EPISODE DESCRIPTION
Tech companies promise “life-changing.” Then you open the app and meet the unlabeled rectangle of doom.
Evan Starnes is joined by Aftersight’s lead podcast producer (and returning BLT co-host) Jonathan Price for a banter-forward reality check on modern tech hype—especially through the lens of accessibility. Inspired by a listener email from Ron in Memphis, they unpack why “AI everywhere” can create more friction than freedom, how subscription creep turns products into monthly relationships, and why companies keep shipping half-baked devices that depend on updates and vague “bug fixes.”
Then it’s time for Tech Faceplant: the smart device that can’t survive setup, the app that became a dashboard, and the “next big thing” hardware that doesn’t fit real life. The episode wraps with a practical BLT buyer checklist built around independence, reliability, accessibility support, and exit costs—because if you can’t set it up solo, it’s not premium…it’s dependent.
SEND US YOUR TECH FACEPLANTS
Email: feedback@aftersight.org
Voicemail: 720-712-8856
Put “BLT Tech Faceplant” in the subject/message so we can find it fast.
CREDITS
Host: Evan Starnes
Co-host: Jonathan Price
Producer: Jonathan Price
CHAPTERS
00:02 — Evan’s “overheated co-host” intro + Jonathan’s back for banter
02:25 — Weather whiplash + quick note on seasonal mental health
04:51 — Ron (Memphis) email: “Tech Faceplant” + accessibility truth bombs
07:16 — Evan’s $300 “smart” toothbrush: app required, accessibility fails
09:40 — If it’s not usable day one, it’s not a breakthrough—it’s a project
12:00 — AI everywhere: real value vs. nuisance overlays (and battery hits)
16:31 — Subscription creep: products becoming monthly relationships
18:54 — “Smart” mattress example: app features locked behind a paywall
23:42 — Hotel mini-bar sensors + tactile exploration accessibility barrier
25:58 — Half-baked launches + OTA updates + vague release notes
28:25 — Tech Faceplant #2: the app that became a dashboard
30:49 — Tech Faceplant #3: hardware that doesn’t fit real life
33:12 — The first 5-minute BLV reality check: setup + QR-code traps
35:30 — Buyer rules: “Does it need to be smart?” + reviews + BLV validation
40:21 — Non-negotiables: app dependence + offline access + “paperweight” risk
42:11 — Send your tech fails + next episode tease: tech that actually delivers
46:48 — Outro: “Hope is loud and usability is quiet.”
What is Blind Level Tech?
Where accessibility meets innovation. Hosted by Evan Starnes, Blind Level Tech explores the latest in assistive technology, accessible design, and everyday tools that empower the blind and low-vision community. Each episode dives into real stories, expert insights, and practical solutions—from screen readers and AI tools to mobility tech and inclusive apps. Whether you’re blind, low vision, a professional in the accessibility space, or simply curious about how technology is reshaping lives, this show offers fresh perspectives and actionable takeaways.
Produced by Aftersight, Blind Level Tech is more than a tech podcast—it’s a platform for inclusion, discovery, and possibility.