RE: Is Android Programming Accessible?
- From: "Joseph Lee" <joseph.lee22590@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:54:04 -0700
Hi Brian,
Few things and answers:
* Code Factory just announced that Mobile Speak now supports HTC HD2, a
completely touchscreen device running Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional.
* Windows Mobile phones are still readily available (I have a Windows Mobile
phone (HP iPAQ Glisten) with a touchscreen and a QWERTY keyboard).
* We at the Mobile Speak list had a debate about why Code Factory does not
support all devices. In the end, the general conclusion was diversity of
device design and software compatibility. For instance, a guy who uses a
particular carrier version of HTC Touch Pro 2 couldn't answer a phone call
via Send key. He called the company and was told that this issue was
duplicated. Other folks who use the same device on other carriers report
that they don't experience this problem. Same went with HTC HD2 support:
people requested that CF should support it - in the end, some users sent
their phone to be examined by CF, and today (Friday) CF announced its result
- support for this phone via a new build of Mobile Speak 4.5 (I think it was
a device dat file that was created to be included in the executable image).
* When Mobile Speak is installed, part of its routine is to get device info
(model name, firmware, OS version, etc.) to optimize user interface layer
for that particular device, and if possible, to check if the device specs
match existing database of supported devices. Here, "optimizing user
interface layer" means getting the display info (for touchscreen devices to
correctly calculate placement for gesture keys) and whether to activate
touch functionality (part of mspinputsvr.exe) depending on if it is a
Windows Mobile Classic, Standard or Professional device.
As for Motorola Q, think of it as a wider phone with QWERTY keyboard,
similar to a laptop computer's layout when the screen is opened. However, to
compensate for smaller size, not all keyboard keys are there and the
directional keys are between the screen and the keyboard.
In my case, I do prefer "computer in a pocket", since I want to perform more
than just call and read SMS messages with my phone. In addition to sending
and receiving phone calls and SMS messages, I browse the web, read email,
set alarms, listen to music and use third-party programs (specifically games
and a small utility to clear temp files from my phone). This is the exact
same argument (ability to run third-party software) that a specific
blindness product is advertising, but we (the engineers) are not fooled by
the company since we do know what the limitations of that device is and the
list for that device is debating the future of that particular PDA at the
moment.
In connection with the subject here, in order for the "computer in a pocket"
to come alive with Android, I believe more developments and awareness of
accessibility among software developers would be needed. This could be
enhancements to Talkback (which is most likely route) or a port of existing
solutions over to Android (somewhat possible).
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Joseph P.S. No wonder why my sighted friends are questioning how a blind guy
can learn programming...
-----Original Message-----
From: programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Bryan Schulz
Sent: Friday, July 30, 2010 4:46 PM
To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: Is Android Programming Accessible?
ok,
can anyone tell me what the motorola q looks like?
is it a regular phone where you hit 1-9 instead of certain keyboard letters?
why did mobile speak restrict themselves to not running on phones like the
razr v3?
i asked about android stuff because windows mobile phones seem hard to find.
Bryan Schulz
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jared Wright" <wright.jaredm@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, July 30, 2010 6:26 PM
Subject: Re: Is Android Programming Accessible?
> Android is probably not up your alley, then. It's going for the computer
> in your pocket thing.
>
> On 07/30/2010 07:24 PM, Bryan Schulz wrote:
>> seems all of what you mention is web based.
>> all i want is to have a talking phone with sms texting.
>> i'll use a laptop for the rest and save $40+ a month.
>>
>> Bryan Schulz
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Cox" <waywardgeek@xxxxxxxxx>
>> To: <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> Sent: Friday, July 30, 2010 11:42 AM
>> Subject: Re: Is Android Programming Accessible?
>>
>>
>> I wouldn't say it speaks "all" other menus, but it does seem pretty
>> close. There are annoying gaps in some popular applications. The
>> microphone icon on the search bar is not spoken, and neither are other
>> icons on most other widgets. Some desktop widgets are not accessible
>> at all. There's not quite enough of the right kind of information
>> spoken, like what row and column you're on when browsing the desktop.
>>
>> However, the progress is very encouraging, and at some point I suspect
>> blind programmers will get involved and progress will accelerate.
>> What has to happen first is for Android to become the platform of
>> choice for the blind. I think that will happen.
