Colin Hughes
@colinhughes.aestumanda.com
Ex-BBC producer turned tech equality warrior, crafting a fairer future with accessible technology. Lifelong Liverpool supporter #YNWA #TechEquality #A11Y
The nurse who visited (from a private company) told me that a NHS leader had seen my experience, and that prompted urgent action. I’m grateful it unblocked things, but it speaks volumes. This is basic primary care. Housebound patients shouldn’t need to publish an article to get a winter vaccines.
December 5, 2025 at 8:31 AM
The nurse who visited (from a private company) told me that a NHS leader had seen my experience, and that prompted urgent action. I’m grateful it unblocked things, but it speaks volumes. This is basic primary care. Housebound patients shouldn’t need to publish an article to get a winter vaccines.
Earlier this week I wrote about the difficulty housebound people face accessing winter vaccinations. After that piece was published, things finally moved. Flu jab in one arm and Covid in the other yesterday.
🧵
🧵
December 5, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Earlier this week I wrote about the difficulty housebound people face accessing winter vaccinations. After that piece was published, things finally moved. Flu jab in one arm and Covid in the other yesterday.
🧵
🧵
As a wheelchair user in Westminster, I’ve often been blocked by discarded Lime and Forest bikes. New £100 fines per bike are long overdue.
Next, the Council must tackle rogue e-bike, food delivery and e-scooter riders — one scooter hit me, and e-bikes have nearly taken me out on several occasions.
Next, the Council must tackle rogue e-bike, food delivery and e-scooter riders — one scooter hit me, and e-bikes have nearly taken me out on several occasions.
November 20, 2025 at 9:57 AM
As a wheelchair user in Westminster, I’ve often been blocked by discarded Lime and Forest bikes. New £100 fines per bike are long overdue.
Next, the Council must tackle rogue e-bike, food delivery and e-scooter riders — one scooter hit me, and e-bikes have nearly taken me out on several occasions.
Next, the Council must tackle rogue e-bike, food delivery and e-scooter riders — one scooter hit me, and e-bikes have nearly taken me out on several occasions.
Aqua Voice, my favourite voice-dictation app for the Mac, has just pushed out a great update. The new Replacements feature lets you say a shortcut phrase and instantly drop in longer text — I’m already using it for quotation templates. Messaging apps also get cleaner casing and better @-mentions. 🌊
November 15, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Aqua Voice, my favourite voice-dictation app for the Mac, has just pushed out a great update. The new Replacements feature lets you say a shortcut phrase and instantly drop in longer text — I’m already using it for quotation templates. Messaging apps also get cleaner casing and better @-mentions. 🌊
Apple has confirmed to me that one Voice Control bug — the “delete that” command — is fixed in macOS 26 build 25B77.
I’ve reported others, but Apple hasn’t said if they’re fixed yet
www.aestumanda.com/technology/2...
Hoping next week’s macOS 26.1 brings good news 🙏
More on what Apple told me 👇
I’ve reported others, but Apple hasn’t said if they’re fixed yet
www.aestumanda.com/technology/2...
Hoping next week’s macOS 26.1 brings good news 🙏
More on what Apple told me 👇
November 1, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Apple has confirmed to me that one Voice Control bug — the “delete that” command — is fixed in macOS 26 build 25B77.
I’ve reported others, but Apple hasn’t said if they’re fixed yet
www.aestumanda.com/technology/2...
Hoping next week’s macOS 26.1 brings good news 🙏
More on what Apple told me 👇
I’ve reported others, but Apple hasn’t said if they’re fixed yet
www.aestumanda.com/technology/2...
Hoping next week’s macOS 26.1 brings good news 🙏
More on what Apple told me 👇
After a day of use, I keep catching myself saying “Okay Meta” — and nothing happens.
It’s amazing how tough it is to unlearn a habit built over two years.
I hope Meta makes wake-word recognition more flexible again — “Okay Meta” is stuck in my head.
It’s amazing how tough it is to unlearn a habit built over two years.
I hope Meta makes wake-word recognition more flexible again — “Okay Meta” is stuck in my head.
