[Electronics-talk] Best Buy's HD Radio May Shut Us Skeptics UpFor Now

[Baracco, Andrew W]

I have a tiny Insignia portable HD radio, and even though its interface
is not accessible, the audio is wonderful, and I've had it for a few
years now, and have had no problems, so I don't know about their
reputation for designing "schlocky" products.

Andy


-----Original Message-----
From: electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Gerald Levy
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2012 4:19 AM
To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Best Buy's HD Radio May Shut Us Skeptics
UpFor Now


I just visited the product support page for the Narrator "talking" HD
clock radio and perused both the User Manual and standard Quick Start
Guide.  To my great dismay, there is no mention of the speech function
or any other special accessibility features in either document.  There
is supposed to be a special quick start guide for visually impaired
consumers, but it is not listed on the product support page.  In fact,
reading both documents was enough to turn me off to this radio, because
without any explanation of the blind-friendly accessibility features,
this radio, which is menu driven, sounds like it would be difficult for
a blind user to master.  But this is not at all surprising, given that
Insignia has a reputation for designing schlocky products.  Remember the
voice-command talking clock radio it sold a few years ago?  It was
plagued by so many technical glitches that it was quickly discontinued
and wound up being sold on Cowboom for only $8.  I got stuck with one of
these lemons , which now serves as a paperweight.  So until someone does
a comprehensive podcast that explains how to set up and use the Narrator
radio, I will remain skeptical  and hold off on ordering one, and advise
others to do  likewise.

Gerald


----- Original Message -----
From: "cheez" <cheez at cox.net>
To: "Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances" 
<electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2012 1:22 AM
Subject: [Electronics-talk] Best Buy's HD Radio May Shut Us Skeptics Up
For Now


> Best Buy is going to be selling a new HD Radio--called the 
> Narrator--starting in July. The radio, which was manufactured with the

> blind in mind, will be selling for $99. If you want the added two year

> protection plan, you will need to pay an extra $14.99.
>
> "With The Narrator coming to market, people with visual disabilities 
> will have a radio that they can program and tune themselves," said 
> Dave Noble, chairman of government relations for IAAIS.
>
> For years, blind people have had to pay a lot of money for radios with

> single purpose receivers that provided low audio quality.  Now, the 
> Narrator, a table top receiver, speaks commands as soon as a blind or 
> visually impaired person turns it on. However, this feature can be 
> turned off so that a sighted person can use the radio silently as 
> well. This makes the radio have universal appeal for everyone and will

> also help to keep the price lower.  With speech turned on, the radio 
> will announce the artist and song, and will show and announce visual 
> images as well. The radio is also equipped with large buttons with
raised lettering.
>
> Another great feature is that the radio comes with a PDF Quick Start 
> Guide, along with a user manual. In addition, you can get the warranty

> information as a PDF document as well. All of these documents can be 
> downloaded from the Best Buy website and have been verified to be 
> accessible with screen readers.
>
> The radio was created with input from the International Association of

> Audio Information Services, the group that represents Radio Reading 
> Services.  The radio manufacturer chose to partner with the IAAIS to 
> help identify and solve issues for the everyday technology needs of 
> people with visual disabilities.
>
> The Narrator will be promoted on air by iBiquity and its alliance 
> member stations. It will be marketed under the Best Buy Insignia
brand.
>
> While the visually impaired community has had other radio companies 
> create accessible products (C. Crane comes to mind), it's fantastic to

> see that a very large electronics company like Best Buy is taking an 
> interest in accessible products and teaming up with organizations who 
> can help them design the radio from the ground up.  It's also 
> incredibly beneficial that they created a product that is equally 
> usable for both the sighted and visually impaired--an important 
> element in keeping the cost as low as possible.  Hopefully, others 
> will follow the lead of companies like Best Buy and Apple and begin 
> building accessibility into their products that can serve everyone
equally.
>
> Sources: 
> http://radioworld.com/article/best-buy-takes-pre-orders-for-'the-narra
> tor'-/213556
> http://www.dealerscope.com/article/best-buy-debuts-talking-hd-radio/1
>
>
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