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The Kove - Accessible Tech

The Kove - Accessible Tech

By Yessie

We're all about accessible technology! Come have fun at The Kove!
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Review: Roborock S7+

The Kove - Accessible TechJun 20, 2022

00:00
24:57
Yessie's Favorite Tech 2023

Yessie's Favorite Tech 2023

In this episode, Yessie goes over her 10 favorite tech products to use right now. Not all the items on this list were purchased this year, but they've all made her llife easier or better in some way, so we hope you enjoy this episode! For all the links to products mentioned in this episode, as well as links to some honorable mentions, check out the blog post this episode was based on: End of Year Roundup: Yessie's Favorite Tech. You can also follow this podcast's blog on Mastodon by searching for kovetech.wordpress.com@kovetech.wordpress.com, and for all other links, check out the Kove Tech Links. Thanks for listening to the Kove - Accessible Tech. We look forward to bringing you more content in 2024!

Dec 29, 202315:30
Tracking Mental Wellbeing in iOS 17

Tracking Mental Wellbeing in iOS 17

In this episode, Yessie goes over the different options in the Mental Wellbeing section of the Health app in iOS 17, including tracking moods and emotions, mental health questionnaires, time spent in daylight, sleep, and more. She also talks about an alternative app for tracking emotions called How We Feel. This app is more fully featured than the Apple Health version, but the trade off is it's less accessible overall. We hope you enjoy this episode and find the information helpful. For more, check out the Kove Tech Links. Thanks for listening, sharing, and supporting! 💙

Oct 19, 202312:52
iOS 17 Features

iOS 17 Features

Join Yessie for a walkthrough of new features in iOS 17, which was released to the public on Monday, September 18. We hope you enjoy this episode. Thanks for listening!

Please Note: The best place to get in touch wit Yessie is on Mastodon. Kove Tech Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Threads accounts are less active, but not abandoned. Kove Tech is no longer active on Twitter/X, Clubhouse, or Telegram. For written content, check out the Kove Tech Blog.

Sep 21, 202323:33
Accessible Tech Gift Guide 2022

Accessible Tech Gift Guide 2022

on this episode of The Kove - Accessible Tech, Yessie shares her list of accessible tech-related gifts for people who are blind or visually impaired. There are items at different price points, so hopefully you’ll find something on this list for yourself or someone you love. Thanks for listening!
Related TikTok Videos:

Accessible Tech Gift Guide 2021
Accessible Tech Gift Guide 2022

Accessible Tech Gift Guide 2022:
Recommended items are linked to get you started, but alternatives to these products do exist and are great too. Buy what meets your needs, or the needs of the person you’re giving the item.

Smart Bulbs (like Philips Hue)
Light Strips (like this Onvis HomeKit Light Strip)
Apple AirTags or any Item Tracker
Apple AirTag Remote Case
Motion Sensing Lights
Smart Plugs (like the Eve Energy)
Apple TV 4K
Soma Tilt 2
SwitchBot Curtin
Apple AirPods Pro 2
Apple Watch SE

Check out The Kove Tech Blog for more, and check out The Kove - Accessible Tech Linktree for all of our links!
Nov 28, 202209:28
iOS 16 Review

iOS 16 Review

In this episode, Yessie covers the new features and changes in iOS 16, including the good, the frustrating, and the buggy! If you would like to follow along and read about all the features in iOS 16, you can do so on Apple’s iOS 16 Features page.  

If you’re interested in checking out our iOS 16-related TikTok videos, they’re linked here for your convenience. 

As always, thanks so much for listening! If you would like to get in touch with us, you can check out all of our links on The Kove - Accessible Tech LinkTree.

Oct 18, 202231:06
Review: Roborock S7+

Review: Roborock S7+

Join Yessie and Daniel for their review of the Roborock S7 and Auto-Empty Dock. Find out what we think about this accessible robot vacuum, what the setup process was like, our opinion of the app, and so much more! We even snuck in a hilarious, yet traumatizing, story. We hope you enjoy this episode! Check out The Kove - Accessible Tech Linktree for all of our links. Thanks for listening! 

