Hi Steve, I'm sorry but I have spoken to Olympus for example more than once. The UK office are as frustrated as I am because the decision makers are based in Japan and don't even understand some of the feedback we are giving them, let alone implementing it. One example is in some machines they put TTS in, but you can't even set the clock. This is just bizarre. So while I completely agree with what you're saying, let's not say writing to the manufacturer is a panacea, because it often isn't. As for the original topic, I still think too many standards are going to emerge and it will eventually cost the average joe on the street too much to have. I wish I could agree with you that access to stuff other than mobile phones is coming fast, but it simply isn't. You also said the Panasonic TVs speak menus. Which menus are those? They pretty much only speak the voice guidance on and off and the EPG. Sorry, but my cynnical hat still remains firmly on at the moment. All the best Steve -- Computer Room Services 77 Exeter Close Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 4PW Tel: +44(0)1438-742286 Mob: +44(0)7956-334938 Fax: +44(0)1438-759589 Email: steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Web: http://www.comproom.co.uk -----Original Message----- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Tyler, Steve Sent: 07 November 2014 11:33 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: Headset guides blind people in cities Guys. I've been reading this thread with interest so wanted to put some stuff on the table for clarity and also to avoid mis-conceptions. Firstly, i completely understand why some of us are cynical around new innovations and the fact that they can come and go and not be picked up. But without pushing the boundaries absolutely nothing would happen. Using some of the examples that people have raised on this list: * Panasonic tv: no - not perfect. But you can read the EPG and a lot of the menuing systems thus not requiring you to refer to any other source of information - and now TTS is built in so we can, and do, expect more; * REACT: is an evolving system and no it's not dead. In fact, it is at the stage where the react protocol is being used in a variety of systems and about to be implemented in many more realtime information systems etc - not in the same guise as it was, but with cheaper implementation and changes in the tech, it has becoming extremely affordable. And it can be integrated with other systems and services. So yes it's taken a long time, an yes, there are still challenges. But the time taken is to do with the market size and all the other stuff you all know; * Olympus: again, a company on our side. It is trying to do the right stuff - and not all implementations are perfect. But again, the baseline of no accessibility a few years ago to some accessibility now - let's not forget that our expectations are higher as more accessibility becomes available; * Intagrated accessibility: more of this is happening and with work going on in the legislative area to try to force the issue around not just service providers being forced to comply with disability equality but manufactuers to, we will hopefully get much further much faster. Additionally, in some industries already, it is becoming normalised to integrate synthetic speech systems. The newest range of Samsung TV mid- and upper range all have it now, again set to grow with commitments from Samsung. Compare where we are to say four years ago: * IOS has massively changed the landscape around smartphone accessibility; * Android is appearing not just in mobile devices but other systems, carrying with it talkback and all the other support systems there; * Ebook readers like kindle are accessible in a way they were not. Do you remember that, for those of us lucky enough to be able to use, afford and learn about this stuff, that 4 years ago it was challenging or impossible to get the book of your choice at the time of publication. Today, depending on your abilities and tech set up, you can do just that, along with access to around a million and half ebooks, magazines and newspapers. So keep up the pressure, but don't forget what we've all managed to do. And by the way, as well as ranting about this stuff on lists,divert at least some of your energy to writing to the companies concerned and telling them - tell pure it's not acceptable that they've withdrawnradio; tellpanasonic that you want more of what they've delivered; tellolympus that if they can do it in one box surely they can do it in another; and that you'd buy it if it were there. Like you, i get deeply frustrated that stuff isn't in place that should be - but we seem tospend inordinate amounts of time arguing the toss around which is best - IOS or Andorid. How about - who cares! They should both be excellent and people should have choice. How about harnessing our energies on making stuff happen by direct contact with the people that can make these decisions - because there's never been a greater time to do it. Technically, in nearly all cases, there are no barriers any more; the barriers are in the will to do it and the knowledge to implement it well from a user perspective. But you can help with that. Steve -----Original Message----- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Janet Bell Sent: 06 November 2014 17:58 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: Headset guides blind people in cities the one thing that makes me think it won't happen is that councils will not want to spend any money on this after all they wouldn't do much with react which seems to have died a death -----Original Message----- From: Eleanor Martha Burke Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2014 5:38 PM To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: Headset guides blind people in cities it was the constant tapping sound that got on my nerves. > On 6 Nov 2014, at 17:31, Paul Warner <lists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > > The recorded article makes it clear that the system is at the research and > development stage and is not available as a product as yet. With much > more work to do, there is also the possibility that it never becomes an > integrated product - this risk is particularly high given that local > authorities and others have to apply navigation beacons everywhere. > > Paul > > >> On 06/11/2014 17:05, Carol.Pearson29@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote: >> Hmm! >> >> Sounds interesting, particularly as I'm struggling with new routes in >> Reading and the demo went almost past our door! <Smiles> >> >> There was no mention as to whether this would ever be available to the >> general everyday, hard pressed GDO and other blind folk trying to get >> around! Has anyone heard anything about the cost or whether it will be >> released for any users in an everyday situation? >> >> Carol P >> >> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jackie Brown" >> <jackieannbrown62@xxxxxxxxx> >> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >> Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2014 4:42 PM >> Subject: [access-uk] Re: Headset guides blind people in cities >> >> >>> Hi Barry >>> >>> Yes, I heard a piece on Radio Ulster about this over breakfast this >>> morning. >>> What they didn't mention was the cost involved, both to GDBA in >>> partnering >>> it, and the user. It sounded interesting though I have to say. >>> >>> >>> Kind regards, >>> >>> Jackie Brown >>> Emails: jackieannbrown62@xxxxxxxxx >>> thebrownsplace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx >>> Twitter: @thebrownsplace >>> Skype: Thejackmate >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf >>> Of >>> Barry Hill >>> Sent: 06 November 2014 16:08 >>> To: Barry Hill >>> Subject: [access-uk] Headset guides blind people in cities >>> >>> It's a shame it only works with the Windows mobile, but this looks >>> pretty >>> good otherwise. >>> >>> A headset that guides visually impaired people around cities has been >>> developed by Microsoft and charity Guide Dogs. >>> < http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/news/technology-29913637 > >>> >>> >>> Cheers >>> >>> Barry >>> >>> >>> >>> --- >>> This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! 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