Category: Geeks r Us
*I don't want this to turn into a flame war. I'm honestly curious about these things, and just want some answers. So if you have nothing nice to say, please move on.*
As many of you know, I'm against touchscreens, particularly on household appliances. So naturally, I never thought that I would be using one. But it happened that my parents got a free Android tablet after going to a meeting, about a month ago. They didn't want it, so offered it to me. I decided to try it, since it was free, and if I didn't like it, I had a friend who was interested in it. So I did a bit of research and learned about Talkback, as well as Mobile Accessibility. But I also learned that some companies put their own home screens, skins, etc. on their tablets, and decided that it really would be best to get one made by Google.
Mom and I went to several stores on Friday, one of which was Staples. There, we saw a First Generation Nexus 7, running Gelly Bean 4.1. I decided to get it, as it was on clearance. For $10 (for labour), the manager downloaded and installed the demo of Mobile Accessibility onto it for me. I took it home, and can't figure it out at all. When the tablet starts, it says "add widget" and then asks me to unlock the device by sliding to the right. I'm assuming that I am able to do this, even though there is no sound or haptic feedback, because it then shows recent aps. When I slide my finger around the screen, I hear things like "Google Play Store, my library, and books, movies, and tv. I sometimes get into books, because it says the names of some and then tells me that I can't access them while offline. Sometimes, it says "home screen" followed by a number, like 4 or 5. I've tried tapping, swiping, and all sorts of things and screen orientations, and can't get it to work properly. I also tried tapping three times, to bring up the Mobile Accessibility screen, as it says in the manual, and that doesn't work either. Sometimes, it will say something like "welcome to the Mobility Accessibility demo", but I can't get it to open the program.
I think I didn't tell him the correct options. I knew that he had to set it as the screen reader, but thought that was in the regular Android settings, where he would turn on Explore by Touch. I thought he turned it on, but could be wrong. There may have been a miscommunication between us. Joanie would rather have professionals fix this, since she has never used such a device and doesn't feel comfortable with it. Tomorrow, we're going back to Staples. I found these instructions, and need to know if they're good enough to get me started, or if there's something else I should know or try.
http://www.codefactory.es/MA/en/MA_manual_en.html
"6.3.2 Enabling the system wide virtual keyboard
Note: Mobile Accessibility must be enabled as a screen reader to
perform the below steps.
· Go to the Android settings by selecting Apps >
settings from the Mobile Accessibility home screen.
· Open either language and keyboard or locale and
text depending on the phone model.
· Check the box “Mobile Accessibility for Android”
under input methods.
· Press Back to exit the settings Window.
· Go to Mobile Accessibility > Settings > Text
Input > Virtual Keyboard > Set input method. Use the navigation keys
to review choices, select Mobile Accessibility and enter to confirm.
· Alternatively, open any application (other than
Mobile Accessibility) which has an edit box.
· Move to an edit box and Press Long enter to
bring up the context menu. If the menu does not appear, with sighted
assistance, long tap the edit box to bring up the context menu. Also
note, while doing this, if your device has a slide-out keyboard it
should be closed.
· In the resulting list, select input method.
· In Input method, select Mobile Accessibility for Android.
· The virtual keyboard will be activated and can
be then used to type text in edit boxes anywhere in the phone."
I know that version 2.0 supports tablets, though the manual only refers to phones. I'm not sure if I'll decide to buy this screen reader or another one, or just try Talkback for now. But I've heard that it's not as accessible as some of the others. Keeping that in mind, should I keep my Nexus 7 or get a phone with a physical keyboard? I did buy a blue tooth one but have no idea how to connect it. I found this article, which explains it in general terms, but don't fully understand it. How do I know if my device is in pairing mode? I don't even know when it's on, as it doesn't make any kind of sound. But can I use a regular usb keyboard as well, or are there ones made just for Android?
https://support.google.com/nexus/7/answer/2840855?hl=en
Any other tips and tricks would sincerely be appreciated. The tablet came with a 14-day money back guarantee, so I need to make my decision quickly, and if there really is a better option out there, I may as well get it tomorrow. I may decide to give up on the whole thing, but I really want to try using it first. Thanks.
We're going tomorrow, because the weather is bad here. So I have another day before I decide on what to do and/or properly set up this reader. Any suggestions?
I'm just updating, as I have a few new questions, inspired by posts on another site.
