[blparent] accessable cell phones?

[Steve Jacobson]

Rebecca,

First, my experience with Voice Guide and Voice Command is with LG phones on Sprint.  It is my understanding, though, that the concepts are similar on Verizon as 
they are LG features.  Please someone let me know if this is not the case.

Voice Command is the feature that most sales people are aware of and they think are what you need, and the Voice Command feature does help.  It let's you issue 
commands to call people, to even dial a number, and to perform other functions.  In many ways, it let's you bypass some of the menus in some cases.  What makes 
things a little more confusing, there are voice responses that are part of the Voice Command feature.  For example, you can say something like "Phone Status" and 
you weill get a spoken responce giving your battery level signal strength, and sometimes some other items as well.  When on the voice command menu, besides 
speaking commands, you can use the arrow keys and navigate to some menus as well.  On the phones I have used, though, you can't really get to menus that are 
outside of the voice command menu.  The ability to turn Voice Guide on and off is often on the voice command menu.  There is usually a button that will turn on 
voice command so that it can be activated without going through a menu system.

Voice guide causes many menus to speak independent of Voice command.  On many phones it will cause the letter being displayed as you write a text message or 
contact name with the number pad giving you some feedback.  It is usually responsible for you being able to read text messages, although this line is a little fuzzy as 
there are variations between phones.  It is usually Voice Guide that turns on the ability to hear the number of the in-coming call.  What I have often found with Sprint 
is that sales people know what voice command does, but they don't know what voice guide does, so if you ask if something can be done and they don't know how 
to do it with Voice Command, they may say it cannot be done.  Also, the Voice Guide feature is often not documented well in the manuals that come with Sprint LG 
phones, but it appears that it is documented better in the manuals that come with LG phones from Verizon.  At least in Sprint's case, I think Sprint actually writes 
many of the manuals mixing in a lot of Sprint-specific stuff with the operating of the phone.  

Again, there could be some differences with Verizon LG phones, and none of this applies to Smart Phones or phones of other brands.  However, you always have to 
be aware that many people think what we need is to be able to speak commands and that if a phone supports that it is accessible.  

Best regards,

Steve Jacobson

On Thu, 8 Oct 2009 16:00:29 -0400, Pickrell, Rebecca M (IS) wrote:

>I must be slow guys, but what is the difference between "voice guide"
>and "voice command?" 
>And, what functions will I *not* be able to do independently with this
>phone?

>-----Original Message-----
>From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>On Behalf Of Steve Jacobson
>Sent: Thursday, October 08, 2009 3:56 PM
>To: NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List
>Subject: Re: [blparent] accessable cell phones?

>Rebecca,

>This is one of the LG phones I was referring to in my note as well.
>Scott should correct me if I am wrong here, but sometimes terms are
>important when talking to 
>people at the store.  "Voice command" is the feature that lets you pick
>menu items and initiate calls by voice.  It works pretty well.  In
>addition, Voice command also 
>causes some voice prompts to be turned on.  besides that, though, this
>phone has the ability to speak many menus and text messages, but I
>believe these features 
>are part of the "Voice Guide" feature.  Either can be used without the
>other, but you may find that "Voice command" by itself doesn't do
>everything you need so I 
>just thought I would mention "Voice Guide" again.  

>Best regards,

>Steve Jacobson

>On Thu, 8 Oct 2009 14:57:24 -0400, Pickrell, Rebecca M (IS) wrote:

>>Thank you. 
>>Which features are not accessible? 
>>And, in addition to the features you cite, will this phone also tell me
>>who's caling? 
>>This phone may be what I need, it's too bad I had to bother you and the
>>list, as Verizon should know how to do this. 
>>How much is this phone?

>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>>On Behalf Of Scott Lawlor
>>Sent: Thursday, October 08, 2009 2:31 PM
>>To: NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List
>>Subject: Re: [blparent] accessable cell phones?

>>Hi.

>>If you're wanting a phone that is good for texting and aren't planning
>>to 
>>surf the net or check email, the lg env3 is actually quite accessible
>>with 
>>it's built in voice command.  Sure, not every feature is accessible but
>>you 
>>can both send and recieve text messages independently, add contacts to
>>the 
>>addressbook, check the battery level, time and date, and call contacts
>>with 
>>no sighted assistance.   You'll need sighted help in turning on two
>>features 
>>in the tools menu but the people at the verizon store should be able to
>>help 
>>you with that.  I have a short tutorial on some of the more helpful
>>commands 
>>for this phone if anyone would like and am planning to create a 
>>comprehensive podcast for those who are interested.

>>----- Original Message ----- 
>>From: "Pickrell, Rebecca M (IS)" <REBECCA.PICKRELL at ngc.com>
>>To: <blparent at nfbnet.org>
>>Sent: Thursday, October 08, 2009 12:57 PM
>>Subject: [blparent] accessable cell phones?


>>> Hi guys.
>>> I don't know if this offtopic for this list or not.
>>> Anyway, I'm thinking I want an accessable cell phone and am trying to
>>> decide between AT&T and Verizon. We have Verizon and our contract is
>>up.
>>> A trip to the Verizon store and a talk on their phone about
>accessable
>>> options was to say the least not very confidence enspiring. I had to
>>> tell the Verizon lady on the phone and the guy at the store about
>>Talks,
>>> both seemed unaware of it.
>>> AT&T seems to have a phone with Mobilespeak that will do what I want.
>>> Does anybody on this list know anything about either plan or option
>>and
>>> have any feedback?
>>> AT&T says if I give them proof of my blindness they will take the
>data
>>> package off the phone with Mobilespeak. I am not a big cell phone
>>user,
>>> don't really want the data package, but nor do I want to give AT&T
>any
>>> medical info.
>>> All I want is a phone where I can add contacts, use menus and know
>>who's
>>> calling.
>>> Thoughts?
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>c
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