The point is for blind people to not to have to read millions of pages of
documentation or research regarding accessibility before they purchase
phones. T-Mobile employees are not as friendly as you make it out to be.
Because it was easy for you, doesn't make it easy for others. We're geeks.
We can figure it out. Others cannot. Nor should we expect them to.
-----Original Message-----
From: Visually Impaired Computer Users' Group List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David hilbert Poehlman
Sent: Friday, June 10, 2011 7:11 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [VICUG-L] The Current State of Cell Phone Accessibility
Actually, when I learned the mac on a deadline, even with less accessibility
than it has now, I was able to learn and use it quickly and efficiently.
On Jun 10, 2011, at 2:11 PM, Ana G wrote:
Sighted assistance is required to start accessibility on any Android phone.
I certainly hope this changes, but it doesn't make the T-Mobile G2 any more
or less accessible than other Android phones. After all, store staff can
install Talkback while they're setting up accessibility. Most users have no
problem getting help if they do their research (like reading early posts on
my blog) and know what to tell carrier employees. Moreover, The Ideal App
Installers streamline the finding and installing of other helpful
accessibility apps.
I do agree that Android has a learning curve and that much of it is due to a
lack of documentation, which is the reason I started my blog and include as
many resources as possible under the More Information heading, but I also
think that Android is a viable option for blind people. As a sophisticated
Windows user, my transition to the Mac OS was long and painful, and though
I'm now able to perform basic tasks, relearning advanced tasks is
frustrating, especially on a deadline. That doesn't mean that iOS is not a
viable option. I think the same applies for Android. The platform is very
different from what we're used to, so the learning curve will, of course, be
longer. Still, as someone who uses the phone everyday for work, I find
Android to be absolutely great, and I don't consider myself to be especially
techy.
Pratik writes:
Let me add a clarification to your clarification.
The T-Mobile g2, even though a wonderful phone, does not come with Talkback
preinstall. Yes, it runs the stock Android experience; but, for some odd
reason, HTC removed the accessibility options from the phone. You will need
sighted assistance to first set up the phone, then to download and install
several components. Once installation is done, you will need further
assistance to turn these options on. Frankly speaking, T-Mobile provides no
assistance whatsoever to any of their blind customers in this regard. Having
tested Android phones, it is not yet a platform for the faint of heart when
it comes to accessibility. If you are willing to play and figure things out,
then by all means go with an Android phone. I recognize that, for
philosophical or other reasons, people are choosing Android phones. But, if
the posts on the Android accessibility list are any indication, there is a
high level of frustration as well.
Ana writes:
Darren Burton's article on the current state of cell phone accessibility in
the latest _Access World_ is nicely done. I'm going to clarify two details
about Android.
1. T-Mobile offers a couple of Android phones that blind people can use. The
T-Mobile G2 runs vanilla Android, includes a hardware keyboard, and has an
optical trackpad users can feel. It's actually one of the best Android
options for screen reader users. I know one or two other T-Mobile phones are
being used by people on the Eyes-Free Android list, but since I'm not a
customer myself, I don't remember what they are.
2. Mobile Accessibility is a great product for Android, providing a screen
reader comparable to Talkback or Spiel and a self-voicing suite of apps that
enables users to access common features, like phone calling, text messaging,
and web browsing, but it's not essencial in Android the way Talks and Mobile
Speak are essencial on the Windows and Symbian platforms. In other words,
you can use an Android phone without Mobile Accessibility.
Stop by my blog:
http://AccessibleAndroid.blogspot.com
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