[nabs-l] Android and Mobile Accessibility

Wed May 25 23:26:47 UTC 2011

...but by buying MA, that, I believe, is what you would be doing.

Liz Bottner
Guiding Eyes Graduate Council
GEB Voicemail:  800-942-0149 Ext. 2531
e-mail: 
liziswhatis at hotmail.com 
Visit my LiveJournal: 
http://unsilenceddream.livejournal.com 
Follow me on Twitter: 
http://twitter.com/lizbot 

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Kirt Manwaring
Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 12:46 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Android and Mobile Accessibility

Ignasi,
  I use an old android phone (Google g1 with android 1.6 OS) with
talkback.  It aint pretty, but it does what I need a phone to do.
Once I upgrade, due to happen in a few months, I'll consider paying
the steap price for mobile accessibility...maybe ask for it as a good
Birthday present or something because, dang it, I don't want to pay
100 dollars for limited access!
  Warmly,
Kirt

On 5/25/11, Ignasi Cambra <ignasicambra at gmail.com> wrote:
> Use of the phone and its features really is limited in my opinion. Many
> things look very promising, and there are a few apps that are designed for
> the blind and work well with Talkback. There are still many things which
> don't seem to work for me...random buttons which don't get activated when
> the screen reader is on, things that are not read to you etc. If you are
> expecting to be able to check your email and browse the internet just like
> on an iPhone, I think you will be disappointed.
> I personally use my iPhone all the time, but have the Droid just to do
> experiments. It's relatively easy to develop applications for Android and
I
> have fun with it. I could use it as my primary phone if I wanted to, but I
> still find the iPhone a lot better as a blind user.
> It would be interesting to hear other opinions though. Does anyone on this
> list use an Android phone??
> On May 25, 2011, at 1:00 PM, Liz Bottner wrote:
>
>> What are some things related to usability and convenience that you give
up
>> in using an Android? I am thinking of possibly taking the plunge and
>> getting
>> an Android, having used an iPhone prior. I have had very little
experience
>> using Android, and will say that I was frustrated in doing so. If I have
>> to
>> give up a lot and find that my use of the phone and its features really
is
>> limited, I may not go for it. I really wish Google would make
>> accessibility
>> a priority. I would love choice in which mobile platform I can use. I'm
>> possibly also spoiled in that I don't think I should have to pay extra
for
>> accessibility, (following Apple's example), especially if the extra that
I
>> would pay only allows me access to a specific suite of applications
deemed
>> accessible by one developer/company and I still cannot have full access
to
>> the phone. Lastly, I am wondering at this point if Android is not more
>> accessible to the low vision user than it is to one who is totally blind?
>>
>> Just my thoughts...
>>
>> Liz Bottner
>> Guiding Eyes Graduate Council
>> GEB Voicemail:  800-942-0149 Ext. 2531
>> e-mail:
>> liziswhatis at hotmail.com
>> Visit my LiveJournal:
>> http://unsilenceddream.livejournal.com
>> Follow me on Twitter:
>> http://twitter.com/lizbot
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf
>> Of Ignasi Cambra
>> Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 5:17 PM
>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Android and Mobile Accessibility
>>
>> In my experience, Android is truly interesting for experimenting at this
>> point, and with some work and trying and failing many things can be done.
>> I
>> have tried both Talkback and Mobile Accessibility and, to be honest, none
>> of
>> the two provide anything close to the experience you will get on an
>> iPhone.
>> If you need a fully functional phone and you need to accomplish things
>> quickly and efficiently, I would say Android is not ready yet. If you
want
>> to try something new and you are willing to give up on some usability and
>> convenience, try getting an Android phone and see how it goes. If you are
>> planning on using Mobile Accessibility I would recommend that you get a
>> touch screen phone.
>>
>> IC
>> On May 24, 2011, at 5:40 PM, Jorge Paez wrote:
>>
>>> Hi all:
>>> Just wondering,
>>> my time is coming for a chance to upgrade on AT&T and I am interested in
>> the Android platform.
>>> What experiences have you had with the platform/screenreader?
>>> Is TalkBack any good?
>>>
>>>
>>> Thank you.
>>>
>>> Jorge
>>>
>>>
>>>
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