[nabs-l] New iPhone Model Now Accessible to the Blind

T. Joseph Carter carter.tjoseph at gmail.com
Wed Jun 10 17:16:32 UTC 2009 

If they finally bothered to include a BT keyboard profile, yes.  
Prior to the invention of the iPhone, Steve Jobs used a Treo.  Many 
people remember the Stowaway keyboards for the original Handspring 
Treo and Visor, which turned them into efficient text-based meeting 
note taking devices.

Here's hoping for that BT profile, either built-in or via jailbreak.

Joseph


On Tue, Jun 09, 2009 at 04:42:51PM -0600, Sydney Walker Freedman wrote:
>Couldn't you use one of those little  bluetooth keyboard with it?
>
>On 6/9/09, Haben Girma <habnkid at aol.com> wrote:
>>
>> Here's what Apple says about typing on the iPhone 3GS:
>>
>> Entering Text
>> When you’re typing text, such as an email message or a note, VoiceOver
>> echoes each character on the keyboard as you touch it, and again to
>> confirm when you enter it. You can also have VoiceOver speak each
>> completed word instead of and in addition to individual characters as
>> you type them. A flick up or down while typing moves the insertion point
>> cursor left and right within the text so you can edit a word just as
>> easily and precisely as typing a new word.
>>
>>
>> To help you type more quickly and accurately, iPhone features word
>> prediction and suggests the correct spelling when you type a word
>> incorrectly. With Speak Auto-text enabled, you’ll hear a sound effect
>> and the suggested word spoken automatically. You can just keep typing to
>> ignore it, or press the space key to have iPhone type it for you.
>>
>>
>> It sounds like there would be a huge learning curve for blind users, but
>> the end result could be fast typing on a fast and feature-packed phone.
>>
>> Haben
>>
>> T. Joseph Carter wrote:
>>> Brice,
>>>
>>> So, I think I'm hearing you say that you've been an anti-apple-snob
>>> and they finally came out with a device that even you think sounds
>>> really cool? *grin*
>>>
>>> Honestly, Apple and the hardcore Apple fan base really kind of ask for
>>> it sometimes, I freely admit. But what has me excited about the iPhone
>>> 3GS is not that it has a screen reader, but that it has the screen
>>> reader built-in to a device that sells for $199 with contract.
>>>
>>> Of course, AT&T will make you pay for their data plan with the phone
>>> and I'm not even remotely sure how useful the data plan would be to a
>>> blind user since I don't see how the iPhone 3GS handles text entry
>>> without a tactile keyboard. But if Apple's got that figured out, it's
>>> a $200 smart phone, accessible out of the box.
>>>
>>> That's something to get excited about. Now put a real camera in the
>>> thing Apple, so we can have iKNFB Reader. *grin*
>>>
>>> Joseph
>>>
>>>
>>> On Tue, Jun 09, 2009 at 12:56:46AM -0400, Brice Smith wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I'm happy with my N82.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I've always resisted Apple; I think it's a bit over rated.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I've always looked down on macs and the masses that buy them; IMO,
>>>> the only people who really need them are those who do lots of film or
>>>> digital editing or other high-level processes -- PCs are perfectly
>>>> fine for basic computing, which is all most people do anyway. Macs
>>>> are just a popular craze.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I've always thought iPods were nothing special, inferior to other,
>>>> less popular but more feature-filled products.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> But this ...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> For what it's worth, I don't think I've been more interested by a
>>>> press release concerning accessible technology since the KNFB Reader.
>>>>
>>>> Brice
>>>>> Date: Mon, 8 Jun 2009 20:58:09 -0500
>>>>> To: david.andrews at nfbnet.org
>>>>> From: dandrews at visi.com
>>>>> Subject: [nabs-l] New iPhone Model Now Accessible to the Blind
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Vision
>>>>>
>>>>> The revolutionary iPhone also includes an equally revolutionary
>>>>> screen reader, and other innovative accessibility features that make
>>>>> it easier to use for those with impaired vision.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> VoiceOver
>>>>>
>>>>> iPhone 3G S displaying VoiceOver settings. The VoiceOver and Sp
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> The same VoiceOver screen reader made popular on the Mac is now a
>>>>> standard feature on the iPhone 3G S. It’s the world’s first
>>>>> gesture-based screen reader, enabling you to enjoy the fun and
>>>>> simplicity of the iPhone even if you can't see the screen.
