[access-uk] Re: re owasys

Hi Jackie,

I doubt it could talk as well as the Caretec stuff, because it would have to
be a heck of a text to speech engine.  That is actually a human voice you
are hearing in the Caretec stuff, as it is in the Cobolt stuff.

All the best

Steve 

-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Jackie Cairns
Sent: 28 January 2008 15:19
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: re owasys

Hi Ray

A lot of the clients who visit our local Society for the Blind are older,
and want simplistic mobile phones with large displays and big buttons.  I
think the Owasys fell short on the lack of screen, particularly given its
voice is, in my view, appalling.  If it had the speech like the Caretec
products, for example, it would have been easier for more people to
understand perhaps.  But the fact there is no screen either makes it limited
for those who need a display as well as nice buttons.

Ian tried it for a short time because, at that period, he couldn't text.  He
just wanted a phone containing contacts and to make calls if he was out and
required a taxi, or wanted to speak to yours truly.  He sent the Owasys back
because he couldn't get used to the speech.  So I taught him to text using
my old faithful 6600 when I upgraded to the N91.  He soon realised the Nokia
had more flexibility.  Then he went onto GPS with Wayfinder Access, and has
never looked back.

I'm sure there is a need for something like the Owasys, but its lack of
screen and price for something so basic still puts a lot of people off.

Jackie
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ray's Home" <rays-home@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, January 28, 2008 2:49 PM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: re owasys