Jun 20, 202224:57
New Accessibility Features Coming to iOS, iPadOS, and macOS This Year

New Accessibility Features Coming to iOS, iPadOS, and macOS This Year

Join Yessie for an overview of Apple's new accessibility features, coming later this year to iOS and iPadOS 16, macOS 13, and watchOS 9. These features were announced to celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2022. Coverage of general features coming to Apple's operating systems coming soon! Feel free to check out The Kove - Accessible Tech Linktree for all of our links. Thanks for listening!

Jun 10, 202204:21
Top 5 Ways to Make Your iPhone Read to You

Top 5 Ways to Make Your iPhone Read to You

Join Yessie as she ranks her top 5 ways to make the iPhone read on screen content. Yessie is passionate about helping others make their devices more accessible, so this podcast episode started out as a TikTok video, which turned into a series. Relevant videos are listed below. We hope you enjoy this episode! Don't forget to check out the Kove Kast Linktree for all of our links! 5 Ways to Make Your iPhone Read to You Speak Screen & Speak on Touch Speak on Touch Vs. VoiceOver Speech Controller Vs. Zoom Controller for Speak on Touch
Mar 11, 202206:11
Hidrate Spark Steel/Pro Review

Hidrate Spark Steel/Pro Review

Join Yessie and Daniel for a review of the Hidrate Spark Steel/Pro Smart Water Bottle. We purchased our Hidrate Spark Steel at Apple, but you can also purchase the Hidrate Spark Pro from the Hidrate Spark website. We hope you enjoy this episode. Please check out the Kove Kast Linktree for all of our links. Thanks for listening!
Feb 17, 202219:20
2021 Kove Kast Tech Roundup

2021 Kove Kast Tech Roundup

Join Yessie and Daniel for a roundup of all the accessible tech we purchased this year! Links are provided below for your convenience. Thank you so much for listening to, and supporting, the Kove Kast throughout 2021. We look forward to bringing you more exciting content in 2022! Check out the Kove Kast Linktree for all of our links. Like the way this episode sounds? Check out Izzie G’s Linktree, and feel free to get in touch for help with your next audio project.

Links

Dec 30, 202121:37
Accessible Tech Gift Guide

Accessible Tech Gift Guide

This episode of the Kove Kast is all about tech-related gifts for people who are blind or visually impaired. Yessie has gift ideas at different price points for all kinds of technology users, so you should be able to find something exciting or useful on this list. Thank you so much for listening! Feel free to check out the Kove Kast Linktree for all of our links!

Products Mentioned

  1. Suction Hooks
  2. Gooseneck Phone Holder
  3. Item Trackers (AirTags covered previously)
  4. Follow the Dot Cane Charm (mentioned previously)
  5. Loopy Cases (mentioned previously)
  6. Mission Battery Base
  7. Smart Speakers
  8. Smart Bulbs and Lightstrips
  9. Anker Battery Packs
  10. HomePod mini (reviewed previously)
  11. Logitech MX Keys mini
  12. AirPods (reviewed previously)
  13. Sonos Roam (reviewed previously)


Related TikTok Videos:

Dec 05, 202107:56
iOS 15's Focus Feature and Accessibility

iOS 15's Focus Feature and Accessibility

Yessie recently released a 3 minute long TikTok video showing how to use iOS 15's Focus feature to improve accessibility. This episode is based on that tutorial, but without the time constraints, she is able to go into more detail. Feel free to take a listen and watch the video, and if you need any help, feel free to reach out. As always, thanks so much for your support! Check out the Kove Kast Linktree for all our links!

