AppleVis Podcast

Michael Hansen unboxes, sets up, and shares his first hands-on impressions of the iPhone 17E, Apple’s new budget iPhone starting at $599. He outlines the phone’s place in the iPhone 17 lineup, describes the included case and packaging, and walks through the hardware design, including the 6.1-inch display, USB-C port, Action button, MagSafe support, and single camera system. He compares the 17E to his personal iPhone 17 Pro Max, focusing especially on speaker sound, VoiceOver performance, keyboard click volume, and general usability for blind users. He also notes the absence of certain higher-end features such as precision finding support and the camera control button, while emphasizing the phone’s value and practical appeal for most buyers. The episode also includes brief setup impressions, an accidental drop test that highlights the phone’s durability with Ceramic Shield 2 and case protection, and an invitation for listeners to submit questions for a future written review on AppleVis.
Transcript
Disclaimer: This transcript was generated by AI Note Taker – VoicePen, an AI-powered transcription app. It is not edited or formatted, and it may not accurately capture the speakers’ names, voices, or content.
Michael: Hello, AppleVis friends. This is Michael Hansen. Thanks so much for joining me. I hope that today finds you well wherever you are. In this podcast, I'm going to be unboxing, setting up, and giving my initial first hands-on impressions of the all-new iPhone 17E. The iPhone 17E is Apple's new budget iPhone. It starts at 599 US dollars. For that price, you get an A19 series processor. You get 256 gigabytes of storage. You get MagSafe charging up to 15 watts. You get a phone with a 6.1 inch display. You get a whole lot more. And all of it, again, for the same starting price of $599 as last year. Looking at it kind of in terms of the other iPhone 17 models, we, of course, we have our iPhone 17E, which is kind of the entry level. the the basic iphone at 599 us dollars you have your iphone 17 which is 200 more at 7.99 you have your iphone air at 9.99 your iphone 17 pro at 10.99 and you have an iphone 17 pro max at 11.99 Now, my personal device is an iPhone 17 Pro Max. I like big phones. I like big batteries. And so... It's not lost on me that the phone that we're looking at here is half the price of the iPhone 17 Pro Max. And last year I reviewed the iPhone 16E and I really had a blast with it. Battery life was really good. Speakers were really good. It did not have MagSafe, which of course this year's model does. Apple has corrected that. It also does not have the precision finding support. So for precision finding for your air tags and things like that. And I don't think this year's model does either from what I was able to see. And it doesn't look like this one has dual frequency GPS. Whether or not that is important to you is totally a personal thing. Just giving you information here so you kind of know what's going on. But in many other ways, I really, really, really liked the iPhone 16E. And so I kind of am going into this review with some expectations. I'm expecting and thinking that the iPhone 17E is going to be a year's newer iPhone 16E with MagSafe and a newer processor. And so I'm really excited about this to kind of see where this goes, because I think this and the lower cost iPhone is going to be what a majority of people are probably going to want to buy. So as much as I like my big, super big…

Welcome to Gamers Corner, your roundup of accessible games for blind and low vision gamers. In this October–December 2025 edition, we share our latest iOS game picks, highlight three runner-ups, revisit a classic Blindfold Games Vault Treasure, and close with a Crossing Consoles recommendation—plus a quick look at end-of-year awards.
Hosts: Thomas Domville, Aaron Spelker, and Jesse Anderson
Links (Quick Access)
Adventure To Fate: Dungeons (iOS): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/adventure-to-fate-dungeons/id6743055907
Dungeon Scoundrel (iOS): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dungeon-scoundrel/id6756222423
Echo Chain: Multiplayer (iOS): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/echo-chain-multiplayer/id6751758104
Lane Defender: Haptic Arcade (iOS): https://apps.apple.com/at/app/lane-defender-haptic-arcade/id6749909197
Lenguard (iOS): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lenguard/id6747782520
Blindfold Games Launcher (iOS): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/blindfold-games-launcher/id1067124446
Stories of Blossom (Steam): https://store.steampowered.com/app/1581680/Stories_of_Blossom/
Stories of Blossom (Itch.io): https://softleafstudios.itch.io/stories-of-blossom
Staff Picks (iOS)
Adventure To Fate: Dungeons — Platform: iOS — Price: $4.99 (one-time purchase)
A turn-based roguelike RPG featuring handcrafted dungeons, multiple character classes, loot collection, and both casual and permadeath modes.
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/adventure-to-fate-dungeons/id6743055907
Dungeon Scoundrel — Platform: iOS — Price: Paid one-time purchase (no ads, no in-app purchases)
A tactical roguelike card-based dungeon crawler built around a fixed 55-card dungeon deck, designed for quick 5–15 minute sessions.
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dungeon-scoundrel/id6756222423
Runner-Ups (iOS)
Echo Chain: Multiplayer — Platform: iOS — Price: Free (in-app purchases; full unlock around $2.49)
A rhythm and memory-based multiplayer puzzle game for up to four players, with modes like Battle Royale and Arcade and full accessibility support.
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/echo-chain-multiplayer/id6751758104
Lane Defender: Haptic Arcade — Platform: iOS — Price: $0.99 (one-time purchase)
A minimalist, haptic-first…

