This is a friendly reminder of this evening’s Techstravaganza 2.0, which will take place in exactly one hour! The workshop will begin promptly at 7:00 PM Eastern, and will run until 9:00 PM!
Please note that Techstravaganza 2.0 is an ongoing monthly workshop. All workshops are recorded and posted immediately after the workshop for your reference. we recommend that you please join in 15 minutes prior to the workshop, in order to ensure that your setup is working correctly. Also, please be advised that the Zoom studio is setup so that everyone is muted upon entry, in order to prevent background noise when coming into the studio.
In order to join in the workshop, please use the following conference information:
Siena Trigiani is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
On this month’s Techstravaganza 2.0, as a follow-up to last month’s workshop, we will continue exploring the Facebook app for the iPhone and ipad. We will begin by recapping how to compose a post, as well as how to read posts on the timeline. Afterwards, we will look at the Notifications, Friends and Facebook Menu tabs.
If you have any questions or topic suggestions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the team:
This is a friendly reminder of our upcoming Techstravaganza 2.0, which will take place tomorrow evening (Thursday, November 13, 2025) from 7:00 to 9:00 PM Eastern!
Please note that Techstravaganza 2.0 is an ongoing monthly workshop. All workshops are recorded and posted immediately after the workshop for your reference. we recommend that you please join in 15 minutes prior to the workshop, in order to ensure that your setup is working correctly. Also, please be advised that the Zoom studio is setup so that everyone is muted upon entry, in order to prevent background noise when coming into the studio.
In order to join in the workshop, please use the following conference information:
Siena Trigiani is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
On this month’s Techstravaganza 2.0, as a follow-up to last month’s workshop, we will continue exploring the Facebook app for the iPhone and ipad. We will begin by recapping how to compose a post, as well as how to read posts on the timeline. Afterwards, we will look at the Notifications, Friends and Facebook Menu tabs.
If you have any questions or topic suggestions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the team:
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.
This is a friendly heads up that our upcoming Techstravaganza workshop will start at 12:30 PM and will run until 3:00 PM Eastern. Please note that we will be starting a bit earlier this afternoon, as we have a couple of small items left to cover from last week’s iCatcher tutorial. I have updated the Zoom event to reflect the time change for this afternoon’s workshop.
Please be advised that this is an ongoing weekly workshop. All workshops are recorded and posted immediately after the workshop for your reference. we recommend that you please join in 15 minutes prior to the workshop, in order to ensure that your setup is working correctly. Also, please be advised that the Zoom studio is setup so that everyone is muted upon entry, in order to prevent background noise when coming into the studio.
In order to join in the workshop, please use the following conference information:
Siena Trigiani is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
At last week’s workshop, we took an in depth look at iCatcher, a third party podcast player app for the iPhone and iPad. This week, we will return to our iCatcher tutorial to cover the two remaining items that we did not have the chance to cover last week, i.e. adding and navigating to bookmarks, as well as the sleep timer. Afterwards, we will take an in depth tour of the VoiceOver rotor on the iPhone and ipad.
If you have any questions or topic suggestions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to the team.
This is a friendly reminder of our upcoming Techstravaganza, which will take place this afternoon (Wednesday, November 12, 2025) from 12:30 to 3:00 PM Eastern. Please note that we will be starting a bit earlier this afternoon, as we have a couple of small items left to cover from last week’s iCatcher tutorial. I have updated the Zoom event to reflect the time change for this afternoon’s workshop.
Please be advised that this is an ongoing weekly workshop. All workshops are recorded and posted immediately after the workshop for your reference. we recommend that you please join in 15 minutes prior to the workshop, in order to ensure that your setup is working correctly. Also, please be advised that the Zoom studio is setup so that everyone is muted upon entry, in order to prevent background noise when coming into the studio.