>>
>> Bill
>>
>> On Fri, Jul 30, 2010 at 12:05 PM, Alphonso McFadden
>> <techsales2@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>> So does this mean it speaks all other menue's?
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Cox" <waywardgeek@xxxxxxxxx>
>>> To: <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>> Sent: Friday, July 30, 2010 12:04 PM
>>> Subject: Re: Is Android Programming Accessible?
>>>
>>>
>>> Hi, Bryan. Talkback in Android 2.2 is getting close to usable, but
>>> not quite there. The main problem remaining is that the browser and
>>> e-mail applications are not accessible, both of which I think use
>>> webkit. Work on making it accessible is underway. I think we can
>>> count on Google to get it where it needs to be, but I can't estimate
>>> the timeline.
>>>
>>> Bill
>>>
>>> On Thu, Jul 29, 2010 at 10:20 PM, Bryan Schulz <b.schulz@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> hi,
>>>>
>>>> i called a local at&t wireless store and most of what they sell are the
>>>> android operating system.
>>>> will mobile speak be created for this system or will there possibly be
>>>> a
>>>> free open source app to make these phones talk?
>>>> i would like to get an unlocked phone with no monthly fee off ebay for
>>>> a
>>>> low
>>>> talk time charge when needed solution.
>>>> Bryan Schulz
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dave" <davidct1209@xxxxxxxxx>
>>>> To: <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>>> Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2010 8:22 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: Is Android Programming Accessible?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> I'm relatively new to Android land as well, but from what I've done so
>>>>> far, yes, it's accessible depending on your experience.
>>>>>
>>>>> Android comes with a variety of development tools; there's, as you
>>>>> mentioned, a plugin for Eclipse to help streamline the development
>>>>> experience (auto generated project files).
>>>>>
>>>>> However, all of this can be done by hand via the Android SDK using
>>>>> command line tools. One can also specify UI elements within an
>>>>> AndroidManifest xml file.
>>>>>
>>>>> The learning curve isn't too bad as long as you are fairly comfortable
>>>>> with exploring the technology stack (from the tools, to the SDK, to
>>>>> the application concepts such as intents, broadcasts, services, etc.
>>>>> and finally to managing a real device such as flashing, rooting,
>>>>> etc.).
>>>>>
>>>>> Hth.
>>>>>
>>>>> On 7/29/10, David Engebretson Jr. <d.engebretson@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I asked the same question a week back or so and didn't get a
>>>>>> response.
>>>>>> Maybe we'll need to explore it together. try eyesfree.google.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>> cheers,
>>>>>> david
>>>>>>
>>>>>> David Engebretson Jr., CTO Peace Weaver Hosting
>>>>>> Need web hosting?
>>>>>> Come visit us at PeaceWeaverHosting.com
>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>> From: "Robert Jaquiss" <rjaquiss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>>>>> To: <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2010 5:13 PM
>>>>>> Subject: Is Android Programming Accessible?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hello:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I am looking at a possible project that requires programming for an
>>>>>>> Android based device. Has anyone done this? My research to date
>>>>>>> indicates
>>>>>>> that Java is used with the Eclipse IDE and an Android SDK.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Robert
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> __________
>>>>>>> View the list's information and change your settings at
>>>>>>> //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>>>>> Version: 8.5.441 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3036 - Release Date:
>>>>>> 07/29/10
>>>>>> 06:34:00
>>>>>>
>>>>>> __________
>>>>>> View the list's information and change your settings at
>>>>>> //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>> __________
>>>>> View the list's information and change your settings at
>>>>> //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> __________
>>>> View the list's information and change your settings at
>>>> //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind
>>>>
>>>>
>>> __________
>>> View the list's information and change your settings at
>>> //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind
>>>
>>> __________
>>> View the list's information and change your settings at
>>> //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind
>>>
>>>
>> __________
>> View the list's information and change your settings at
>> //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind
>>
>> __________
>> View the list's information and change your settings at
>> //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind
>>
>
> __________
> View the list's information and change your settings at
> //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind
>
__________
View the list's information and change your settings at
//www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.441 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3036 - Release Date: 07/30/10
13:13:00
__________
View the list's information and change your settings at
//www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind
Other related posts:
