Turtleback is offering 12% off your entire order with promo code DT12. Visit https://www.turtlebacklv.com to shop the full lineup!

Celebrate Halloween with Steven Scott and Shaun Preece as they share spine-chilling tech horror stories from listeners, featuring haunted gadgets, ghostly screen readers, and the spooky side of accessibility technology.

This Halloween special of Double Tap dives into the eerie world of tech gone wrong. Steven and Shaun invite listeners to share their scariest technology mishaps, from haunted electric toothbrushes and cursed talking clocks to mysteriously self-activating braille devices.

Gregory recounts the tragic “murder” of his Seleste smart glasses, Kevin’s toothbrush haunts the night, and Charles relives the terror of a childhood rooster alarm.

Amid the humour and frights, the hosts also explore the nostalgia of old assistive tech, the perils of firmware updates, and the warm moments of truly excellent accessibility support.

Relevant Links
Turtleback Cases: https://turtlebacklv.com

Find Double Tap online: YouTube, Double Tap Website

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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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode is supported by Pneuma Solutions. Creators of accessible tools like Remote Incident Manager and Scribe. Get $20 off with code dt20 at https://pneumasolutions.com/ and enter to win a free subscription at doubletaponair.com/subscribe!

Should blind users trust AI for companionship, and how does tech shape our human connections? Steven Scott and Shaun Preece tackle your emails on AI sexting, social media, and the quirks of iOS 26 — from custom ringtones to Mail app frustrations.

In this lively Double Tap episode, Steven and Shaun dive into listener feedback that sparks a deep conversation about AI intimacy, technology’s role in human connection, and the social impacts of digital companionship.

• Hetty shares her concerns about AI sexting and the risks of forming emotional attachments to machines.
• The hosts debate generational attitudes toward relationships and whether AI can provide meaningful companionship without replacing real human interaction.
• They explore social media’s polarising effects, accountability for online behaviour, and the illusion of “perfect lives” on Instagram.
• Tech talk includes iOS 26’s new ringtone feature, Mail app attachment woes, smart glasses updates, and accessible live TV solutions — with listeners sharing creative hacks for over-the-air streaming and even a hunt for tactile jigsaw puzzles.
• Practical advice is given for blind academics choosing between Windows on ARM and Mac, with insights into JAWS compatibility and productivity for large Word documents.

Find Double Tap online: YouTube, Double Tap Website

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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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In today's special episode of Double Tap, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece sit down for an hour-long chat with Chris McCausland, one of the UK's most celebrated blind comedians, and recent Strictly Come Dancing winner. Chris shares his incredible journey—from his early struggles with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) to becoming a national treasure, and how his career in comedy has evolved.

Chris opens up about:

• Winning Strictly Come Dancing – Overcoming fears and representing the blind community
• Navigating fame – The impact of public perception and being seen as ‘normal’
• The role of humor in disability – Breaking down barriers and challenging stereotypes
• Tech and accessibility – How the iPhone changed his life and why AI is the biggest game-changer
• His future projects – From live tours to book writing and a potential TV game show

With his signature wit, honesty, and humor, Chris delivers an unfiltered look at life as a blind comedian, the power of representation, and why he still gets anxious buying a loaf of bread despite performing in front of thousands.

Find Double Tap online: YouTube, Double Tap Website

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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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Discover how blind and visually impaired users can shop independently at Walmart using Aira visual interpreting and Gmail web accessibility tools. Learn practical keyboard shortcuts, screen reader tips, and how Aira’s partnership with Walmart enables seamless in-store and online navigation.

Steven Scott and Shaun Preece dive into their hands-on experiences with Gmail on the web, exploring how screen reader users can efficiently manage emails using keyboard shortcuts, virtual cursors, and accessible layouts. They share insights from APH and JAWS webinars, discuss NVDA add-ons like Pleasant Progress Bar, and highlight powerful tools such as QuickLook on Windows for previewing audio files.

The episode then shifts focus to Aira’s partnership with Walmart, featuring Janine Stanley and Michael Babcock. Michael takes listeners along on a real-time audio journey navigating a Walmart store, locating items, and even trying self-checkout—demonstrating how Aira’s trained visual interpreters empower independence. The discussion also covers privacy, trust, and the role of access partners in making everyday tasks accessible.

Relevant Links
Aira: https://aira.io
Aira Access Partners: https://aira.io/r-partners
Ramblio: https://ramblio.com
NVDA Screen Reader: https://www.nvaccess.org

Find Double Tap online: YouTube, Double Tap Website

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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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Discover the latest in accessible tech for blind users, including InnoSearch’s new accessible storefronts and mobile app, BlindShell and Orbit Reader updates, and a call for your funniest tech horror stories ahead of Halloween.

This episode of Double Tap with Steven Scott and Shaun Preece dives into a packed week of accessible technology news. InnoSearch unveils accessible online stores that empower blind entrepreneurs to sell products easily, as well as a brand-new app for iOS and Android. Listeners are invited to share their scariest tech horror stories for the upcoming Halloween special, with a feature called the “Accessibility Crypt,” celebrating old “dead” tech that still haunts our memories.

The hosts also cover a critical BlindShell Classic 1 update, a new Orbit Reader firmware release, and a strange Samsung TalkBack bug. They discuss Facebook Messenger’s retreat from desktop, smart home Wi-Fi solutions, and clever tips for Apple Watch and VoiceOver users.

Relevant Links
InnoSearch: https://www.innosearch.ai
Be My Eyes: https://www.bemyeyes.com
BlindShell Updates: https://www.blindshell.com
Orbit Research: https://www.orbitresearch.com

Find Double Tap online: YouTube, Double Tap Website

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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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Steven Scott and Shaun Preece dive into listener emails and voice notes, exploring life, relationships, and tech from a blind perspective. From talking ovens and accessible banking to dating challenges and vision fatigue, this episode is a candid mix of laughs, insights, and community stories.

In this lively listener-focused episode, Steven and Shaun open the inbox to a wealth of personal stories and questions. George shares a heartfelt account of his faulty talking combi oven, praising Cobalt Systems and Edit Microsystems for exceptional service. The hosts then tackle deeper topics, including online age verification, facial recognition barriers, and the complexities of relationships as a blind person.

John from Missouri offers reflections on partial sight, vision fatigue, and the emotional journey of transitioning to cane use and embracing blindness. TJ shares the relatable frustration of unsupported customer service experiences. Karen chimes in with tips on accessibility in Outlook and thanks the team for inspiring her to navigate online shopping with confidence.

The conversation flows between humour and heartfelt advice, touching on the invisible labour of being blind, societal perceptions, and the relief of living openly without masking disability.

Relevant Links
Cobalt Talking Products: https://www.cobalt-systems.com
WeWalk Smart Cane: https://wewalk.io
Double Tap Newsletter: https://doubletaponair.com/subscribe

Find Double Tap online: YouTube, Double Tap Website

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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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.