Aestumanda | Colin Hughes | Activity https://www.aestumanda.com/members/colinhughes/activity/ Activity feed for Colin Hughes. Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:50:45 +0000 https://buddypress.org/?v=2.9.1 en-GB 30 hourly 2 e16182e5b35d1d7e93f6e9e5ec1b4cf7 Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Why Meta’s latest smart glasses announcement matters for accessibility https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=11104 Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:07:08 +0000 Meta announced on Tuesday that it is launching two new Ray-Ban smart glasses aimed at prescription wearers. The company says the new models support nearly all prescriptions and are designed to better serve people […]

]]> 0 a15c5cfc71010c532a5718715ab5945f Colin Hughes changed their profile picture https://www.aestumanda.com/activity/p/3061/ Sun, 29 Mar 2026 11:34:34 +0000 0 a263cd02f3c21114836071fe46c13adf Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Beyond the chatbox: why GPT-5.4’s computer use matters for accessibility https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=11088 Sun, 08 Mar 2026 11:39:05 +0000 OpenAI has just released GPT-5.4, and GPT-5.4 computer use is one of the most interesting parts of the announcement. In practical terms, that means the model can inspect screenshots and return interface actions […]

]]> 0 42c3f3fbc91563dd7435f72b2270b24a Colin Hughes wrote a new post, WhisperTyping review: the Windows dictation app outpacing Apple and Microsoft https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=11021 Sat, 28 Feb 2026 10:50:12 +0000 This WhisperTyping review explores a high-accuracy Windows dictation tool built on OpenAI’s Whisper model, combining AI-driven rewriting, translation and workflow automation. While it requires a physical t […]

]]> 0 efd5a3faf26a7093e01ff9eb34600c3d Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses must become true smart home controllers https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=11005 Tue, 24 Feb 2026 11:08:30 +0000 Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are often presented as content tools — devices for creators capturing everyday moments.

That framing is far too narrow.

If Meta is serious about ambient computing and long-term m […]

]]> 0 e413727d22f8cb2a3b833a9f66892d05 Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Meta’s rumoured Malibu 2 smartwatch could finally make wearables accessible https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10986 Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:59:21 +0000 Meta is reportedly developing a smart fitness watch, internally codenamed Malibu 2. At first glance, this may sound like just another entrant into an already crowded wearable market dominated by Apple, Samsung, […]

]]> 0 63d61979df7fead9a1e4d58cb5522df7 Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Why the Meta AI app needs a physical and motor disability section for the company’s smart glasses https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10951 Thu, 05 Feb 2026 16:22:32 +0000 Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses have been life-transforming for me and for many others with severe physical disabilities. As the company’s smart glasses, they already show how powerful voice-first, wearable t […]

]]> 0 58dba6762e8a52abf486b179a5154dfc Colin Hughes wrote a new post, When the system takes the carer, the disabled person pays the price https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10924 Tue, 27 Jan 2026 19:54:33 +0000 From a hospital bed in Arlington, Texas, Wael Tarabishi asked for only one thing: the return of his father.

His father, Maher Tarabishi, had been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in late […]

]]> 0 c0da4b148660317a380b232082848b16 Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Two years on, Apple’s antitrust case hasn’t gone away — and neither have the accessibility questions https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10887 Fri, 23 Jan 2026 19:06:05 +0000 Last week, I received an unexpected email from the U.S. Department of Justice.

It wasn’t a press update or a policy statement. It was procedural — a reminder that, as part of the Department’s ongoing antit […]

]]> 0 6cc5b00db0c408b3abf8cdb804ef0394 Colin Hughes wrote a new post, iOS 26.3 will bring Notification Forwarding to the EU — the UK and others may be left waiting https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10862 Mon, 19 Jan 2026 11:19:40 +0000 Apple is currently testing a new feature called Notification Forwarding as part of the iOS 26.3 beta. On the surface, it looks like a small system-level change. In reality, it points to a potentially significant […]

]]> 0 62600c51b14bbec1d8d93c0d942e5148 Colin Hughes posted a new activity comment https://www.aestumanda.com/opinion/2025/12/housebound-flu-vaccine-delays-nhs/#comment-1438 Wed, 14 Jan 2026 11:56:41 +0000 John, thank you for sharing this — I’m really sorry your mum has been left in that position. Sadly, what you describe mirrors what far too many housebound families experience, in different parts of the country.

