Most of this episode is dedicated to all things Amazon. We have numerous demos and thoughts to share on several products. First, however, we’re announcing a twenty-five percent off sale to celebrate our fourth wedding anniversary on August 11. The sale runs from Friday August eighth through end of day Tuesday August twelfth, and you’ll save on all our audio documentation, including our new Audible Adventures product. We highly recommend it for all book-lovers! We begin our look at Amazon products with a discussion of our new latest generation Echo. We share the sad circumstances that led us to purchase it, and through the magic of editing you’ll be there with us as we unbox and set it up. We also play some tunes to show you its sound quality. On Prime day we also purchased new Fire tablets. This was yet another cool setup process. Chris talks about his, and Kim takes you through hers in close to real time so you can experience it, too. Finally, we take you with us as we check out Alexa+. this demo was recorded in June, but it still gives you an idea of the differences between Alexa and Alexa+. Of course, we share our likes and dislikes. Finally, we close by teasing an upcoming podcast topic we’ll discuss next time. Thanks, as always, for listening!

In this episode, we discuss our travels to and from the ACB Convention. Links coming soon. Stay tuned.

This episode is a short and sweet one—many of us are busy enjoying both virtual and in-person convention fun! Convention Season Sale Our summer sale is live! From now through July 14, save 30% on all digital audio documentation. • We’re currently at the ACB convention in Dallas, then heading to our summer home in North Carolina, and will be back at our desks on August 25. • Hardware orders (like speakers and cables) will ship after we return to New York. • If you order physical media (thumb drives, SD cards, or NLS cartridges), we’ll do our best to ship from North Carolina, though some delays may occur. • Kim will personally reach out to anyone ordering hardware or physical media to keep you informed. Activate this link to begin shopping. Chris’s Walk with WeWALK and Voice Vista Chris recently took a stroll using his WeWALK Smart Cane 2 along with the Voice Vista app for iOS. Sorry, Android users, there’s currently no equivalent app for you. We chat about: • The origin of Voice Vista • Chris’s first impressions • Features he’s loving • What he’s excited to explore further • Hopes for future updates Wishing everyone a joyful, safe, and inspiring convention season. Thanks for listening—we appreciate you!

Hi everyone, We’re excited to share a brand-new episode with you! In this release, we introduce our latest product — Audible Adventures. This comprehensive offering explores the accessibility of the Audible service across a variety of platforms, giving you a clearer picture of how to enjoy your favorite audiobooks no matter how you listen. Thanks so much for tuning in and being part of our podcast community!

In this episode, we’ve got a little something for everyone—from tech updates to travel logistics to summer savings! ? Summer Convention Sale We’re kicking things off with an announcement: our Summer Convention Sale is on! From June 24 through July 14, enjoy 30% off all audio documentation (hardware not included). If you’ve been interested in something from our catalog, now’s a great time to explore and purchase. Please note: • We’ll be attending the ACB convention in Dallas, followed by time in North Carolina from July 5 to August 25. • Hardware orders will ship after we return, but we’ll do our best to ship physical media like SD cards and cartridges while in North Carolina. Note that there may still be delays, however. • Kim will personally email all customers who order hardware or physical media with shipping reminders. ? Apple’s Latest Updates We briefly discuss highlights from the recent WWDC Apple event, including some upcoming software features we’re excited to try. We also touch on Apple’s new naming convention—with a helpful article Chris found that breaks it all down. ? Rural Internet Adventures Next up, we dive into our search for internet service at our rural summer home. After a few hiccups (you’ll hear all about them!), we landed on Verizon LTE Home Internet. In this segment, we share: • What equipment we received and a physical description • The setup experience • How it performs here in Western New York ? Bonus: It even worked post-Hurricane Helene in North Carolina—a big win! ? App Tour: Audiobooks.com To round things out, Kim takes you on a tour of the Audiobooks.com app. She explains how the service compares to Audible, why she decided to give it a try, and what she likes (and doesn’t) about the iOS app. Android users, don’t worry—there’s a version for you too. ? As always, thanks so much for listening. We’re grateful for your support!