> Steve, yes I agree about the lack of a screen, but then I've said so
> on other posts here.
>
> Given the over all size of the Oasis a screen shouldn't be a problem.
> Whilst I appreciate the effort that blind people put into using
> standard phones and the proficiency they achieve, some still crave a
> less miniaturized and fidly keypad.  What urks me about the Oasis is
> that its one of those devices where you have to wonder exactly how the
> market research was done and how the spec was drawn up.  I think many
> of us wouldn't object to the Oasis at the price being asked if it
> indeed did have a screen, a means of backup, and maybe even voice
> recognition to make calls.
>
> Still, I do't know the spec of the Oasis beyond what's been said,
> here, but I don't think the underlying idea of it can be faulted.
> Just a pity the above things were left out.
>
> From Ray
> I can be contacted off-list at:
> mailto:ray-48@xxxxxxxx
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> Steve Nutt
> Subject: [access-uk] Re: re owasys
>
>
> Hi Ray,
>
> My biggest overall problem with that phone is no screen.  You can't
> get a
> friend to easily help you if you have a problem with it, without that
> friend
> having at least some knowledge of the manual, because of the lack of a
> screen.  With a "normal" phone, at least our sighted peers use them
> too, so
> we are more likely to get help with it.
>
> All the best
>
> Steve
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
> Behalf Of
> Ray's Home
> Sent: Sunday 27 January 2008 21:58
> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [access-uk] Re: re owasys
>
> Graham, a thoughtful post, and thanks.  The bloke I know who uses the
> Oasis
> would be unlikely to get the tech bug, but I'm old enough to know you
> never
> can tell.
>
> Yes, the lack of backup is very bad.  Just to comment though on what
> you
> say, re. getting a friend to do that if you aren't able to do it, this
> is
> well worth saying.  I think there might be quite a few people who can
> use
> higher tech devices with a bit of human assistance, and it is a good
> chance
> for VI people to get into providing this sort of help.  Its a message
> the
> established vol sector should take on-board.
> The view of 'independence' to mean doing it all yourself can be
> compromised
> in some cases to advantage.
>
> Cheers,
>
> From Ray
> I can be contacted off-list at:
> mailto:ray-48@xxxxxxxx
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> Graham Page
> Subject: [access-uk] Re: re owasys
>
>
> Hi Ray.
>
> From my perspective, size is not that important to a point where it is
> not
> an issue with this product.  more importantly, it just lacks some
> features
> that are essential.  In particular, the lack of ability to back up
> numbers
> is important.  Even if the person using the phone is not a computer
> user, at
> least a friend should be able to help the person back up their
> contacts and
> put them on a disk or something for safe keeping.  With the Oasis, as
> far as
> I know, you can't do this so if you lose the phone you lose your
> contacts.
> Also, the phone is expensive and if a person really gets into texting
> or
> wants to do more there is no room for growth and I have known some of
> the
> seemingly most unlikely people really get bitten by the technology
> bug.  It
> can be hard to predict some times.
>
> Cheers
>
> Graham
> Graham Page
> Home Phone: 0207 265 9493
> Mobile: 07753 607980
> Fax:  0870 706 2773
> Email: gpage@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> MSN: gabriel_mcbird@xxxxxxxxxxx
> Skype: gabriel_mcbird
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ray's Home" <rays-home@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2008 4:12 PM
> Subject: [access-uk] Re: re owasys
>
>
>> OH dear!  I find this obsession with size so interesting, especially
>> as its the opposite of what the spammers keep telling me, (smile).
>>
>> What I recall of the Oasis, it would certainly go in a jacket
> pocket.
>> The bloke I know who uses it does dress quite trad, but if you are
> the
>> sort that goes about in shirt sleeves and you are lucky enough to
>> actually have a pocket in your shirt, I suppose these latest
>> must-haves will go in one of those pockets.
>>
>> In fact the size of the Oasis might in, err,  large partbe meant to
> be
>> its point:  i.e. room for keys you can feel more easily.
>>
>> No, its relative lack of functionality, absence of a screen, and the
>> price go against it, but size?  Some of the millitary-style bags
> women
>> carry around with them would accomodate an Oasis, and a lot more!
>>
>> Also find it funny the heroic lengths VI people are going to in
>> accomodating this post Walkman world we inhabit.  Given the trend in
>> devices that'll need a magnifying glass to find them soon, I wonder
>> where peopple will end up sticking these devices?  Not trying to
>> invite rudeness there, (smile).  Just amazed at the compulsion to be
>> in the fashion mainstream!
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> From Ray
>> I can be contacted off-list at:
>> mailto:ray-48@xxxxxxxx
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> Steve Nutt
>> Subject: [access-uk] Re: re owasys
>>
>>
>> Hi Graham,
>>
>> Problem I have with it, apart from the fact that it is too darned
>> big,is the speech is pretty poor for new users, and because there is
>> no screen, it is very difficult for sighted people to help you, if
> you
>> come across a problem.
>> But the biggest problem is that the operators don't know about it.
> So
>> if
>> you have a problem with, say your Sim card, and you don't know
> whether
>> it is
>> the phone or the card, your operator won't have a clue when you tell
>> them you have an Auasys.  Mainstream is always best in my view.
>>
>> All the best
>>
>> Steve
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
>> Behalf Of Graham Page
>> Sent: Saturday 26 January 2008 22:10
>> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Subject: [access-uk] Re: re owasys
>>
>> there have been a few firmware updates I think.  I know one person
> who
>> has
>> one and is very satisfied with it.  This phone is all ready to go
> and
>> it
>> does have its place but the design could be far better I would say.
>>
>> Cheers
>>
>> graham
>> Graham Page
>> Home Phone: 0207 265 9493
>> Mobile: 07753 607980
>> Fax:  0870 706 2773
>> Email: gpage@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> MSN: gabriel_mcbird@xxxxxxxxxxx
>> Skype: gabriel_mcbird
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Steve Nutt" <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> Sent: Friday, January 25, 2008 11:16 PM
>> Subject: [access-uk] Re: re owasys
>>
>>
>>> Hi Denis,
>>>
>>> You are the first person I have heard to say that the Auasys is
>> reliable.
>>> It usually crashes all over the place from the reports I have
> heard,
>> and
>>> the
>>> speech is some kind of Spanglish.  It is hard work!
>>>
>>> All the best
>>>
>>> Steve
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
>> Behalf
>>> Of
>>> Denis Tocher
>>> Sent: Friday 25 January 2008 14:11
>>> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> Subject: [access-uk] Re: re owasys
>>>
>>> Hello Brian,
>>>
>>> I chose the Owa-sys phone because I did not want an all singing and
>>> dancing mobile phone.
>>>
>>> The phone is essentially only useful for calls and text messaging.
>> It has
>>> some fancy features like ringing tones plus the essential date/time
>> and
>>> phone book features.  It is a robust and reliable mobile.
>>>
>>> I use a Vodafone Pay-as-you-go tarriff and find buying voice packs
>> at £25
>>> for 200 mins the best value.  Also, from time-to-time, I top up the
>>> calling credit for texts etc and £25 worth goes a long way in my
>>> case.
>>>
>>> HTH.
>>>
>>> Denis
>>>
>
>
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