[Electronics-talk] Electronics-talk New Smart Phone For the Blind and Visually Impaired

Fri Jun 7 19:39:00 UTC 2013

I'm guessing the phone won't sell well.  However, there are plenty of
people who don't want to climb the learning curve of the iPhone.  They
want something easy to use.  People like this tend to not be very
technically aware, and so are vulnerable to advertising like these
folks are putting out.

Jim

On Fri, Jun 07, 2013 at 02:22:10PM -0500, Alyssa wrote:
> I just don't understand what this most likely very expensive phone can do that an iPhone that can be cheaper and from any carrier can't. For me, it's iPhone for the win!
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> On Jun 7, 2013, at 7:00 AM, electronics-talk-request at nfbnet.org wrote:
> 
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> > than "Re: Contents of Electronics-talk digest..."
> > 
> > 
> > Today's Topics:
> > 
> >   1. New Smart Phone and Service for the Blind and    Visually
> >      Impaired (Gerald Levy)
> >   2. Re: New Smart Phone and Service for the Blind    andVisually
> >      Impaired (Baracco, Andrew W)
> >   3. Father's Day: Talking MP3 Player for $65.99 &    other great
> >      deals! (Laz Mesa)
> > 
> > 
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > 
> > Message: 1
> > Date: Thu, 06 Jun 2013 08:21:14 -0400
> > From: "Gerald Levy" <bwaylimited at verizon.net>
> > To: "Electronics Talk" <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> > Subject: [Electronics-talk] New Smart Phone and Service for the Blind
> >    and    Visually Impaired
> > Message-ID: <C4005F866DA440D3BE3CF379755AC43A at glevy>
> > Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="iso-8859-1"
> > 
> > 
> > I came across the following article on another list. Sounds like this could give the IPhone a run for the money:
> > 
> > America's First Mobile Smartphone & Service for The Blind and Visually Impaired.
> > 
> > PRNewswire.
> > June 5, 2013.
> > 
> > 
> > Project RAY Ltd., developer of the first smartphone specially designed for eye-free operation, and Odin Mobile, the nationwide provider of cellular service dedicated to providing mobile communication services to the blind and visually impaired, today announced America's first full mobile service for the blind and visually impaired. 
> > 
> > "This collaboration will provide the blind the ability to access smartphone technology through a unique user interface that emphasizes simplicity and ease of use," said Robert Felgar , general manager of Odin Mobile.  "Odin Mobile is excited to partner with Project RAY to make advanced mobile technology more accessible to the blind." 
> > 
> > Features of America's first full mobile service include:
> > 
> > . Odin Mobile's full telephone service including voice, text and data, with customized eye-free setup and services. 
> > 
> > . Affordable smartphone developed by Project RAY specially for the blind, from its unique operating system & eye-free operation to specialized built-in apps and content. 
> > 
> > . Multiple built-in services for the blind and visually impaired within a single affordable device and one unified user experience - including voice calls, email, messaging contact list services, calendar, GPS, advanced WEB remote assistance, voice recorder, panic and emergency services, color identification, pictures transcription, banknote recognition, and more. 
> > 
> > . Advanced communication and lifestyle services such as book and magazine subscriptions built into the off-the-shelf device. 
> > 
> > . Unique operating system and user interface specially developed for eye-free operation including single gesture access to frequently used numbers and functions, one-hand operation, homogeneous interface across multiple system functions and services.
> > 
> > "Together with Odin Mobile, and with the initial and invaluable support of Qualcomm's Wireless Reach program, we are excited to bring the affordable, lifestyle changing benefits of smartphone technology and services to millions of blind and visually impaired people throughout the United States," said Boaz Zilberman , Founder & CEO of Project RAY. "Our RAY smartphone combined with Odin Mobile's full-cellular services for the blind and visually impaired, will finally bring to this important community the same services available to the mainstream full-sighted community."
> > 
> > Project RAY and Qualcomm Wireless Reach collaborated on the first trial and commercial launch of the RAY device in Israel in early 2013.  As one of the project's primary funders, Qualcomm provided technical advice, support, funding and in-kind contributions in support of the development of a device that successfully promotes independence and social inclusion for people with disabilities.
> > 
> > "We are proud to work with Project RAY and support their objective of bringing a mobile device to market that supports blind and visually impaired people so they can access resources and information independently," said Kristin Atkins , Senior Director of Government Affairs for Qualcomm. "Our team at Qualcomm Israel worked closely with Project RAY on the operational and product efforts of the first RAY device enabling independence and a richer social life for users by providing an all-in-one, independent-living companion capable of eye-free input, text-to-speech, access to content, navigation, label recognition, augmented reality and integration with social networks. This is a great example of how working with partners, we can help improve people's lives with the latest technology." 
