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

Tue Jun 5 17:26:07 UTC 2012

Believe me, I welcome products that are accessible, but darn it, I've
owned radios, both broadcast radios and amateur radio equipment. I've
owned various types of scanners, etc, stereo receivers etc. and most
have not had an accessible interface, but I have found ways to use them.
I guess I would have saved a lot of money, but I would have missed out
on a lot if I always insisted that every piece of gear that I owned be
completely accessible.
Andy

-----Original Message-----
From: electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ray Foret Jr
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2012 4:30 AM
To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Best Buy's HD Radio May Shut Us Skeptics
UpFor Now

Okay.  You want to throw down the gontlet like that do you mister
nagativity?  Fine!  I accept your chalendge.  When the radio comes, I
will do a recording on exactly what happens with the out of the box
experience as a blind person.  I will also go in to a detailed
description of how the unit works.  Who knows, I might even rub it in
your nose a little.  You think you can do better?  Why don't you then?
Look, I'm not flaming here; at least, I sure don't mean it that way;
but, the plain fact is this.  YOu never have anything good to say about
anyone or anything.  YOu want completely accessible everything yesterday
and threten to sue if you don't get it; and then, when somebody does
come along and give it a try, you put it down.  I was planning a
recording on the subject of the radio even before your chalendge to do
one.

Sorry Dave; but, frankly, I've just about had it.

Sincerely,
The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!

Now a very proud and happy Mac user!!!

Skype name:
barefootedray

On Jun 5, 2012, at 6:18 AM, Gerald Levy wrote:

> 
> 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-narrato
r'-/213556
>> http://www.dealerscope.com/article/best-buy-debuts-talking-hd-radio/1
>> 
>> 
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> 
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