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
This smart AI bird feeder I bought my parents for Christmas has unexpectedly sparked my interest in birds 🐦
This robin was the first visitor today at 7:50am (UK). Yesterday it was 8:20am.
I always imagined birds fed much earlier… turns out some are late risers 😂
This robin was the first visitor today at 7:50am (UK). Yesterday it was 8:20am.
I always imagined birds fed much earlier… turns out some are late risers 😂
December 24, 2025 at 10:20 AM
This smart AI bird feeder I bought my parents for Christmas has unexpectedly sparked my interest in birds 🐦
This robin was the first visitor today at 7:50am (UK). Yesterday it was 8:20am.
I always imagined birds fed much earlier… turns out some are late risers 😂
This robin was the first visitor today at 7:50am (UK). Yesterday it was 8:20am.
I always imagined birds fed much earlier… turns out some are late risers 😂
We were always told not to talk with our mouths full… 😂
Clearly this goldfinch never got the memo.
Chirping away while enjoying breakfast on the smart feeder 🐦🌻
Clearly this goldfinch never got the memo.
Chirping away while enjoying breakfast on the smart feeder 🐦🌻
December 23, 2025 at 10:49 AM
We were always told not to talk with our mouths full… 😂
Clearly this goldfinch never got the memo.
Chirping away while enjoying breakfast on the smart feeder 🐦🌻
Clearly this goldfinch never got the memo.
Chirping away while enjoying breakfast on the smart feeder 🐦🌻
v21.0 hit my Ray-Ban Meta glasses today 👓
The new slow-motion feature is great.
“Hey Meta, start slow motion” gives hands-free, cinematic video for up to 1 minute.
Using it here to capture some Christmas atmosphere 🎄✨
Available on Oakley Meta Vanguard, Ray-Ban Meta 2 and Oakley Meta HSTN.
The new slow-motion feature is great.
“Hey Meta, start slow motion” gives hands-free, cinematic video for up to 1 minute.
Using it here to capture some Christmas atmosphere 🎄✨
Available on Oakley Meta Vanguard, Ray-Ban Meta 2 and Oakley Meta HSTN.
December 22, 2025 at 11:40 PM
v21.0 hit my Ray-Ban Meta glasses today 👓
The new slow-motion feature is great.
“Hey Meta, start slow motion” gives hands-free, cinematic video for up to 1 minute.
Using it here to capture some Christmas atmosphere 🎄✨
Available on Oakley Meta Vanguard, Ray-Ban Meta 2 and Oakley Meta HSTN.
The new slow-motion feature is great.
“Hey Meta, start slow motion” gives hands-free, cinematic video for up to 1 minute.
Using it here to capture some Christmas atmosphere 🎄✨
Available on Oakley Meta Vanguard, Ray-Ban Meta 2 and Oakley Meta HSTN.
Last-minute Christmas present idea 🎄I went full tech-nerd and got Mum and Dad a smart AI bird feeder. Pricey but worth it. It IDs birds via an app, keeps stats, and I can even watch it from London. AI says this is a Great Tit, which is how I feel getting excited about this! 😂 🐦
December 22, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Last-minute Christmas present idea 🎄I went full tech-nerd and got Mum and Dad a smart AI bird feeder. Pricey but worth it. It IDs birds via an app, keeps stats, and I can even watch it from London. AI says this is a Great Tit, which is how I feel getting excited about this! 😂 🐦
Meta’s new Voice Shortcuts on Oakley Meta Vanguard allow single-word commands without “Hey Meta”
Marketed for athletes, but just as vital for accessibility. Shorter commands save breath and energy for many disabled people
This should be a system-wide accessibility setting on all Meta smart glasses
Marketed for athletes, but just as vital for accessibility. Shorter commands save breath and energy for many disabled people
This should be a system-wide accessibility setting on all Meta smart glasses
December 20, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Meta’s new Voice Shortcuts on Oakley Meta Vanguard allow single-word commands without “Hey Meta”
Marketed for athletes, but just as vital for accessibility. Shorter commands save breath and energy for many disabled people
This should be a system-wide accessibility setting on all Meta smart glasses
Marketed for athletes, but just as vital for accessibility. Shorter commands save breath and energy for many disabled people
This should be a system-wide accessibility setting on all Meta smart glasses
macOS 26.2 is out, but the Voice Control command “new paragraph” is still broken.
