[NFBMT] Chromebook

[Dan Burke]

Thanks Jim.

It's actually about the same price as many Android tablets.

On 5/14/18, Jim Marks via NFBMT <nfbmt at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Here is my initial report on using a Chromebook and its built-in screen
> reader, ChromeVox.
>
>
>
> I bought the Chromebook on Amazon.  It cost $177, and it is a refurbished
> Samsung with 4GB RAM and a 32GB SSD.  Its 11-inch screen is not a touch
> screen.  It looks like a regular small laptop.
>
>
>
> Chromebooks are designed to run apps and to store date on the cloud.  They
> primarily use the Google products such as Chrome and G Suite, but they also
> run Android apps and other online services such as MS Office 365.  It is
> possible to use a Chromebook offline, but it’s best when connected to the
> Internet.  Its keyboard is designed for Chromebook.  For example, it has no
> F keys, and it includes a new key called the Search key, and this key is
> also called the ChromeVox key because it’s used to operate the screen
> reader
> much like the Insert key modifies Jaws keystrokes.  Although the Samsun is
> quite small, it fits my large hands just fine.  I’m using lots of online
> tutorials and videos to learn how to operate a Chromebook and to use
> ChromeVox.
>
>
>
> All-in-all, Chromebook and ChromeVox work well.  At this point, I do not
> think it will replace a PC for me, but it will serve well for portable
> computing.  I think of it as being like using an Android smart phone or
> tablet.  Also, now, my user experience is a bit awkward, mostly because I
> have yet to commit the ChromeVox keystrokes to muscle memory.  It’s
> happening fast, though, because ChromeVox is natural even though it means
> learning new keystrokes and new ways of doing things.  The speech is very
> responsive and easy to understand.  I speed up the speech a great deal, and
> I prefer using the UK English voice.  Insofar as I know, only female voices
> are available now.  Oh, it is possible to add a refreshable Braille display
> to a Chromebook as well.
>
>
>
> Facebook works very well.  I use Chrome and m.facebook.com, and the
> experience is quite nice.  ChromeVox includes a feature called “sticky key”
> in which one quickly presses the Search/ChromeVox key twice, and then one
> can navigate with keystrokes that consist of a single key or two keys
> pressed simultaneously.  When in sticky mode, it’s not possible to type,
> but
> all it takes to get out of sticky mode is two rapid strokes on the
> Search/ChromeVox key.
>
>
>
> I’m having troubles reading Gmail, but this is caused by my ignorance on
> the
> keystrokes.  As I learn those keystrokes, I’m confident I will be able to
> use Gmail with no problems.  I can also add apps like Aqua Mail or Outlook.
>
>
>
> In the future, I’ll provide more updates.  At this point, I think a
> Chromebook would be a very good alternative to an Android tablet because it
> operates entirely with a keyboard and because it’s inexpensive.  I don’t
> think I could, at this point, recommend a Chromebook as a replacement for a
> PC, though.
>
>
>
> Best!
>
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> Jim Marks
>
> Blind.grizzly at gmail.com <mailto:Blind.grizzly at gmail.com>
>
> (406) 438-1421
>
>
>
>


-- 
Dan Burke
President, NFB of Denver

"Blindness is not what holds you back.  You can live the life you want!"
My Cell:  406.546.8546
Twitter:  @DallDonal