I downloaded the demo of MA to try it, since I liked the idea of the built-in programs specifically made for the blind. In any case, what are the advantages of Talkback over MA, if any? Is it worth continuing with the demo or should I have it disabled and just use Talkback? They said that I could run Talkback and MA at the same time. Is one better with use of mainstream Android programs? Also, can I enable Talkback on my own with Jelly Bean 4.1, and considering that MA is already turned on, or will I need sighted assistance? These are the instructions that I found or turning on Talkback. They're for san HP tablet, but I'm assuming that it's similar on the Nexus 7.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&docname=c03678316#N209
"TalkBack screen reader
The Android Jelly Bean operating system uses a screen reader called TalkBack to provide spoken feedback, narrating what displays on the screen and describing what you touch. It also gives spoken notification alerts. Use the following steps to turn on TalkBack on your tablet:
1.
Touch the All apps icon, and then touch the Settings icon.
2.
In the System section, touch Accessibility .
Figure 4: Accessibility
Accessibility in the System section of the Settings menu
3.
In the Services section, touch TalkBack .
Figure 5: TalkBack
TalkBack
4.
Touch the OFF/ON switch to turn TalkBack on.
Figure 6: TalkBack OFF/ON
TalkBack OFF/ON
5.
The Use TalkBack notification window asks you to confirm TalkBack security permissions relating to data collection. Read the message and touch OK to use TalkBack, or touch Cancel .
Figure 7: Use TalkBack?
Use TalkBack?
6.
By default, turning on TalkBack also turns on Explore by Touch, which changes the way your tablet responds to touch and gestures. See the next section, Making touch gestures easier with Explore by Touch , for information about the Explore by Touch accessibility feature.
In the Enable Explore by Touch confirmation window, touch OK to turn on Explore by Touch, or touch Cancel to use TalkBack without turning on Explore by Touch.
Figure 8: Enable Explore by Touch?
Enable Explore by Touch?"
Is there a way to turn on Explore by Touch without Talkback? Regardless, I think what I may do is to use the programs in MA and also turn on Talkback, so that I can get used to using it in external programs, incase I don't want to keep MA. Of course, if I do, I can always turn Talkback off and use MA as the screen reader. I've also heard of something called Spiel. Is that any good and is it free or a paid program? Finally, can I write in Greek with this system, and if so, can I write accents? I heard that this is not possible with the touchscreen, so I may need to use the keyboard. No problem there, as I prefer real keyboards anyway. *smile*
your lucky, I am the android user on here, so here goes I hope you listen to me and cut out the IOS crap that will fly soon on this board. 1. sorry, moble accessibility was nice in 2.2 foyo, 2.3 gingerbred and ICS but now there sorely lacking behind. the reason you do not get bibration feedback because that tablit does not have the ability to vibrate. I have the 8 gig tablit in which you currently own now :). Lets see two more android devices lol!! but I digress. Now for the reason your do not get sound feedback, for what ever reason code factery has not included this feature in moble accessibility via the lock screen, why is beyond me. Now for the reason to use talkback
'the sounds which your asking for talkback has ready for you via the lock screen. Second, sit down for this, that tablit has an update which will blow your mind to what talkback can do in the latest android 4.3 :). So what I ment by that post, is you did well for getting a nexis7 tablit to test your feet with android. now to finish up this post
1. talkback can swipe just like an IOS device can, 2. you can gently explore the screen to here the spoken Icon or app under your finger just lift and double tap to open 3. you can have it read continuesly in a book like a IOS device can but easier all with out touching the screen, I will get into that later. 4. You can read by Char, sintence, paragraph line and yes have it flip pages for you in a app that supports it like gmail. 5. Ready, do you have a braille device, it supports braille via an app called braille back found in our app store called "play store". This post is barely scratching the surfice of what your tablit can do for you. If your apple IOS Fans tell you that the keyboard needs to be changed on that tablit to use it, there full of it!!.
lastly I promised to tell you how talkback can read for you with otu touching the screen, its called "shake to read". Now please go follow my instructions to update your tablet, make sure its charged past 50%, tap apps, settings, scroll up to you hear about tablet double tap update tablet and let it update. It needs to see a wyfi to do this so please be connected to a wyfi. If you need to let a sighted person help do so this update can be done. It makes your tablet faster and adds more accessibility features which talkback takes advantage of when activated. send me a messege via private mail I will help further.
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/eyes-free
lastly please read this form and join if you want Tif.
lastly I am going to post to links here anna G's blog accessible android: link: http://accessibleandroid.wordpress.com/
that android show: link: http://thatandroidshow.com/
Starfly, question for you. I'm using MA and ICS, and would like it to be more accessible... should I check both MA and Talkback? Please help!