I hope she has now been able to receive her flu vaccine, even if far later than it should ever have been. No one who is housebound sho…[Read more]

In reply to - Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Labour promised to fix the NHS. So why am I, a vulnerable housebound patient, still waiting for a flu jab? Flu season has arrived early. BBC News reports a sharp rise in […] ]]> 0b71641f8d42d9c3287082ad9d918e66 Colin Hughes wrote a new post, A new smart lock hints at what accessibility-first smart homes could become https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10835 Wed, 07 Jan 2026 11:16:27 +0000 The arrival of a new generation of hands-free smart locks, such as the Aqara U400, is one of those moments where a feature framed as convenience quietly reveals something much more important.

Using Ultra […]

]]> 0 e87dabc21dc12efeac99df684e225e85 Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Meta at CES 2026: research into EMG smart home control for disabled people https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10812 Tue, 06 Jan 2026 22:44:51 +0000 Among Meta’s many announcements at CES 2026, one stood out for me — not because it represents a finished product, but because it represents a research direction I have been advocating for in my writing for a lon […]

]]> 0 3d5d948bd754db1c10725f22a6ca614e Colin Hughes wrote a new post, AI dictation vs. built-in tools: my year with the gap https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10794 Thu, 11 Dec 2025 20:36:33 +0000 Dictation has shaped how I use technology for the past decade, but something shifted this year. A wave of new AI dictation apps came to prominence in 2025, each promising accuracy, speed and intelligence far […]

]]> 0 b32e2a3248d9d60d9ea39385144c825c Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Labour promised to fix the NHS. So why am I, a vulnerable housebound patient, still waiting for a flu jab? https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10777 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 20:57:25 +0000 Flu season has arrived early. BBC News reports a sharp rise in infections, prompting ministers and public health officials to issue their annual directive: get vaccinated now. Hospitals are already bracing for a […]

]]> 2 ab6dfac430ccd03f6eb6a604d396baae Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Budget 2025: Motability cuts that betray disabled people’s independence https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10761 Thu, 27 Nov 2025 10:06:25 +0000 The Autumn Budget delivered many of the usual headlines — duties rising on cigarettes and alcohol, eye-catching giveaways, and a handful of announcements clearly shaped for the early evening news. But beneath a […]

]]> 0 c2a3d431e35e412608632d52de48653a Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Voice Control in macOS 26.1 fixes some bugs — but Apple should add “Background Accessibility Improvements” https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10751 Tue, 04 Nov 2025 19:17:50 +0000 Voice Control in macOS 26.1: progress, but key bugs remain
After six weeks of waiting, Voice Control in macOS 26.1 has arrived — and it’s a story of progress mixed with frustration.

The good news: Apple has […]

]]> 0 15fdfbe03283c6b7e19085417423c3c3 Colin Hughes wrote a new post, A picture paints a thousand words: why cutting Motability would be a betrayal https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10684 Thu, 30 Oct 2025 09:51:53 +0000 They say every picture tells a story.

In this old family photo from the 1990s, I’m sitting outside our home in rural Wales with my brother Ian and sister Lyn. My brother Alan isn’t in the photo. Behind us sta […]

]]> 0 e8edee38761dcb4db722d127dea55e68 Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Meta visited me to test the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses and Neural Band https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10632 Tue, 28 Oct 2025 17:50:36 +0000 Meta brought the future to my doorstep
Two weeks ago, something quite extraordinary happened. Meta Reality Labs visited my London home to let me try the new Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses — the first model with a b […]

]]> 0 f0dfc9ebe355c829d1ebc86936e46c56 Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Apple’s Voice Control has stalled — but AI dictation is racing ahead https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10622 Fri, 10 Oct 2025 18:19:54 +0000 Last month I reported on a series of serious Voice Control bugs in macOS 26 that Apple quietly acknowledged but has yet to fix. You can read that piece here. The story struck a nerve because these weren’t minor q […]

