The episode begins with accessibility news, highlighting the upcoming CSUN Assistive Technology Conference in Anaheim, California (March 9–13). Evan shares reflections from attending last year’s conference and encourages listeners interested in emerging assistive tech to consider attending.
A major announcement follows from Be My Eyes, introducing Be My Eyes Workplace, a professional accessibility platform designed for employment environments. The suite includes AI-powered image descriptions for on-screen content, remote assistance from trusted colleagues, and accessible interaction with workplace documents such as PDFs, spreadsheets, and presentations.
Next, Evan dives into a substantial firmware update for the Victor Reader Stream 3, outlining numerous improvements including customizable online bookshelves, podcast management controls, download prioritization, Bluetooth device management, expanded file compatibility, and support for Bluetooth keyboards—dramatically improving text entry and workflow efficiency.
HumanWare also enters the spotlight with the announcement of the BrailleNote Evolve, a next-generation Windows-based braille notetaker featuring 32 GB of RAM and full compatibility with screen readers like NVDA and JAWS. Evan discusses how this device could blur the line between traditional note takers and full desktop computing environments.
Additional accessibility news includes updates to Numa Solutions Remote Incident Manager, which now supports session recording—an especially valuable feature for remote training and technical support.
The episode then shifts into mainstream tech updates, including rumors and announcements surrounding Apple’s evolving product strategy, upcoming hardware releases, and accessibility fixes in iOS 26.3. Evan also discusses the newly released second-generation Apple AirTag, improvements to Precision Finding, and expanded lost-luggage recovery sharing.
Finally, Evan covers emerging developments from Meta, including reported facial recognition capabilities under development for smart glasses—technology that could significantly enhance real-world identification and environmental awareness for blind users.
The episode closes with an open invitation for listener feedback, story submissions, and voicemail participation before Evan signs off—ready for a well-earned lunch break.
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• (00:00) - — Welcome & Listener Feedback Updates
• (01:40) - — CSUN Assistive Technology Conference Preview
• (03:20) - — Be My Eyes Workplace Announcement
• (05:20) - — Victor Reader Stream 3 Version 1.6 Updates
• (10:20) - — BrailleNote Evolve Announcement
• (12:35) - — Remote Incident Manager Recording Feature
• (13:50) - — Apple AirTag 2 Overview
• (15:05) - — Apple Product Strategy & Upcoming Devices
• (16:20) - — iOS 26.3 Accessibility Changes
• (17:20) - — Meta Smart Glasses Facial Recognition
• (18:05) - — Listener Feedback & Wrap-Up

This week on Blind Level Tech, Evan Starnes and Jonathan Price kick things off with some classic dark-humor banter, then jump into listener feedback from Anne in Topeka, Kansas—highlighting the very real (and very frustrating) accessibility pitfalls of modern appliances: “tactile” markings that turn out to be painted-on decoration, hidden features like child lock, and ovens that refuse to heat after a power glitch unless the clock is reset.
From there, the episode pivots into a practical, BLT-style comparison: Amazon Echo / Alexa (including Alexa+) vs Apple HomePod / Siri, with accessibility and real-world usability front and center. Evan breaks down what’s improved with Alexa+ (better conversational flow, expanded integrations, more assistant-like behaviors), what still feels messy (skills being left behind, app UI changes, and feature removals like announcements in your own voice, and why turning on start/end request sounds can be a game-changer for blind users. On the Apple side, the conversation covers HomePod setup simplicity, VoiceOver support on-device, strong audio quality, and how Apple’s ecosystem can be both a strength and a limitation—especially depending on your smart-home brands.
The episode wraps with a lightning-round verdict (cost vs setup vs audio quality vs usability), a call for listener stories and “tech faceplants,” and a clear reminder that Aftersight’s work is powered by community support—whether through donations, merch, or sharing the show.

In this episode of Blind Level Tech, host Evan Starnes is joined once again by Jonathan Price for a wide-ranging conversation about what they call “tech wins”—mainstream technology that either intentionally includes accessibility or, by good design, ends up being universally accessible.
The discussion flips the script from past episodes focused on accessibility gaps and instead highlights real-world examples of tech getting it right. A listener email from Dan sparks a deep dive into classic and modern Braille technology, including the Braille Lite, Optacon, and the challenges of modern graphical Braille displays. From there, the conversation expands into Samsung’s ecosystem—covering appliances, TVs, soundbars, monitors, and the SmartThings app—and how thoughtful setup experiences, audio cues, and system-wide integration can make an enormous difference for blind and low-vision users.
Evan and Jonathan also explore why accessible onboarding matters, how ecosystems can cross company boundaries (Samsung + Apple), and why certain accessibility features—like audible setup screens—should never disappear.
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00:00 – Welcome back & episode setup
02:00 – Defining “Tech Wins”
04:30 – Listener email from Dan: Braille Lite & Optacon
06:45 – History of Braille notetakers
11:30 – Samsung appliances & audio-based accessibility
13:45 – Voice Guide on washers and smart appliances
15:50 – Samsung TV setup and onboarding accessibility
18:00 – Why setup screens matter
20:00 – SmartThings app & ecosystem integration
23:00 – Soundbars, remotes, and physical controls
26:15 – Vizio accessibility shout-out
28:00 – Favorite Samsung tech & what shouldn’t disappear
30:00 – Wrapping up & listener call-to-action