[gps-talkusers] laptop versus notetaker/PDA
- From: "Michael May" <mikemay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2013 07:49:14 -0700
There is now a Sendero PC GPS so one has the additional choice of a laptop
or tablet running Windows 8, like the Microsoft Surface Pro. Everyone has a
different set of needs so the right fit depends upon the individual. Not one
size fits all so to speak.
For me, I'd rather have the small 1 pound package of a PK or OnHand which
includes a Braille display and keyboard over a much more powerful Windows 8
machine especially when walking and traveling.
Again, if you don't want a Braille display or cannot afford one, there are
PDA versions without Braille for much less money and now tablets for even
less. Just make sure you figure out the mechanics of using a tablet on the
go. Certainly if you use your portable device mostly in a vehicle, a tablet
could work nicely. You could then have your phone for GPS while walking.
Options, that is what we are all about.
Mike
-----Original Message-----
From: gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Mike Arrigo
Sent: Tuesday, March 12, 2013 7:49 AM
To: gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: using dual GPS is the ideal way to go
Most, if not all of the tasks you mention here could easily be done using a
laptop. Certainly, if your note taker works for you, go for it, but laptops
can do much more and are cheaper.
Original message:
> As a college student with an iPhone and a braillenote apex I believe
> there is still room for these devices. I am a music major
> concentrating in sound engineering. I do not know what I would do
> without my apex. I use it to not only take notes in class but write
> blog posts, keep record of track notes and comments, take down what
> mics are in what inputs and so on. I also use it a lot as a GPS and
> love how sendero has made their system so great. I feel the that the
> iPhone seeing eye gps will be a good substitute for when I can't use
> my note taker either because of bad weather or battery drainage. One
> added value at least for me is being able to read without having to
> connect another device via bluetooth and keep up with both devices
> batteries. Plus the instant on capability is awesome as well. I know
> that with apps like accessnote you can do this but I feel that if your
> a hardcore braille user the apple devices only give you so much. At
> least with a dedicated machine you have it at your finger tips. I'm
> also learning how to read braille music and find the apex invaluable
> for learning this method of braille as well. The argument of note
> takers running outdated operating systems I think is a good point but
> also think about that you get what you take away from the device as
> well. For instance, my iPhone has apps that I barely use but I know that
if I need them I know they are there.
> Aaron Linson
> IOS and Android Accessibility Advocate Once an Eagle Always an Eagle
> On Mar 11, 2013, at 7:48 PM, Mike Arrigo <n0oxy@xxxxxxxxxxx
> <mailto:n0oxy@xxxxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
> With the availability of main stream mobile devices that are
> accessible, it simply makes no sense to pay much more money for these
> notetakers that use outdated operating systems in a proprietary
environment.
> On Mar 11, 2013, at 4:33 PM, "Michael May" <mikemay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> <mailto:mikemay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
> Dale,
> Its not really about processor power or memory any more. The
> differentiating factor between a PDA and the phone is the keyboard
> versus the touch screen or spotty voice recognition, especially in
> mobile environments. Yes, you can add an external keyboard or Braille
> display but that takes away from the main benefit of the iPhone as a
> handheld unit. External devices don't always connect and they are a
> second item to charge. Add an external GPS receiver because the
> built-in one is mediocre, and the mobile situation turns complicated.
> Something like a Braille Sense OnHand has a built in keyboard and GPS,
> no external pieces needed.
> What I am finding is that people are willing to sacrifice the
> productivity of the PDA for the basic functionality of the mobile
> device. I understand how it is hard to justify access tech prices even
> if the products are superior versus dirt cheap App Store and Market Place
mainstream prices.
> Mike
> From: gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> <mailto:gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> [mailto:gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> <mailto:talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>] On Behalf Of Dale Leavens
> Sent: Monday, March 11, 2013 11:28 AM
> To: gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: using dual GPS is the ideal way to go
> Mike,
> Are there any technical reasons why a suitable smart phone cannot
> offer the same or even superior capabilities to those of a note taker
> with respect to GPS? They do have far superior microprocessors now and
> more memory if I am not mistaken and of course built-in receivers,
> intuitively I would have thought them a more suitable platform. I
> don't remember detailed specifications of note takers as I have always
> had far more need for direct mainstream connectivity so got more seamless
use from notebook computers.
> Thanks.
> Dale leavens.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Michael May" <mikemay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> <mailto:mikemay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>>
> To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>>
> Sent: Monday, March 11, 2013 2:14 PM
> Subject: [gps-talkusers] using dual GPS is the ideal way to go
> Mary,
> Probably a poor choice of words on my part. Let's call dual GPS the
> ideal way to go but not the only way. There are plenty of situations
> where people have more than one product, say an iPhone using Audible
> and a Stream also using Audible.
> I do agree that it is very unfortunate that high priced specialty
> technology costs so much and yet the government funding for it is
> limited. I'll address that in a separate email. The point of my story
> was to say that the iPhone is not a replacement for a full fledged
> accessible GPS product with a real keyboard and comprehensive
> real-time and explore features. For those fortunate enough to have a
> BrailleNote or Braille Sense with GPS, make the most of it, especially
> in challenging situations.
> Mike
> From: gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> <mailto:gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> [mailto:gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> <mailto:talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>] On Behalf Of Mary Otten
> Sent: Saturday, March 09, 2013 10:17 PM
> To: gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: using dual GPS is the only way to go
> This really is kind of a sad commentary. How many people who don't get
> bucks from some agency can realistically think about having 2 gps
> solutions when one of them costs a whole pile of money, and the
> remainder of the applications on that expensive platform can be
> duplicated elsewhere cheaper?
> Obviously, you can't go from 0 app to full blown solution in 6 months
> or a year. But I hope the goal for the ios gps solution is to have a
> full product which will essentially make unnecessary those other
> entirely too expensive solutions.
> Mary Otten
> motten53@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:motten53@xxxxxxxxx>
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