I also contacted Humanware about modification – specifically about redressing
the volume deficit in the model 2 stream as opposed to stream 1. I asked them
to return to the volume and sound quality of model 1 Stream in the upcoming
Trek.
The response I got was that they would “note my comment” but that the product
was pretty much finalised. This begs the question as to when you can
effectively input suggestions as I did this several weeks ago the day after it
was announced on Blind Bargains.
I think we are pretty much limited to asking for modifications of the Firmware.
I think the problem with the DAB suggestion is that there will not be the
hardware available on the Board to support it.
I was surprised to read that FM Radio capacity is built into all phone
boards, even iPhones, but Apple choose not to implement it. Although the
Stream/Trek is not a phone I understand it is the Android OS and similar
hardware sources which underpin both the Stream and the old Pocket Plextalk so
it is presumably relatively straightforward to activate this FM part of the
hardware boards.
Because of this underlying Android OS and relevant hardware I personally
believe that eventually Humanware will complete the logical process and convert
the Stream /Trek into a phone as well but possibly Kapsys whill have the
market sewn up by then.
Whilst I agree there should be the option to save podcasts to SD Card
automatically we should remember that the memory upgrade on the new device
will be massive compared to the old Stream. If we are to believe the report on
Blind Bargains the memory will increase from the present 2 GB to 32GB, pretty
much preventing the problem of running out of memory because of podcast
downloads.
David Griffith
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
From: Yusuf Osman
Sent: 08 September 2017 09:18
To: BCAB Discussion List; access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] The New Victor Reader Trek
Hi, Apologies if you see this twice but I wanted to get to as many people as
possible. I've been in contact with Humanware about the new Victor Reader Trek,
which I think sounds like a really good product, to ask about making some
changes and was hoping that if anyone agreed they might consider writing as
well?
So, I've asked for them to look in to implementing a Digital Radio rather than
an FM radio in the UK as that would seem to be more useful than an FM one given
the signals will eventually be turned off. Given the lack of accessible Digital
Radios as discussed here it would be a great selling point if Digital Radio
could be supported. Of course there might be a technical reason why this isn't
possible.
I've also asked about the ability to switch downloaded podcasts to an SD card
rather than the default internal memory. Yes, I know this can be done manually
but I find that a bit of a faff, and I think it would be quite easy to allow
the user to select whether to download podcasts to the internal memory or SD
card by default.
I've also asked about being able to access RNIB Talking Books directly from the
device.
On the GPS side of things I've asked for the ability to create routes where the
start and end points are addresses/Points of interest, as I understand it it
isn't possible to do this and routes have to be created from a current location
to a POI/Address. I'm also trying to get clarification on whether it's possible
to have more than one map on the device. So, if you live in the UK we'll get
access to the Europe map, but if you go on holiday to the US you might want to
purchase a map for that as well. If it isn't possible I'm asking that it should
be.
I'm not sure if web radio will be supported at the outset, that seemed to be
what the Humanware rep was suggesting and I queried this as it seems to me that
should be there from the get go. I also mentioned the issue around being able
to search by country as well as name when trying to find radio stations.
The more of us that write to Humanware with things we want to see the more
likely it is they will happen.
Yusuf
I've set up a FundMe account to help cover the ongoing costs of my PhD. I'd be
very grateful if you'd consider donating. Thank you!
https://www.gofundme.com/lhj928
Why not follow me on Twitter at:
yusuf_oy
Facebook:
/yusuf.osman.188
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