October 10, 2025 at 9:02 AM
After a day of use, I keep catching myself saying “Okay Meta” — and nothing happens.
It’s amazing how tough it is to unlearn a habit built over two years.
I hope Meta makes wake-word recognition more flexible again — “Okay Meta” is stuck in my head.
It’s amazing how tough it is to unlearn a habit built over two years.
I hope Meta makes wake-word recognition more flexible again — “Okay Meta” is stuck in my head.
Testing Ray-Ban Meta firmware v19.1 today and I’ve discovered something quite extraordinary.
For the past two years, I’ve been saying “Okay Meta” as the wake word on my Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses — and it’s always worked perfectly.
After updating to v19.1, that’s suddenly changed. 🧵
For the past two years, I’ve been saying “Okay Meta” as the wake word on my Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses — and it’s always worked perfectly.
After updating to v19.1, that’s suddenly changed. 🧵
October 10, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Testing Ray-Ban Meta firmware v19.1 today and I’ve discovered something quite extraordinary.
For the past two years, I’ve been saying “Okay Meta” as the wake word on my Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses — and it’s always worked perfectly.
After updating to v19.1, that’s suddenly changed. 🧵
For the past two years, I’ve been saying “Okay Meta” as the wake word on my Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses — and it’s always worked perfectly.
After updating to v19.1, that’s suddenly changed. 🧵
First time I’ve ever seen this during an iOS update. Phone showed plenty of storage, yet the update insisted it was full and even offloaded apps. Odd experience.
September 29, 2025 at 10:02 PM
First time I’ve ever seen this during an iOS update. Phone showed plenty of storage, yet the update insisted it was full and even offloaded apps. Odd experience.
Meta looks to have quietly switched on the Reminders feature for Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in the UK. No fanfare, just suddenly noticed it there today. A neat quality-of-life upgrade for everyday use. 👓⏰ w
September 21, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Meta looks to have quietly switched on the Reminders feature for Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in the UK. No fanfare, just suddenly noticed it there today. A neat quality-of-life upgrade for everyday use. 👓⏰ w
September 19, 2025 at 7:03 AM
“For me personally, while I wait for a cure to an incurable illness that may never come, technology like this helps to level the playing field just a little more.”
More in my full piece on Meta ‘s new Ray-Ban Display glasses.
👇
www.aestumanda.com/technology/2...
More in my full piece on Meta ‘s new Ray-Ban Display glasses.
👇
www.aestumanda.com/technology/2...
September 18, 2025 at 9:13 PM
“For me personally, while I wait for a cure to an incurable illness that may never come, technology like this helps to level the playing field just a little more.”
More in my full piece on Meta ‘s new Ray-Ban Display glasses.
👇
www.aestumanda.com/technology/2...
More in my full piece on Meta ‘s new Ray-Ban Display glasses.
👇
www.aestumanda.com/technology/2...
I haven’t been able to hold a book for years due to disability. Audiobooks have been a lifeline via iPhone + AirPods. Today, with Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, I listened to Great Expectations hands-free on Audible. Open-ear speakers + extensive voice control make this page turner a game changer.
September 7, 2025 at 8:47 AM
I haven’t been able to hold a book for years due to disability. Audiobooks have been a lifeline via iPhone + AirPods. Today, with Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, I listened to Great Expectations hands-free on Audible. Open-ear speakers + extensive voice control make this page turner a game changer.
Who’s enjoying the heatwave then? ☀️😎
London’s looking glorious, even if it’s a bit too hot for some!
🎥 A few moments from a sunny wander yesterday
#Londonheatwave #TateBritain #London #LondonLife #UKHeatwave
#RaybanMeta
London’s looking glorious, even if it’s a bit too hot for some!
🎥 A few moments from a sunny wander yesterday
#Londonheatwave #TateBritain #London #LondonLife #UKHeatwave
#RaybanMeta
June 30, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Who’s enjoying the heatwave then? ☀️😎
London’s looking glorious, even if it’s a bit too hot for some!
🎥 A few moments from a sunny wander yesterday
#Londonheatwave #TateBritain #London #LondonLife #UKHeatwave
#RaybanMeta
London’s looking glorious, even if it’s a bit too hot for some!
🎥 A few moments from a sunny wander yesterday
#Londonheatwave #TateBritain #London #LondonLife #UKHeatwave
#RaybanMeta
Astonishing that in 2025, Nuance Inc still doesn’t support dictating emojis in Dragon @microsoft.com.bsky.social flagship voice dictation software. In an era of messaging apps and social media, even Apple Voice Control has allowed this for years. Time to catch up? 🧠🗣️
June 22, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Astonishing that in 2025, Nuance Inc still doesn’t support dictating emojis in Dragon @microsoft.com.bsky.social flagship voice dictation software. In an era of messaging apps and social media, even Apple Voice Control has allowed this for years. Time to catch up? 🧠🗣️
Still waiting 4.5 months for a pressure cushion from NHS wheelchair services—run by notorious private firm AJM Healthcare, contracted by Central London Community Healthcare Trust.
I won’t go private. I pay taxes and believe in an NHS that’s free at the point of delivery and publicly run
1/5
I won’t go private. I pay taxes and believe in an NHS that’s free at the point of delivery and publicly run
1/5
June 21, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Still waiting 4.5 months for a pressure cushion from NHS wheelchair services—run by notorious private firm AJM Healthcare, contracted by Central London Community Healthcare Trust.
I won’t go private. I pay taxes and believe in an NHS that’s free at the point of delivery and publicly run
1/5
I won’t go private. I pay taxes and believe in an NHS that’s free at the point of delivery and publicly run
1/5
Respect to Labour MP and now ex whip Vicky Foxcroft for standing up for disabled people and resigning on principle. Cuts to PIP and disability benefits aren’t reform — they’re harm.
This kind of integrity is too rare in politics.
#DisabilityRights #PIP #TakingThePIP
This kind of integrity is too rare in politics.
#DisabilityRights #PIP #TakingThePIP
June 20, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Respect to Labour MP and now ex whip Vicky Foxcroft for standing up for disabled people and resigning on principle. Cuts to PIP and disability benefits aren’t reform — they’re harm.
This kind of integrity is too rare in politics.
#DisabilityRights #PIP #TakingThePIP
This kind of integrity is too rare in politics.
#DisabilityRights #PIP #TakingThePIP
The iOS and iPad 26 betas include Share Accessibility Settings — letting you temporarily apply your custom accessibility setup on someone else’s iPhone/iPad, or another iPhone/iPad that you own.
Privacy-safe, seamless, and incredibly thoughtful. 👏
Privacy-safe, seamless, and incredibly thoughtful. 👏
June 10, 2025 at 10:14 PM
The iOS and iPad 26 betas include Share Accessibility Settings — letting you temporarily apply your custom accessibility setup on someone else’s iPhone/iPad, or another iPhone/iPad that you own.
Privacy-safe, seamless, and incredibly thoughtful. 👏
Privacy-safe, seamless, and incredibly thoughtful. 👏
🗣 iOS 26 and macOS 26 make Keyboard Dictation powered by Siri smarter.
You can now spell words aloud mid-dictation—perfect for tricky names or terms. No more awkward corrections.
Hands-free just got more hands-off. 🙌
You can now spell words aloud mid-dictation—perfect for tricky names or terms. No more awkward corrections.
Hands-free just got more hands-off. 🙌
June 10, 2025 at 9:14 PM
🗣 iOS 26 and macOS 26 make Keyboard Dictation powered by Siri smarter.
You can now spell words aloud mid-dictation—perfect for tricky names or terms. No more awkward corrections.
Hands-free just got more hands-off. 🙌
You can now spell words aloud mid-dictation—perfect for tricky names or terms. No more awkward corrections.
Hands-free just got more hands-off. 🙌
Today’s the day! #WWDC25 kicks off and we’ll see iOS 26 and more.
The real question for many of us: will accessibility be front and centre—or quietly improved behind the scenes?
Here’s hoping for real progress, if not on stage, then under the hood.
The real question for many of us: will accessibility be front and centre—or quietly improved behind the scenes?
Here’s hoping for real progress, if not on stage, then under the hood.
June 9, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Today’s the day! #WWDC25 kicks off and we’ll see iOS 26 and more.
The real question for many of us: will accessibility be front and centre—or quietly improved behind the scenes?
Here’s hoping for real progress, if not on stage, then under the hood.
The real question for many of us: will accessibility be front and centre—or quietly improved behind the scenes?
Here’s hoping for real progress, if not on stage, then under the hood.
Another small but powerful WWDC 2025 ask: Bring Apple’s AI-powered noise cancellation—used in AirPods Pro for calls—to dictation via the built-in studio mics on iPhone Pro models and MacBook Pro.
We don’t all dictate in soundproof studios. This would be huge for accessibility
#WWDC25
#A11y
We don’t all dictate in soundproof studios. This would be huge for accessibility
#WWDC25
#A11y
June 8, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Asking for a lot at #WWDC25 —but also something small that would mean a lot:
Let me say “Send” after dictating with Siri. You can speak the message—but still need to tap. That’s absurd.
For disabled people like me, that Android-style fix would be huge.
#Siri
#Dictation
Let me say “Send” after dictating with Siri. You can speak the message—but still need to tap. That’s absurd.
For disabled people like me, that Android-style fix would be huge.
#Siri
#Dictation
June 8, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Asking for a lot at #WWDC25 —but also something small that would mean a lot:
Let me say “Send” after dictating with Siri. You can speak the message—but still need to tap. That’s absurd.
For disabled people like me, that Android-style fix would be huge.
#Siri
#Dictation
Let me say “Send” after dictating with Siri. You can speak the message—but still need to tap. That’s absurd.
For disabled people like me, that Android-style fix would be huge.
#Siri
#Dictation
In 2022 I told 9to5Mac that Apple smart glasses could change the game for disabled people.
Next year could finally be the moment. If the accessibility features deliver, Apple Glass will be a revolution in independence and inclusion. 👓♿️
Next year could finally be the moment. If the accessibility features deliver, Apple Glass will be a revolution in independence and inclusion. 👓♿️
May 31, 2025 at 8:58 AM
In 2022 I told 9to5Mac that Apple smart glasses could change the game for disabled people.
Next year could finally be the moment. If the accessibility features deliver, Apple Glass will be a revolution in independence and inclusion. 👓♿️
Next year could finally be the moment. If the accessibility features deliver, Apple Glass will be a revolution in independence and inclusion. 👓♿️
Meta has just released version 15.1 for the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.
Can’t see any major new features this time—just minor improvements.
Pretty standard fare for a “.1” update.
📸👇
Can’t see any major new features this time—just minor improvements.
Pretty standard fare for a “.1” update.
📸👇
May 30, 2025 at 6:41 AM
Meta has just released version 15.1 for the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.
Can’t see any major new features this time—just minor improvements.
Pretty standard fare for a “.1” update.
📸👇
Can’t see any major new features this time—just minor improvements.
Pretty standard fare for a “.1” update.
📸👇
Great to see the Meta AI app now includes an Accessibility section with Be My Eyes support. 👏
Next step? A section for people with upper limb mobility issues who rely on voice control.
Top 3 features:
1. “Hey Meta, hang up”
2. Hands-free POV WhatsApp sharing
3. Reply without saying “Reply”
Next step? A section for people with upper limb mobility issues who rely on voice control.
Top 3 features:
1. “Hey Meta, hang up”
2. Hands-free POV WhatsApp sharing
3. Reply without saying “Reply”
May 29, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Great to see the Meta AI app now includes an Accessibility section with Be My Eyes support. 👏
Next step? A section for people with upper limb mobility issues who rely on voice control.
Top 3 features:
1. “Hey Meta, hang up”
2. Hands-free POV WhatsApp sharing
3. Reply without saying “Reply”
Next step? A section for people with upper limb mobility issues who rely on voice control.
Top 3 features:
1. “Hey Meta, hang up”
2. Hands-free POV WhatsApp sharing
3. Reply without saying “Reply”