> > 
> > America's first full mobile service provided by Odin Mobile, including RAY, the world's first mobile device specially developed for the blind and visually impaired, will be officially launched at the 2013 M-Enabling Global Summit  organized in cooperation with FCC and ITU on June 6-7 in Washington. 
> > 
> > 
> > About Odin Mobile: 
> > Based in Rockville, Maryland, Odin Mobile is a T-Mobile MVNO focused on providing unparalleled mobile service to the visually impaired. Every aspect of its innovative service is designed to make it easier for the visually impaired to take full advantage of mobile technology.  Its mission is to narrow the gap between the extent to which the visually impaired and general populations use mobile services. For more information, please visit  www.odinmobile.com.
> > 
> > 
> > About Project RAY:
> > Project RAY Ltd. develop and market breakthrough accessibility solutions for blind and visually impaired people. The flagship product, the RAY smartphone, is an integrated mobile device developed especially for eye-free usage. It features a common user interface across all system functions, apps and services including voice calls, email, messaging, calendar, GPS, advanced WEB remote assistance, voice recorder, panic and emergency services, and more. RAY leverages cutting edge mobile technologies to afford all blind and visually impaired people the lifestyle improvements we all take for granted in today's smartphone world: greater independence, spontaneity and mobile accessibility to services we use daily. For more information, please visit www.project-ray.com
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Gerald 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > ------------------------------
> > 
> > Message: 2
> > Date: Thu, 6 Jun 2013 09:50:28 -0700
> > From: "Baracco, Andrew W" <Andrew.Baracco at va.gov>
> > To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
> >    <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> > Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] New Smart Phone and Service for the
> >    Blind    andVisually Impaired
> > Message-ID:
> >    <EE84AA38E4FCDD42AE64E566B9247B9A11BD6D68 at VHAV22MSGA1.v22.med.va.gov>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> > 
> > If this came along 10 years ago, I might have been impressed, but
> > they're way late and a few dollars short.
> > 
> > Andy
> > 
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Electronics-talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> > Behalf Of Gerald Levy
> > Sent: Thursday, June 06, 2013 5:21 AM
> > To: Electronics Talk
> > Subject: [Electronics-talk] New Smart Phone and Service for the Blind
> > andVisually Impaired
> > 
> > 
> > I came across the following article on another list. Sounds like this
> > could give the IPhone a run for the money:
> > 
> > America's First Mobile Smartphone & Service for The Blind and Visually
> > Impaired.
> > 
> > PRNewswire.
> > June 5, 2013.
> > 
> > 
> > Project RAY Ltd., developer of the first smartphone specially designed
> > for eye-free operation, and Odin Mobile, the nationwide provider of
> > cellular service dedicated to providing mobile communication services to
> > the blind and visually impaired, today announced America's first full
> > mobile service for the blind and visually impaired. 
> > 
> > "This collaboration will provide the blind the ability to access
> > smartphone technology through a unique user interface that emphasizes
> > simplicity and ease of use," said Robert Felgar , general manager of
> > Odin Mobile.  "Odin Mobile is excited to partner with Project RAY to
> > make advanced mobile technology more accessible to the blind." 
> > 
> > Features of America's first full mobile service include:
> > 
> > . Odin Mobile's full telephone service including voice, text and data,
> > with customized eye-free setup and services. 
> > 
> > . Affordable smartphone developed by Project RAY specially for the
> > blind, from its unique operating system & eye-free operation to
> > specialized built-in apps and content. 
> > 
> > . Multiple built-in services for the blind and visually impaired within
> > a single affordable device and one unified user experience - including
> > voice calls, email, messaging contact list services, calendar, GPS,
> > advanced WEB remote assistance, voice recorder, panic and emergency
> > services, color identification, pictures transcription, banknote
> > recognition, and more. 
> > 
> > . Advanced communication and lifestyle services such as book and
> > magazine subscriptions built into the off-the-shelf device. 
> > 
> > . Unique operating system and user interface specially developed for
> > eye-free operation including single gesture access to frequently used
> > numbers and functions, one-hand operation, homogeneous interface across
> > multiple system functions and services.
> > 
> > "Together with Odin Mobile, and with the initial and invaluable support
> > of Qualcomm's Wireless Reach program, we are excited to bring the
> > affordable, lifestyle changing benefits of smartphone technology and
> > services to millions of blind and visually impaired people throughout
> > the United States," said Boaz Zilberman , Founder & CEO of Project RAY.
> > "Our RAY smartphone combined with Odin Mobile's full-cellular services
> > for the blind and visually impaired, will finally bring to this
> > important community the same services available to the mainstream
> > full-sighted community."
