#157: Zweinstein

#157: Zweinstein* Jan and family went to see the new Harry Potter musical. However, it turns out that this 3-hour (with no dinner break) musical is not actually a musical. And this has been confirmed by Jan's daughter, who thinks the dancing is more faffing about (a technical term) rather than dance. Is he-who-shall-not-be-named part of this play/musical? No, it turns out that Mohamed is on his 7th holiday of the year so no need to worry folks! 🤣 Jan also has exciting news of a new family member: Dreis, Jan's new guide dog, will be moving in this Friday. Let's hope he and Sjef become instant best friends. And Clodagh's got an email from Adrijana, who has an interesting request for 'Mr Producer'. So, throw away your Nimbus 9000 and your not so invisible cloak, and settle in for the number one podcast this side of a Hogwarts banquet: Blind Guys Chat. 8 out of 10 owls prefer it to sending letters! *Zweinstein (Hogwarts) is the fictional British boarding school for magic from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. Links for this show: ·       Storm names for this storm season: https://www.met.ie/forecasts/storm-names ·       Earcatch App: http://www.earcatch.eu/ ·       VocalEyes’ whats on page: https://vocaleyes.co.uk/whats-on/ Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chat Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/blind-guys-chat/b07122d9-9ea2-4201-a95a-1847f01d6668Read transcript

This week, it's a warm welcome back to Mr Blind Gordon Anthony all the way from Scots Land! Gordon is on the show to somewhat sympathise with Óran on his ongoing Meta Ray Ban issue. In case you haven't heard, because you've been living under a rock with a grumpy snail, some people, including Óran and Gordon have been experiencing an issue where their Meta glasses will not connect to a WhatsApp call or message. In some cases, you can't even make a standard call using the glasses. What the heck is going on? Huh?! Are Meta updating software so fast that they are not willing to do any accessibility checks before release? Are they scared of being run over by Apple and Google AI Bots? We discuss... Even Clodagh can't get away from the Meta saga as she has an email from Roisin Lenehan who is experiencing the same issue. But she does get to change the subject as we have a voice message from Mr Stuart “I only fly first class” Lawler, who has some comments about our last show in which we discussed air travel. So, throw on your Metas, tap once on that right hand arm, and let us fill your day with laughter and some minor gripes while you listen in to the number one podcast this side of a pervy capture button: Blind Guys Chat. 3 out of 5 Scot-ish people prefer it to the Isle of Skye! Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chat Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/blind-guys-chat/6954e5ed-de08-4d7d-bdaf-5bab966f664dRead transcript

While Jan is living it up on Safari, deep in South Africa, Mohammed and Clodagh are having to listen to Óran's gripes about being assisted to get on his jet at Charles de Gaulle airport last week. But this conversation does lead to an interesting question - do you use your cane when being assisted by someone, or do you swing it around hoping to whack the legs off a ‘Gen Z' passerby? (Apologies to all our Gen Z listeners!) Óran is also still banging on about how his Meta glasses won't work with WhatsApp, however it now appears that Blind Gordon and Roisin Lenehan have the same issue. Are your Metas fully functional? Let us know: [email protected] And finally, why have SKY TV decided to remove any audio description information from their SKY GO app? We discuss, and whinge some more. So put your tray tables in their upright position, all doors to manual, and let's hit the runway for the best podcast in the world this side of an in-flight bag of peanuts: Blind Guys Chat. 8 out of 10 overhead storage bins prefer it to suitcases stuffed with smelly underwear! Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chatRead transcript