Kate
no rid your self of MA, use equal eyes home screen and talkback. I am sorry but what I have seen of MA it does not impress me one bit, equal eyes on the other hand its developer actually listens to feedback. Code factery seems to be def to the users neds. If you bought it Kat I am sorry, you could have used that $99 for something else.
Kate I ment
Starfly,
I used MA with my old phone running Android 2.1. What is this Equal Eyes thing?
Kate
I know nothing of iOS and don't wish to either. I had enough annoyances with Leopard and Snow Leopard, and I don't like the fact that Apple is a closed system. At least, with Android, programmers can make all sorts of wonderful things. If I remember correctly, even the os itself is open source! We were able to update it, but only to 4.22 or so. I was told that 4.3 hasn't come out yet for my model. It's the 16gb First Generation Nexus 7. You said you have one, so should know what I mean.
Anyway, here's my latest update. I went to the store, and to make a long story short, they couldn't figure out how to use the tablet with MA installed. So we did a factory reset and turned on Talkback. I'm really glad of that now, after reading the advice here, though I was hoping MA would be an all-in-one sollution for many things. I like suites with essential programs. We also got the blue tooth keyboard working, and I got an adaptor for connecting my compact flash card with all of my files on it, or a usb keyboard. It's much easier being able to navigate with real keys, but I still have a few questions.
I couldn't connect with my usual e-mail address, so had to use the one with my legal name, that I only use for checking orders and the like. That's great for Google Play, as it's also the one linked to my credit card. But I wish to use my regular one for things like Google Plus, Youtube, and so on. I was able to sign into my e-mail using it and set it as the default. But I think my other one is still the default for the other programs. How do I change this? Can I delete the first and keep it only for Google Play?
I was able to download Firefox, but am not exactly sure how to use it. How do I open urls, get to my bookmarks, search fields, check boxes and combo boxes, etc? Does XMarks work with Android, and if so, how well? I use it to keep my bookmarks online for transfer from one machine to another.
I know that certain sites have specific aps. For example, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, etc. Do I need to download those or can I use their mobile sites with Firefox?
How do I create directories (folders)? I have several of them on my card, but is there a place, like the equivalent of my documents in Windows, where I would put them? What about music? Can I simply cut and paste those folders in as well, or do I have to go through some program like Apple does with iTunes?
I noticed that there doesn't appear to be a wordprocessor of any kind in the default apps. Is there something, like Wordpad or Notepad, that I can download? I don't need anything advanced, as I don't even use that in Windows.
Can I add a Greek keyboard to the input method, and if so, can I write proper accents using the physical keyboard? Does ESpeak work with Android?
What things must I do with the touchscreen that canot be done with the regular keyboard? How do the gestures work? Is it like MA, with double taps and so on? How do I activate the virtual keyboard for writing letters, and again, how does it work when compared to MA?
Thanks for all the help so far and for any in the future.
Okay. I just found a tutorial for Firefox. But it seems to be slightly outdated. Is it still useful?
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-use-talkback-support-firefox
I just found a very dangerous site. *smile* Now I won't be able to sleep! There are lots of great apps here and rated according to accessibility!
http://androidaccess.net/browse.php
I'm having a bit of an issue downloading apps from Google Play. I was able, as I said, to download and install Firefox without a problem. But now, no matter which app I select, it won't install it. It asks me for authorisation, and tells me which things the new app needs to access, but when I hit install, I get a message saying that it couldn't be installed due to an error 500. Does anyone have an idea what's going on? I went into the Wi-fi settings and it says that I'm connected. I didn't change anything since installing Firefox.
Well, I don't know how on Earth I did it, but I managed to get the apps working again. I saw something about changing proxy settings and was able to get into that and then modify network. I chose manual but no settings were listed. Regardless, the next time I tried Google Play, it worked. I've already downloaded several apps that I know are accessible,but would really like an updated list, as the ones I've seen are really short or quite old.
At any rate, I need to read up on basic commands for Firefox, which should be in their manual. I would like to use it on the Facebook site, instead of going through the app, as I heard it's not fully accessible.
I also need to figure out how to transfer my files from my compact flash card into the tablet. I do have a reader, as well as an adaptor, as I said, but it doesn't seem to be recognising the device. I downloaded and installed Total Commander, but it doesn't show up there either. So I'll either need to get another reader, which I want to do in any case, or try hooking up my actual computer, which would require a different cord. I'm assuming that I can drop various folders into the root directory, or into their appropriate ones, such as music. But I would like, if possible, to keep my documents in their respective folders.
Can anyone recommend a good mp3 player, or does one come with Android?