> > 
> > Project RAY and Qualcomm Wireless Reach collaborated on the first trial
> > and commercial launch of the RAY device in Israel in early 2013.  As one
> > of the project's primary funders, Qualcomm provided technical advice,
> > support, funding and in-kind contributions in support of the development
> > of a device that successfully promotes independence and social inclusion
> > for people with disabilities.
> > 
> > "We are proud to work with Project RAY and support their objective of
> > bringing a mobile device to market that supports blind and visually
> > impaired people so they can access resources and information
> > independently," said Kristin Atkins , Senior Director of Government
> > Affairs for Qualcomm. "Our team at Qualcomm Israel worked closely with
> > Project RAY on the operational and product efforts of the first RAY
> > device enabling independence and a richer social life for users by
> > providing an all-in-one, independent-living companion capable of
> > eye-free input, text-to-speech, access to content, navigation, label
> > recognition, augmented reality and integration with social networks.
> > This is a great example of how working with partners, we can help
> > improve people's lives with the latest technology." 
> > 
> > America's first full mobile service provided by Odin Mobile, including
> > RAY, the world's first mobile device specially developed for the blind
> > and visually impaired, will be officially launched at the 2013
> > M-Enabling Global Summit  organized in cooperation with FCC and ITU on
> > June 6-7 in Washington. 
> > 
> > 
> > About Odin Mobile: 
> > Based in Rockville, Maryland, Odin Mobile is a T-Mobile MVNO focused on
> > providing unparalleled mobile service to the visually impaired. Every
> > aspect of its innovative service is designed to make it easier for the
> > visually impaired to take full advantage of mobile technology.  Its
> > mission is to narrow the gap between the extent to which the visually
> > impaired and general populations use mobile services. For more
> > information, please visit  www.odinmobile.com.
> > 
> > 
> > About Project RAY:
> > Project RAY Ltd. develop and market breakthrough accessibility solutions
> > for blind and visually impaired people. The flagship product, the RAY
> > smartphone, is an integrated mobile device developed especially for
> > eye-free usage. It features a common user interface across all system
> > functions, apps and services including voice calls, email, messaging,
> > calendar, GPS, advanced WEB remote assistance, voice recorder, panic and
> > emergency services, and more. RAY leverages cutting edge mobile
> > technologies to afford all blind and visually impaired people the
> > lifestyle improvements we all take for granted in today's smartphone
> > world: greater independence, spontaneity and mobile accessibility to
> > services we use daily. For more information, please visit
> > www.project-ray.com
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Gerald 
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
> > Electronics-talk mailing list
> > Electronics-talk at host.nfbnet.org
> > http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org
> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> > Electronics-talk:
> > http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/andre
> > w.baracco%40va.gov
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > ------------------------------
> > 
> > Message: 3
> > Date: Thu, 6 Jun 2013 15:14:43 -0400
> > From: Laz Mesa <lazaro6 at gmail.com>
> > To: electronics-talk <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> > Subject: [Electronics-talk] Father's Day: Talking MP3 Player for
> >    $65.99 &    other great deals!
> > Message-ID:
> >    <CAC7P_vp2LTyFFvqROEvLbmkTtdza1FQKBmai1FLwp+MCmzrdhA at mail.gmail.com>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
> > 
> > Hello everyone,
> > 
> > We're sending this out a little bit early to give you as much time as
> > possible to order in time to receive your gift before Father's Day.
> > Also, if you order before midnight Thursday (June 6th), you'll also
> > get a free 8GB microSD card with the purchase of any 8GB Talking MP3
> > Player!
> > 
> > Get Dad or any grads on your list a nice gift with big savings! This
> > would also be a great time to order one for yourself!
> > 
> > We're selling the 4GB Talking Sansa Clip Plus MP3 Player at the lowest
> > price yet $65.99! The 8GB Talking Sansa clip Plus is $85.99!
> > 
> > Our newest model, the brand new  8GB Talking Sansa Clip Zip MP3 Player
> > is $95.99 and the 4GB is $79.99!
> > 
> > On top of those savings, with a purchase of any Player you'll get 25%
> > off accessories. We also have a great special, 45% off on microSD
> > cards with or without a purchase. Big savings to be had on microSD
> > cards! These can be ordered from the player page, specials page, or
> > accessories page. You can also order 64GB microSD cards for $89.99
> > from the accessories page!
> > http://www.talkingmp3players.com/accessories.html
> > 
> > Free Shipping in the US and discounted International Shipping!