]]> 0 cbfbd3b836d84ecf69cb29c5a5ff2f9f Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses gen 2 review: power, promise, and what’s next https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10598 Tue, 30 Sep 2025 12:54:58 +0000 The battery, for real this time
Let me start with what works: battery life. The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses Gen 2 claims up to 2× the battery life over Gen 1. In my use — a few photos, a video, message re […]

]]> 0 f7800500d0714acce4c6acb4d6b3239d Colin Hughes wrote a new post, iPhone Air review: why Apple’s lightest phone might be the perfect ‘bed phone’ https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10574 Sun, 28 Sep 2025 16:18:41 +0000 When Wall Street Journal tech columnist Joanna Stern remarked on Threads that the iPhone Air might be the perfect “bed phone,” it wasn’t just a throwaway comment. It captured something millions of us do every […]

]]> 0 e7943f41366d8dcd86c46c5b7d46cf80 Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Apple confirms Voice Control bugs in macOS 26 https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10565 Wed, 24 Sep 2025 18:05:30 +0000 Apple has acknowledged a series of bugs affecting Voice Control in macOS 26, the company’s built-in accessibility feature that allows people to fully operate a Mac by voice.

Over the past week, users have r […]

]]> 0 fcba4f367af64862e3b3f68757e77b78 Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Why Meta’s Ray-Ban Display glasses feel like the next step for accessibility https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10542 Thu, 18 Sep 2025 15:53:23 +0000 This line from Meta’s announcement of the new Ray-Ban Display glasses with Neural Band really struck me.

“Think of the potential impact it could have for people with spinal cord injuries, limb differences, tre […]

]]> 0 20aabd6d4254ba74721084845f6338ce Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Aqua Voice delivers what Apple’s dictation still lacks https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10519 Wed, 27 Aug 2025 14:22:52 +0000 Dictation on the Mac has often felt like a leap of faith. Apple’s native Dictation and Voice Control offer a path to speech-to-text, but accuracy issues, sluggish input, and awkward editing frequently interrupt p […]

]]> 0 72f6e1f1fecf71be7061c01eea58107c Colin Hughes wrote a new post, WWDC 2025: accessibility gains, missed chances, and what Apple still needs to fix https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10507 Tue, 10 Jun 2025 10:48:08 +0000 Yesterday’s WWDC 2025 keynote brought Apple’s bold new Liquid Glass design, system-wide renaming (e.g., iOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26), and a big push for on-device Apple Intelligence—available now in eight more language […]

]]> 0 6274edfcd366293af3f5697d7248ad05 Colin Hughes wrote a new post, WWDC 2025: Can Apple finally fix Voice Control? https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10492 Sat, 07 Jun 2025 07:52:21 +0000 As WWDC 2025 approaches, rumours swirl about what Apple may unveil: enhanced AI features, a new naming convention for all the operating systems, and a visual glass-like overhaul, including round Home Screen icons. […]

]]> 0 f91a5fa9e9dcd33eb6e7e9fc1f06258c Colin Hughes wrote a new post, WWDC 2025: Why Apple Watch still falls short on accessibility https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10477 Thu, 05 Jun 2025 09:07:34 +0000 As WWDC 2025 approaches, Apple is widely expected to reveal a significant redesign of watchOS—part of a broader visual refresh inspired by visionOS. This could include rounded icons, translucent UI elements, and a […]

]]> 0 97ddcd698e3313bb79c01e86150b5400 Colin Hughes wrote a new post, WWDC 2025: What disabled people want to see from Apple this year https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10452 Tue, 03 Jun 2025 10:11:25 +0000 Apple’s WWDC 2025 keynote is just days away, and expectations are high. This year’s announcements are rumoured to include a dramatic visual overhaul—complete with rounded icons on the Home screen and a more unifi […]

]]> 0 9a39360a5772dc1e3daf517d3af3290b Colin Hughes wrote a new post, macOS finally lets you record custom vocabulary in Voice Control – but Apple still has work to do https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10443 Thu, 29 May 2025 08:10:06 +0000 macOS finally lets you record custom vocabulary in Voice Control – but Apple still has work to do

Did this really just happen?