Starfly, question for you.. I used to use MA with my old android phone, and it worked very well with third-party aps, such as Workout trainer, Cardio trainer, etc. Howeer, now that I am on touch screen only with ICS, MA does not seem to let me move around the screen and find what I want to click on in this third-part aps. Wil Equal Eyes do ebtter? if so, then I may switch, but if not, then I will stick with MA. Also, does Talkback work in conjunction with MA?
Kate
OOOOH! I feel really really dumb.... do I need to ahve Explore by Touch enabled...?
Kate
Who potentially feels really really dumb!
hug kate, yes explore by touch needs to be on and please lose ma, talkback works find with ICS. Now for tiffs questions
let me tackle your questions one at a time tiff. One, you do have an update for 4.3 restart the tablit your local store seems to know know what there talking about I am running 4.3 now. NO, I did not root my nexis7 no need to lol. Second, for adding folders, ready, sit down your going to love this, windows explorer and with android file transfer for mac will let you manage your folders directly from the computer with no third party app needed. 2. :), you can download many file manager apps from the google play store like linda discover file manager formaly linda file manager to get access to your imulated SD card.
let me tackle your questions one at a time tiff. One, you do have an update for 4.3 restart the tablit your local store seems to know know what there talking about I am running 4.3 now. NO, I did not root my nexis7 no need to lol. Second, for adding folders, ready, sit down your going to love this, windows explorer and with android file transfer for mac will let you manage your folders directly from the computer with no third party app needed. 2. :), you can download many file manager apps from the google play store like linda discover file manager formaly linda file manager to get access to your imulated SD card.
3. FB is accessible, not sure who told you that information but I do use it on my tablit, if you want check out the android app board on here, I just posted a FB app called klyph.
3. You can use the apps on the play store or the moble sight for twitter, FB if you would like to on your tablit. I just use the apps because its a cleaner interface then the FB and twitter web sights. 4. the google play music app is quite accessible and iwll play almost everything you through at it. There is an app on the app board here for android called Dead beat player that wil play folders and let you play one file at a time its very clean and accessible. Its worth tossing a dollar or to for the pro just to say thanks for listening. Now, for your greek keyboard question, I am not sure how its done because I speak one language but join the eyes-free list, again, the address is under the android app board on here.
sorry Tiff, I for got to answer your firefox question and its gesters, firefox uses a three finger gester swipe going up or down your screen, it now includes, links, forms, headings, tables containers, land marks list items that is about it. So you would take three fingers on your screen swipe up or down and then go left or right to invoke the nvagation elament you swiped to. So you go to www.zonebbs.com, swipe up until you hear links, swipe right and you will move by links. its the best accessible browser I have seen yet to day on android.
Starfly, OK... like I said, now I feel dumb! I hate the Talkback voice; can I change it? If so how?
Last night, I was looking at my charger for the Nexus 7, and realised that the cord can be removed from the part that goes into the wall! When I do this, there's a usb connector at the other end. So I decided to see if I could use this cord to plug into the computer. I could and did, and transferred my files over. Now, I can easily view them with Total Commander. But how do I delete unwanted files using the tablet? I managed to do it once, but couldn't repeat it. So far, I've had to delete from the Windows side. Is this an instance where I'll have to use the touchscreen instead of my keyboard? Some of the files are txt, while others are rtf. Can Colornote work with both types of files, or will I need another editor?
Thanks for the tip on the Google Play app. But is it like iTunes, where you have to add things by category, artist, etc? I set up my folders either by album title or by the name of the Youtube channel where I found the songs. I have several folders of music that I ripped from cds, and those just have titles like track 1, track 2, etc. Some of my music was given to me by friends, and when the files transferred, the Greek got ruined, so they have weird symbol names. So I would really prefer something that just plays things and doesn't force me to create libraries, etc.
I still have to figure out the keyboard, and how to toggle between Greek and English, before I try installing anything, but I did find several Greek synthesizers! One of them, ISpeech (not to be confused with ESpeak), is among the best I have ever heard on any system! Not only that, but it even recognises polytonic, which I've only seen one other synth do. It's called Innoeticks. Even then, when I go letter by letter, while it read the letters properly, it would only read the tonos, not the other two accents. This one reads Greek well, but I couldn't tell, from the samples, whether or not it would read the actual accents, and it spells out all English words. I'm hoping that it's just part of the demo. If not, then at least there are a few others to try. I know they can handle monotonic, so are good for my needs at the moment.
As for Firefox, thanks for the tips. I guess this is one that requires the touchscreen. I was strictly using my keyboard, which could be why I was having a problem. But if it does allow for keyboard control, I would love to hear about it.