>>>>>
>>>>> What makes VoiceOver on iPhone truly remarkable is that you control
>>>>> it using simple gestures that let you physically interact with items
>>>>> on screen. It’s easy to learn and fun to use. Instead of memorizing
>>>>> hundreds of keyboard commands, or endlessly pressing tiny arrow keys
>>>>> to find what you’re looking for, with VoiceOver, you simply touch
>>>>> the screen to hear a description of the item under your finger, then
>>>>> gesture with a double-tap, drag, or flick to control the phone.
>>>>>
>>>>> VoiceOver delivers an experience unlike any screen reader you've
>>>>> ever used before. Traditional screen readers describe individual
>>>>> elements on the screen, but struggle to communicate where each
>>>>> element is located or provide information about adjoining objects.
>>>>> This contextual information is very important but typically filtered
>>>>> out by other screen readers. For example, “off-screen” models used
>>>>> by traditional screen readers to represent applications and web
>>>>> pages intentionally strip away contextual information and describe
>>>>> web pages as a list or menu of items. But with VoiceOver on iPhone
>>>>> 3G S, you'll experience something entirely new.
>>>>>
>>>>> Because VoiceOver works with iPhone’s touchscreen, you interact
>>>>> directly with objects on the screen and can naturally understand
>>>>> their location and context. So, when you touch the upper-left corner
>>>>> of the screen, you'll hear what’s in the upper left corner of a web
>>>>> page, and as you drag your finger around the screen, you'll learn
>>>>> what’s nearby, providing an amazing new sense of context and
>>>>> relationship between the items you hear. For many, VoiceOver on
>>>>> iPhone will provide, perhaps for the first time, a true sense of how
>>>>> things appear on screen, not just descriptions of what they are.
>>>>>
>>>>> You'll hear descriptions of every item on the screen, including
>>>>> status information such as battery level, Wi-Fi and cellular network
>>>>> signal levels, the cellular network provider, and time of day. It
>>>>> even lets you know when the display changes to landscape or portrait
>>>>> orientation, and when the screen is locked or unlocked.
>>>>>
>>>>> The speaking rate is adjustable so you can set it to a speed that
>>>>> best suits your listening ability. VoiceOver uses distinctive sound
>>>>> effects to alert you when an application opens, when the screen is
>>>>> updated, when a message dialog appears, and more. And, when
>>>>> Voiceover is talking, the volume of background sounds and music are
>>>>> automatically lowered, “ducking” under the voice, so you can clearly
>>>>> hear what VoiceOver is telling you.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> It speaks your language
>>>>>
>>>>> VoiceOver includes built-in voices that speak 21 languages including
>>>>> Chinese (Cantonese), Chinese (China), Chinese (Taiwan), Dutch,
>>>>> English (US), English (UK), Finnish, French (Canada), French
>>>>> (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish,
>>>>> Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Russian, Spanish
>>>>> (Mexico), Spanish (Spain), and Swedish.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Getting started
>>>>>
>>>>> VoiceOver is built right into the iPhone 3G S. There’s nothing extra
>>>>> to purchase or install. All you need is the iPhone 3G S, iTunes 8.2
>>>>> or later, and a Mac or PC. You can activate your iPhone and enable
>>>>> VoiceOver without sighted assistance using iTunes with a compatible
>>>>> screen reader like VoiceOver included in Mac OS X and GW-Micro
>>>>> Window-Eyes® for Windows XP and Windows Vista (sold separately).
>>>>> When you activate iPhone using iTunes, you can enable VoiceOver on
>>>>> the iPhone to start using it right away. Sighted users can also
>>>>> enable VoiceOver for you directly on iPhone using the Accessibility
>>>>> menu in the Settings application.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> How it works
>>>>>
>>>>> With VoiceOver enabled, you'll use a different, but simple set of
>>>>> gestures to control the iPhone. For example, instead of tapping to
>>>>> click a button or select an item, you tap to hear a description of
>>>>> the item you touch and double-tap to click or select it.
>>>>>
>>>>> When an item on the screen is selected, a black rectangle called the
>>>>> VoiceOver cursor appears around it. The VoiceOver cursor is
>>>>> displayed for the benefit of sighted users with whom you may be
>>>>> sharing your phone. When you prefer privacy, VoiceOver includes a
>>>>> screen curtain that turns off the display so no one can read it
>>>>> without your knowledge.
