Here is the look ahead for the first workshops of 2026, so far, this list covers January and most of February. Of course, the agenda will continue to be updated as topics are added or requested.
Wednesday, Jan 7, 2026
Setting an Alarm Upon Creation of a Reminder
Wednesday, Jan 14, 2026
Perplexity (an AI powered search engine)
Wednesday, Jan 21, 2026
the Uber App
Wednesday, Jan 28, 2026
Apple Music
Wednesday, Feb 4, 2026
Copying Files Between Folders in the Finder on Mac
Wednesday, Feb 11, 2026
Voiceover Rotor (Revisited)
Wednesday, Feb 18, 2026
Outlook Tutorial
If you have any questions and or topic suggestions, please feel free to reach out to us at, support@techstravaganza.ca.
Ali demonstrated various meeting controls and features available during a Zoom meeting
Details
Ali: Showed how to start a scheduled meeting and access the main meeting controls
Ali: Demonstrated the chat feature, including how to send messages to everyone
Ali: Showed the participants panel and how to view participant information
Ali: Demonstrated how to raise and lower hand
Ali: Explained that the raise hand button is now directly on the main screen, not in reactions or more menu
Amanda: Asked about the AI Companion feature
Conclusion
The iPhone interface provides access to all essential meeting controls
Some interface elements have been relocated in recent updates
AI Companion feature
Discussion about Zoom’s AI Companion feature and its capabilities
Details
Amanda: Asked what the AI Companion feature does
Ali: Explained that AI Companion provides meeting summaries after meetings end
Ali: Noted that it allows late joiners to ask questions about what happened earlier in the meeting
Ali: Mentioned that AI Companion requires at least a Pro account and is not available on basic accounts
Amanda: Asked about the cost of Pro accounts
Ali: Stated that a single Pro license costs around $25 Canadian per month including tax
Conclusion
AI Companion is a premium feature that provides useful meeting summaries
The feature requires a paid Zoom account (Pro level or higher)
Personal Meeting ID vs. scheduled meetings
Discussion about when to use personal meeting ID versus scheduling a meeting
Details
Amanda: Asked about when to use personal meeting ID versus creating a meeting
Ali: Explained that personal meeting ID is best for quick, impromptu meetings
Ali: Gave an example of wanting to meet with someone immediately rather than scheduling ahead
Ali: Cautioned that using personal meeting ID for all meetings could allow anyone with the link to join any meeting
Roueida: Asked if Zoom provides the personal meeting ID
Ali: Confirmed that Zoom provides the personal meeting ID
Conclusion
Personal meeting ID is best for quick, impromptu meetings
Scheduled meetings are more appropriate for planned events
Using personal meeting ID for all meetings poses security risks
Meeting duration and limits
Brief discussion about meeting duration limits
Details
Roueida: Asked what happens if a meeting scheduled for 15 minutes goes longer
Ali: Explained that on basic accounts, meetings are cut off after 40 minutes
Roueida: Confirmed understanding that meetings continue until the 40-minute limit
Conclusion
Basic Zoom accounts have a 40-minute limit regardless of scheduled duration
Pro accounts don’t have this limitation
Email BCC functionality (unrelated to Zoom)
Brief side question about Mac email functionality
Details
Roueida: Asked how to set BCC in email on a new Mac Pro 15
Ali: Suggested checking the view menu in the Mail app
Roueida: Acknowledged the suggestion and said she would try it
Conclusion
The BCC option is likely available in the view menu of the Mail app
A Brief Note About Upcoming Workshops
Today’s was the last workshop for 2025. Workshops will resume again on Wednesday, Jan 7, 2026. Please stay tuned to the newsletters, as the schedule of topics for January and February will be posted within the next day or 2.
Wishing all of you the happiest of Holidays, and all the best for 2026!
Siena and Ali demonstrated the basic navigation of the Gmail app interface.
