Best of YouTube: Looking Back At CSUN 2024 & Aira Audio Describes The Solar Eclipse

Double Tap

In this episode focusing on the best of YouTube from this week, the hosts, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, discuss a range of topics related to technology and accessibility. First up, Michael Babcock joins the guys to chat about his recent trip to CSUN, particularly focusing on Sony's efforts in making cameras more accessible for the blind and partially sighted community. Michael details the evolution of Sony's accessible camera features, from basic accessibility announcements to the inclusion of TalkBack for navigation and future plans for facial recognition in photo previews. The conversation shifts to the intriguing AIBO, Sony's robotic dog, which Babcock had the chance to interact with at CSUN. Despite its lack of fur, Aibo exhibits behaviours that mimic a real dog, including responding to touch and learning from interactions. The hosts debate the potential benefits and drawbacks of such AI companions, pondering whether they could serve as suitable substitutes for real pets for certain individuals. (Starts at 13 seconds) The next featured YouTube video also touches on other notable products and technologies featured at CSUN, like the all-terrain cane by Awarewolf, designed to support hikers who are partially sighted, and Case for Vision, a smartphone case that facilitates reading for users. The hosts reflect on the practicality of these innovations and the importance of focusing on simple, effective solutions alongside more high-tech offerings. (Starts at 19 minutes 12 seconds) In the third video, Michael returns to talk about the experience of visiting CSUN, how he travelled there and what navigating around with 3,500 other people in the same space was like. (Starts at 32 minutes 35 seconds) Jenine Stanley from Aira joins the conversation to discuss how Aira is making the upcoming solar eclipse accessible for visually impaired individuals through detailed audio descriptions. This initiative highlights the broader potential of technology to make various aspects of life more inclusive. (Starts at 42 minutes 50 seconds) Get ahead of the conversation and check out the Double Tap YouTube channel every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday on the platform which you can find using this link: https://www.youtube.com/@DoubleTapVideo