Nov 06, 202105:56
AirPods 3 Review

AirPods 3 Review

Join Yessie for her review of the new Apple AirPods 3. As always, thank you so much for listening! Please check out the Kove Kast Linktree for all of our links!
Oct 30, 202109:54
Safety Tips for Blind iPhone Users

Safety Tips for Blind iPhone Users



As always, thank you so much for listening to the Kove Kast! Please check out our Linktree for all of our social media and other links!
This episode was inspired by several videos from the blind community on TikTok about feeling unsafe in public. Whether you're concerned about dropping/losing/having your phone stolen, losing or forgetting other items, or personal safety, this episode has you covered.



Loopy Cases
Follow the Dot Cane Charm
Share My Location Shortcut Tutorial
Oct 11, 202111:58
iOS 15 Review
Sep 20, 202115:31
App Review: Stationhead

App Review: Stationhead

Join Yessie for a review of the accessibility of an app called Sationhead. What is Stationhead? It's a music streaming app, sort of like Clubhouse with music integration. It's like having an internet radio show, but what makes this app so awesome is that everyone who is listening to the stream is also streaming the music. This is great for streaming parties, because it allows fans to come together and support their favorite artists.

As always, thank you so much for checking out the Kove Kast. Please take a look through the Kove Kast Linktree and interact with us on social media!
Aug 20, 202109:23
Reacting to Upcoming Software Features Announced at WWDC

Reacting to Upcoming Software Features Announced at WWDC

Join Daniel and Yessie as they read through, and react to, new features coming in iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, and macOS Monterey! If you'd like to read along, check out the links below:


iOS 15 Features
iPadOS 15 Features
watchOS 8 Preview
macOS Monterey Features


As always, thank you for listening to another episode of the Kove Kast! Please feel free to check out the Kove Kast Linktree for all of our links!
Jun 18, 202101:11:46
Adventures with AirTags

Adventures with AirTags

Join Yessie and Daniel for a discussion of Apple AirTags.
May 17, 202112:44
The One with the Mic Drop

The One with the Mic Drop

Enjoy this bonus episode of outtakes from episode 21 of the Kove Kast! All of our links can be found on the Kove Kast Linktree. As always, thanks for listening!
May 16, 202104:40
Sonos Roam Review

Sonos Roam Review

On this episode of the Kove Kast, Daniel and Yessie review the Sonos Roam, which is a very accessible little speaker with amazing sound for its size! We hope you enjoy this episode! As always, thank you for listening to the Kove Kast! Please check out the Kove Kast Linktree to get even more of our content!
Apr 30, 202116:05
Our Favorite Apps

Our Favorite Apps

Join Ashley, Daniel, Daria, Izzie, Rummana, and Yessie for an in-depth discussion of apps! There is a focus on iPhone/iOS apps, but the majority of apps mentioned are cross-platform. We also tried to include any cost associated with each app, so you, our listener, can make an informed decision about which apps you want to check out! We hope you enjoy this episode, as always! Feel free to reach out to us, and tell us about your favorite apps! All of our links are in the Kove Kast Linktree.
Apr 23, 202101:17:27
Home Office Setup: Working from Home on a Budget

Home Office Setup: Working from Home on a Budget

This episode of the Kove Kast is all about Daniel's home office setup. When he started working, we didn't have a lot of money to create a functional home office setup. So, he started with the very basics, and we've upgraded some items over time. Check out this episode to learn all about the products we recommend. For convenience, links to products are listed below.


Eero Pro
Das Keyboard 4 Professional
Pitaka Air Onmi Lite 6 in 1 Wireless Charger
SteelSeries Arctis 5 Gaming Headset
Lifetime Commercial Hight Adjustable Folding Utility Table


Check out David Woodbridge's overview of the SteelSeries Arctis 5 Gaming Headset.