Details
Siena: Showed the navigation menu, compose button, and search field at the top of the screen
Siena: Explained that multiple email accounts can be added to the Gmail app
Siena: Pointed out the Gemini AI integration within the Gmail app
Ivy: Mentioned she has a different layout with compose and search at the bottom of her screen
Siena: Clarified that Ivy was likely using the native Mail app rather than the Gmail app
Conclusion
The Gmail app has a consistent layout with navigation menu, search field, and compose button at the top
The app supports multiple email accounts and includes Gemini AI integration
Reading emails in Gmail
The presenters demonstrated how to read individual emails in the Gmail app.
Details
Siena: Showed how to open an email by double-tapping on it
Siena: Demonstrated the email reading interface with options like close, archive, delete, and mark as unread at the top
Siena: Explained how to navigate through the email content by swiping right with one finger
Siena: Showed how to close an email using the close button at the top
Siena: Demonstrated using VoiceOver’s action menu to manage emails from the inbox view
Conclusion
The Gmail app provides a straightforward interface for reading emails
Users can easily navigate through email content using VoiceOver gestures
Email management actions are available both within the email and from the inbox view
Navigating conversation threads
A significant portion of the session focused on navigating conversation threads (email chains) in the Gmail app.
Details
Siena: Demonstrated how to identify and open conversation threads
Siena: Showed that Gmail displays the number of emails in a conversation
Siena: Explained that Gmail shows threads in chronological order (oldest first)
Ali: Demonstrated how to expand and collapse individual messages within a thread
Siena: Showed how to navigate between messages using headings or form controls in VoiceOver
Ivy: Asked about the difference between using headings and form controls for navigation
Conclusion
Gmail app displays conversation threads in chronological order (oldest first), unlike the Mail app
Users can expand or collapse individual messages within a thread
VoiceOver users can navigate between messages using either headings or form controls
Replying to emails
Ali demonstrated how to reply to specific messages within conversation threads.
Details
Ali: Showed how to select a specific message within a thread to reply to
Ali: Demonstrated that when the reply button is activated, it replies to the currently selected message
Ali: Compared this to the Mail app’s approach to replying to messages in threads
Siena: Noted that Gmail makes it clearer which message you’re replying to
Conclusion
The Gmail app makes it easier to identify which message you’re replying to within a thread
Users can select specific messages within a thread to reply to them directly
Composing emails
Ali demonstrated how to compose new emails in the Gmail app.
Details
Ali: Showed how to access the compose button
Ali: Demonstrated adding recipients in the To and CC fields
Ali: Showed how to add a subject and message body
Ali: Demonstrated using dictation for message composition
Ali: Showed options for discarding drafts and sending messages
Conclusion
The Gmail app provides a straightforward interface for composing new emails
Users can easily add recipients, subject, and message content
The app supports dictation for message composition
Gmail app settings and customization
The presenters explored various settings and customization options in the Gmail app.
Details
Ali: Demonstrated how to access settings through the navigation menu
Ali: Showed how to customize mail swipe actions
Ali: Explained signature settings and how they sync with web signatures
Siena: Noted that Gmail synchronizes signatures across devices, unlike the native Mail app
Ivy: Asked about how to establish and manage signatures
Conclusion
Gmail app offers various customization options through settings
Users can customize swipe actions to personalize email management
Signatures can be synchronized across devices when using the web signature option
Advantages of Gmail app over native Mail app
Throughout the session, several advantages of the Gmail app over the native Mail app were highlighted.
Details
Siena: Mentioned that Gmail delivers notifications more promptly than the native Mail app
Siena: Noted that Gmail integrates with Google Calendar for event invitations
Siena: Explained that Gmail’s thread navigation is more intuitive
Ali: Demonstrated that Gmail synchronizes signatures across devices
Siena: Pointed out that Gmail allows collapsing and expanding individual messages in threads
Conclusion
Gmail app offers better notification delivery and calendar integration
The app provides more intuitive thread navigation and management
Gmail synchronizes settings like signatures across devices
Next week is our annual Zoom tutorial, on Wednesday, Dec 17. Depending on what time allows, there will possibly be a follow up on the evening of Dec 18, more information nearer to the day.