In this episode, Tyler demonstrates how to disable Hot Corners on macOS.
Hot Corners are areas of the screen that perform a specified action when the mouse pointer is hovered over them. As a VoiceOver user who doesn't use the mouse, you might want to configure them to do nothing, so you don't inadvertently cause an action to be performed if you accidentally brush your fingers against the trackpad or use trackpad gestures to control VoiceOver. To do this, go to System Settings > Desktop & Dock > Hot Corners, and make sure the popup menu for each screen corner is set to hyphen (-) rather than any of the actions in the menu.
Transcript
Disclaimer: This transcript was generated by AI Note Taker – VoicePen, an AI-powered transcription app. It is not edited or formatted, and it may not accurately capture the speakers’ names, voices, or content.
Tyler: Hey, AppleVis-ers. Tyler here with a quick tip for how to disable hot corners on macOS. Hot corners are areas of the screen that, when hovered over with the mouse pointer, cause certain functions to be performed, such as locking the screen, starting screensaver, or creating a quick note.
Tyler: If you're a voiceover user who doesn't use the mouse, you may want to disable these so you don't inadvertently trigger them in the course of using your Mac, say, if you accidentally brush your fingers on the trackpad or if you use trackpad gestures to control voiceover. To do this, you go into System Settings, Desktop and Dock, click the Hot Corners button, and make sure each of the four corners is set not to perform any action. And I'm going to demonstrate that now on my Mac.
VoiceOver: Menu bar Apple. Apple, system settings. System settings. T7, volume, systems, general, window, sidebar.
Tyler: D for desktop and dock.
VoiceOver: Desktop and dock. Desktop and dock, scroll area.
Tyler: Interact with scroll area.
VoiceOver: Desktop and dock, scroll area. 77 up.
Tyler: And because the Hot Corners button is located near the bottom, I'm going to jump to the bottom of VL Globe, right?
VoiceOver: Help button.
Tyler: VL left.
VoiceOver: Hot Corners button.
Tyler: Hot Corners.
VoiceOver: Dialog hyphen top left Hot Corner pop-up button.
Tyler: Here we are. So at the top of the dialog, VLGlobe left arrow. Okay, so that's hyphen. And that means that there is nothing, no action bound to that hot corner. But if I go into the pop-up menu. Mission control. Application windows. Desktop. Notification center. Apps. Quick note. Start screensaver. Disable screensaver.
Tyler: And hyphen, which is do nothing. So if that corner, the top left corner on your Mac is set to do something else and you don't want it to do that, just change it to hyphen. And if you go VL right, bottom left, same deal.
VoiceOver: Choose hyphen.
Tyler: And top right is hyphen. Hyphen, bottom right. So if all of these are set to hyphen,
Tyler: there will be no actions performed when moving the mouse to the corners of the screen. So no hot corner is active. And when you're done, just feel right again, hit done. Hot corners button. And here you are back in system settings. So that's a quick tip for how to disable hot corners on Mac OS. It's a quick set it and forget it task that can help if you…

WikiTrip – Travel Audio Guide is an iOS app that uses VoiceOver accessibility with a location-based audio guide to pull curated information from Wikipedia and read it aloud while the listener is moving.
In this episode, Thomas Domville demonstrates and reviews the iOS app WikiTrip, a location-based audio guide that pulls curated information from Wikipedia and reads it aloud while the listener is moving, such as during a road trip, bus ride, or walk. He explains how the app works, including its reliance on location services and an active cellular connection, and notes that it is designed primarily for use on the go rather than while stationary. He walks through the main interface, describes how the app discovers nearby points of interest, and discusses key settings such as voice selection, minimum distance traveled, and minimum time between articles. He also highlights the History feature, which stores previously played items and allows the user to open the associated Wikipedia pages, and explains that the app avoids repeating content unless the history is cleared. Finally, he shares examples of points of interest the app surfaced during a trip to Branson, Missouri, illustrating the type of information WikiTrip can provide during travel.
Host: Thomas Domville