This is a basic dictation command for writing emails and documents, especially for people who rely on voice to work. It’s been reported repeatedly, yet remains unfixed.
Voice deserves better.
This is a basic dictation command for writing emails and documents, especially for people who rely on voice to work. It’s been reported repeatedly, yet remains unfixed.
Voice deserves better.
December 14, 2025 at 9:52 AM
macOS 26.2 is out, but the Voice Control command “new paragraph” is still broken.
This is a basic dictation command for writing emails and documents, especially for people who rely on voice to work. It’s been reported repeatedly, yet remains unfixed.
Voice deserves better.
This is a basic dictation command for writing emails and documents, especially for people who rely on voice to work. It’s been reported repeatedly, yet remains unfixed.
Voice deserves better.
A solid accessibility improvement from Google.
Voice Access can now be launched fully hands-free via Gemini — just say “Hey Google, start Voice Access”. Better dictation, improved accent recognition, system controls, and support for Japanese too.
Voice Access can now be launched fully hands-free via Gemini — just say “Hey Google, start Voice Access”. Better dictation, improved accent recognition, system controls, and support for Japanese too.
December 14, 2025 at 7:07 AM
A solid accessibility improvement from Google.
Voice Access can now be launched fully hands-free via Gemini — just say “Hey Google, start Voice Access”. Better dictation, improved accent recognition, system controls, and support for Japanese too.
Voice Access can now be launched fully hands-free via Gemini — just say “Hey Google, start Voice Access”. Better dictation, improved accent recognition, system controls, and support for Japanese too.
“In the short term, my ask is modest. I’d be happy simply to dictate a message or email with my voice and send it with a single “send this” command — all inside one AI dictation app, without jumping between systems.”
👇
www.aestumanda.com/technology/2...
👇
www.aestumanda.com/technology/2...
AI dictation vs. Built-in Tools: My year with the gap
AI dictation surged in 2025, but built-in tools lagged. A year with Willow, Wispr Flow and Aqua Voice shows how wide the gap is between writing and control.
www.aestumanda.com
December 12, 2025 at 10:09 AM
“In the short term, my ask is modest. I’d be happy simply to dictate a message or email with my voice and send it with a single “send this” command — all inside one AI dictation app, without jumping between systems.”
👇
www.aestumanda.com/technology/2...
👇
www.aestumanda.com/technology/2...
“The writing feels as if it belongs in 2025; the navigation feels as if it was designed for 2015.”
That’s the reality of AI dictation vs built-in voice tools from Apple, Microsoft and Google today — and why disabled people are stuck in the gap.
👇
www.aestumanda.com/technology/2...
That’s the reality of AI dictation vs built-in voice tools from Apple, Microsoft and Google today — and why disabled people are stuck in the gap.
👇
www.aestumanda.com/technology/2...
AI dictation vs. Built-in Tools: My year with the gap
AI dictation surged in 2025, but built-in tools lagged. A year with Willow, Wispr Flow and Aqua Voice shows how wide the gap is between writing and control.
www.aestumanda.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:12 AM
“The writing feels as if it belongs in 2025; the navigation feels as if it was designed for 2015.”
That’s the reality of AI dictation vs built-in voice tools from Apple, Microsoft and Google today — and why disabled people are stuck in the gap.
👇
www.aestumanda.com/technology/2...
That’s the reality of AI dictation vs built-in voice tools from Apple, Microsoft and Google today — and why disabled people are stuck in the gap.
