Jackie, I'm sure you'll find some of those Sony phones can be upgraded to at least 4.0, and possibly some can't because the hardware is too limited. Another complication!
Vince.----- Original Message ----- From: "Jackie Cairns" <jackie.cairnsplace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2012 11:21 AM Subject: [access-uk] Re: Android
Hi VinceJust had a quick look at the Sony Xperia, and it appears to have Android 2.1on it. I'm just browsing really out of curiosity. Kind Regards, Jackie Cairns -----Original Message-----From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf OfVince Thacker Sent: 17 July 2012 11:01 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: AndroidJackie, if you ended up with an older version of Android, you could install Talkback, which is the equivalent of VoiceOver. As well as the voice, it nowincludes vibrations and sounds that also contribute to the accessibility.If you had Android 4 point something, you wouldn't need to worry. Some kindof gesture would then be all you need to start the accessibility. There are some tutorials on YouTube, but some people that have done them seem to find it so exciting to have loads of background noise going on ordon't put any spoken commentary on at all that it can be hard to know what'shappening. Vince. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jackie Cairns" <jackie.cairnsplace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2012 10:50 AM Subject: [access-uk] Re: AndroidHi Vince Many thanks indeed, this really helps. I agree that you know where you are with Apple and its iPhone. You have VoiceOver and that's it basically. But Android seems to be more complicated in respect of what you ask for. So later versions of the operating system have accessibility built into them which can be activated upon purchase? As for Georgie, that approach wouldn't appeal to me personally. I've had enough of buying items that have a short shelf life, and I rather feel Georgie will come into that category. Kind Regards, Jackie Cairns -----Original Message----- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Vince Thacker Sent: 17 July 2012 10:21 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: Android Jackie,Names such as Gingerbread, Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean are nicknamesfor the various versions of the Android operating system. Jelly Bean is the latest, and is version 4.1. Ice Cream is version 4.0. The more recent the version, the better the accessibility is likely to be. Older versions can be made to work, but you may need to download some of the apps yourself, which could be tricky if you don't have any sight, and don't have any accessibility, like. 4.0 and 4.1 are the best ones to look at, as speech is readily available with those. Google are the developers of the OS, but how much any particular phone is a purely Google version is where it seems to get messy. Manufacturers of Android phones often tinker with the system and impose their own apps,affectionately known as bloatware. The problem for us is that some of thisbloatware can interfere with, or break, whatever accessibility that is built into Android. I'm open to correction here, but HTC seems to be one of the worst offenders when it comes to breaking the accessibility with its own junk software. On the other hand, phones that are often mentioned as good for keeping to a decent version of Android include the Galaxy Nexus, the Galaxy S3 and the Sony Xperia Pro (which also still has some physical buttons, so may interest some people just because of that). One of the problems with the Georgie idea might be that if you get frustrated with the walled garden approach and turn off the special apps, you're left with an old version of Android, possibly version 2 point something, so you'd need to rebuild some accessibility into your phone. Anybody could be forgiven for being confused with all this, and this fragmentation of Android seems to have been a major hurdle in getting Android to appeal to blind people. At least with an iPhone, you have a pretty good idea of what you're getting, and the staff at the Apple Store are likely to know how to set up the accessibility. With recent versions of Anroid, though, you'd be able to set it up OK yourself. Vince. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mobeen Iqbal" <mobeeniqbal@xxxxxxxxx> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2012 9:28 AM Subject: [access-uk] Re: Androidhi jackie. I have used various android handsets. Accessibility is vastly improved with 4.0! To give you an overview i can give you a ring at your convenience? Send me your number off list and we can go from there. Mo. On 17/07/2012, Jackie Cairns <jackie.cairnsplace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:As I have become kind of interested in this thread, perhaps Steve or someonewith knowledge of Android phones could please tell me which of them workwith accessibility? I was chatting with my son last night, and he says two of his friends have the Galaxy S3, whatever that is. It would appear that Android Smartphones are cheaper than the iPhone, but do they all work for blindies? The general threads from people on this list have aroused mycuriosity in Android. I gather, without wishing to sound ignorant, thatAndroid is the operating system, so what is the Ice Cream Sandwich or Jellybean part of it then? And is Android something to do with Google? Sorry to sound vague, but I am only just beginning to wake up to the Apple alternative, (smile). Kind Regards, Jackie Cairns -----Original Message-----From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On BehalfOf ANDY COLLINS Sent: 16 July 2012 17:16 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Android So, if that is so, which phones does it work on? - Andy ----- Original Message ----- From: Peter Beasley <mailto:pjbeasley23@xxxxxxxxx> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Monday, July 16, 2012 4:32 PM Subject: [access-uk] Re: Cobolt compass, beware androyd is the operating system. ----- Original Message ----- From: Vince Thacker <mailto:vince@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Monday, July 16, 2012 3:30 PM Subject: [access-uk] Re: Cobolt compass, beware Andy, Android, as I understand it, started off as its own company, but is now part of Google. Vince. ----- Original Message ----- From: ANDY COLLINS <mailto:Andy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Monday, July 16, 2012 3:11 PM Subject: [access-uk] Re: Cobolt compass, beware Hi Steve - I'm still with the N82 [I know I know<smile>] My intention when I next go for a phone, was to probably go theIPhone route, but have to say, I don't like the size and shape of it so much. Guess I need to find out what the differences are between it, and Android models. I'm a bit behind with the latest mobile market. Are Androids the manufacturor name, as with Nokia? Or is Android the OS produced by Google? - Andy ----- Original Message ----- From: Steve Nutt <mailto:steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Monday, July 16, 2012 8:31 AM Subject: [access-uk] Re: Cobolt compass, beware Hi Andy, I've never seen the Cobolt compass, but I do this on my mainstream Android phone <Smile>. All the best Steve -- Computer Room Services 77 Exeter Close Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 4PW Tel: 01438-742286 Mob: 07956334938 Fax: 01438-759589 Email: steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Web: http://www.comproom.co.uk <http://www.comproom.co.uk> From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of ANDY COLLINS Sent: 15 July 2012 22:42 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Cobolt compass, beware Hi all - Another waste of dosh! I think I paid about £35 for this, and it's a load of rubbish. My experience with it, found it to be both inaccurate and unpredictable. Like many things produce for blind people, it is also very ugly, and cheap looking/feeling. I'm not just banging the old drum of complaint against equipment produced for the blind. In fact, it saddens me to find yet again the same experience, of over-priced [but I do understandthe niche market equals fewer sales argument] ugly build, hardly fit forpurpose, assistive equipment. I always try to buy where I can, mainstream equipment, and figure out how to get the best from it, but sometimes, mainstream can be too non-accessible, and I am forced to go to the so-called specialists. It truly gives me no pleasure in bringing to the attention of the list this poor piece of specialist equipment, but I think we need to keep shouting for equality in product performance, reliability, and aesthetic appeal. I don't want big clunky stuff in my pockets, or around my house, just because it can talk, or give me some other kind of additional feedback. As I have said before on this list, the PTR1 was the most over-priced, mal-functioning, hugely ugly piece of junk, I've ever wasted 600 quid on. Sadly, I've wasted 35 on a useless compass, that thinks North is wherever it fancies, on any given day - Andy __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 7227 (20120617) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq
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