Tucked away in a recent macOS Sequoia update, Apple has quietly rolled out a l […]

]]> 0 c617efaacb8df444896b44bb6ae73686 Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Confirmed: Apple’s Powerbeats Pro 2 also hit by voice control failure https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10411 Thu, 01 May 2025 20:53:11 +0000 When I first reported a serious voice assistant bug affecting Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, I believed it was device-specific. After a phone or WhatsApp call, the “Hey Meta” assistant would go silent — and would […]

]]> 0 275719a2a550ec8e08dfeb1e5e40918e Colin Hughes wrote a new post, What I want to see from Apple on accessibility in 2025 https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10348 Sat, 26 Apr 2025 18:36:53 +0000 Each May, Apple marks Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) with a series of announcements showcasing its commitment to disabled people. A few weeks later, Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) sets t […]

]]> 0 22ac1a78cd1aafab21ce4a885ea0a4d5 Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses bug locks out disabled users after phone calls https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10336 Thu, 24 Apr 2025 06:24:10 +0000 When I first started using Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, they transformed my daily life. As someone with a quadriplegic disability, the ability to access messages, make calls, and interact with the world using just […]

]]> 0 bcd0a1f68a426fd847ff89f1c9374bd5 Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Meta’s Hypernova smart glasses: accessibility must be central https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10318 Wed, 02 Apr 2025 08:34:29 +0000 Meta is gearing up to unveil its much-anticipated Hypernova smart glasses, an advanced wearable expected to launch as early as the end of the year. Following the success and growing adoption of the Ray-Ban Meta […]

]]> 0 6c536362dc4ad179eb199adba61e1510 Colin Hughes wrote a new post, EU interoperability law forces Apple to rethink closed systems https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10295 Sun, 23 Mar 2025 17:47:58 +0000 The European Union’s recent ruling on interoperability under its landmark Digital Markets Act (DMA) is being framed as a privacy battleground by Apple. In a carefully worded post last week, the company warned t […]

]]> 0 ea42d0ae2ce28be1e663343b4ae31264 Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Accessibility in 2025: four areas Apple should prioritise https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10221 Sat, 01 Feb 2025 09:23:50 +0000 Apple has long been a pioneer in accessibility, crafting hardware and software that unlock new possibilities for disabled people. While big tech grapples with shifting priorities around inclusion, Apple’s c […]

]]> 0 7384f4f86b42bc4d9d38f9cf4ff986bb Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Sainsbury’s Chop Chop: convenience or chaos? https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10191 Thu, 09 Jan 2025 15:36:22 +0000 When Sainsbury’s Chop Chop launched across the UK in 2020, it promised convenience: groceries delivered within an hour for smaller, urgent orders. But my recent experience with the service was anything but c […]

]]> 0 4ae821ab4113ddea3b9b1d36f7df1d0d Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Accessible technology: my 10 wishes for change in 2025 https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10155 Sat, 28 Dec 2024 09:53:09 +0000 Accessible technology has the power to transform lives, but for disabled people, significant barriers remain. As we approach 2025, the tech industry has a chance to embrace inclusion like never before. Here’s my w […]

]]> 0 8e29ffa26c225bf13f853296f59c597d Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Apple vs Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses: lessons Cupertino must learn for the future https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10108 Wed, 25 Dec 2024 10:22:00 +0000 As someone who reviews technology for Aestumanda, I get to try out some of the latest gadgets. Of all the tech I’ve tested in 2024, the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses stand out as my personal gadget of the year. T […]

]]> 0 d1217263faa8da1e607c3350e705fc74 Colin Hughes posted a new activity comment https://www.aestumanda.com/reviews/2023/01/ring-intercom-an-accessible-and-secure-addition-to-your-home-security/#comment-1435 Sun, 15 Dec 2024 09:59:04 +0000 Hi Andrew yes my Ring Intercom is still working. The wiring is per photo in post. I encourage you to speak to Ring technical support. They were very helpful. It took a while to set up and some trouble shooting required with them but we got there in the end. Good luck with it

