Tech News and Updates for January/February

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. ★ Support this podcast ★ (00:00) - — Welcome & Listener Feedback Updates (01:20) - — CSUN Assistive Technology Conference Preview (03:00) - — Be My Eyes Workplace Announcement (05:00) - — Victor Reader Stream 3 Version 1.6 Updates (10:00) - — BrailleNote Evolve Announcement (12:15) - — Remote Incident Manager Recording Feature (13:30) - — Apple AirTag 2 Overview (14:45) - — Apple Product Strategy & Upcoming Devices (16:00) - — iOS 26.3 Accessibility Changes (17:00) - — Meta Smart Glasses Facial Recognition (17:45) - — Listener Feedback & Wrap-Up