👇
www.aestumanda.com/technology/2...
I’ve spent a year comparing AI dictation apps (Willow, Wispr Flow, Aqua Voice) with built-in tools from Apple, Microsoft and Google.The gap between great dictation and poor navigation is now impossible to ignore.
My new article:
www.aestumanda.com/technology/2...
My new article:
www.aestumanda.com/technology/2...
AI dictation vs. Built-in Tools: My year with the gap
AI dictation surged in 2025, but built-in tools lagged. A year with Willow, Wispr Flow and Aqua Voice shows how wide the gap is between writing and control.
www.aestumanda.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:55 PM
I’ve spent a year comparing AI dictation apps (Willow, Wispr Flow, Aqua Voice) with built-in tools from Apple, Microsoft and Google.The gap between great dictation and poor navigation is now impossible to ignore.
My new article:
www.aestumanda.com/technology/2...
My new article:
www.aestumanda.com/technology/2...
Relieved to have got my flu jab last week after weeks of struggle as a housebound person. With reports of a “super flu” circulating, I’m glad to have some protection. Even 40% effectiveness is better than 0%.
More thoughts in my Aestumanda piece:
www.aestumanda.com/opinion/2025...
#Flu #NHS
More thoughts in my Aestumanda piece:
www.aestumanda.com/opinion/2025...
#Flu #NHS
December 11, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Relieved to have got my flu jab last week after weeks of struggle as a housebound person. With reports of a “super flu” circulating, I’m glad to have some protection. Even 40% effectiveness is better than 0%.
More thoughts in my Aestumanda piece:
www.aestumanda.com/opinion/2025...
#Flu #NHS
More thoughts in my Aestumanda piece:
www.aestumanda.com/opinion/2025...
#Flu #NHS
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.
🧵
🧵
Proud to have a letter in The Guardian today, calling out the deeply cynical Motability cuts and what they mean for disabled people’s independence. These decisions shape real lives every day, and it’s important we keep speaking up.
Read it here: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
#Motability
Read it here: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
#Motability
Motability cuts are a deeply cynical policy | Letter
Letter: Disabled customers and their carers will lose out as suitable vehicles and tax reliefs are removed, says Colin Hughes
www.theguardian.com
December 3, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Proud to have a letter in The Guardian today, calling out the deeply cynical Motability cuts and what they mean for disabled people’s independence. These decisions shape real lives every day, and it’s important we keep speaking up.
Read it here: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
#Motability
Read it here: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
#Motability
Labour promised competence on the NHS, yet housebound patients are stuck in a bureaucratic loop waiting for flu jabs.
It is December and I am still unprotected.
My story on the dangerous gap in the system👇
www.aestumanda.com/opinion/2025...
@rachelblakemp.bsky.social this needs urgent attention
It is December and I am still unprotected.
My story on the dangerous gap in the system👇
www.aestumanda.com/opinion/2025...
@rachelblakemp.bsky.social this needs urgent attention
Housebound patients failed by NHS flu vaccine delays
Flu cases are rising, yet housebound patients face dangerous uncertainty. A personal story on why Labour’s NHS winter plan risks leaving us behind.
www.aestumanda.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Labour promised competence on the NHS, yet housebound patients are stuck in a bureaucratic loop waiting for flu jabs.
It is December and I am still unprotected.
My story on the dangerous gap in the system👇
www.aestumanda.com/opinion/2025...
@rachelblakemp.bsky.social this needs urgent attention
It is December and I am still unprotected.
My story on the dangerous gap in the system👇
www.aestumanda.com/opinion/2025...
@rachelblakemp.bsky.social this needs urgent attention
The Guardian confirms what I warned in my earlier Aestumanda analysis: Motability cuts weren’t based on evidence or consultation, but on a right-wing online campaign.
Alarming to see that narrative turned into Labour government policy.