As for the update, I did a quick Google search, and it seems that it's now out for the 2013 models. Mine is from 2012. The man who updated my system to 4.21 said that the 4.3 update will be out in November. I'm not sure what to think, but that's what I found and heard.
What did you mean about containers? What are those?
I really hope, for my sake, that I can do most things with a real keyboard, because I don't understand the touchscreen at all. I tried the regular Android one and the Eyes-Free Shell, and it doesn't seem to make a difference. The latter actually didn't work at all! Using the Nova Launcher program and Eyes-free keyboard, it says to double tap, and when I do so nothing happens. The same is true when the Android keyboard is selected as the default. It reads things but is also very sensitive, and the names of the apps are so close together that when I try to tap one, I wind up on another, and I have small fingers, which I thought would make things easier. Sometimes, it won't say anything at all, even though it does when I use my external keyboard. Then, it clicks things when all I'm doing is reviewing the screen. At least, with MA, when I double tapped, it actually let me get into the program or setting that I wanted and the same is true when I released my finger from the screen. Admittedly, I know there's a setting for short, medium and long taps, or holds (I don't know which), and I have it set to short. So maybe, that's the problem? Nova Launcher, does appear to have made things slightly better as far as the home screens, though why there is more than one of those I don't know, just as I don't understand the concept of widgets. I also can't figure out how to use the virtual keyboard. I went into Colornote, and when I touched the screen, it told me icons for things and there was no virtual keyboard to be found. I had to use my external one. Plus, I couldn't properly save files.
Does anyone know of a program that I can use to simulate touch gestures with an external keyboard, or of a truly accessible on-screen keyboard or program that's responsive and easy to use? What about voice recognition? I know that's on here as well, but Google Voice seems to be inaccessible, even with my keyboard! I also downloaded Jeanie and got the same result, even though that's supposed to be accessible. I thought that the Nexus 7 has a built-in microphone. If nothing else, is there a long tutorial that will let me practise with the touchscreen? The ones for Talkback and the Eyes-free keyboard were all short and didn't really give me a feel for how to use them. Plus, I think I exited the tutorials by mistake.
Thanks for your patience and help. I really want to learn how to use this, but it's frustrating me.
no its out, 4.3 is out for your tablit, I have no Idea who you are talking to tiff but there flat out wrong. I have the same model as you but less storage, your beeing miss informed. I stake my word and my back side on that.
As for the keyboard, you can open apps with it but not all touch screen functions can be done solly with a keyboard.
if you need help download just speak, it will double tap the screen, scroll the screen for you as well.
hi, Tiff, here are some keyboard tips for firefox on android, :) I am typing this via my phone :). "h" headings, "" links "f" forms, if I find any more I will post here.
Well I promised to post back on what I found for keyboard key strokes for firefox and here is more, "c" como box "e" editers almost like a screen reader on windows :).
Yeah! I like that. It certainly does make things easier. But there doesn't seem to be any kind of keyboard navigations to open urls, refresh the screen, add/edit/go to bookmarks, etc. I just installed 4.3 and can already notice changes that I like! I now hear nice pitch changes as I move around the screen, and the voice is better.
I downloaded Just Speak and found an instruction user guide here.
http://eyes-free.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/accessibilityServices/justspeak/docs/overview.html
I really like it. I couldn't start it more than once with 4.21, without having to go to apps with the keyboard, but now, I can just hit both sides of the volume button and it works perfectly! I'm still not sure how to navigate around the screen and tap things. It opens apps correctly, but can I then use it to see what options are available, to read lists, etc? I know I can usually use my keyboard for this, but there have been times when the only way to learn about things on the screen is to touch it. So I'm wondering if Just Speak can accomplish this through voice commands. I went purposefully into a list and tried scroll, which I know is an accepted command, and down arrow, which I know isn't, but nothing happened, except that it repeated ? What about things which require a double tap? If I use scroll, can it read a document to me? I also know of Google typing. Can I use that in conjunction with Just Speak, or can Just Speak take dictation, for instance, when I'm in an edit box? I tried it while looking for an app in the store and it did nothing except repeat me. That's not really an issue, as I do have the keyboard, but it would be nice to find an alternative, just incase the batteries die.
If I can get this working, I think I'll be well on my way toward efficiently using my Nexus, which would be really nice. I think I'm also going to subscribe to the Eyes-free mailing list. Is it only for their products or for blind Android users in general?
