I would say Windows is about in the same boat. Honestly if someone develops a Windows app with two drops of common sense there's no reason these days why it shouldn't be accessible. Both platforms are just fine unless a developer screws it up. My comments relate more to the mobiel space where iOS is definitely ahead of Android in the accessibility game, and that's definitely partly because of the uniformity that Apple enforces on the platform. For a long time I thought Android accessibility would at least catch up and possibly surpass Apple, and I wish it would, because I think the philosophies of the Android platform will be more sustainable in the longterm. But... *sigh* it just doesn't appear to be happening. And the more I think on it, the more it shouldn't surprise me. I just have to look at my own circumstances. I have enough money to invest in either an iPhone or an Android. Now, I think I have knowledge to contribute to Android accessibility, but it's going to take a very compelling reason for me to invest money in the product that I'll have to then invest a bunch of time into as well before I can use it on the same level. So the cycle continues, and Android accessibility will persist in being an average and cluttered situation. Basically people who are in a position to make the investment in both platforms are the great majority of the real viable contributors to Android's accessibility, otherwise they have to pick between immediately being able to use their new toy or having the Android available to work on. But I don't think Apple has quite an accessibility advantage in the "nonmobile" space, where it's Mac Vs. Windows Vs. Linux. They've done well, but their the extreme cost of the Mac itself almost offsets the benefit of the screen reader being tied to the OS, especially when you have NVDA and Orca making the strides they are. Their advantage seems clear cut in the mobile arena though.
P.S. I admit I haven't made the investment in either platform yet, so my comments purely relate to time spent on iPhones and a variety of Android devices I've gotten to play with from friends. Certainly sufficient to get a general feel of things, but perhaps having one of my own devices to hack away with at my leisure would make some difference. But I know at this point I'm probably going to invest in the iPhone and hope I can somehow get the funding down the road to get an Android without the benefit of a carrier subsidizing its cost in exchange for signing a contract so I can lend a hand on Android access issues. But buying smartphones straight up is expensive business.
On 4/11/2011 6:42 PM, Alex Hall wrote:
Can you give examples? Everyone on the Macvisionaries list, including Windows converts, seems to love Apple's os more. It is stable, easy, and there seems to be nothing it can't do, not including poorly designed third party applications. On 4/11/11, Ken Perry<whistler@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:I have to disagree with this statement just because the Access comes attached to the OS does not mean its ahead of its competitors. In fact I have now been using mac for 7 or 8 months and I still find many things I would rather do in windows because it's just much more accessible and usable. Ken -----Original Message----- From: programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jared Wright Sent: Monday, April 11, 2011 5:58 PM To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: Apple Developer site not letting me continue A bit ironic that Apple's iron grip on its platform is a big part of why their accessibility is so far ahead of its competitors, especially in the mobile space. On 4/11/2011 3:10 PM, Florian-achtige wrote:Ugh... Alright i Like apple and how they made stuff accessible, but their idea of exclusivity is quite sickening sometimes 2011/4/11, Ken Perry<whistler@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>:I never tried but you might be able to fool it by using chrom or firefoxnotsure though. I bet you could do it on your Itouch but it probably won'tbefun. Ken -----Original Message----- From: programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Alex Hall Sent: Monday, April 11, 2011 2:11 PM To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: Apple Developer site not letting me continue That's rediculous! At least tell me that, Apple! So I need to have someone with a mac do this, or can I do it on my iPod? On 4/11/11, Ken Perry<whistler@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:Let me guess you're trying to do this on a windows box? They actuallyhavetheir page rigged so you can't. Ken -----Original Message----- From: programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Alex Hall Sent: Monday, April 11, 2011 12:50 PM To: programmingblind Subject: Apple Developer site not letting me continue Hi all, I know this is a bit off topic, but I am trying to sign up for a free apple dev account and am unable to do so. I am using an existing apple id and am at the personal information step. Despite filling every single field, I keep getting taken back to the same page with all my information filled in; the continue link is not continuing, but I see no errors on the page. Has anyone gone through this and figured it out? Thanks. -- Have a great day, Alex (msg sent from GMail website) mehgcap@xxxxxxxxx; http://www.facebook.com/mehgcap __________ View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind __________ View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind-- Have a great day, Alex (msg sent from GMail website) mehgcap@xxxxxxxxx; http://www.facebook.com/mehgcap __________ View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind __________ View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind__________ View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind__________ View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind __________ View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind
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