In order to join in the workshop, please use the following conference information:
Siena Trigiani is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
At last week’s workshop, we took an in depth look at iCatcher, a third party podcast player app for the iPhone and iPad. This week, we will return to our iCatcher tutorial to cover the two remaining items that we did not have the chance to cover last week, i.e. adding and navigating to bookmarks, as well as the sleep timer. Afterwards, we will take an in depth tour of the VoiceOver rotor on the iPhone and ipad.
If you have any questions or topic suggestions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to the team.
This is a friendly reminder of our upcoming Techstravaganza, which will take place tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday, November 12, 2025) from 12:30 to 3:00 PM Eastern. Please note that we will be starting a bit earlier tomorrow afternoon, as we have a couple of small items left to cover from last week’s iCatcher tutorial.
Please be advised that this is an ongoing weekly workshop. All workshops are recorded and posted immediately after the workshop for your reference. we recommend that you please join in 15 minutes prior to the workshop, in order to ensure that your setup is working correctly. Also, please be advised that the Zoom studio is setup so that everyone is muted upon entry, in order to prevent background noise when coming into the studio.
In order to join in the workshop, please use the following conference information:
Siena Trigiani is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
At last week’s workshop, we took an in depth look at iCatcher, a third party podcast player app for the iPhone and iPad. This week, we will return to our iCatcher tutorial to cover the two remaining items that we did not have the chance to cover last week, i.e. adding and navigating to bookmarks, as well as the sleep timer. Afterwards, we will take an in depth tour of the VoiceOver rotor on the iPhone and ipad.
If you have any questions or topic suggestions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to the team.
Siena led a tutorial on the iCatcher app, demonstrating its features and functionality. She showed how to add podcasts, search for content, and customize the layout of the app. Siena also announced that Techstravaganza is now available as a podcast, and she added it to her list as an example. The session included technical instructions for participants, including how to mute/unmute and raise hands during the meeting.
iCatcher Podcast Player Overview
Siena demonstrated how to use the iCatcher podcast player, including following podcasts, searching for shows, and filtering the podcast library. She explained that iCatcher offers features like bookmarks, external media importing, and customizable playback options, which are not available in the default podcast app. The group discussed the differences between iCatcher and Voice Dream Reader for audiobooks. Ali suggested that iCatcher is cleaner and more customizable than the default podcast app. Siena showed how to access episode show notes and options within iCatcher.
Podcast Player Features Overview
Siena demonstrated how to use a podcast player, showing various options like downloading, streaming, queuing, and marking episodes as played. She discussed the features of the player interface, including bookmarks and show notes. Ali and Macara clarified the difference between the download and queue functions in the menu, explaining that queueing means downloading episodes in a specific order. They encouraged listeners to join their social media groups and newsletter to stay updated and engage with the community.
Comparing Podcasting Platforms: Zoom vs Google Meet
The team discussed technical issues with Google Meet and compared it to Zoom, agreeing that Zoom is superior for podcasting due to its more robust features. They explored various menu options and buttons in a podcasting interface, including download, stream, and queue functions, with Ali explaining how the queue feature works by pausing downloads. The conversation concluded with Macara and Ali expressing appreciation for Siena’s clarification on the queue option, which she had previously been unsure about.
Podcast Mini Player Controls Discussion
The team discussed issues with the podcast mini player, particularly the inability to find a back/rewind button when using the mini player in the podcast app. Siena demonstrated that by double-tapping on the episode title in the mini player, users can expand it to access full playback controls including rewind functionality. Ivy shared her workaround of accessing the full player controls through the lock screen, which led to a discussion about how the mini player is a scaled-down version of the full player interface.
Eye Catcher Podcast Management Demo
Siena demonstrated how to use the Eye Catcher app to manage podcasts, including downloading episodes, creating playlists, and accessing various playback options. She showed how to protect downloads, rename episodes, and convert them to streaming format. Ali clarified some features of the app, such as the Q menu and built-in playlists. Siena created a new playlist called “Nighttime Listening” and discussed the app’s settings for managing playlists.
