[access-uk] Re: New Accessible Phone for Blind People

  • From: "Vince Thacker" <vince@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2012 17:19:31 +0100

Yes, if you look at the new Android version, 4.1, a.k.a. Jelly Bean, the accessibility features look pretty impressive. Your only problem now might be getting the new version on a device you want to use. I really don't get what this Georgie device can add that thousands of free apps can't! 


Vince.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Cassidy" <mike.cassidy@xxxxxxxxxxxx> 
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, July 14, 2012 4:54 PM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: New Accessible Phone for Blind People



Hi listers,

I'm an iPhone user so can't comment on the Android system apart from the
fact that I believe there is already good accessibility; sounds like a piece 
of adept publicity to me.

Regards,

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of 
Jackie Cairns
Sent: 14 July 2012 15:55
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: New Accessible Phone for Blind People

Hi Mo

I don't want to pour cold water on something I haven't  yet seen, but the
blurb just struck me as reinventing the wheel for a price? If it isn't that 
way then fine, but the very concept of touch-screen is going to push some
people away before anything else.  I just come back to why something else?


Kind Regards,

Jackie Cairns

-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of 
Mobeen Iqbal
Sent: 14 July 2012 15:48
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: New Accessible Phone for Blind People
£300? or £150 or what ever it is for a download? have they actually written 
any applications? the article doesn't say if we can download a demo of the
programs available. What if you don't like it once you've bought it? with
mobile accessibility, its obvious what the app does and you can try it out. And its cheaper. fair enough people have to make some money, but Android is open source and most apps are free and the ones that aren't are low cost and affordable. I thought that, for that price we'd have something more than an app that tells us bus times. And as this phone is marketed at everyone, why don't they provide an overlay if its exclusively touch screen? Maybe they're 
hoping that we all use our handset of choice and by their software but
android is totally accessible as it is! there are plenty of apps to choose
from. I have one my self, if 1 app doesn't work for me i find another one or 
contact the developer and most times they can make it accessible. what's
special about this software? in business terms, the unique selling point?
Yes they provide OCR functions, but you could use google goggles for that to an extent. and how good is the OCR? again noone can comment because a trial isn't available! It will have to ad a lot of bells and wistles to an already accessible product to warrant me spending any more money than i already have 
on mobile accessibility etc. If they have indeed written a screen reader
from scratch, we've already got a choice of 3 screen readers spiel, google
talkback, and mobile accessibility. From the following page, it seems that
many functions may already have an accessible app available free of charge. These guys are charging to set the phone up for you remotely, provide access 
to specific apps they've either written or gotten from the android market,
and provide a simpler home screen as well as standard functions, calling,
texting contacts etc. Remote control of a handset could be seen as a privacy 
risk for some. This product aims to have a 5 button approach to simplify
things, where are the buttons? the phones offered seem to be mainly touch
screen, i personally find it slower to use a touch screen as many people i
know do. if i can make a call to a contact from the stock android app by
holding my finger over the contact, why would i need this app? Yes we need
phones set up for us, but honestly its not hard at all! there are plenty of online guides and sometimes you can even have the people in the shop set it 
up for you. I bought my android handset for £120, i had someone sighted go
in to settings and tick accessibility and after that it was plain sailing.
Here is the sight and sound link for anyone that's interested, but this
reminds me strongly of the owasys handset or how ever you spell it. I'm very 
glad i didn't buy it when it was released. i crashed it the first time i
used it just by flicking through ringtones too fast! luckily symbian
handsets came a long soon after and it was a pleasure to switch. the link
is:

http://www.sightandsound.co.uk/shop/products.php?product=GEORGIE
The product makes no mention of providing functionality to do the following: 
changing phone settings other than WiFi.
email functionality.
browsing the android market.
access to  a web browser.
an alarm clock or clock of some kind.
a calendar.

You may as well buy mobile accessibility, download google maps, download
colour recogniser, perhaps download google goggles and have done with it.
I've been setting up handsets for people for years and haven't charged
anything for doing it if its a quick job which most of the time it is.

Mo.


On 14/07/2012 15:24, Eleanor Burke wrote:

Maybe your friends at Sight & sound, are't they marketing it?
----- Original Message ----- From: "Jackie Cairns"
<jackie.cairnsplace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, July 14, 2012 3:10 PM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: New Accessible Phone for Blind People



Hi Eleanor

Ah, yes, the Owasys! I do remember it.  I have to say it's easily
forgetable too, a complete rip-off in terms of value for money.

I was just curious about the new handset though as, no matter how
much voice assistance there is, you are still  using a touch-screen
from what the article says, and this is the stumbling block for those
with dexterity problems, and for those who simply don't want to use a
touch-screen.
I was
really wondering if anyone had come across it so they could say.  If
it has a place that bridges the gap for some folk, then fine, but it
just made me wonder why.

I am sure that if anyone is visiting Sight Village, it will be on
display at least.  Perhaps someone could report back?


Kind Regards,

Jackie Cairns

-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of
Eleanor Burke
Sent: 14 July 2012 14:59
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: New Accessible Phone for Blind People

Well Jackie I don't know any more than yourself but do you recall that
dreaded Oasis or something or other from RNIB.  I nearly bought it as my
first phone with speech, thank Heavens I didn't.  Maybe someone has
decided
that blind people again need something basic.  I have to say I love the
Symbian Nokia phones.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jackie Cairns" <jackie.cairnsplace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, July 14, 2012 2:52 PM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: New Accessible Phone for Blind People



Forgive me, but having read the article via the link Tom posted, is
this not reinventing the wheel, or have I missed something?  Why have
a Smartphone touch-screen mobile for blind and visually impaired
people with specific apps when  you can already access either Apple or
Android handsets?
Hoping
someone might clarify the point of having such a phone in addition to
what is already out there.


Kind Regards,

Jackie Cairns

-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Tom Lorimer
Sent: 14 July 2012 11:43
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: New Accessible Phone for Blind People

Hi Jeff,

Try this link:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18818279

Tom.


----- Original Message -----
From: jeff flint <mailto:jeffflint15@xxxxxxxxx>
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Saturday, July 14, 2012 10:54 AM
Subject: [access-uk] New Accessible Phone for Blind People

My brother in Australia heard a report from England that a new mobile
phone, with lots of bells an whistles, was launched last Thursday in
London.
Does anybody know anything about it?
Jeff


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