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

  • From: "Eleanor Burke" <eleanorburke@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2012 17:28:44 +0100

I think that someone put the marketing value forward to the BBC for publicity and whoever took on the project at the BBC did not have enough knowledge to know what else is out there in the market place so thought they would 'sell' the phone as the best thing for the blind since 'sliced bread'! ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jackie Cairns" <jackie.cairnsplace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 

To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, July 14, 2012 5:12 PM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: New Accessible Phone for Blind People



Hi Mo
I don't want to rain on anyone's parade. I'm just sceptical that those who have the incapacity, for whatever reason, to use a touch-screen device will struggle no matter what this new package offers. Perhaps it will be a huge hit and people will rush out to buy it, we'll doubtless hear in due course. 


Kind Regards,

Jackie Cairns

-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of 
Mobeen Iqbal
Sent: 14 July 2012 16:19
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: New Accessible Phone for Blind People
Hi Jackie, yep precisely my point! to sell a product, you have to make sure its unique to insure you're going to make something on it! free verses paid? 
most people will go for the free option unless something is competitively
priced...

all the best,

Mo.


On 14/07/2012 15:54, Jackie Cairns wrote:

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


** 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


** 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

Other related posts:

  1. Home
  2. access-uk
  3. Archive
  4. 07-2012