👇
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Alarming to see that narrative turned into Labour government policy.
👇
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
November 29, 2025 at 11:43 AM
The Guardian confirms what I warned in my earlier Aestumanda analysis: Motability cuts weren’t based on evidence or consultation, but on a right-wing online campaign.
Alarming to see that narrative turned into Labour government policy.
👇
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Alarming to see that narrative turned into Labour government policy.
👇
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Labour’s Budget echoes far-right culture war rhetoric: removing 5% of “luxury” Motability cars and raising £300m by cutting Motability tax reliefs.
The money comes from disabled people’s pockets at the cost of independence.
I’ve written why it matters 👇
www.aestumanda.com/opinion/2025...
The money comes from disabled people’s pockets at the cost of independence.
I’ve written why it matters 👇
www.aestumanda.com/opinion/2025...
Budget 2025 Motability cuts that undermine disabled independence
Motability cuts in Budget 2025 remove key vehicles and £300m in reliefs, raising costs and limiting independence for disabled people. Here’s why it matters.
www.aestumanda.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Labour’s Budget echoes far-right culture war rhetoric: removing 5% of “luxury” Motability cars and raising £300m by cutting Motability tax reliefs.
The money comes from disabled people’s pockets at the cost of independence.
I’ve written why it matters 👇
www.aestumanda.com/opinion/2025...
The money comes from disabled people’s pockets at the cost of independence.
I’ve written why it matters 👇
www.aestumanda.com/opinion/2025...
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. 🌊
Updated to macOS 26.1 — progress, but Voice Control still can’t do the basics.
✅ “Delete that” and “Lower case that” fixed
❌ “New paragraph” still broken
🐢 “New line” too slow
Apple should add Background Accessibility Improvements so fixes arrive faster.
🔗 www.aestumanda.com/news/2025/11...
✅ “Delete that” and “Lower case that” fixed
❌ “New paragraph” still broken
🐢 “New line” too slow
Apple should add Background Accessibility Improvements so fixes arrive faster.
🔗 www.aestumanda.com/news/2025/11...
Voice Control in macOS 26.1 fixes some bugs but key issues remain
Voice Control in macOS 26.1 fixes some bugs but key issues remain. Apple should add Background Accessibility Improvements to deliver fixes faster.
www.aestumanda.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Updated to macOS 26.1 — progress, but Voice Control still can’t do the basics.
✅ “Delete that” and “Lower case that” fixed
❌ “New paragraph” still broken
🐢 “New line” too slow
Apple should add Background Accessibility Improvements so fixes arrive faster.
🔗 www.aestumanda.com/news/2025/11...
✅ “Delete that” and “Lower case that” fixed
❌ “New paragraph” still broken
🐢 “New line” too slow
Apple should add Background Accessibility Improvements so fixes arrive faster.
🔗 www.aestumanda.com/news/2025/11...
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 👇
🇵🇱 Poland’s EU economy grew about 3% last year — nearly triple the UK’s rate — and now it’s investing billions in publicly funded care for disabled people.
🇬🇧 The UK, growing just 1%, is cutting billions from disability support.
A tale of two economies 👇
notesfrompoland.com/2025/10/30/p...
🇬🇧 The UK, growing just 1%, is cutting billions from disability support.
A tale of two economies 👇
notesfrompoland.com/2025/10/30/p...
Polish government approves bill providing state-funded assistants for disabled people
notesfrompoland.com
November 1, 2025 at 10:38 AM
🇵🇱 Poland’s EU economy grew about 3% last year — nearly triple the UK’s rate — and now it’s investing billions in publicly funded care for disabled people.
🇬🇧 The UK, growing just 1%, is cutting billions from disability support.
A tale of two economies 👇
notesfrompoland.com/2025/10/30/p...
🇬🇧 The UK, growing just 1%, is cutting billions from disability support.
A tale of two economies 👇
notesfrompoland.com/2025/10/30/p...
