Sorry didn't have chance to comment further after my earlier mail.I am still not convinced that this box is unable to use the search an scan bar from within the channel. I still think it might be possible to find programmes and record them up to 12 hours ahead from within the channel. If not, then why do they have the record button saying the word 'record' when you hit it. Why voice something that is redundant within the Sky ecosystem?
I find it incredibly difficult to believe sky would have brought out a product that allows you to record but doesn't let you play back. Though there is the possibility still pending that the box won't let you record either despite the fact that Sky+ boxes are mainly adored for their innovative dual recording ability.
Could it be that these boxes were on the drawing board so many years ago that, now they've come to being made, they're already obselete? It wouldn't have felt quite so unusual had these talkers been released just for the older set top boxes that couldn't record around in 1998 to 2003.
Oh and I suspect that it hasn't got up on the website or been communicated effectively because there is low budget here and the device is probably a low priority within the corporation. I think we need to be very careful about a response to this because it could all be the work of a few dedicated members of staff who have had a passion to get an accessible box out there. If that's the case, they are going to need some kind of support and encouragement. But it is tricky because blind people do want to be taken seriously over this.
I say again that I strongly believe that we need legislation to make access happen in a sensible way in the future. Things are moving and changing so fast in the 21st century that when access solutions are found and marketed, they're already obselete as far as many of us are concerned e.g. the Goodman's Freeview box that doesn't record and the Sky box which may not give access to the EPG or ability to record either. We should note that red button services are inaccessible on all boxes still and that the new YouView Freeview replacement which comes out in the second quarter of 2011 has no plans to give access to the red button or new intreractive services planned on it. But by all accounts, RNIB customer services are pleased with the number of peple who have bought the new Goodman's box so go figure.
What I think peple should be calling for is a new openness from RNIB and broadcasters on these things. I suspect this will come.
But we do need to wait and see what this talkerbrings us. I suspect Sky aren't together on their communications yet; it certainly feels that way.
...Damon----- Original Message ----- From: "john gallagher" <john@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Sunday, September 26, 2010 12:37 PM Subject: [access-uk] Re: yet more Sky Talker info
hi all this seems so very very sad. i wonder where is the communication between the people that are making this device and the users. i understand we are such a small very small market the totally blind who can benefit from this sort of thing but again and again we loose out on the communication thing. it needs totally blind or people that really can make use of this device to get together for a meeting to talk all the isues through it is the same with the problem of chess clocks for the blind. the actual chess players are never asked for their opinions on a chess clock we are the people that use them but the powers that be just go ahead and get something made that they think will be best for a blind person. the rnib spend thousands of pounds on meetings where things are talked about for dxample this sky talk thing but at the end of the day the product is no good for us at all. so the difficulty is a lack of communication. truly though i wonder how we can go forward from here. ----- source message ----- from: william lomas <lomaswilliam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> to: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx date: 2010/09/26 10:26:03 subject: [access-uk] Re: yet more Sky Talker infowell that guy from accessibility can't even get right what he is advertising if that's all it can do they don't even know what it can do. If no one buys it it doesn't look good on skyOn Sep 26, 2010, at 10:48 AM, Ibrahim Gucukoglu wrote: > Hi. >> Oh well, if that's a response from sky, then I'm saving my money, I've > better things to spend it on,> > Adue, Ibrahim. > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Damon > To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > Sent: Sunday, September 26, 2010 10:35 AM > Subject: [access-uk] yet more Sky Talker info >> I emailed Sky customer services for some clarification on what they > told me last week.Here is the latest response:> > > > > > TEXT BEGINS >> We are still waiting on some details surrounding the Sky Talker to be > confirmed but I will try and answer all the questions below.> > >> The Sky talk will not give full access to the EPG or enable you to set > up recordings through the 7 days schedule. The sky talker will give you > information on the channel and programming that you are on. For > example, if you change to 106 Sky 1 and the Simpsons is showing it will > say '106, sky one, now showing the Simpsons' it can also read out the > information about that particular episode. The sky talker does not at > the moment have the functionality to read out anytime content or the > video on demand function due to launch in December although we may look > to develop the product further if we have a good response to the Sky > Talker. We are planning on initially manufacturing 1000 Sky Talker > boxes when they are introduced until we determine the demand for the > product. We are still waiting for the price to be confirmed although it > is thought to be around £60 at present.> > >> I hope this information has answered your questions, if you do require > any further information please do not hesitate to contact a member of > the team.> > >well that guy from accessibility can't even get right what he is advertising if that's all it can do they don't even know what it can do. If no one buys it it doesn't look good on skyOn Sep 26, 2010, at 10:48 AM, Ibrahim Gucukoglu wrote: Hi.Oh well, if that's a response from sky, then I'm saving my money, I've better things to spend it on,Adue, Ibrahim. ----- Original Message ----- From: Damon To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Sunday, September 26, 2010 10:35 AM Subject: [access-uk] yet more Sky Talker infoI emailed Sky customer services for some clarification on what they told me last week.Here is the latest response:TEXT BEGINSWe are still waiting on some details surrounding the Sky Talker to be confirmed but I will try and answer all the questions below.The Sky talk will not give full access to the EPG or enable you to set up recordings through the 7 days schedule. The sky talker will give you information on the channel and programming that you are on. For example, if you change to 106 Sky 1 and the Simpsons is showing it will say '106, sky one, now showing the Simpsons' it can also read out the information about that particular episode. The sky talker does not at the moment have the functionality to read out anytime content or the video on demand function due to launch in December although we may look to develop the product further if we have a good response to the Sky Talker. We are planning on initially manufacturing 1000 Sky Talker boxes when they are introduced until we determine the demand for the product. We are still waiting for the price to be confirmed although it is thought to be around £60 at present.I hope this information has answered your questions, if you do require any further information please do not hesitate to contact a member of the team.** 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
