[access-uk] Re: I phone 3gs
- From: "Phil Stephenson" <phil@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:16:30 -0000
Hi Terry,
Well I've had my iphone 16gb 3gs for just over a week now and I have to say
I'm loving it..
Previously I had an N70 with Talks on it which I'd been happy with but I
thought it was time for an upgrade and so I started seriously looking into
the Iphone / new Nokia's. I was looking at getting a new Nokia n86 which is
a really good phone with an 8mp camera, perfect for using with KNFB reader
and had got apparently decent built in GPS, 8gb internal memory and decent
buttons. I was also seriously thinking of getting Wayfinder Access.
When I costed it all up however the cost of the phone upgrade, switch of
Talks licence to the new phone and Wayfinder was a minimum of £360. I then
also read some stuff about Talks not working properly with email / the
internet on the N86.
I then started listening to various podcasts on the Iphone 3gs and have been
on the viphone email list for a few weeks. The more I researched the more I
was seriously torn between a new Nokia and taking the plunge for an iphone.
No cost wasn't the primary issue but it actually cost me less to get my
iphone and in my view it can do a lot more.
Granted there is at present not a fully accessible gps navigation program
however the inbuilt maps and compass is quite useful and I have heard of
people using some of the mainstream GPS software with some success although
granted there is nothing as yet as blindness specific as Wayfinder.
Yes it is also true that using the on-screen keyboard is a challenge at
times and I'm probably sending less texts than I was before but my speed is
improving and one thing I have noticed is that although it is slower to
start with I am speeding up with practice and I'm getting a lot less RSI
related pains in my wrist from using the small keypad of my N70.
What I do love about the iphone however is the very natural speech you get,
the fact you can turn the speech on and off with 2 simple gestures and
likewise you can turn the screen off with a simply;e gesture and still have
the speech which not only saves battery but also means you can use it
without people seeing what you're doing (yes they can hear but not if you
have the headphones in!).
I also love the fact I can easily have my emails, launch links from within
them and I've found myself using it to surf the web far more than I ever did
in the 3 years of having my N70. There are also some decent aps out there
for using things like twitter, Sky News, checking the weather etc - no not
all are 100% accessible but there is usually a way around it and the
developers seem open to feedback and fixes often get done.
Oh and I love the fact I have an ipod that I can use either with speech or
by using my voice. I did have an ipod a few years ago which I tried to use
with Rockbox but gave up in the end but this is so easy with the iphone.
Yes there is the issue of Jaws and Itunes but this is certainly useable and
getting better all the time.
Ok so that's a very rough snapshot of what I@ve discovered in a week. The
bottom line is I know the the iphone isn't for everyone and I wouldn't
suggest it is but I don't regret switching and I love discovering new things
on a daily basis about what I can do with it..oh and I'm told it looks very
nice too and doesn't in any way look like a blindness specific thing.
So there you go...do feel free to email me off list if you have any further
questions, as I say I'm no expert but I'm happy to share my experiences thus
far!
Cheers,
Phil
_____
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
terry cooper
Sent: 12 November 2009 13:56
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] I phone 3gs
Hi all
Is there anyone using the above phone? I was considering one, but wanted to
really know why some people are saying how good they are. I'm currently
using a nokia N82 which suits most of my needs. Its got a quick and
responsive speech, wayfinder, knfb reader.
I hear the I phone has thousand of applications that can be put on it, and
an awful lot of them are accessible.
Does it have OCR recognition like knfb? An accessible gps system? Is it
easy to text by using the touch screen?
Any first hand knowledge would be very welcome.
Thanks
Terry
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