It's a welcome return to the man who came in from the cold, Mr Stuart Lawler! Our former co-host and chief bottle washer here in the BGC office. Stuart is on the show in an attempt to sell off some used assistive tech... Oh hang on! We Probably can't say that for legal reasons. Ehm... Stuart is here to tell us about an upcoming Sight and Sound event to be held at TUI Grangegorman, Dublin on October 12th and 13th. The show then moves to Cork on October 14. There will be loads of kit to see including: We Walk canes, Vispero's new Focus 40 braille display and also the new Braille Sense. Optelec will also be there, as will Synapptic, showing off their range of smartphones and smart watches. And ya never know what deals might be on offer on the day! Sighted assistance will be available both at the event and also if you need help getting to the venue. For more details go to: www.tudublin.ie or https://www.tudublin.ie/explore/events/all-events/accessibility-in-action--tudublin-2026a-world-sight-day-event-.php Stuart has also recently purchased a pair of Meta Ray Ban smart glasses and is struggling to fall in love with them. Have you got some examples of how you use your Meta's in everyday life? email us: [email protected]. Claire McLoughlin sent a voice note with an update on how the latest Sight Unseen event went (The Venice Biennale 2026) and what is coming down the line in terms of events. Why don’t you send your voice notes in to [email protected]? You know Clodagh loves hearing your voices! So, head out into the garden or your local park, throw on your shades and soak up the last bit of sun before autumn really kicks in, and listen to the number 1 podcast this side of a raspberry cheesecake: Blind Guys Chat - 9 out of 10 people prefer it to back to school commutes. Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chatRead transcript

On this show, we are talking to Alberto Destarac, the developer of Ezre, a new app that provides a seamless experience for digitised, itemised receipts directly to the user's phone. It ensures accessibility and ease of review for the VI community. Alberto talks to us about his life in the US Navy, and the use cases for his new app. Clodagh has an update from artist Clare McLoughlin; and Óran asks, is Jeff Bazos crazy for Liverpool FC or just another billionaire looking to cash in on lucrative sports teams? So, now that autumn is here, it's time to kick the dog off that Aran sweater you love, pour yourself a cuppa jo, and ease your way into winter with an easy to listen to podcast: Blind Guys Chat. 9 out of 10 Naval ships prefer it to life on the high seas! Links discussed on the show: ·       https://ezre.app/ ·       [email protected] Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chatRead transcript

In our last show before the summer break, we are talking with former Vice President of Product Development at Vispero, Eric Damery. Eric chats to the guys about retirement, holidays, golf, and the current and future state of assistive tech. We have news on the Tiera navigation app, and Clodagh has emails from Clare McLoughlin and Blind Gordon. So, strip down to your new night shorts, feel the wind gently blow through the bed sheets, and assume a horizontal position while you tune in to the number 1 podcast this side of a heatwave: Blind Guys Chat. 9 out of 10 swimming pools prefer it to being full of sweaty people! Links for this episode: ·       Meta Adventurer smart glasses: https://www.meta.com/ie/ai-glasses/meta-glasses/adventurer-tortoise-brown/ ·       Seen – Unseen live from Venice Biennale registration link: artistclaremclaughlin.org/seen-unseen-visit-to-the-irish-pavilion-at-la-biennale-venice-august-2026/ ·       Venice Biennale 2026 main website: https://www.labiennale.org/en ·       Venice Biennale 2026 accessibility: https://www.labiennale.org/en/art/2026/accessible-biennale Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chatRead transcript

On this show we are speaking to super-duper influencer, Jessie Anderson all about accessible gaming. Not even 'Skinny Pete' from the TV series Breaking Bad knows as much about video games and consoles as Jessie. A veteran of the ATARI 2600 and Apple 2, Jessie walks us through how a blind or partially sighted person can navigate the world of gaming. More importantly, he tells us how to play some of the most popular games out there at the moment, using screen readers and magnifiers. Yes folks, we're talking all the favourites here; Call of Duty, Mortal Combat, Card World, Doom, Quake, The Last of Us, Forza Motor Sport, and the MODs which are the modifications that some gamers have done to make other games accessible. Whether you have an X-Box, PlayStation 5, or a PC, we've got you covered! Don’t forget to email us on [email protected] about what games you enjoy, and what your experience has been with accessible games. So, pop on your racing suit and helmet, keep a sharp eye/ear out for the secret loot stash, and press restart on the number one podcast game as recently voted by the zombies’ weekly newsletter: Blind Guys Chat. 16 out of 20 gamers prefer it to finger twitches! Links discussed in the show: ·       Jessie's website: https://www.illegallysighted.com/ ·       Jessie's channel: www.youtube.com/illegallysighted ·       Accessible MOD for Doom: https://alando1.itch.io/toby-accessibility-mod-v90-rc1 ·       The Last of Us part 2: https://www.playstation.com/en-us/games/the-last-of-us-part-ii/accessibility/ ·       Forza Motor Sport:https://support.forza.net/hc/en-us/articles/46524064744851-Forza-Motorsport-Accessibility-Support ·       Game info site: www.audiogames.net ·       Game info site 2: https://caniplaythat.com/ Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chatRead transcript