In this episode, we demonstrate the X-Sense Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm featuring voice location technology. Hear how it works, what sets it apart from traditional alarms, and why it might be a great addition to your home safety setup. If you choose to purchase through our Amazon affiliate link above, we may earn a small commission thanks for supporting the show! —

We hope you have as much fun listening to this episode as we had creating it! Come along as we walk a few steps (maybe more, maybe less—no judgment here!) through a mix of nostalgic tech, helpful tools, and safety tips. In This Episode: Blast from the Past: The Primula Talking Coffee Maker We revisit our Blast from the Past series to chat about the quirky and charming Primula talking coffee maker from 2009—billed as “the world’s first talking coffee maker.” Chris gives a live demo and walks you through the speech prompts this unique machine offers. StepUp App: A Fun Way to Track Your Steps Next, we step into the world of modern health apps with StepUp, a free and fun step-counting app available for iOS and Android. We explore its features, settings, and why it makes walking a little more rewarding (even if our step counts are embarrassingly low… oops!). Screen Protectors: Worth It or Not? We share personal horror stories and practical advice about screen protectors. Spoiler alert: Yes, they’re worth it—and yes, quality matters! If you have a device with a glass screen, this section is for you. Smoke Detectors & Safety Tips Finally, we discuss the now discontinued Google Nest Protect smoke detectors and our plan to refit our home with new ones after all these years. We also share a super important tip: Smoke detectors expire after ten years! This segment is part teaser, part public service announcement—we want you to be safe! Thanks for joining us! Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss our upcoming demos and discussions.

In this episode, we kick things off with a travel tip that recently saved us $200—and it just might save you money too! Whether you’re booking flights, rental cars, or hotel stays (especially via Expedia), this simple trick is worth knowing. While we haven’t found an equivalent for train travel yet, we hope this helps ... Read more

Episode Summary: In this episode, Chris and Kim kick things off by sharing some listener feedback, including a mention of Hartgen Consultancy’s valuable products and services. Next, with the deadline for obtaining a REAL ID quickly approaching, we dive into what you may need to know if you plan to fly and still need to ... Read more

In this episode, we’re helping you prep for late spring and summer with affordable ways to stay cool and escape the heat—wherever you are. Cool Gadgets for Warmer Days Chris shares his experience with the Vornado TRANSOM window fan, which he used in our summer home last year. This powerful fan features a weather-resistant case, ... Read more

In This Episode: A Smarter Checkout, A Soothing Sleep Mask, and Budget-Friendly Streaming In this episode, we’re diving into three exciting updates and discoveries we think you’ll love. First up, we’ve made a helpful improvement to the checkout process at [MysticAccess.com](https://www.MysticAccess.com). Whether you’re updating your shipping address or entering one for the first time, the ... Read more

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the world of podcasts! Whether you’re new to podcasting or a seasoned listener, we’re covering everything from finding topics that interest you to following your favorite shows. We’ll also discuss common pitfalls to avoid and share insights from our own experiences with Apple Podcasts, the Wondery app, and other ... Read more

In this episode, we dive into a variety of topics—so even if something doesn’t seem relevant to you at first, stick around! You might pick up some valuable insights or learn some lessons along the way. **Ring Camera Accessories & the Importance of Research** Chris shares his experience with the accessories he purchased for our ... Read more

In this episode, we dive into a mix of tech, fun, and surprises! We start by discussing our upcoming event focused on the BlindShell Classic 3 phone and how it compares to its predecessor. Then, we explore the WeWalk smart canes, comparing the first and second generations to see what’s new and improved. Next, things ... Read more

Today we announce an event comparing the BlindShell 2 and 3 cell phones, and have demos of JAWS Picture Smart, and the meal delivery service Factor. This is one of our really long episodes, so grab a snack and a drink before getting started. first, we’re very excited to announce our upcoming event comparing and ... Read more

We’re back with a number of small discussions and two quick demos, so we hope you find something enjoyable among the talking points. First, we update you on our use of tiles. Chris shares about another version of a tile he plans to purchase and why. He demos finding his phone, how the tile works ... Read more

Today you’ll learn a bit about tracking things with Tile! We’re both rather under the weather for this episode, but hopefully our cool topic makes up for our weird-sounding voices. Tile is a versatile way to track your keys, wallet, and lots of other items no matter which platform you use. There are various types ... Read more

From us to you, HAPPY 2025, hope it is a great one!

It’s our Christmas Eve edition and we have some updates and tips to present. LOL Sorry, had to go there. First, what do you think of our new mics? These are the Hollyland Lark M2 model and we love them so far. There are several versions you can purchase depending on whether you use Android, ... Read more

This is our last full episode of 2024. We do have one more coming out on Christmas Eve, but it will just be short and sweet. So we’ve packed a few fun discussions and some heart-felt thanks into this one. First, a friendly reminder that the mail is pretty slow this time of year, so ... Read more