>>>>>
>>>>> In addition to touching and dragging around the screen, you can also
>>>>> flick left and right to move the VoiceOver cursor precisely to the
>>>>> next or previous item on the screen­no matter how big or small it
>>>>> is. By flicking, you have precise control of what you hear even when
>>>>> it might otherwise be difficult to place your finger on it.
>>>>> Two iPhones. The iPhone in the background shows the home screen
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Entering Text
>>>>>
>>>>> When you’re typing text, such as an email message or a note,
>>>>> VoiceOver echoes each character on the keyboard as you touch it, and
>>>>> again to confirm when you enter it. You can also have VoiceOver
>>>>> speak each completed word instead of and in addition to individual
>>>>> characters as you type them. A flick up or down while typing moves
>>>>> the insertion point cursor left and right within the text so you can
>>>>> edit a word just as easily and precisely as typing a new word.
>>>>> Two images side by side. The first shows a text-suggestion bubb
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> To help you type more quickly and accurately, iPhone features word
>>>>> prediction and suggests the correct spelling when you type a word
>>>>> incorrectly. With Speak Auto-text enabled, you'll hear a sound
>>>>> effect and the suggested word spoken automatically. You can just
>>>>> keep typing to ignore it, or press the space key to have iPhone type
>>>>> it for you.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> The Rotor
>>>>>
>>>>> Two fingers touching a iPhone display and a counter-clockwise a
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> VoiceOver features an innovate new virtual control called a “rotor.”
>>>>> Turning the rotor­ by rotating two fingers on the screen as if you
>>>>> were turning an actual dial ­ changes the way VoiceOver moves
>>>>> through a document based on a setting you choose. For example, a
>>>>> flick up or down might move through text word by word. But when you
>>>>> choose the “character” setting, each time you flick up or down
>>>>> VoiceOver will move through the text character by character ­
>>>>> perfect when you’re proofreading or editing text.
>>>>>
>>>>> You can also use the rotor to navigate web pages. When you’re on a
>>>>> web page, the rotor contains the names of common items, such as
>>>>> headers, links, tables, images, and more. You select a setting, then
>>>>> flick up and down to move to the previous or next occurrence of that
>>>>> item on the page, skipping over items in between.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Applications
>>>>>
>>>>> VoiceOver works with all of the built-in applications that come with
>>>>> iPhone 3G S, such as Phone, iPod, iTunes, Mail, Safari, and Maps.
>>>>> So, you can place and receive calls, surf the web, text and email
>>>>> your friends, check your stocks and the weather, and much, much
>>>>> more. Apple is also working with iPhone software developers so they
>>>>> can make their applications VoiceOver compatible.
>>>>> <http://www.apple.com/accessibility/iphone//iphone/iphone-3g-s/>Learn
>>>>> more
>>>>> Two iPhones. The iPhone in the foreground is displaying the Voi
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Voice Control
>>>>>
>>>>> In addition to gestures, you can use your voice to play music and
>>>>> make a phone call. Just press and hold the home button, listen for
>>>>> the audio prompt, and speak the name of the artist, album, or
>>>>> playlist you want to hear. You can pause, play, change tracks, even
>>>>> shuffle your music.
>>>>>
>>>>> When you want to make a call, speak the name or telephone number of
>>>>> the person you want to call. iPhone 3G S understands 21 different
>>>>> languages.
>>>>> <http://www.apple.com/accessibility/iphone//iphone/iphone-3g-s/voice-control.html>Learn
>>>>>
>>>>> more
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Zoom
>>>>>
>>>>> Two iPhones. The iPhone in the background is displaying the wea
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> While many iPhone applications let you zoom in and out specific
>>>>> elements such as images in Mail, or webpage columns in Safari, Zoom
>>>>> lets you magnify the entire screen of any application you’re using
>>>>> to help you see what’s on the display. Zoom can be enabled on iPhone
>>>>> 3G S using iTunes when you’re setting up the iPhone, for yourself or
>>>>> someone else, or later, using the Accessibility menu in the Settings
>>>>> application on the iPhone.
>>>>>
>>>>> Zoom works everywhere, including the Home, Unlock, and Spotlight
>>>>> screens­even with applications you purchase from the App store.
