Actually, BrailleBack is not an official Google product. It is a beta app which hasn't been updated lately. I would love to hear from someone personally about their experience with Android. It's one thing to post questions on e-mail lists and Google groups and study a book. It is another thing to actually talk with someone, or get hands on training. When I learned to use the iPhone, it was really helpful to compare notes with other blind users to see how they used their phones. Sometimes I met with them, and that was helpful. I don't see the same user base for Android where I could pick up the phone, call someone, or meet them to figure things out.
The lack of good Braille access to Android is a real deal breaker especially in this day and age where we are trying to increase Braille literacy.
Dan
Sent from my iPhone
> On Feb 14, 2018, at 7:24 PM, Christopher Chaltain <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
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> That's unfortunate that you have to use a device you dislike so much.
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> I wouldn't say that Google can't be bothered to support braille. They do have an support a braille app called Braille Back. I don't use it myself, but I have heard that it isn't as robust as what you get on the iPhone, but that's not the same as not being bothered to support braille at all.
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> The iPhone was a more accessible device earlier then the Android devices were, so I'm not surprised that the prevalent conception out there is that the iPhone is more accessible then an Android phone and that the training centers for the blind focus on the iPhone. I think that's more a statement of the conservative nature of assistive technology training then it is a statement of the accessibility of Android.
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> I didn't seek out any accessibility training when I got my iPhone, and I didn't do that when I got my S7 either. Obviously, if someone requires that training then the iPhone is for them, at least until such training becomes more prevalent for Android smart phones, and there's nothing wrong with that. The iPhone is a great device and a great accessible device for a blind user.
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> Obviously one person going back to IOS after trying an Android phone doesn't mean anything except that Android didn't suit that particular person's needs. I switched from the iPhone to an Android phone, but I wouldn't ever jump to the conclusion that that's what everyone or even a majority of people should do.
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> I don't know why you don't know any other blind people in Chicago using an Android device. I've never seen any numbers, but I'm sure the iPhone is more popular amongst the blind then Android is, but again, that doesn't mean Android isn't accessible. More blind people probably use PC's then Macs, but that doesn't mean that the Max isn't accessible.
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