Podcast Playlist Management Tutorial
Siena demonstrated how to create and manage playlists in an audio application, including adding episodes from different podcasts, reordering them, and using various navigation gestures. Ali provided tips on accessing show notes and dismissing them, while Macara joined in with suggestions. The group worked together to create a nighttime listening playlist containing episodes from Techstravaganza, Books Panel, and another podcast, and discussed how to reorder the episodes using drag and drop functionality.
Media Player Playlist Management Demo
The meeting focused on demonstrating and discussing features of a media player application, particularly around playlist management and episode organization. Siena and Ali explored drag-and-drop functionality, with Ali explaining how to enable or disable the feature in settings. They agreed to cover additional topics including autofill playlists, disabling built-in playlists, and features like bookmarks and sleep timer, pending time availability.
iCatcher Playlist Customization Demonstration
Ali demonstrated how to disable built-in playlists and create autofill playlists in iCatcher, encountering and resolving an issue with a connected braille device that was causing audio input problems. They successfully filtered and customized a playlist by selecting specific podcasts and episodes, including “Locked on” series and other sports-related content, while ensuring continuous playback was enabled.
Playlist Settings and Meeting Scheduling
The team discussed playlist settings and episode selection criteria, including filters for downloaded, streaming, and newer-than-x-days content. They agreed to start their next meeting 30 minutes earlier, from 12:30 to 3:30, to cover the topic of “eye-catcher” in more detail.
Coming up Next Week, on Wednesday, Nov 12, 2025
We will start by finishing up with iCatcher. The rest of next week’s workshop will focus on the Voiceover rotor.
This is just a heads up that our Techstravaganza workshop is coming up in exactly 15 minutes, and will run from 1:00 to 3:00 PM Eastern.
Please be advised that this is an ongoing weekly workshop. All workshops are recorded and posted immediately after the workshop for your reference. we recommend that you please join in 15 minutes prior to the workshop, in order to ensure that your setup is working correctly. Also, please be advised that the Zoom studio is setup so that everyone is muted upon entry, in order to prevent background noise when coming into the studio.
In order to join in the workshop, please use the following conference information:
Siena Trigiani is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
At last week’s workshop, we took an indepth look at a series of useful tips designed to make your iOS 26 experience smoother, courtesy of Ali and Macara. These included:
– Turning off Notification grouping for an easier way to read your notifications in the Notification Centre.
Arranging apps into folders on the Home Screen and showing the badge count to see how many new items are in each folder. This is another way you can see how many new notifications you have.
Changing the default calling app. You may wish to do this if you prefer to use WhatsApp or another calling app by default. This afternoon, we will return to our series on podcast players to explore a popular podcast player called iCatcher.
If you have any questions or topic suggestions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to the team.
This is a reminder of our upcoming Techstravaganza, which will take place in exactly one hour, and will run from 1:00 to 3:00 PM Eastern.
Please be advised that this is an ongoing weekly workshop. All workshops are recorded and posted immediately after the workshop for your reference. we recommend that you please join in 15 minutes prior to the workshop, in order to ensure that your setup is working correctly. Also, please be advised that the Zoom studio is setup so that everyone is muted upon entry, in order to prevent background noise when coming into the studio.
In order to join in the workshop, please use the following conference information:
Siena Trigiani is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
At last week’s workshop, we took an indepth look at a series of useful tips designed to make your iOS 26 experience smoother, courtesy of Ali and Macara. These included:
– Turning off Notification grouping for an easier way to read your notifications in the Notification Centre.
Arranging apps into folders on the Home Screen and showing the badge count to see how many new items are in each folder. This is another way you can see how many new notifications you have.
Changing the default calling app. You may wish to do this if you prefer to use WhatsApp or another calling app by default. This afternoon, we will return to our series on podcast players to explore a popular podcast player called iCatcher.
If you have any questions or topic suggestions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to the team.
Techstravaganza 