[nabs-l] Android and Mobile Accessibility

Tue May 31 22:57:37 UTC 2011

Hi Jorge,

What carrier do you have?

 Chris

"A loss of sight, never a loss of vision!" (Camp Abilities motto)

--- Sent from my BrailleNote

 ----- Original Message -----
From: Jorge Paez <computertechjorgepaez at gmail.com
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Wed, 25 May 2011 19:11:41 -0400
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Android and Mobile Accessibility

Hi Kirt:
What do you mean
by "what I need a phone to do?"

I'm interested because I'm also up for an upgrade in a few days 
and I'm looking at Android seriously.

On May 25, 2011, at 1:46 PM, Kirt Manwaring wrote:

 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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