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

Tue Jun 5 17:41:35 UTC 2012

This is - this is
-----Original Message-----
From: electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Gabe Vega
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2012 4:45 AM
To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Best Buy's HD Radio May Shut Us Skeptics Up
For Now

all I want to know is, why can't blind people spell? and you wonder why the
unemployment rate is 70% I wouldn't hire anyone that couldn't spell.
Gabe Vega - Sent from my Macbook Air
Phone Voice/Text: (623) 565-9357
Email: theblindtech at gmail.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/blindtech
FaceBook: http://facebook.com/blindtech
Website: http://thebt.net

On Jun 5, 2012, at 4:30 AM, Ray Foret Jr wrote:

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