[Electronics-talk] News Release: SerotekIntroducesFirst iPhoneApplication for the Blind

[Jim Barbour]

Hey Craig,

What you describe is not an inaccessible phone, it's a new way
of navigating the phone, it takes practice.  Even then, some folks
will like it and others not.

It's a bit disingenuous to say "the phone is not fully accessible"
when what you mean is "it was hard for some blind people to use."
Remember, your original question was "This sounds great, but how does
a blind user access the application, if the iPhone itself is not fully
accessible?"

It is true that the iPhone uses a flat screen, so there are no keys to
feel.  It is also true that you have to wait for audio confirmation
which might be a bit slower than feeling for keys, especially until
you get some practice using the phone.

You also mentioned that using Talks you could "access every aspect of
a cell phone, with the exception of funky applications"  I would say
the same thing about the iPhone.  Probably the largest missing piece
of accessible technology on the iPhone is flash.

The bottom line is that some people will like the touch screen, and
others won't.  But, it's a matter of personal preference, not a matter
of lack of access.

Jim

On Sat, Oct 10, 2009 at 02:42:42AM -0400, Craig Borne wrote:
> Gabe,
> I am glad that you have tapped into my conscious and understand what I have
> experienced with the iPhone.  I tried the iPhone in the Apple store and
> found it less accessible than Talks or Mobile Speak.  The difference is
> that I can navigate with actual buttons, instead of a flat screen.  This
> means I can feel the buttons used to navigate, instead of using a touch
> screen that takes me twice as long to navigate because I need voice
> confirmation to let me know I have the right key.
> 
> Don't label me as an iPhone hater; I am a cell phone user that is unsure how
> to totally access the iPhone as well as I access a Nokia E65 with Talks.
> Call me whatever you want, but I am a practical user that is not convinced
> that the iPhone is accessible, even after I have demoed it in the store.
> Maybe it is a product of a lack of training or experience with the iPhone,
> but I am inclined to be more comfortable with keys I can feel to navigate,
> instead of random swipes of my finger on a screen where I can't distinguish
> where my finger is with respect to the icons needing my touch.
> 
> By the way, I can access every aspect of a cell phone, with the exception of
> funky applications, that the iPhone can with Talks.  If I can't do this with
> the iPhone without the tactile use of buttons, how does this help me?
> 
> Craig
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of The BlindTechs
> Network
> Sent: Friday, October 09, 2009 9:21 PM
> To: 'Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances'
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] News Release: SerotekIntroducesFirst
> iPhoneApplication for the Blind
> 
> Craig I suggest you go and actually read about the iphone on apple's website
> before make statements you can't backup on this list.
> 
> I use an Iphone everyday for business and personal use and am damn sick of
> you nonbelievers saying the iphone as a touch screen is not accessible.
> 
> It is years ahead of anything talks, and mobilespeak wish they could be.
> 
> 
> Gabe Vega
> CEO
> The BlindTechs Network
> A Devision of Commtech LLC
> 2942 N 24th Street
> Suite 114
> Phoenix, AZ 85016
> Phone (623) 565-9357
> Fax (206) 338-2361
> -----Original Message-----
> From: electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Craig Borne
> Sent: Friday, October 09, 2009 4:13 PM
> To: 'Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances'
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] News Release: Serotek IntroducesFirst
> iPhoneApplication for the Blind
> 
> How would a blind individual access the touch screen?  I know there was a
> text to speech component on the new phones, but it did not appear user
> friendly, if you could not see anything.  What has been your experience.
> Craig
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jim Barbour
> Sent: Friday, October 09, 2009 6:18 PM
> To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] News Release: Serotek IntroducesFirst iPhone
> Application for the Blind
> 
> I would suggest that the iPhone is very accessible.
> 
> Voiceover on the iPhone is pretty spiffy.  Not perfect, but quite good.
> 
> Jim
> 
> On Fri, Oct 09, 2009 at 05:41:09PM -0400, Craig Borne wrote:
> > This sounds great, but how does a blind user access the application, 
> > if the iPhone itself is not fully accessible?
> > Craig
> >  
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
> > [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Serotek 
> > Announcements (by way of David Andrews<dandrews at visi.com>)
> > Sent: Friday, October 09, 2009 4:47 PM
> > To: david.andrews at nfbnet.org
> > Subject: [Electronics-talk] News Release: Serotek Introduces First 
> > iPhone Application for the Blind
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > NEWS RELEASE
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Media Contact:
> > 
> > <mailto:pr at serotek.com>pr at serotek.com
> > 
> > 612.720.1068
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Technical Contact :
> > 
> >              <mailto:info at serotek.com>info at serotek.com
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> >   Serotek Introduces First iPhone Application for the Blind
> > 
> > iBlink Radio available in App Store
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > MINNEAPOLIS, Minn - October 9, 2009 -
> > <http://www.serotek.com/>Serotek Corporation, the leading provider of 
> > internet and digital information accessibility software and services, 
> > introduced a third-party iPhone application today specifically 
> > designed for those who are blind or have low vision. Now available in 
> > the App Store, the application is called iBlink RadioT and is the 
> > first such application to be introduced in the world.
> > 
> > iBlink Radio allows people to listen to podcasts, radio stations and 
> > reading services produced by and for the blind community.
> > 
> > The reading service section of iBlink Radio provides audio versions of 
> > newspapers, magazines and periodicals for anyone unable to read the 
> > printed page, regardless of disability. Daily newspapers include 
> > <http://www.usatoday.com/>USA Today, <http://www.wsj.com/>Wall Street 
> > Journal and the <http://www.nytimes.com/>New York Times.
> > 
> > Listeners can also access all known radio stations owned and operated 
> > by the blind, and the podcast section offers topics ranging from 
> > technology to cooking.
> > 
> > "The iPhone is a great platform for doing just about anything, whether 
> > it be learning something new or just jamming to some great tunes,"
> > said Mike Calvo, CEO, Serotek Corporation, "iBlink Radio represents 
> > all that and more; it marks another step toward inclusion for all."
> > 
> > While the application offers a convenient way for the blind community 
> > to stay connected, the application is available to everyone, blind or sighted.
> > In addition to being of great interest to those who are blind or have 
> > partial sight, iBlink Radio is also invaluable resource to family 
> > members, friends and professionals serving this community.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > -more-
> > 
> > 
> > 
> >                 For additional information, visit 
> > <http://www.serotek.com/eyeblink>http://www.serotek.com/eyeblink
> > 
> > .
> > Serotek Corporation
> > 
> > Serotek Corporation is a leading technology company that develops 
> > software and manufactures accessibility solutions under the System 
> > Access brand.
> > Committed to the mission of providing accessibility anywhere, Serotek 
> > began with the launch of the first online community specifically 
> > designed to meet the needs of people with visual impairment. Since 
> > then, Serotek has introduced several powerful, affordable solutions 
> > that require minimal training and investment. For more information, 
> > visit <http://www.serotek.com/>www.serotek.com.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > ###
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Editors Note: Product names, brands and other trademarks featured or 
> > referred to are the property of their respective trademark holders.
> > These trademark holders are not affiliated with Accessible Event and 
> > do not sponsor or endorse these materials.