Siena demonstrated the process of adding email accounts to the Mail app on an iPad, focusing on VoiceOver accessibility.
Details
Siena: Showed how to set up an iCloud email account as the first account
Siena: Demonstrated how to enable/disable iCloud Mail in Settings
Ali: Clarified that users don’t need an iCloud email account but might be prompted to create one for certain backup features
Jackie: Asked about setting up accounts without an iCloud email
Siena: Confirmed you can use any email address for your Apple ID
Conclusion
The Mail app guides users through initial setup when first opened
Users can enable or disable iCloud Mail through Settings > Apple Account > iCloud
Adding multiple email accounts
Siena demonstrated how to add Gmail and custom domain accounts to the Mail app.
Details
Siena: Showed how to add accounts through Settings > Mail > Accounts
Siena: Demonstrated the authentication process including two-factor authentication
Siena: Explained how to select which services to enable (Mail, Contacts, Calendar, Notes)
Siena: Showed how to customize account labels for easier identification
Conclusion
Multiple accounts from different providers can be added to the Mail app
The Mail app recognizes account types (Gmail, Exchange, etc.) automatically
Users can customize account labels to make them more recognizable
Navigating between email accounts
Siena demonstrated different methods for viewing and switching between email accounts.
Details
Siena: Showed how to use the sidebar on iPad to switch between accounts
Siena: Explained that on iPhone, users would use the “Mailboxes” back button
Siena: Demonstrated how to enable and use the “All Inboxes” feature
Ali: Mentioned he prefers using “All Inboxes” to avoid missing emails
Conclusion
Users can view individual account inboxes or combine them using “All Inboxes”
The iPad interface uses a two-column layout with message list and open message
VoiceOver users need to use the “containers” rotor setting on iPad to read messages
Email app preferences
Discussion about different email apps and their features.
Details
Ali: Mentioned he finds the Gmail app more reliable than the Mail app
Amanda: Shared that she prefers Outlook
Siena: Noted that Gmail app has better notifications and calendar integration
Ali: Discussed how Gmail app handles calendar invites directly in the email
Conclusion
Different email apps have various strengths and weaknesses
The Gmail app will be covered in a separate tutorial the following day
Calendar app discussion
A side discussion about calendar applications and subscriptions.
Details
Ali: Mentioned Fantastical’s features including live activities on lock screen
Amanda: Explained she stopped using Fantastical to avoid another subscription
Macara: Discussed conference call joining features in Fantastical
Ali: Noted he’s helped the Fantastical team improve accessibility
Conclusion
Fantastical offers useful features but requires a subscription
The group might do a tutorial on Fantastical in the future
Coming Up
Join us tomorrow evening from 7:00 to 9:00 PM Eastern for Techstravaganza 2.0, where the Gmail app on iPhone and iPad will be explored. Next Wednesday, we will have the annual Zoom tutorial, which, depending on time on Wednesday, might have a followup on Thursday, Dec, 18, from 8:00 to 10:00 PM Eastern.
As you may know if you’ve read our post about what’s coming up this month, we are having our annual Zoom tutorial on Dec 17.
in case we don’t get to cover everything on the Wednesday, there will be another tutorial on Thursday, Dec 18, at 8:00 to 10:00 PM Eastern to cover what is left.
There will also still be the usual Techstravaganza 2.0 on Thursday, Dec11, 2025.
Find out What Else is coming up for the rest of this Month on Techstravaganza at the following link
Siena demonstrated the new Phone app in macOS, explaining its functionality as a secondary phone interface that works across iPhone, iPad, and Mac when devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi and iCloud account. The app allows users to make calls, send messages, and access call history, with Liz inquiring about its availability on iPad, which Siena confirmed. The discussion included practical uses of the app, such as making calls when the phone is charging or left in another room, and participants shared personal experiences about where they keep their phones at home.
Mac Phone Call and Notifications
Siena and Ali demonstrated how to make and end phone calls on a Mac using the phone app and Notification Center, including navigating call history and ending calls. They discussed the differences between full screen and banner modes for notifications, and Ali mentioned exploring the option to change the notification style on the Mac. John joined the conversation briefly to clarify that the notification banner on the Mac looks similar to iOS’s floating window.