>>>>> Two iPhones. The iPhone in the background is displaying the Acc
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> A simple double-tap with three fingers instantly zooms in and out
>>>>> 200% and you can double-tap and drag three fingers to dynamically
>>>>> adjust the magnification between 100% and 500%. Even when zoomed,
>>>>> you can continue using all of the familiar flick, pinch, tap and
>>>>> other iPhone gestures to run your favorite applications. Zoom can
>>>>> also be used with white-on-black (reverse video) and speak auto-text.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> White On Black
>>>>>
>>>>> For those who need or prefer higher contrast, iPhone 3G S provides
>>>>> an option to change the display to White On Black. This reverse
>>>>> video affect works in all applications including the Home, Unlock,
>>>>> and Spotlight screens and can be used with Zoom and VoiceOver.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Speak Auto-text
>>>>>
>>>>> When typing, iPhone suggests a word before you finish typing it or a
>>>>> correction when a word is misspelled. Speak Auto-text speaks these
>>>>> suggestions so you can hear them when they’re presented. When
>>>>> zoomed, for example, the suggestion might not be visible on screen,
>>>>> but you can hear and accept it without seeing it. If you’re using
>>>>> VoiceOver, you won't have to interrupt your typing and touch the
>>>>> suggestion to hear it. Speak Auto-text can be enabled even when
>>>>> you’re not using VoiceOver or Zoom.
>>>>> Callouts indicate the name and location of the physical buttons
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Tactile Buttons
>>>>>
>>>>> iPhone includes a few, easily discernible physical buttons used to
>>>>> control the phone: the Sleep/Wake button, located on the top edge;
>>>>> the Ring/Silent switch and volume-control buttons, located on the
>>>>> upper-left edge; and the Home button, centered below the display.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Giant Fonts For Mail Messages
>>>>>
>>>>> For improved email readability, you can increase the default font
>>>>> size of email text from Medium (the default) to Large, Extra-large,
>>>>> or Giant.
>>>>> iPhone earbuds with clickable microphone built into the cable
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> iPhone Stereo Headset
>>>>>
>>>>> iPhone comes with a stereo headset with a high-performance
>>>>> microphone built into the cable. Plug it into the standard 3.5 mm
>>>>> stereo headphone jack and the headset lets you control music
>>>>> playback and answer and end calls by clicking the built-in remote
>>>>> control button.
>>>>>
>>>>> Several add-on products are also available to work with iPhone that
>>>>> can help those with hearing disabilities, including a hearing
>>>>> aid-compatible induction ear loop from
>>>>> <http://www.tecear.com/Music_Link.htm>TecEar, wireless remote
>>>>> headset from <http://oticon.com/>Oticon, and others.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Hands-Free Speakerphone
>>>>>
>>>>> Enjoy hands-free communication using the built-in speakerphone,
>>>>> which you can also use to listen to Visual Voicemail, music,
>>>>> podcasts, and video.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Audible, Visible, And Vibrating Alerts
>>>>>
>>>>> Turn the ringer on, and iPhone delivers both audible and visual
>>>>> alerts. You can activate alerts for phone calls, text messages,
>>>>> incoming and sent mail, and calendar events. iPhone also offers an
>>>>> audio option confirming keyboard clicks. You can even set incoming
>>>>> calls to display a full-screen image or photo of the caller.
>>>>>
>>>>> In silent mode, iPhone vibrates instead of playing a tone. To ensure
>>>>> that you never miss a notification, you can also have iPhone vibrate
>>>>> and play an audio alert.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Downloadable, Assignable Ringtones
>>>>>
>>>>> You can assign distinctive ringtones to individuals in your contacts
>>>>> list, using the ringtone as an audible caller ID. Visit the iTunes
>>>>> Store to create, purchase, and download additional ringtones of your
>>>>> favorite songs (sold separately).
>>>>> A visual representation of a ringtone sound wave as it might ap
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> User Guide In Accessible HTML
>>>>>
>>>>> The iPhone User Guide is provided online in HTML format designed
>>>>> with accessibility in mind. You can read the guide using your
>>>>> favorite screen reader and web browser on your Mac and PC, and using
>>>>> Safari on the iPhone with VoiceOver.
>>>>> <http://www.apple.com/accessibility/iphone//accessibility/iphone/hearing.html>Hearing
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _________________________________________________________________
>>>> Insert movie times and more without leaving Hotmail®.
>>>> http://windowslive.com/Tutorial/Hotmail/QuickAdd?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_HM_Tutorial_QuickAdd_062009
>>>>
>>>>
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