As always, thank you so much for listening to the Kove Kast! Check out the Kove Kast Linktree for all of our links, and feel free to follow, and say hi to Yessie on Twitter!
Apr 16, 202118:12
Review: Logitech Circle View Doorbell

Review: Logitech Circle View Doorbell

On this episode of the Kove Kast, Daniel and Yessie review the Logitech Circle View Doorbell. We'll tell you why we chose this particular doorbell, what the installation and setup process was like, what it has been like to use it, and more! As always, thank you so much for checking out the Kove Kast! We hope you enjoy this episode, and if you did, please let us know and share it with your friends! You can also follow us on social media, by checking out the Kove Kast Linktree.
Apr 06, 202113:13
Creating an Accessible Smart Home with Siri Announcements

Creating an Accessible Smart Home with Siri Announcements

In this episode of the Kove Kast, join Yessie to learn how to create Siri announcements to make your HomeKit Home more accessible. As discussed in the episode, Yessie tried setting up these announcements months ago, to replace the Routines she was using with Amazon Alexa and Ring. Take a listen to the episode for more information, but here is the video she watched to finally get everything working: Custom Siri Announcements for Your Home. Check out his videos if you're interested in HomeKit, but we've got you covered on the accessibility angle. As always, thanks for supporting the Kove Kast! If you like this episode, please feel free to let us know, and share it with a friend!
Mar 27, 202119:22
Why We Ditched Ring

Why We Ditched Ring

After years of using Ring doorbells, Ring Alarm, and relying on the integration with Amazon Echo devices on a daily basis, what could have possibly caused Daniel and Yessie to switch away from Ring? Tune in to this episode of the Kove Kast to find out! You'll also learn why Ashley is sticking with Ring, for now. As always, thank you so much for listening to the Kove Kast. Feel free to follow: Kove Kast on Facebook, Kove Kast on Instagram, and Kove Kast on Twitter.
Mar 06, 202124:24
Clubhouse Tips & Tricks

Clubhouse Tips & Tricks

In this episode of the Kove Kast, Ashley and Yessie go over some tips and tricks for using Clubhouse. This includes setting up the app and getting started, how to get better room recommendations, a little about Clubhouse culture and etiquette, accessibility hacks, and what makes Clubhouse so great. This is the last episode we plan to dedicate to this topic, so we hope you find this information helpful. If you're still feeling stuck, please feel free to reach out to us and we will help in any way we can. If you're interested in keeping up with the Clubhouse Accessibility progress, please follow/join The 15% club on Clubhouse and the associated Discord server. As always, thank you for listening to the Kove Kast!

Kove Kast on Facebook

Kove Kast on Instagram

Kove Kast on Twitter
Feb 27, 202148:23
Clubhouse Accessibility

Clubhouse Accessibility

In this episode of the Kove Kast, join Yessie as she talks with Ashley, Daniel, and Daria about their experience using Clubhouse.

For those who don't know, Clubhouse is an invite-only, audio-based social network, which is currently only available on iOS. You can follow people and join clubs based on your interests, and people host rooms based on different topics. You can join a room as an audience member, raise your hand to speak, or moderate a room of your own. Reading about it is nothing like using it, so hopefully this app will be less exclusive, and more accessible, in the future.

This episode was recorded on Monday, February 8, one day before an update hit with some accessibility improvements for VoiceOver users. We are still sharing this episode, because the app was designed to exclude us. Improving accessibility now doesn't change that. We also feel the Clubhouse team could do more to open up the lines of communication.

Thank you for checking out this episode of the Kove Kast. Feel free to follow Kove Kast on FaceBook, Kove Kast on Instagram, and Kove Kast on Twitter.
Feb 09, 202117:31
AirPods Max Shield Case Review

AirPods Max Shield Case Review

In this, very short, episode of the Kove Kast Daniel and Yessie review the AirPods Max Shield Case by WaterField Designs. We hope you enjoy this episode, including the unique perspective provided by our special guest, Dash. Thank you for listening to the Kove Kast! Feel free to like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, and follow us on Twitter.
Jan 06, 202103:36
Our 2020 Tech Review

Our 2020 Tech Review

Go on a tech journey with Yessie and Daniel. What new tech did we get this year? What do we no longer have? Take a listen, and find out!

