[Trainer-Talk] Android/Talkback Questions

[David Goldfield]

I posted this to another list and am reposting this here.
At work, I now have the opportunity to use a Nexus 9 tablet. While I am 
very comfortable with iOS, Android is very new to me and so, for the 
Android experts,, I have some questions and observations.

1. I was actually pleased that I was able to set up the tablet by 
getting it on our Wifi network as well as logging on with my Google 
account using Talkback, with very little Android experience. I have 
downloaded Marshmallow 6.0.1. However, in the Google Play store, is it 
necessary/required that I supply credit card info in my settings in 
order to download free app updates? I skipped this step during setup but 
wonder now if it's necessary to add this info.
2. When I first activated Talkback, it offered to start its interactive 
tutorial but I got sidetracked with another project and now I can't 
figure out how to reactivate it.
3. I really liked the fact that the keyboard defaulted to what iOS calls 
touch typing mode, where you slide around the keyboard and, when you get 
to the correct letter, lifting your finger enters that character; that 
was wonderful. However, while the network password provided me with the 
word "dot" when entering a letter, the field for the Google password 
provided no spoken feedback at all, initially causing me to wonder 
whether I was typing anything or not. Why did this happen? Incidentally, 
I really like that the "symbols" button displays a row of numbers, along 
with commonly used symbols.
4. When the touch keyboard appears, it is on the opposite side of the 
tablet, making it necessary for me to reorient the tablet in order to 
type. Is this a bug or by design and what are the reasons for this? Can 
this behavior be changed?
5. While typing, what's the quickest way to review, by characters and 
words, what you've entered?
6. What is the easiest way to determine which version of Talkback I'm using?
7. I know that Ana has commented on this before but why on earth is 
double-tapping such a hit and miss affair? It seems like I sometimes 
have to perform a pretty heavy double-tap in order for the tablet to 
register my input.
8. I've been to InclusiveAndroid and I find the site helpful but I'd 
like to find some very basic Talkback tutorials for beginners. Are any 
available?
9. Is there an equivalent of VoiceOver practice mode, where I can 
perform gestures and have them identified without performing any actions?

-- 
        David Goldfield,
Assistive Technology Specialist

Feel free to visit my Web site
WWW.DavidGoldfield.Info