Category: Geeks r Us
More on the FS website at
http://www.freedomscientific.com/About/News/Article/167
While we have to wait and see what happens, it's rare that consolidation of
this type leads to lower prices and greater innovation, particularly in such a
small and comparatively overpriced market.
I wonder if there's a role for nFB to make representations/shine a light on
whatever the new company does to try and make sure that it acts in the long
term bests interests of blind people. I'm a member at large as we don't have
any chapters in the UK, but maybe there will be a motion at convention?
Apologies, the topic title should have read "Freedom Scientific parent company"
rather than "Freedom Scientific company".
They've been merging with other company's lately.
Can't think of all off the top of my head, but one did bring pricing down a few dollars here.
Maybe that will continue.
As someone who works daily in AT, I can tell you this one surprised me. Though given FS is no longer really ran from FL, but rather by VFO group I guess nothing should shock us.
I think this is a tell tale of the affect products such as NVDA, Apple and Android have taken out of the bottom line.
Think about it, five six years ago the pac mate was a huge seller. $5499 for a forty cell unit so you go from say 200 of those yearly in sales to practically none, and that really eats at your cash flow. Now instead of ordering expensive note taking hardware 3 out of 4 times, an iPad and Bluetooth keyboard will more than do.
I used to purchase 30 to 40 copies of Jaws a year in say 2010, I checked yesterday, and I ordered 8 last year, so with the advent of devices with free screen readers like apple and google, and NVDA for users who don't require the power of Jaws, again, I'm sure that eats at the bottom dollar.. So, I guess do whatever to stay sustainable. I just hope that doesn't lead to further inflated prices for products that in most ways haven't changed much at all in the past 8 years!
I think this is bad news.
I presume hardly anybody uses Window-Eyes as a primary screenreader, but this acquisition removes a competitor.
It makes no sense having staff working on different screenreaders when they could all be working to make one screenreader even better, so inevitably Window-Eyes will be discontinued. I wonder what that would mean for Window-Eyes for Office?
The only place I ever used Window Eyes was at the school for the blind I attended for elementary and middle school. I was never a fan. I don't use Jaws much either though, and I don't buy Freedom Scientific products. I am usually a Humanware user, and am hoping to use a Mac for school.
I'm concerned about the lack of competition.