> > 
> > Don't forget, you can get 6 months to pay on orders over $99 if you
> > check out with Paypal and choose Bill Me Later! (subject to credit
> > approval)
> > 
> > This special ends on June 13th, so hurry and take advantage of these
> > special prices to surprise Dad! For more information or to place your
> > order, visit http://www.talkingmp3players.com/specials.html
> > 
> > The Sansa Clip Plus is small and lightweight and can be attached to
> > clothing with its built-in clip. It's button operated and easy to use.
> > To listen to a presentation using a Sansa Clip Plus Talking MP3
> > Player, download it from, http://www.sendspace.com/file/rranjr
> > 
> > The brand new Sansa Clip Zip is the redesigned successor to the Clip
> > Plus. It has the same features as its predecessor but with newly
> > designed controls making it much easier to use, and other improvements
> > including a sturdier clip and a better FM chip. Watch this space for
> > an updated demonstration of a Sansa Clip Zip Talking MP3 Player coming
> > up shortly.
> > 
> > We offer feature packed Sansa MP3 Players which we've set up to enable
> > blind/vision-impaired folks to use them without sighted assistance.
> > Our Talking MP3 Players are the most affordable solution for playing
> > your audio files on accessible MP3 players which are expandable with
> > microSD cards up to 64GB of extra storage. They don't require any
> > music management software, have accessible talking menus, and are
> > fairly priced. Our players arrive fully set up and speaking out of the
> > box, and you can use your choice of the included utilities to enable
> > the speaking of your own folders and files.
> > 
> > Features include: Play most popular non-protected file types, fully
> > accessible FM Radio with many presets, record from radio or voice
> > notes with built-in mono mic, expandable up to an extra 64GB with
> > microSD cards, speed up or slow down tracks without affecting pitch,
> > wake up alarm and sleep timer, compatible with Windows, MAC, and Linux
> > operating systems, just copy and paste folders and files onto the
> > player or memory card, outstanding sound, plus much more!
> > 
> > All prices are in US dollars. Shipping & handling is free in the US,
> > and discounted on Canadian and international orders. To avoid any
> > delays when placing orders with a destination outside the US, please
> > be sure to select the appropriate international shipping method from
> > the combo box located right after the email address field on the
> > checkout page and find out what constitutes a larger international
> > order and which shipping method to choose for such on the shopping
> > cart page http://www.talkingmp3players.com/shopping-cart.html
> > 
> > We accept major credit cards, PayPal, and Google Checkout through our
> > online checkout, or you can call 727-498-0121 or Skype lazmesa to
> > place your credit card order.
> > 
> > We'd also like to announce that we have a new under construction page
> > on our website, where we'll be selling phones and offering prepaid
> > cell phone services. You can visit the page to keep up with the
> > progress and also find out about a great deal on a phone service we
> > just found out about and are using ourselves which costs only $49 per
> > month for unlimited phone, text and web service! You have the option
> > to purchase a phone or bring your own phone (any phone that would work
> > on T-Mobile or AT & T would work or any of the Google phones)! They
> > also have a great compensation plan for their customers for referrals.
> > Our future plan is to sell cell phones that are accessible that would
> > work on this network and other affordable prepaid networks. if you'd
> > like more information, please email phones at talkingmp3players.com.
> > Here's the link to the new in-progress page
> > http://www.talkingmp3players.com/accessible-phones.html
> > 
> > If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
> > 
> > All the best,
> > 
> > Laz Mesa
> > Accessible Electronics
> > The home of the affordable Talking MP3 Players!
> > Based in the US
> > 
> > -- 
> > Talking MP3 Players with FM radio, voice recording, and expandable
> > memory! Priced under $100, plus free shipping in the US!
> > 
> > Listen to our Talking MP3 Player presentations:
> > Clip Zip http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/talking-mp3-players-with-rockbox-laz-mesa-interviewed-by-rich-cavallaro/
> > Clip Plus http://www.sendspace.com/file/rranjr
> > 
> > See our current special:
> > http://www.talkingmp3players.com/specials.html
> > 
> > Join our mailing list by sending a blank email to:
> > RockboxedSansaTalkingMP3Players-subscribe at yahoogroups.com
> > 
> > New web page in progress:
> > http://www.talkingmp3players.com/accessible-phones.html
> > 
> > Unlimited Quality 4G Cell Service only $49 per month
> > No contract, Option to bring your own phone!
> > Works with the new Google Galaxy Nexus!
> > 
> > Email:  accessibleelectronics at gmail.com
> > Skype: lazmesa
> > Phone: 727 498-0121
> > Facebook: facebook.com/laz.mesa
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > ------------------------------
> > 
> > Subject: Digest Footer
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
> > Electronics-talk mailing list
> > Electronics-talk at host.nfbnet.org
> > http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org
> > 
> > 
> > ------------------------------
> > 
> > End of Electronics-talk Digest, Vol 86, Issue 1
> > ***********************************************
> 
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