You’re probably aware of Alexa’s ability to let you know when you receive calls and messages on your Amazon Echo. Amazon has recently decided to expand Alexa’s capabilities to notify you when your order has shipped. Before, you were only able to ask your echo for the status of your order.
Turn Your Amazon Echo into An Intercom
What can you do with several Amazon Echo devices? You could shout to the closest one for the latest weather forecast or to play your favorite song. Instead of shouting though, why not use them as an intercom? According to CNET, Amazon has recently released a new feature called Drop In. As you probably may know, The Echo is able to make and receive calls and messages to other echo devices. Instead of waiting for the other party to answer, Drop In works exactly the way it sounds. Once you initiate the connection, you can freely begin to talk and hear the person on the other end.
Introduction to TWBlue
There are many twitter clients that are available for Windows, but very few are designed to work with screen readers. In this podcast, Leonid demonstrates the interface, as well as several useful features on TWBlue, a free, open source twitter client.
Your Amazon Echo Can Now Block Unwanted Contacts
The ability to make and receive voice calls and messages on Alexa devices has been a welcoming feature for many users. However, one important feature that is enjoyed on most if not all messaging services has been missing: the ability to block unwanted contacts. According to The Verge, Amazon has recently released an update to the Alexa app that lets you do just that. You simply find the person in the app, and choose block contact. Be sure to update your Alexa app before using the feature.
Nv Access Releases NVDA 2017.2
Nv Access has announced the release of NVDA version 2017.2. Among several improvements introduced in this release, the most noticeable changes include support for audio ducking in Windows 10, enhancements to the way NVDA behaves with Microsoft edge as well as other browser elements. According to the change log, other improvements include Support for the Windows calculator on Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB, improvements to the way NVDA functions with certain braille displays, support for all versions of SecureCRT, as well as other minor improvements.
Source: NV Access
Get a Fresh Start With Your Brand New Computer By Removing Preinstalled Bloatware
See if this sounds familiar: you get a brand new computer with the latest specs. You’re certain that it will perform very fast. When you turn it on for the first time however, you are disappointed to find that not only there is a lot of unwanted preinstalled software, but the computer is much slower than you imagined. What can you do?
Listen to Your Computer’s Performance With CHARM
There are many apps out there that will monitor and present information about your computer, but one in particular does it in a unique way. CHARM from DragonApps is a simple Windows utility that sits in your system tray and reports changes in your computer’s activity such as CPU load, ram and disk usage—just by using sounds!
YouTube Announces Live TV Streaming Service, Offers Unlimited DVR
It seems that chord cutters will soon have another live TV streaming service to choose from. Google has announced their upcoming subscription service called YouTube TV. This service will compete with already existing providers such as sling and DirecTV Now. According to the Official YouTube blog, YouTube TV will offer networks such as ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, regional sports networks and much more. Google also promises to include DVR with unlimited storage. The service is expected to roll out soon, with the subscription starting at just $35. This will also include access for up to six accounts.
How To Enable the Google Assistant on a Nexus 5
The Google Assistant is Google’s new virtual assistant—as well as an improvement to Google Now. It can do most things you’d expect from a virtual assistant such as answering questions or performing a search. Just like with Alexa, there are even third-party skills being added to the Google Assistant—making it even smarter! It’s also one of many reasons Google hopes you will buy the Pixel phone. That’s right. Unfortunately, the Google Assistant is only officially available on the pixel and the pixel XL, as well as on the Google Home speaker.
Alexa is on Fire!
Amazon’s virtual assistant was first introduced on the Echo, as well as the Echo dot. It only made sense that Alexa would eventually expand onto the rest of Amazon’s devices. If you own any of the new fire tablets including the fifth generation—or the hd tablets, you have access to Alexa, including her skills!
In this podcast, Leo demonstrates several ways to interact with the virtual assistant on the Fire tablet. Keep in mind that your tablet will need to run the latest version of Fire OS.
What do you think of Alexa on Fire tablets? Let us know in the comments!
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