In my quest for a better homescreen app, I found this. It sounds truly wonderful!
http://www.slashgear.com/georgie-app-gives-the-blind-android-eyes-hands-on-12238288/
They still make it, but I couldn't find it in the Google Play Store.
http://www.georgiephone.com/phone-selector.php
Upon closer inspection, it appears that this is only available for the UK and/or Europe, and may only work for phones anyway. I'm working with the Eyes-Free Shell again, as I figured I should try it now that, I have the update. It is responding much better than the generic one, and I like the easier gestures, but I have an issue of empty homescreens. I don't really understand the concept here. I'm imagining that they're like the desktop in XP/ If so, can I just have one or two at the most? It would certainly make things easier.
I got Explore by Touch working with MA, and it seems to work well... I don' like talkback very much, so for now I am happy doing whatever I can on my phone.
YAY!
Kate
I will try to help you with the eyes-free shell, note, most of us android users have left that home screen behind. Android gives you choice so I hope you enjoy the eyes-free shell. now, to your emailing list question Tiff, yes any person can join the eyes-free list, just keep it android related and keep any Iphone comments off there, it will be met with sarcasm and the genteral reminder that apple users have there own list. Actually, just speak does respond to scrol but you need to tell it to scroll with a direction IE, left, right, up or down. Here is a podcast I did: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10145896/just%20speak%20it%20podcast.mp3
Also, under settings, accessibility, talkback, settings scrol up until you get to the bottom, you will find a totorial on talkback's gesters, please Kate and Tiff practice with the totoriaal, it will get you used to how talkback interacts with the screen. As for Kate, your not going to see swipe gesters, the angle gesters because your using ICS. However, you can set your menu key to be your context menu for read top of screen, spell last occurrence, read last spoken text and continuous reading. Also suspend talkback and talkback's settings are in the menu too as well.
also, under left and up to the right tiff is where you can quickly find talkback's settings should you need to ajust screen reding settings.
not enough coffee yet, I admit I am wrong by gester, its down and to the right then tiff you will see talkback's settings up and to the right. The left hand side of this circle menu is suspend talkback on the top left hand side.
Tiff, go check out equal eyes, I believe this home screen will be quite helpful to you. I just updated its review from me and it rocks for a new user. Go read the android app board :).
No worries about me discussing Apple. I'm firmly on the Android side, and the only Apple products I like are my IIC and IIGS, neither of which are even hooked up at the moment. Thanks for the podcast. I will definitely listen to it, and will also check out the Android board. *smile*
Just to update all of you, , I found a wonderful home screen replacement called Big Launcher. I heard of it before, but when I saw that it was $68, I skipped it. Today, I decided to see if they had a demo. Not only do they have one, but it doesn't expire and does exactly what I need. So I installed it and it's working beautifully. I also figured out how to delete files using Total Commander. I just hold the enter key on them, and then a menu opens. There, I can arrow to the delete button and press it. But I am curious about something. When I uninstall programs, I sometimes see empty folders which contain their names. Even when I delete those, I've seen a few. SVox is a perfect example, though when I rebooted the Nexus, that one appeared to be gone. At least it didn't show with Big Launcher. Do I need to delete cash and data before uninstalling programs or is there one that will help me defrag and/or get rid of extra files?
Now that my home screen and file management problems are solved, I have a few more questions. I downloaded Colornote, but there doesn't appear to be a way to open files with it, except ones that I had previously opened using Total Commander. I also see no way of creating a new note. I am using the keyboard, so perhaps, these features must be activated with the touch screen. There are also a few unlabeled buttons. Is there something akin to Notepad or Wordpad that has keyboard controls and that's accessible? If so, what is it? I'm going to try to adjust the Talkback settings so that it can read by line as I use the arrow keys. Right now, in Colornote at least, it seems to be reading by character or.
My next issue is using a web browser. I have both Chrome and Firefox installed. I will admit to not having tried Chrome, but I did attempt to use Firefox a few times. While I can easily get to heddings and combo boxes, there seems to be no keyboard controls for things like adding/editing/deleting bookmarks, opening urls, etc. Do these exist? I know that Firefox is supposed to be optimised for use with Talkback, but are there other accessible browsers on the market?
I've heard that Skype now has an accessible update. If so, then I would like to try it. Should I just download it and see if it updates or will the version that I install be the latest one? Finally, has anyone tried Youtube, either view the built-in app or via the web, on an Android? I used to be able to use the mobile site without any problems with XP, but haven't been able to do so since July. Other than watching videos and posting comments, it's now horribly inaccessible.
