Category Archives: lifekludger

Reader Writes: Another alternative for a touch mouthstick

Overcoming the “touch barrier” I received a message the other day from a reader … in …. Michael writes: Please see the attached [link for] pencil tops or stick tops – or whatever you’re having yourself – tops. I have been using something similar from the same website for some time.  They are effectively noveltyContinueContinue reading “Reader Writes: Another alternative for a touch mouthstick”

 HandsFree, a Mac app worth $4.99 in the Mac App Store, that uses your Mac as a…

Reshared post from +David N Wallace HandsFree, a Mac app worth $4.99 in the Mac App Store, that uses your Mac as a handsfree device by routing the audio from your Android phone or iPhone to your Mac. (Needs OS X 10.9)* HandsFree Lets You Make & Receive Phone Calls On Your Mac There are thoseContinueContinue reading ” HandsFree, a Mac app worth $4.99 in the Mac App Store, that uses your Mac as a…”

Pressy – a smartphone task button

The Pressy is a tiny, simple button that you plug into the headphone jack of your phone that allows you to easily access a regular task. It uses an app that lets you setup the presses it takes to perform certain functions. Clicks are similar to Morse Code and are comprised of long and shortContinueContinue reading “Pressy – a smartphone task button”

Kwikset Kevo smart lock

Kwikset are a leading brand of door hardware and home improvement. The Kevo smart lock is a Bluetooth-enabled deadbolt that will turns your iPhone into your housekey. The Kevo smart lock gives you the ability to unlock the door with a smartphone, accompanied by a simple touch. Electronic keys (eKeys) can be sent to family, friendsContinueContinue reading “Kwikset Kevo smart lock”

Ribbit wireless handset, speaker and dock for mobile phone

The Ribbit is a wireless handset, speaker and charging dock for your mobile devices. Use the classic receiver to make calls while your smartphone or tablet is charging. The Ribbit has volume control and a noise reduction system to ensure crisp, polished sound. A rechargeable battery provides around 6 hours of continuous talk and 35ContinueContinue reading “Ribbit wireless handset, speaker and dock for mobile phone”

Much awaited new Accessibility feature – iOS 7 Switch Control

From the AblenetInc youtube page comes some info on Switch Control in iOS7 “iOS 7 includes a powerful new accessibility feature, Switch Control. For users with significant physical disabilities, Switch Control is a much needed feature that provides access to almost every feature in iOS 7 through the use of one or multiple switches.” [wp_youtube]fqWkNxB27DM[/wp_youtube]

Captionfish: A captioned movies search engine

Stumbled across this service the other day. Lists captioned movies and TV shows as well as a search facility. You can customise results to shown within a certain area. Howeverer it only seems to be US-Centred currently. I’d really like to see this expaned to other countries, especially Australia. Captionfish: A captioned movies search engine.

Hands-Free Hair Dryer by AirPhysics

Ok, here’s one from left field. The AirPhysics Hands-Free Hair Dryer will be able to rest on just about any hard surface, and can be easily activated with but a touch of a button. I came across this hands free hair dryer, something I’d never heard of, and immediately thought how it could be beneficialContinueContinue reading “Hands-Free Hair Dryer by AirPhysics”

Leapmotion Gestures for accessibility

[wp_youtube]GoytMqwygZ0[/wp_youtube] Christian Heilmann has a neat article and video about using the Leap motion for accessibility gestures. In essence, this means: Swiping your finger right will scroll the page down, left will scroll up. The speed of the swipe defines the amount of pixels scrolled Making a clockwise circular gesture will jump to the nextContinueContinue reading “Leapmotion Gestures for accessibility”

Wheelchair hack for foot control

Alejandro who was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy which limits his ability to move. Rather than wait five years for a powered wheelchair, his father [Shea] took it upon himself to hack a wheelchair his son could control. He used a second hand adult-sized motorized wheelchair on eBay and the sensors from a digital kitchen scale asContinueContinue reading “Wheelchair hack for foot control”

Smartphone Device That Maps Surroundings to Aid Blind

Curtin University research a smartphone-like gadget that senses an entire room’s features, builds a virtual map of it and communicates this to the user may one day replace the humble white cane to help blind sense their surroundings. Using special multi-sensor array technology, the Indoor Navigation Project will enable blind to sense their surroundings beyondContinueContinue reading “Smartphone Device That Maps Surroundings to Aid Blind”

Tactile Watch – ‘Touch Time’

  On Kickstarter is a beautifully designed time-piece called ‘The Bradley’  – made for wearers –  including the blind and visually impaired — to tell time through touch rather than sight. Instead of traditional non-visual designs allowing one to ‘feel’ the watch hands,or rely on audible read time, “The Bradley” uses two ball bearings: oneContinueContinue reading “Tactile Watch – ‘Touch Time’”

Touch and Eye-Tracking in Ultrabook Prototype

 Tobii-Synaptics Windows 8 prototype From an interesting article on Wired: “… even with touch as an input option, accessibility remains an issue for people with limited mobility, or those who suffer from long-term repetitive stress injuries. A prototype ultrabook from Tobii and Synaptics shows what the solution to those problems looks like: a notebook thatContinueContinue reading “Touch and Eye-Tracking in Ultrabook Prototype”

Head-gesture control in iOS7 accessibility options

iOS7 introduces  head gesture control as part of Apple’s accessibility tools. It cycles automatically through every on-screen icon, just like a scanning on-screen keyboard, with the user selecting options by moving their head. The ‘Switch control’ feature, lets you set left or right head movements to trigger Siri, the notification center, control volume, open the multi-taskingContinueContinue reading “Head-gesture control in iOS7 accessibility options”

Apple’s Retina display aids accessibility | TUAW

Macworld blogger Steven Aquino wrote a fascinating piece ..on how Apple’s Retina display technology has helped him — a legally blind individual. ” The high pixel density — 326 pixels per inch — and turning the screen brightness all the way up made it so “even the smallest text was readable, and I was ableContinueContinue reading “Apple’s Retina display aids accessibility | TUAW”