Last year, artificial intelligence (AI) research company DeepMind shared details on WaveNet, a deep neural network used to synthesize realistic human speech. Now, an improved version of the technology is being rolled out for use with Google Assistant.
Fanmail: October 6, 2017
The CBT Team is back again with another Fanmail show, with James and Nelson as your hosts. Keep sending us your emails and messages from social media and we will read or play your feedback on our show.
Say Goodbye to Groove Music and Hello to Spotify
After December 31, 2017, the Groove Music Pass streaming service will be discontinued. Before then, you’ll be able to use your Groove Music Pass through the end of your subscription. If your Pass subscription goes beyond December 31, 2017, Microsoft will give you a prorated refund or a Microsoft gift card.
Be My Eyes is Now Available for Android
With the launch of the Android version, the app will be accessible to even more people bringing sight to the blind and visually impaired.
Google’s Pixel Event In 6 Minutes
Google announced the new Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL; a camera called Google Clips; Google Home Mini and Max; a Pixelbook and a new Google Daydream.
You Can Now Change Your Google Assistant in to a Male
Google just added “Voice II” option under the Assistant Voice settings menu in the Google Assistant preferences. Selecting it gives you a male AI assistant across all your devices; be it the iOS app, a Pixel phone, or the Google Home speaker.
Sonos Smart Speaker Unveils with Multiple Personal Assistants and AirPlay 2 Support
The Sonos system has been accessible for blind and low vision users for the past few years and now they have unveiled a new ‘Sonos One’ smart speaker that is capable of supporting multiple voice services.
Amazon Echo Can Now Call Canada, US and Mexico for Free
All Amazon Echo devices, including the Echo Dot, Echo Show, and the new next generation Echo models, can now make landline phone calls to the US, Canada, and Mexico completely for free without needing anything extra to buy. This is an expansion of the Alexa-to-Alexa calling capabilities released earlier this year which now lets you call regular phone numbers, whether or not the person you are calling has ever used an Alexa device.
Ring Protect, Accessible Home Security System Built to Reduce Neighbourhood Crime
Ring has just introduced Ring Protect, an affordable and accessible DIY home security system that can be used by the blind and visually impaired. The new customizable security system enhances the effectiveness of Ring’s powerful, easy-to-use Doorbells and Cams. Together, these products create a stronger-than-ever Ring of Security that protects homes both inside and out.
New Tactile Reading System Claims to be Easier to Learn Than Braille
According to the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), just 1% of the blind population is born without sight; the vast majority of the estimated 10 million Americans who are blind or visually impaired lost their vision later in life. In 1987, Andrew Chepaitis’s grandmother became part of that statistic: She started to lose her vision due to macular degeneration. It was this experience that would lead Chepaitis, 13 years later, to found ELIA Life Technology, a company that wants to mass-produce an easy-to-learn tactile reading system based on the Roman alphabet.
You must be logged in to post a comment.