[nabs-l] Android and Mobile Accessibility

Wed May 25 23:11:41 UTC 2011

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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>> 
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