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

Fri Jun 7 20:18:12 UTC 2013

That does sound impressive in view of the fact that an IPhone without a 
contract sells for $699.

Gerald

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Alan Siman" <alansiman at cox.net>
To: "Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances" 
<electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, June 07, 2013 3:41 PM
Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Electronics-talk New Smart Phone For the 
Blind and Visually Impaired

>I just spoke with the folks and the phone for $299 and plans will not be 
>available until July.  They also have 2 other accessible feature phones for 
>$49 and $73 which is pretty cheap with plans starting at $10 per month.
>
> I would not reject this quite yet as $299 for a smart phone without a 
> contract is pretty impressive with the features outlined.
> On 6/7/2013 12:22 PM, 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:
>>
>>> Send Electronics-talk mailing list submissions to
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>>>
>>>
>>> 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
>>>
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>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>>
>>> End of Electronics-talk Digest, Vol 86, Issue 1
>>> ***********************************************
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>
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