My Take on Oakley Metas, the NFB Convention, and Accessibility Fails
Release Date: 07/29/2025
Rokid Style Delays and Choosing Ziggy Over Vegas
iCantCU Podcast
Episode 296 of iCantCU, I break down the Rokid Style Smart Glasses, compare them to my Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, and explain why I made the difficult decision to cancel a long-planned YouTube workshop in Las Vegas. On the tech side, I dig into the Rokid Style specs—38.5 grams, 10-minute recording limits, multiple aspect ratios, 12-hour battery claims, and AI integrations including Google Maps and large language models. I also explain why the lack of 16:9 recording matters to creators, how Rokid’s silence after my order raised red flags, and why the Ray-Ban Meta currently wins by default....
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Ray-Ban Meta Glasses Took Me From PHL to Podfest
iCantCU Podcast
In this episode of I Can’t See You, I break down how the Ray-Ban Meta glasses became a real travel tool—from PHL to Podfest in Orlando. I used “Hey Meta, what’s in front of me?” to read signs, confirm gates, navigate MCO, and find my way around the Renaissance at SeaWorld and the conference sessions. Along the way, I share a funny airport moment when people thought I was talking to them, plus the soft pretzel mission that finally paid off (pretzel braid, Apple Pay, done). I also recap Podfest highlights—AI, video workflows, and new strategies like Pinterest—while sharing where...
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The Unexpected Connection Between Chinese Food and Audio Description
iCantCU Podcast
In episode 294 of iCantCU, I kick off 2026 by connecting a few things that don’t seem related at first: Chinese food on Christmas, audio description on TV and movies, and what happens when accessibility goes mainstream. I share what the holidays look like in our house—with Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year’s, and both kids’ birthdays packed into a few short weeks—along with stories about a cloth menorah, cookie decorating that didn’t go quite as planned, baking classes at Sur La Table, and Ziggy’s absolute obsession with his Christmas pickles. From there, I get to the bigger point....
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Testing Ray-Ban Meta Display Smart Glasses at Meta Labs NYC
iCantCU Podcast
In episode 293 of iCantCU, I take you along for a cold—but memorable—day trip to New York City with Jane, where holiday chaos, quality time, and cutting-edge tech collide. The highlight was our visit to Meta Labs, where I spent hands-on time testing the new Ray-Ban Meta Display Smart Glasses to see what they might offer the blind community. I walk through what worked, what didn’t, and why the built-in screen reader both impressed and frustrated me—especially when it came to non-standard gestures and demo limitations. We talk about navigation, open-ear audio, live translation,...
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Why My Picture Might Be Hanging at the Train Station
iCantCU Podcast
In this episode, I catch you up on everything that’s been keeping me busy around the NFB of Pennsylvania. As convention chair for our 2025 convention in Harrisburg, I walk through how the weekend went—sponsors, auction totals, banquet fundraising, Family Feud night with Amazon gift cards and consolation candy bars, and the great support we got from the Best Western Premier staff. I talk about how grateful I am for Jane’s help running things behind the scenes and how I’m emailing every attendee to say thanks and gather honest feedback. Of course, it wouldn’t be an episode without...
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From Hershey to NYC: Rideshares, Roadblocks, and Resilience
iCantCU Podcast
October was nonstop. I was in Hershey, Pittsburgh, and New York twice, and on every single trip, there was a transportation curveball. SEPTA canceled trains, Amtrak was late, ride shares were pricey or didn’t show, and I even had to cross a four-lane road in Pittsburgh with no traffic light. I still made it to Dancing in the Dark, the PATTAN Tech Adventures event, the Blind Travel Foundation fundraiser, and Laugh for Sight, picking up ideas for our NFB of PA state convention along the way. I talk about why I lean toward Lyft, how arthritis makes travel trickier, and why sponsors need to jump...
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Blindness Misconceptions: From Healthcare to Parenting Rights
iCantCU Podcast
In this episode of iCantCU, I catch you up on where I’ve been and dive into some pretty unbelievable questions I was asked by a healthcare professional—like how I get dressed, not what I wear, but literally how I put on clothes. It’s troubling when educated people in healthcare still hold such misconceptions about blindness, and it reminded me of battles NFB members continue to face, including parents losing custody simply because they’re blind. I also share lighter moments, like Ziggy’s obsession with his giant Christmas pickle, a fun crab feast in Baltimore, and my trip to the...
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Ally Solos Smartglasses vs. Ray-Ban Meta Smartglasses
iCantCU Podcast
In this episode of iCantCU, I’m finally back after a month and diving into the Ally Solos—new smart glasses from Envision designed specifically for blind and low-vision users. Unlike Ray-Ban or Oakley Metas, these aren’t built for social media first. They won’t shoot video at launch, but they’ll capture photos and focus on accessibility features that actually matter to us. The presale had me tempted, and even though I held off because of past bad experiences with uncomfortable frames from other brands, I may still give them a try with their 30-day return policy. I also share some of...
