[blindlaw] A Change of Topic-Cell Phone Access

Fri Apr 2 20:39:32 UTC 2010

Hi Steve,

Question.  I just upgraded my Verizon and am getting an HTC Ozone, as they 
call their brand.  Anyway, do I order the Mobile Speaks software separately? 
If so, where from, and how do I install it?
Thanks for any help you can give.
Kathy Hagen

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Jacobson" <steve.jacobson at visi.com>
To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 12:41 PM
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] A Change of Topic-Cell Phone Access

> Cathryn,
>
> Like Joe, I am also using an accessible cellphone through Sprint.  Maybe I 
> can shed a little light on a couple of things.
>
> First, the KNFB Reader phone is as expensive as it is mostly because of 
> the KNFB reader software rather than the phone.  However the total price 
> has come down
> to around $1,500.  Of this, $995 is for the software that converts print 
> into spoken text.  That is about the same price as the K-1000 software 
> that performs that
> function on a personal computer.  Speaking very generally, the phone 
> itself is roughly $300 and the software or "screen reader" that makes the 
> phone functions talk
> is around another $200.  The price estimated here for the phone is based 
> upon buying a phone from a dealer without going through a phone company. 
> Generally if
> you buy a phone through a service provider and sign a two year contract or 
> renew one for two years, the phone company in effect subsidizes the cost 
> of a new
> phone by $150 or $200 or so.  Therefore, if you sign a new contract or 
> extend an existing one, it is very possible that you can get a phone that 
> can be made
> accessible for $100 or so, but you still have to buy a "screen reader" for 
> the phone which will probably cost you another $200.
>
> However, as Joe mentioned, there are some phones out there which have some 
> speech built in.  These phones can cost you less than $100 with a new 
> contract or
> an extension, and no screen reader is required.  However, phones with 
> built-in speech generally cannot handle e-mail or web browsing, but they 
> can usually handle
> text messaging now and allow access to your contacts.  I believe that 
> Sprint still has the LG Rumor 2 and the LG Lotus and there could be others 
> by now that fit this
> category.
>
> You cannot add a screen reader to just any phone.  Like computers, the 
> more advanced phones have "operating systems," and some of these do allow 
> a screen
> reader to be added.  The most common operating system on phones that can 
> be used with Sprint and Verizon is called Windows Mobile.  There is a 
> screen reader
> called Mobile Speak that works with many of these phones.  Such phones are 
> sometimes called SmartPhones or Pocket PC's.  Common brands include 
> Samsung
> and Joe mentioned and also HTC but there are others.  Many of the Palm 
> phones cannot be used with a screen reader.
>
> Many of the phones that work on T-Mobil and AT&T use the Simbian operating 
> system.  There is another screen reader that is used on these phones 
> called TALKS.
> However, Mobile Speak also works on some of these phones, and TALKS works 
> on certain Verizon phones now.  Phones made by Nokia are most common in 
> this
> category, but not all Nokia phones are capablt of supporting a screen 
> reader.
>
> I just went through the process of buying an HTC Snap phone which I use on 
> Sprint with Mobile Speak, and I found the whole business to be confusing 
> at best.
> Therefore, I hope the above helps a little, but keep in mind that 
> something I have written could easily have become out of date since I 
> started this note.  <smile>
> Still, if you can keep in mind that some phones are simply not accessible, 
> some have some built-in accessibility for basics, and some that use 
> Windows Mobile or
> Simbian operating systems can be made accessible with the addition of a 
> screen reader, you will be off to a good start.  Then also remember that 
> you can usually get
> a big discount buying a phone from a service provider with a new contract 
> or contract extension.  Good luck.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Steve Jacobson  ,
>
> On Tue, 30 Mar 2010 11:03:52 -0400, Cathryn Bonnette wrote:
>
>>Thanks much- Do you know if it is possible to purchase the voice software 
>>to
>>install on a cell?
>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>Behalf Of Joe Orozco
>>Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 9:47 AM
>>To: 'NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List'
>>Subject: Re: [blindlaw] A Change of Topic-Cell Phone Access
>
>>I have a Samsung Intrepid through Sprint.  I switched over from Verizon,
>>better deal on unlimited data plan.  The only advantage through Verizon, I
>>think, is that you can purchase their HTC Ozone with Mobile Speak 
>>installed.
>>Someone can correct me on that, and Verizon also carries the LG line that
>>provides moderate accessibility.  I also live in DC and both carriers are
>>the best ones here in terms of reception.
>
>>Joe Orozco
>
>>"Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves,
>>some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all."--Sam Ewing
>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>[mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cathryn Bonnette
>>Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 9:03 AM
>>To: 'NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List'
>>Subject: [blindlaw] A Change of Topic-Cell Phone Access
>
>>Greetings to All:
>
>>
>
>>Wondering if anyone can offer guidance on good deals, best
>>companies, etc.
>>for cell phones or cell/internet packages.  I confess I don't
>>have $2,000.00
>>to spend on the KNFB version, though it sounds great.  I have heard the
>>frustration from Verizon employees in their center for customers with
>>disabilities that no one listens to their attempts to advocate.
>> I observed
>>yesterday that several cell phones using "Talks" voice software are no
>>longer available.
>
>>
>
>>I'm hoping to shortcut similar research on several companies by seeking
>>wisdom from the group.
>
>>
>
>>Thanks in advance for any tips you may have to offer, and thanks for
>>listening-
>
>>
>
>>Cathryn
>
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