I forgot to add this, since I was talking about Skype. How, if at all, can I test and access the microphone settings?
smile, lets tackle skype, it just got an update for tablits yes its quite accessible. You can use skype test call to see how you sound!, next, your better off learning the gesters by swiping or exploring in a lot of apps, they require the touch screen. Next, cash cleaner will help keep that new nexis7 nice and snappy by cleaning about program junk, left over files etc. :), if you want, go get a OT cable, it will let you connect wired keyboards, harddrives and even flash drives. Note, harddrives that are portible must have a power cord to supply the drive power. Yes, I have ran my t-drive on my Galaxy S3 rooted and unrooted.
firefox beta has keyboard commands L for links, shift-L to go back, H for headings and shift H to go back. T for tables hope that helps. Keep in mind you need 3 fingers to change web navagation in firefox, swipe up or down to change each web navagation. When you have found the one you want to use swipe left or right with 3 fingers, this works quite well and firefox is my main browser of choice. Also, you can side load flash player for videos on the web like you tube :).
I have a cable that I've been using to transfer tfiles from my computer to the tablet. It has a standard male usb connector on one end and a mini male one for the Android, on the other. I also have the kind with a Female standard.
I just found an interesting article about using Firefox with the keyboard. But it's from 2012, so might be out of date or no longer useful. In any case, it seems a bit advanced for me at the moment. Has anyone tried any of these tricks? Also, has anyone tried the Lynx browser for Android?
http://ostatic.com/blog/keyboard-driven-firefox
no, I posted the keyboard shortcuts for you, go google search marco Z's firefox blog it has every thing you need to know about firefox for android. Oh, make sure you update your talkback, it has some editing fixes and graphic labeling features now.
Thanks. I didn't realise there were separate updates to Talkback. I thought it updated with Jelly Bean itself.
the difference between IOS and android is that one is a closed OS mean "voiceover" gets updated with every OS update. If its Open source then the core system apps can be updated separately IE "talkback". Your welcome glad to help a newbie to android.
Tiffanitsa when you have time give us an update on how your android advinture is coming along. smile
So far, my Android adventure is not working out well. I now have a universal keyboard and case. The position of the Nexus when it's in the case is so that the volume and power buttons are ontop and the usb port is on the right. I'm not sure if this will effect how I use the touchscreen or not, but I've tried turning it so that the screen is vertical, which makes the keyboard unusable, until I turn it again. It's also built with some keys in very strange places. But I can always just use the bluetooth, which and keep the tablet in the vertical position if necessary.
, I tried the Explore by Touch tutorial and can't figure it out. I was able to find icons and tap them, but couldn't find the next button. So I had to use the keyboard to get there. Then, it told me to slide two fingers on an app and continue to slide up. I found one and tried this, in both screen positions, but nothing happened. I couldn't read the list. I eventually closed the tutorial with the escape key. What am I doing wrong? Do any programs exist that would enable me to use alternative inputs? I love Just Speak, but sometimes, it doesn't work. I hit the volume keys and don't hear the chime that indicates that I can speak. I downloaded something called KLets Test Version, but they never explained how to activate that without going to applications. Maybe, it's the same command and there's a conflict between the two?
I really do want to use my Nexus, but am getting extremely frustrated. Naturally, these issues with the touchscreen also mean that I haven't been able to use Firefox either, and i still can't figure out how to properly read things with Colornote. Can anyone offer suggestions? Thanks.
okay, have you lock your screen in portrid? This is done by going to settings, accessibility check the box that says "lock screen orientation". This will keep the tablit from switch views when you turn the device on its side. Second, the back, home and recent buttons are at the very bottom of the tablit near the charger port, you need to double tap these buttons to activate them. 3. I wil do my best to explain the global and local menus for you and how to activate them. Global menu, swipe quickly down an to the right. Please keep in mind its a very light gester so do not press hard on the screen. Local context menu, quickly up and to the right again lightly. The global context menu or "GTC" has starting from the left top, suspend talkback, read from top this is going to the right in a circle settings "talkback" settings, spell last utterance and read from next Item. The Local context menu or "LCG" has the menu where you change ow talkback reads to you by word, char, pages, paragraph line and sentence. Now to use the screen, you can swipe left, "swipe mening, taking your one finger and latterly in a swipe gester moving across the screen left, right, up or down." Now if you want, you can explore the screen, "exploring the screen means to, leave one finger on the screen and move slowly "key word" "slowly" until you find the Icon and lift to double tap to activate the Icon under your finger. If you need a podcast I will make one up for you with the same device you have currently.