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My Take on Oakley Metas, the NFB Convention, and Accessibility Fails
iCantCU Podcast
In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about the new Oakley Meta smartglasses and why, despite the hype, I’m holding off for now. The camera’s not centered like I’d hoped, and they still only shoot vertical video—great if you’re all-in on Instagram, not so much for YouTube. The recording time is a win, though: 30 minutes vs. just three on the Ray-Bans. But if the Oakleys don’t wrap around like my standard pair (which helps with glare), I’m probably not interested—unless they start shooting horizontal video. I also dive into my trip to New Orleans for the NFB national convention....
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From Studio B to the Kitchen: A New Format
iCantCU Podcast
In this episode of iCantCU, I’m trying something completely different—an audio-only format recorded while walking laps around my house. I talk about the frustration of unreliable audio description devices at theaters and why it’s such a barrier for blind patrons like me. I also share how my recent Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses videos on YouTube outperformed anything I’ve done before and preview an upcoming video on the new Oakley Meta Smart Glasses. Inspired by other podcasters, I’m hoping this low-tech, low-barrier approach helps me put out more episodes, more often. Let’s see how it...
info_outlineIn this episode of iCantCU, I talk about the new Oakley Meta smartglasses and why, despite the hype, I’m holding off for now. The camera’s not centered like I’d hoped, and they still only shoot vertical video—great if you’re all-in on Instagram, not so much for YouTube. The recording time is a win, though: 30 minutes vs. just three on the Ray-Bans. But if the Oakleys don’t wrap around like my standard pair (which helps with glare), I’m probably not interested—unless they start shooting horizontal video.
I also dive into my trip to New Orleans for the NFB national convention. Let’s just say the travel there started with a missing wallet and at the convention, almost everything that could go wrong, did—from tech issues to accessibility frustrations to a basement flood back home.
There’s also a PSA for allies: if you’re helping someone blind or low vision, ask before jumping in. Don’t assume. And don’t hand my boarding pass to someone else.
Finally, we're selling raffle tickets to fund the NFB of PA scholarship program. $5 could win you up to $100—and helps students who need it. Email me if you're interested: icantseeyoupodcast@gmail.com.
Show notes at https://www.iCantCU.com/288
Links Mentioned
Product links are affiliate links so that I may earn a commission.
- Ray-Ban Meta Glasses, Wayfarer: https://amzn.to/42EU0Sy
- White Canes Connect one of the 100 Best Visually Impaired Podcasts: https://traffic.libsyn.com/whitecanesconnect/white_canes_connect_132_post.mp3
- And another Top 100 Best lists for White Canes Connect: https://www.millionpodcasts.com/visually-impaired-podcasts/?utm_source=smtp&utm_medium=F1_email&utm_content=template_b
- Can you believe it?!? The White Canes Connect website is live: https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/.
- Federation Focus on the NFB of PA YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@nfbofpa
- I edit the show with Descript and love it!: https://www.iCantCU.com/descript/
- Be My Eyes app (free): https://www.bemyeyes.com/
- Seeing AI app (free): https://www.seeingai.com/
- Index of That Real Blind Tech Show episodes: https://www.icantcu.com/trbts/
- Watch iCantCU episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iCantCU
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White Canes Connect Podcast Episode 140
In Episode 140 of White Canes Connect, contributor Simon Bonenfant speaks with Zachary Ledford, Second Vice President of the National Association of Blind Students (NABS) and chair of the 2024 Mid-Atlantic Student Seminar. The conversation highlights the seminar’s theme—“Charting the Course: Finding Your Fit as a Student”—and explores how blind students can build confidence, navigate college life, and connect meaningfully with peers.
WhiteCanesConnect.com is now live! Listen to episodes there or in many podcast directories.
Find this episode at:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1AzKR5qTPApcZ900uADNOO
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uzSvbqVBUA&t=2s
White Canes Connect Website
https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/140/
My Podcast Gear
Here is all my gear and links to it on Amazon. I participate in the Amazon Associates Program and earn a commission on qualifying purchases.
- Zoom Podtrak P4: https://amzn.to/33Ymjkt
- Zoom ZDM Mic & Headphone Pack: https://amzn.to/33vLn2s
- Zoom H1n Recorder: https://amzn.to/3zBxJ9O
- Gator Frameworks Desk Mounted Boom Arm: https://amzn.to/3AjJuBK
- Shure SM58 S Mic: https://amzn.to/3JOzofg
- Sony ZV-E10 camera : https://amzn.to/4fFBSxM
- GoPro Hero 11 Black: https://amzn.to/3SKI7WX
- Rode Video Micro (used on GoPro): https://amzn.to/4kVMJWI
- Sennheiser Headset (1st 162 episodes): https://amzn.to/3fM0Hu0
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Are You or Do You Know A Blind Boss?
If you or someone you know is crushing it in their field and is also blind, I want to hear from you! Call me at (646) 926-6350 and leave a message. Please include your name and town, and tell me who the Blind Boss is and why I need to have them on an upcoming episode. You can also email the show at iCantCUPodcast@gmail.com.