Mac Notification Management Tutorial
Siena and Ali explored how to manage and interact with phone notifications on a Mac, including changing alert styles to persistent banners and adjusting notification settings for specific applications. They tested answering a FaceTime call through the Mac’s Notification Center, noting some initial confusion with the labeling but successfully completing the task. Both participants acknowledged this as a learning experience, as Siena had never used a Mac to make or answer calls before.
MacOS 2026 Phone Call Features
Siena demonstrated how to answer phone calls on a Mac using macOS 2026’s new notification center feature, which treats phone calls as FaceTime calls. She showed that calls can be answered through the notification center even when the phone app is closed, though the phone app must be open to end calls. Siena also briefly mentioned a new feature in macOS 2026 that provides message and email summaries, though she didn’t demonstrate this functionality.
Mail App VoiceOver Features Update
Siena demonstrated the new Mail app features on Mac, including how to navigate between mailboxes and messages using VoiceOver commands, and showed the AI summary button that provides a concise summary of email content. She noted that while there weren’t many new VoiceOver features in the update, the summary button was particularly useful for quickly understanding email content without reading the full message. Liz inquired about the VO left/right commands and learned that these gestures are equivalent to flicking left/right on iPads that support the feature, with Siena suggesting that the iPad Mini 7 and up, as well as the Air 3 and up, support this functionality.
Email Content Display Issues Investigation
The team discussed issues with email excerpts not displaying properly in some cases, with Ali confirming that the full newsletter content is actually visible when scrolling down in the email. They identified that the problem might be related to how the email is displayed on different devices or email clients, as some team members were able to see the full content while others saw only an excerpt with a “continue reading” link. Ali agreed to investigate further and potentially make adjustments to ensure consistent display of the full content across all devices.
Email Formatting and Accessibility Issues
The team discussed issues with email formatting and accessibility, particularly regarding heading blocks and their impact on mobile readability. They explored mail settings and default email app configurations, with Ali demonstrating how to adjust settings on both iPhone and Mac. The group agreed to investigate whether different account types (iCloud vs Gmail) might be affecting the display issues, and Siena confirmed she would try adding heading blocks to improve navigation while being mindful of potential formatting complications.
Gmail Email Header Improvements
The team discussed issues with email headers and navigation in Gmail, particularly regarding Techstravaganza reminders. Liz suggested adding a sentence to the existing header rather than creating new blocks, which would help maintain consistency. They explored potential causes for scrolling and link-finding difficulties, including the use of threaded views and calendar integration. The group agreed to investigate further before making changes to their email templates.
Email Calendar Invite Simplification
The team discussed issues with email calendar invites and decided to simplify the process by creating a block pattern or template with essential meeting details. They agreed to remove unnecessary information like Find Your Local Number and the calendar view to make it easier for participants. Siena suggested using Google Calendar directly and copying the link with the required information once, rather than doing it weekly. The team also discussed how switching from direct email to a newsletter format allows for larger, unlimited subscriber lists.
Newsletter Format Simplification Discussion
The team discussed streamlining the newsletter format by removing extraneous embedded content and focusing on essential information like Zoom meeting links. They identified that the current format was cluttered and made it difficult to see key details. Siena and Ali agreed to simplify the newsletter by using excerpts and removing unnecessary information like location tags. They also addressed an issue with the iPad status bar disappearing in Mac OS 26, finding that it was still present but harder to access due to smaller icons. The team decided to encourage participants to use the Zoom app for easier access to meeting details, noting that it was free.
The meeting began with a discussion about new technology, including a new device with reading capabilities and various voice options. Siena then introduced a tutorial on Facebook, covering topics such as writing posts, interacting with timelines, managing notifications, and exploring the Facebook menu. She requested participants to mute their microphones during the tutorial and to use specific commands for raising hands or unmuting. Despite some technical difficulties with screen sharing, the session continued, and Siena encouraged participants to let her know if they could hear the audio.