Thank you to everyone who has supported us this year! We are looking forward to being more active in 2021!


Kove Kast on Facebook

Kove Kast on Instagram

Kove Kast on Twitter
Jan 01, 202111:13
AirPods Pro vs. AirPods Max

AirPods Pro vs. AirPods Max

In this episode of the Kove Kast, Yessie and Daniel discuss the similarities and differences of the AirPods Pro and the AirPods Max. They fill you in on what they like, and dislike, about each pair of headphones, and they give their recommendations for who might prefer the AirPods Pro and who might prefer the AirPods Max. Take a listen, and let us know what you'd like to see us cover next!


Kove Kast on Facebook
Kove Kast on Instagram
Kove Kast on Twitter
Dec 28, 202013:54
HomePod mini Review

HomePod mini Review

We're back!!!!! Apple's new HomePod mini is here! How does it sound? Who should get it? Is it worth the money? Join Yessie for a short, but informative, review and demonstration of the HomePod mini!

Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Also, feel free to follow Yessie on Twitter!


Thanks for listening!
Dec 15, 202004:09
An Unboxing Party

An Unboxing Party

Celebrate iPhone launch day with Daniel and Yessie! Daniel has two packages to open, and Yessie has one package. David observes the fun from nearby, and Ashley hovers quietly in the background. We hope you all enjoy this episode!! If you have any questions about these products, please feel free to let us know!

Products Unboxed:

44 mm Aluminum Series 5 Apple Watch with Sport Loop
iPhone 11 Pro Max in Silver
Leather Folio Case for iPhone 11 Pro Max


Follow Us:


KoveKast on Facebook
KoveKast on Instagram
KoveKast on Twitter
Ashley's Twitter
Daniel's Twitter
David's Twitter
Yessie's Twitter
Sep 21, 201920:53
Our Favorite iOS 13 Features

Our Favorite iOS 13 Features

Join Yessie, Ashley, David, and Daniel for a discussion of the best new accessibility features in iOS 13! There's so much to get excited about in iOS 13, regardless of whether you're an average user or if you're a power user. Enhancements labeled as as accessibility features aren't the only exciting changes, and even some mainstream features have accessibility implications. Give this episode a listen, and we're sure you'll find something of interest. When you're done listening to our list of features, reach out on Anchor, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and tell us all about your favorite iOS 13 features.

Follow Us:

KoveKast on Facebook
KoveKast on Instagram
KoveKast on Twitter
Ashley's Twitter
Daniel's Twitter
David's Twitter
Yessie's Twitter
Sep 21, 201926:00
Review: Libratone Zipp 2 Portable Smart Speaker

Review: Libratone Zipp 2 Portable Smart Speaker

In this episode, Yessie, Ashley, Daniel, and David review the Libratone Zipp 2, which is a portable speaker with Bluetooth, analog options, and Wifi. They describe the design of the speaker, the features and connectivity, customization options, and use-cases. They give recommendations for the types of people who should, and shouldn't get this speaker, and they also provide alternative products for anyone looking for this functionality. Although there are some accessibility issues for blind and low vision people who may want to use this speaker, everyone here loves it and highly recommends it to anyone who is interested in such a product.

Product Reviewed:

Libratone Zipp 2


Products Mentioned:

Bose Portable Home Speaker
Sonos Move
Libratone Zipp Mini 2


Follow Us:

KoveKast on Facebook
KoveKast on Instagram
KoveKast on Twitter
Ashley's Twitter
Daniel's Twitter
David's Twitter
Yessie's Twitter
Sep 18, 201918:37
App Review: SongShift!

App Review: SongShift!

This episode is a review and demonstration of an iOS app called SongShift. Yessie takes you on an app tour, explains her use-case for such an app, discusses the benefits purchasing the premium in-app purchase, and goes through the process of transferring a playlist from Spotify to Apple Music.
Check out SongShift on the App Store.

Follow us!