In honour of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind celebrating 50 years in being, we've got a round table discussion on this show with 2 guide dog owners and a guide dog puppy raiser. Mo has news on the latest JAWS 2026 update, which includes the option to save your settings in the cloud. And Jan and Mo are about to fight it out as The Netherlands face-off with Morocco in the World Cup. Spoiler Alert; It's already happened guys! So, turn off the World Cup for a few minutes, prepare yourself a nice Gin and tonic, and give Blind Guys Chat a whirl. The official sponsor of the 2027 'Kitten chasing a ball of string', World Cup! Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chatRead transcript

As the world becomes more and more immersed in the FIFA 2026 World Cup, the Blind Guys assess FIFA’s audio description service for the games. Is it better than standard commentary or is it an own goal for FIFA? Jan and Mo have been on a second date, and as usual they had chaperones; this time in the guise of former 'Big Cheese' at Vispero, Eric Damery and his lovely wife Pauline. The guys accepted no guilt for ordering 2 lobster salads and then running for the hills before the bill arrived! Clodagh's got email questions about digital menus and QR codes, and a question about accessible gaming. If you’ve got big feelings (or small feelings) about accessible gaming, please get in touch – you might be included in a future episode about this topic! Email [email protected] and tell us all. Finally, if you would like to hear and contribute to the next Audio Description Association VI User Group meeting, here are the details: The next ADA VI user group will see Óran O’Neill speaking with James Flanagan from FSE. Football Supporters Europe’s Disability & Inclusion Fan Network is helping to ensure that supporters with disabilities have a stronger voice in shaping the future of football. James will talk to us about the vital role of Audio Descriptive Commentary in making football more accessible for blind and partially sighted fans, both in stadiums and on television. Drawing on his experience in disability inclusion and supporter advocacy, James tells us how accessible commentary can enhance the matchday experience and help ensure that football is truly a game for everyone. Time: Jun 23, 2026 01:30 PM Dublin (GMT) Join Zoom Meeting: https://tinyurl.com/ADAviUserGroup Meeting ID: 873 1982 7571 So, strip down to your game jersey and shorts, run out into a field with painted white lines and prepare to listen to the best podcast this side of an overpriced subway train ticket: Blind Guys Chat - 18 out of 20 FIFA World Cup footballs prefer it to being kicked around! Links for this show: ·       FIFA ADC app for iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fifa-audio-description/id6745691218 ·       FIFA ADC app for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fifa.adc.app\&hl=en_IE Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chatRead transcript

In what can only be described as a robust conversation, this week's show has it all! The Blind Guys begin by talking about the weather and then we move smoothly into Jan telling us about this year’s Sight Village, from which he has just returned. The conversation then meanders along the road as the guys talk about the new Focus 46 and also the introduction of JAWS Kiosk as it rolls into Europe; it seems that there are some bumps along the way for this new accessibility feature at airports and other locations. The show tour bus then appears to take a sharp right and heads straight for a wall so thick, not even the US military could break through it. However, the Blind Guys, 2 in particular, manage to drive headfirst through this wall as if it is a knife cutting through butter! On the calmer side of the street, Clodagh has an email from Bence, who has a question about accessible coffee makers and Microwaves etcetera. So, we suggest you buckle up multiple times, if you can, and settle in for what we describe as the Grand Theft Auto of a nice sedate Sunday drive in the countryside: Blind Guys Chat - 8 out of 10 spineless, weak-minded wet towels prefer it to a men's smelly locker room! Links for this show: ·       Storm Keypad: https://www.storm-interface.com/ ·       LinkedIn post from Jan: https://tinyurl.com/JanLinkedInPost ·       RNIB website: https://tinyurl.com/RNIBshop ·       Light indicator: https://tinyurl.com/LightIdent ·       Accessible coffee machine, De'Longhi Magnifica S: https://tinyurl.com/AccessibleCoffee ·       Another one that’s voice activated but we haven’t tried it personally: https://www.lavazza.com/en/coffee-machines/a-modo-mio-voicy ·       RNIB talking microwave and induction hob: https://shop.rnib.org.uk/collections/microwaves-and-hobs Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chatRead transcript