Facebook Platform Tutorial Overview
Siena conducted a tutorial on Facebook’s interface, explaining various features like creating posts, stories, reels, and live streaming. She mentioned the risks associated with Facebook Marketplace, similar to Kijiji. Ali distractedly shared information about a daily deal on Audible for a book on self-talk. Siena expressed interest and decided to purchase it. The tutorial concluded with a brief explanation of the search and Messenger functions, noting that the search button labeling issue on the iPad had not been fully resolved.
Facebook Tutorial for Techstravaganza
Siena demonstrated how to create and edit a post on Facebook using an iPhone, including typing with braille screen input and using AI features to rewrite text and add backgrounds. She composed a post about doing a tutorial for Techstravaganza 2.0, showing how to use the Facebook app on an iPhone. Ali offered to help Siena get used to typing on the touchscreen, and Siena mentioned she could mention Ali and Jackie in the post.
Facebook Tagging and Mention Features
Siena demonstrated how to use the mention and tag features in the Facebook app on iPhone, explaining the differences between the two and showing how to manually add tags. She encountered some issues with VoiceOver reading characters properly while using mentions, so she switched to using the tag feature instead. Siena also showed how to add emotions to a post, choose a background color, and adjust privacy settings for the post.
Facebook Content and Tagging Guide
Siena demonstrated how to create and post content on Facebook, explaining the tagging feature which sends notifications to tagged individuals. She clarified that tagged users receive notifications both on their phones and when they open Facebook, though the timeline now shows posts in random rather than chronological order. When asked about the home timeline’s randomness, Siena recommended using the notifications tab or following public pages for more organized content.
Facebook Description and Notification Issues
The group discussed issues with Facebook’s image and video description capabilities, noting that while Facebook has built-in image description tools, they are often inaccurate and unreliable. They explored the possibility of using Be My Eyes or Seeing AI to improve video description functionality, as these tools might provide better results. The conversation then shifted to notification problems on both iOS and Android devices, where participants discovered that while push notifications were enabled, many users were still not receiving notifications, with the notification count often being out of sync with the actual number of unread messages.
iOS Update Notification Issues
The group discussed issues with the latest iOS update affecting Notification Center and screen locking behavior. They explored potential solutions and shared experiences with different screen readers across operating systems, with Ali and Siena agreeing that VoiceOver remains more stable than TalkBack. The conversation concluded with a brief mention of Facebook app usage.
Facebook Update Discussion Tutorial
Siena led a tutorial on Facebook for Techstravaganza 2.0, demonstrating features like double-tapping to open full posts. She addressed concerns about Facebook’s recent update that requires users to tap to read full posts, noting this change affects both sighted and visually impaired users. The group discussed the pros and cons of this new feature, with Jackie suggesting it could be beneficial by allowing users to preview content before deciding whether to read the full post. They also touched on the differences between using Facebook on iPhone versus Android devices, with Siena sharing her experience of using an Android tablet and finding it sluggish compared to iPhone.
Facebook Features and User Engagement
The meeting focused on discussing Facebook features and functionality, particularly around notifications and user interactions. Siena demonstrated how to engage with Facebook posts, including liking, commenting, and replying, while also explaining notification settings and birthday reminders. The group discussed the limitations of deleting posts versus comments, with Siena clarifying that only post owners can delete their own content. The conversation ended with a brief discussion about creating a public Facebook group for assistive technology questions.
Siena demonstrated the sleep timer feature in the Eye Catcher app, showing how users can set the timer for 5 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes during podcast playback. She also showcased other player controls including bookmarks, continuous playback options, and show notes. Ali shared a link to a Facebook tutorial from October 9th during the meeting.
Victor Stream 3 Functionality Review
The group discussed the functionality of the Victor Stream 3, with Roueida confirming she has the latest model and sharing her experience that it works well but can be slow with fast button presses. Siena demonstrated iCatcher’s features, including how to set up a sleep timer, access bookmarks, and adjust playback settings, though she encountered some difficulty accessing the bookmarks menu. Ali and Siena worked through various menus and options to resolve the bookmark access issue, eventually finding that the bookmarks could be accessed through the Now Playing Actions menu.