Length: 0:20:47
App Information
Name: WikiTrip – Travel Audio Guide

Developer: Björn Schefzyk

Category: Travel

Platforms: iOS

Price: Free

App Store Link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/wikitrip-travel-audio-guide/id1438931523
Timestamps
00:05 Intro

00:10 Host introduction

00:38 Why this app came up for road trips

01:05 What WikiTrip does (Wikipedia audio based on location while moving)

02:51 First launch: location permission

03:14 Starting playback with Continue

06:40 Movement requirement to trigger new content (150 feet)

07:21 Pausing playback with Stop

07:54 Settings: voice, distance, time between articles

11:15 History: reviewing previous articles and opening Wikipedia

12:20 Clearing history to allow repeats

14:10 Map list: selecting nearby items without traveling

15:57 Points of interest examples from the Branson trip
Transcript
Disclaimer: This transcript was generated by AI Note Taker – VoicePen, an AI-powered transcription app. It is not edited or formatted, and it may not accurately capture the speakers’ names, voices, or content.
Thomas: Hello and welcome. My name is Thomas Domville, also known as AnonyMouse. In this podcast, I'm going to do a walkthrough and a review of an iOS app called Wikitrip. W-I-K-I-T-R-I-P. So this past weekend, Mrs. Mouse and I went on a road trip, and we were heading down to southern Missouri into the Ozark Mountains. And specific, we spent some time in Branson, Missouri itself. And while we were doing that, and while we were on the road trip, somebody on AppleVis asked, what can you do during a road trip? What, you know, obviously we can listen to books and things, but are there any apps for entertainment for things that you can do in the car? Well, there's so much you can do, but Wikitrip is one of the AppleVis contributors out there. So thank you out there for suggesting Wikitrip. What is Wikitrip? Wikitrip is an app that you can take on the road with you. So it's not just for the road or a car ride. It can be if you're on a bus. or you're walking, so essentially any time that you're moving.…

In episode 113 of the AppleVis Extra podcast, Dave Nason and Scott Davert welcome back Xiaoran Wang and welcome Buddy Brannan from Agiga to talk about the EchoVision smart glasses. The conversation focuses on how EchoVision is designed specifically for blind and low vision users, highlighting its accessibility-first approach and ongoing development through close collaboration with the community. Those interested can also check out EchoVision's Youtube channel for more information.
During the discussion, the guests cover key features such as live AI scene description, a dedicated reading mode for printed text, button-based controls, audio routing to hearing aids, battery life and charging options, and hardware design choices. They also explain the Pioneer program while announcing its expansion,, upcoming hardware improvements, pricing and subscription plans, and the expected timeline for the final release.
Transcript
Disclaimer: This transcript was generated by AI Note Taker – VoicePen, an AI-powered transcription app. It is not edited or formatted, and it may not accurately capture the speakers’ names, voices, or content.
Dave: Hello there and welcome to the AppleVis Extra podcast. I am David Nason with you again and this time joined by my good friend and experts in all things Apple, Scott Davert. How are you Scott?
Scott: Hey, Dave, it's good to be back here on the podcast with you. I think the only thing I'm an expert in is taking a nap. It seems like the older I get, the more I look forward to nappy hour instead of happy hour. Oh, let's not open that kind of world. Well, let's hope we don't turn our listeners' time here into nappy hour, and we'll hopefully have an interesting podcast. I think it's really fascinating to see where the company that we're going to talk to came from, what they're up to, and what they will be up to.
Dave: Yes, indeed. So who we're speaking to is Xiaoran Wang and Buddy Brannan from... Agiga Agiga is that how we say it Agiga who make the EchoVision smart glasses so there's so many smart glasses now come onto the market over the last couple of years between the mainstream ones like meta um meta raybons and now oakleys and then we've got obviously we've had failed attempts like celeste and we've got the envision solos are out there as well and And these guys are another company having a go with the smart glasses specifically for the blind and low vision community. They're not a mainstream product. They're a blindness product. And yeah, utilizing AI and they're going about it in their own way. So it's going to be a really interesting conversation.
Scott: Well, it's a long echo, though. I mean, you had them on in October 2024, and it took this long for the echo to return. But I guess the point is it did, right?
Dave: Yeah, that's really interesting. I think it may have been like September, October, something like that, 2024, was it? And at that point, I remember they were talking about going to CSUN last year, which they did, I believe. But I thought at that time, yeah, the product would have been fully released before the end of 2025. It's now looking like mid-2026. But we'll learn more about…