I think I must have had a moment of insanity when I bought this thing. I found the item about the automatic rotation of the screen and unchecked it. So that was accomplished. It took me well over half an hour to be able to get the global settings to open. I do sometimes have extremely sweaty hands, and today is a very bad day for that, so this could be why. Regardless, I could read some but not all of the items, and it kept exiting me from there and putting me back in the clock, or wherever I chose for my starting point. I also turned off notifications for GMail, because it kept reading those as they were coming in, distracting me from my experiment. But it kept reading the subject of one message as I tried to open the settings. I'll keep trying to learn what else I can do, but I still say this whole thing is crazy. A keyboard, with either a text menu or commands, is a great deal faster, easier to use, and makes much more sense all around than these touchscreens. If nothing else, I can at least say I tried it. Thanks, starfly, for the incredible amount of patience that you've shown and for the kind remark about the podcast.
Opa! I'm going to try this. *smile*
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brandall.nutter&hl=en
Starfly,your beautiful. Smile.
Good job.
thanks, I try, if my description can not help her then its time she listen to podcasts. Again Tiff, please go listen to "a long look at the nexis7" "that android show."
swipe left/right (with 1 finger): move backword/forward 1 object.
swipe up/down (with 1 finger): move backword/forward 1 object.
swipe up then left (with 1 movement): go to home.
swipe down then left (with 1 movement): back one level.
swipe up then right (with 1 movement): local contacts menu.
swipe down then right (with 1 movement): global contacts menu.
swipe right then down (with 1 movement): notifications area.
swipe left then up (with 1 movement): show recent apps.
swipe right to left (with 2 finger): move to next page.
swipe left to right (with 2 finger) move to previous page.
two part vertical gesture: go to top/bottom screen or cycle reading granularities. (change default in talkback settings)
two part horizontal gesture (with 2 finger): scroll to next page in a long list.
double tap (with 1 finger): to launch selected items.
double tap then hold (with 1 finger): move or drag an icon, view more options for selected items.
I hope Tiff this is better then what I wrote, this came from a eyes-free member.
Your descriptions and suggestions have been excellent, both now and earlier. I'm just having difficulty carrying them out. *smile* I feel like an idiot, to be honest. Thanks for the tip on the podcast. I'll go research that and see if I can follow along with them as they explain things.
For anyone who is following this thread and who would like to hear it, the episode can be found here.
http://thatandroidshow.com/2012/12/23/that-android-show-episode-13-a-long-look-at-the-nexus-7/
Today, I decided to try the explore by Touch tutorial. I got much further than last time, to where I opened both the global and context menus, and was trying to get the sample text to read by character. It is doable, but I still cannot understand, for the life of me, why anyone would want to use such an interface. I keep leaving the target area, hitting buttons that I don't mean to hit, and then, when I open a menu, I either close it by mistake or leave the circle. It seems like this is a lot of work for something that can just as easily be done with a few pressies of a keyboard on other operating systems. Still, I'm meeting the challenge, which was my goal. At this point, I can't see myself replacing a regular computer with an Android, but it's a fun, if frustrating, experiment.
Tiff, your tablit is getting another update, android 4.4 "kitcat".
Given a Nexus 7 running Android 4.3 how can I set up something similar to tripple tap on iOS to turn off talkback? I'd like to set up a seporit user account for a friend and want to turn off and on talkback easily before letting them use the tablet.
Tripple tap home on a physical button can not be copppied no matter how bad a new or older android user would like it, it would land goolge and apple in a court room. Apple would be sueing google for copying one of there gesters. However, you can turn off talkback under accessibility, turn with a long press of the power button after a tone hold your two fingers spread apart until you hear accessibility ready, at this point talkback will talk.
Google could do some kind of thing where you hit volume down three times, volume up twice and volume down one more time to turn on/off voiceover. If just speak can be accessed by long pressing both volume buttons there's no reason Google could not make this jesture user selectible to turn on/off talkback. It's little issues like this that keep me on iOS.
Agreed. Apple is seriously ridiculous. But if everything in Android really is open source, then someone could probably make a third party program to turn off Talkback with a simple gesture.
actually someone has ;), my LG G2 can turn off talkback or slected accessible service via the home button. Note LG gets away with this so far because their home button is not physical so no infringing copy rights here.
Oh, there is away to turn off talkback until you lock your screen, down and to the right, weight to hear the sound, instructions from talkback and move to the left and up to the top of the circle that is being displayed on the screen. Your looking for suspend talkback, when you hear this left go to activate the Item. When you get to suspend talkback, you will get a dialog asking if you want to suspend it, there will be a checkbox asking if you want to hear the promped every time, check the box to allow for quickly suspending talkback. If any of you need a podcast I will serve one up quickly. That android show went over this in the episode "a long look at the nexis7".