Media Player and Streaming Setup
Ali and Siena discussed navigating a media player interface, focusing on finding and using bookmarks. They also explored the process of connecting Audible and TuneIn to streaming devices, noting that Audible Sync only works on Windows, which limits its utility for Mac users. Ali read through the steps for configuring TuneIn on a stream device, highlighting the need for an account and the process of pairing devices, which Siena found to be a complex procedure.
Braille Display Comparison and Features
Ali and Siena discussed the challenges and preferences of using different braille displays, including the Braille BI40X and the Mantis Q40, with Ali recommending the BI40X due to its features and ADP funding eligibility. They also explored the functionality of the voiceover rotor, demonstrating how to customize and use it for navigation and accessing various options on an iPhone.
VoiceOver Customization and Tips
Palmer and Siena discussed the customization options available for VoiceOver, including rotor settings, sounds, and hints. Siena explained the use of containers, which she finds more useful on the iPad, and mentioned the availability of screen search and text selection in VoiceOver. Liz raised a question about copying and pasting phone numbers, and Siena provided guidance on using the rotor for text selection and editing. They agreed to schedule a one-on-one session for further assistance, and Siena mentioned an upcoming session on copying and pasting in the new year.
VoiceOver Rotor Customization Guide
Siena demonstrated how to customize the VoiceOver rotor settings on iOS, explaining the functions of various options like text selection, speaking rate, and braille input. She recommended keeping flat navigation for iPhone and iPad, as it allows seamless movement between items. Siena also clarified the differences between standard typing and touch typing for on-screen keyboards. The group discussed the Zoom option in VoiceOver, with Siena suggesting it might relate to magnification features rather than the Zoom app.
Tech Updates and Platform Challenges
The team discussed upcoming sessions, confirming that Facebook Part 2 would be held tomorrow, while “What’s New in iOS” would be presented on December 11th as part of Techstravaganza 2.0. Siena demonstrated text selection functionality and addressed questions about hand control in virtual meetings, noting that Google Meet had technical issues including unreliable audio and difficult access. The group also shared experiences with various email clients, with Ashlyn and others expressing frustration with Outlook’s multi-factor authentication requirements and signing-in processes, particularly after iOS updates.
Zoom Accessibility Training Session
The group discussed Zoom subscription details, with Ali explaining their need for the paid version for longer meetings and advanced features. Siena demonstrated text selection and copying functionality in Zoom, showing how to copy and paste links using VoiceOver. The meeting experienced technical difficulties with audio quality issues on Ali’s end, and Siena and Liz agreed to follow up with a separate session the next day at 10 or 11 AM to continue the training.
Calendar Management Tool Discussion
The group discussed various tools for scheduling and calendar management, with Ali explaining his use of Zoom Scheduler and Fantastical for booking meetings and managing calendar events. Ali noted that while Fantastical offers rich calendar features, it lacks automated email reminders, which Zoom Scheduler provides. Palmer shared his preference for using Outlook’s calendar feature, while Siena emphasized the importance of having a backup tool in case primary services experience issues. The discussion highlighted the need for balancing functionality, accessibility, and redundancy in scheduling tools.
Assistive Devices and Budget Challenges
The group discussed various assistive devices and their costs, with Ali expressing reluctance to pay for certain items like the Victor Reader Stream and the Sense Player due to budget considerations. They explored the availability of the Sense Player in Canada, noting that Terry Scott’s website offers it as a final sale with Canadian shipping only. Palmer shared her experience with independent living, including challenges with cooking and travel, while Ali and Siena discussed their different experiences with social interactions and education. The conversation touched on the limitations and opportunities faced by individuals with disabilities in various aspects of life.
Coming Up Next Week
Join us next week, as we discuss what’s new in MacOS26. Also, stay tuned to the newsletters for the information for tomorrow’s Techstravaganza 2.0.
Techstravaganza 