In reply to - Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Ring Intercom: an accessible and secure addition to your home security When it comes to home security, there are a lot of options out there. From traditional alarm systems to smart […] ]]> 0066652211cc7f7a7bb37b9c78a5ac23 Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Top voice dictation tools for disabled people in 2024 https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10043 Fri, 06 Dec 2024 19:11:44 +0000 For disabled people unable to use a keyboard, voice dictation tools provide vital independence. Whether you’re composing emails, managing documents, or sending messages, accurate dictation apps are essential for s […]

]]> 0 7c44a69324b28f12b1ee2d3dee6161ff Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Why legalising assisted dying is a slippery slope we must avoid https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=10006 Sun, 06 Oct 2024 19:55:35 +0000 MPs are about to vote on an issue that stirs deep emotion on both sides: the legalisation of assisted dying in England and Wales. As someone who lives with life-limiting muscular dystrophy, complicated by heart […]

]]> 0 313820ebb46b46400b9e71c0af720162 Colin Hughes wrote a new post, How Meta’s Orion AR glasses and wristband revolutionise accessibility https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=9984 Thu, 26 Sep 2024 17:04:21 +0000 At Meta’s annual developer conference on Wednesday, CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled a prototype of new augmented reality glasses, showcasing the company’s latest venture into smart eyewear. In addition, Zuc […]

]]> 0 ede538ba987894add1249e056fb1cbeb Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Apple Watch Series 10: a missed opportunity for disability inclusion https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=9968 Tue, 10 Sep 2024 15:41:23 +0000 Yesterday, Apple revealed the highly anticipated Apple Watch Series 10, continuing its tradition of blending cutting-edge technology with sleek design. At the launch event, CEO Tim Cook proudly spoke about how the […]

]]> 0 3a99fcaf77d615da8c4d399ffb200df6 Colin Hughes wrote a new post, A Motability-style scheme for technology can transform disabled lives https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=9938 Thu, 05 Sep 2024 13:16:26 +0000 As the Paralympics in Paris captivate and inspire people around the world, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) have launched the “Equipped for Equity” campaign, dra […]

]]> 0 9851056e2381155b2561d47b4f74c847 Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Why Apple should launch smart glasses: accessibility and mass appeal https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=9898 Tue, 20 Aug 2024 19:43:59 +0000 Apple has always been at the forefront of technological innovation, creating products that not only captivate the general public but also offer unique benefits for disabled people . With recent reports suggesting […]

]]> 0 ee233a1d6642dbe41dbea602dea3bebb Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Apple’s Voice Control update is a new era of accessibility and precision https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=9861 Mon, 12 Aug 2024 12:47:31 +0000 Apple is known for its attention to detail, but with iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia, the company is making a significant leap in accessibility. The latest updates to Voice Control introduce much-needed enhancements […]

]]> 0 bfd861e09ef01c6620223977cf843a5d Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Apple Watch Series 10: new features and the accessibility gap https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=9840 Tue, 09 Jul 2024 06:41:37 +0000 The Apple Watch Series 10 is generating excitement with its anticipated new features coming this autumn, but a significant accessibility issue remains unresolved. Let’s dive into what we can expect from the l […]

]]> 0 dd1449838cb11449a87572dd59b0b299 Colin Hughes wrote a new post, Reforming social care: a top priority for Keir Starmer’s Labour government https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=9831 Sat, 06 Jul 2024 09:12:41 +0000 As Keir Starmer entered 10 Downing Street with a strong mandate from the British public , there is a resounding call for substantial reforms across various sectors. Among the most pressing is the urgent need to […]

]]> 0 992a08f2fb330946bc07f8b1f2385f56 Colin Hughes wrote a new post, General Election 2024: who should disabled social care users vote for? https://www.aestumanda.com/?p=9736 Mon, 01 Jul 2024 07:44:38 +0000 Update: This article has been updated to include the Green Party’s policies on social care.

As a disabled person who relies on social care for the basics in life that many take for granted—such as help with get […]

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