@RachelBlakeMP.bsky.social
Reform UK and Lee Anderson’s attacks on Motability — and calls to bring back the blue three-wheelers — aren’t just ignorant, they’re cruel.
For my family, Motability wasn’t a luxury; it was independence.
aestumanda.com/opinion/2025/10/motability-vat-cuts-disabled-people
Reform UK and Lee Anderson’s attacks on Motability — and calls to bring back the blue three-wheelers — aren’t just ignorant, they’re cruel.
For my family, Motability wasn’t a luxury; it was independence.
aestumanda.com/opinion/2025/10/motability-vat-cuts-disabled-people
Why cutting Motability would betray disabled people’s independence
Removing VAT exemption from Motability cars could add £3,000 and rob disabled people of independence. The real problem isn’t welfare — it’s Brexit’s damage.
aestumanda.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:30 PM
@RachelBlakeMP.bsky.social
Reform UK and Lee Anderson’s attacks on Motability — and calls to bring back the blue three-wheelers — aren’t just ignorant, they’re cruel.
For my family, Motability wasn’t a luxury; it was independence.
aestumanda.com/opinion/2025/10/motability-vat-cuts-disabled-people
Reform UK and Lee Anderson’s attacks on Motability — and calls to bring back the blue three-wheelers — aren’t just ignorant, they’re cruel.
For my family, Motability wasn’t a luxury; it was independence.
aestumanda.com/opinion/2025/10/motability-vat-cuts-disabled-people
This 1990s photo of my family tells a story.
Those weren’t “luxury” cars — they were adapted Motability vehicles that gave my siblings and me independence.
Politicians attacking this vital scheme are betraying disabled people.
👇
www.aestumanda.com/opinion/2025...
Those weren’t “luxury” cars — they were adapted Motability vehicles that gave my siblings and me independence.
Politicians attacking this vital scheme are betraying disabled people.
👇
www.aestumanda.com/opinion/2025...
Why cutting Motability would betray disabled people’s independence
Removing VAT exemption from Motability cars could add £3,000 and rob disabled people of independence. The real problem isn’t welfare — it’s Brexit’s damage.
www.aestumanda.com
October 30, 2025 at 11:57 AM
This 1990s photo of my family tells a story.
Those weren’t “luxury” cars — they were adapted Motability vehicles that gave my siblings and me independence.
Politicians attacking this vital scheme are betraying disabled people.
👇
www.aestumanda.com/opinion/2025...
Those weren’t “luxury” cars — they were adapted Motability vehicles that gave my siblings and me independence.
Politicians attacking this vital scheme are betraying disabled people.
👇
www.aestumanda.com/opinion/2025...
Meta brought the future to my doorstep: the new Ray-Ban Display glasses and Neural Band.
For someone with muscular dystrophy, the potential is huge — and full of hope.
🔗 aestumanda.com/technology/2025/10/meta-ray-ban-display-glasses-neural-band-visit
#Accessibility #Meta #RayBan
For someone with muscular dystrophy, the potential is huge — and full of hope.
🔗 aestumanda.com/technology/2025/10/meta-ray-ban-display-glasses-neural-band-visit
#Accessibility #Meta #RayBan
Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses: Meta visit to test accessibility
Meta visited my London home to test the new Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses and Neural Band — exploring accessibility, gesture, and voice control.
aestumanda.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Meta brought the future to my doorstep: the new Ray-Ban Display glasses and Neural Band.
For someone with muscular dystrophy, the potential is huge — and full of hope.
🔗 aestumanda.com/technology/2025/10/meta-ray-ban-display-glasses-neural-band-visit
#Accessibility #Meta #RayBan
For someone with muscular dystrophy, the potential is huge — and full of hope.
🔗 aestumanda.com/technology/2025/10/meta-ray-ban-display-glasses-neural-band-visit
#Accessibility #Meta #RayBan
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. 🧵