[access-uk] Re: the tadi
- From: "Ian Macrae" <ian.macrae1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2004 08:52:39 +0100
Hello George & all,
Time now for me to come clean. I've been using a TADI now for about six weeks
althouygh I haven't had an opportunity to check out the interface. I asked
Variscite for a review model and they also said they'd send me the PC interface
kit but never have. Anyway, here are my thoughts and experiences.
In a message to me recently, someone described the TADI as being in size and
shape very similar to those metal cigarette cases which people used to have
when I were a lad. When you flip the top up there's a keyboard laid out pretty
much like a qwerty except there's no space bar. There are also variously
enter, edit, record and talk keys. In the opening screen, pressing one of
these takes you drectly into one of the organiser's functions. So if you press
the talk key it takes you to the notes you've recorded in the notepad. If you
press the record key it enables you to record a memo in the note-pad without
having to select that function.
The top row of number keys also gives access to the different functions. These
include notepad, phonebook, diary, clock and calculator. You can also set an
alarm and back up data to the unit's non-volotile memory.
As I think I've said on this list before, it appears to be a lot more robust
than the Parrott, although I've had a parrott for about two years now and so
far nothing has fallen off it. The TADI is also more intuitive to use than the
voice diary. It's battery life is claimed to be six months for 3 AAAs.
Haven't had it long enough to say whether that holds up, but it is
unquestionably better than both its competitors.
The feamale speech has an American accent and is very naturalistic. However,
recording volume and quality is not great. But from out of its box, there is
more than five hours of recording time available on it.
Big minuses for me are:
It's not possible to interupt any given event following a keystroke. So,
browsing diary entries or the phonebook is a rather lengthy process.
On two occasions during the time I've had my one, I've had the record function
pack up on me and the only solution has been to initialise the unit, thereby
losing the data. Variscite have told me that installing a different version of
the firmware from the PC interface CD would sort this out, but, as they haven't
sent me said kit, I'm not able to verify whether this would be the case.
If, having set a daily alarm, I turn the alarm beep off, when I turn the unit
back on after an overnight rest, its volume has re-set to maximum. However, if
I leave the alarm beep on, the volume stays at the level at which I've set it.
The keyboard would, I think, be difficult to use for anyone with dexterity
difficulties or impaired sense of touch.
having said all of that, it's still the best organiser around in terms of
functionality and usability. One improvement I'd suggest is that the edit key
which is as yet not utilised in the opening screen could be enabled to allow
you to review diary entries. At present, you're only reminded of appointments
when they come due unless you actually go into the diary.
If anyone has specific questions about things I haven't covered, I'd be happy
to have a go at answering them.
Cheers now.
Ian
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