KoveKast on Facebook
KoveKast on Twitter
KoveKast on Instagram
Ashley's Twitter
Daniel's Twitter
David's Twitter
Yessie's Twitter
Jul 28, 201920:40
Zipp It

Zipp It

In this episode of the Kove Kast, Ashley and David unbox a new speaker, the Libratone Zipp 2; then, David, Daniel, and Yessie setup and demonstrate its capabilities. What makes this speaker so special? It's wifi-enabled and includes support for AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, and Amazon Alexa. As if that weren't enough, you can also connect devices with a 3.5 mm aux jack or play media from a USB flash drive. The speaker is portable and it lasts for 12 hours on a charge; while you're on-the-go, you can charge other devices by connecting them to the USB port. There are colors to suit anyone's preferences, and if you get tired of the way your speaker looks, you can unzip the cover and replace it with a different color or design. Note: The Zipp 2 is on the larger side of what can be called portable, but there is a smaller version available with all the same features.

Follow us:

Kove Kast on Twitter
Kove Kast on Facebook
Ashley: @Ashley_Coleman5 on Twitter
Daniel: @iAmr1A2 on Twitter
David: @UltraNerth on Twitter
Yessie: @YessieAnne on Twitter


Thank you for listening to the Kove Kast!
Jul 15, 201923:24
Welcome HomePod

Welcome HomePod

When we learned Target had HomePods on sale for $200 instead of $300 - they were originally $350 - we knew we couldn't resist getting one for our living room. So, that is exactly what we did! Join us for the unboxing and setup of HomePod #5 on episode #5 of the Kove Kast.

Products Mentioned:

Apple HomePod at Target


Follow us on Twitter:

@Ashley_Coleman5
@iAmr1A2
@UltraNerth
@YessieAnne
Jun 29, 201910:03
Birthday Surprise

Birthday Surprise

Join Daniel and David on a trip to Best Buy to purchase a birthday present for Yessie; then, return home with them to listen to the unboxing of the gift with the rest of the Kove Krew.

Products Mentioned:

Apple Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad
KeyChron K1 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard


Follow us on Twitter:

@Ashley_Coleman5
@iAmr1A2
@UltraNerth
@YessieAnne

Podcast Recorded: June 21, 2019
Jun 29, 201914:58
Smart Home Tour

Smart Home Tour

In this episode of the Kove Kast, David takes you on a virtual tour of our Smart Home. We've been building our smart home since 2016, and we're still building it every chance we get.

Products Mentioned in this episode:

Ring Video Doorbell Pro
Philips Hue Bridge with 8 Bulbs
2 Philips Hue Tap Switches
Netgear Orbi Mesh Wifi System with 3 Satellites
4X Apple TV 4K
6X Amazon Echo Dot 3rd Generation
2X iDevices Switch
4X Apple HomePod
2X Ring Chime
Apple TV HD
2X Eve Room Sensors
2X Hue Motion Sensors
Ring Alarm
Hunter Simple Connect HomeKit Ceiling Fan
HomeKit Enabled GE Window Air Conditioner
ecobee 4 Smart Thermostat


Follow us on Twitter:

@Ashley_Coleman5
@iAmr1A2
@UltraNerth
@YessieAnne
Jun 21, 201920:12
A Blown Up Apple TV

A Blown Up Apple TV

In this episode of the Kove Kast, Yessie, Daniel, David, and Ashley unbox a new Apple product and some accessories.
Products mentioned in this episode:

Mac Mini (2018) - 3.2 Ghz 6 Core Intel Core i7 Processor, 16 GB DDR4 memory, 512 GB SSD storage
Jabra Evolve 75 Stereo UC Headset with Stand
Keychron K1 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard


Follow us on Twitter:

Ashley
Daniel
David
Yessie
Jun 19, 201916:22
IntroKast

IntroKast

On the first ever Kove Kast, Ashley and Yessie introduce the hosts, and explain the name of the Kove Kast and what to expect in future episodes.
Jun 18, 201906:27