review of the galaxy sIII

Category: Geeks r Us

Post 1 by starfly (99956) on Tuesday, 07-Aug-2012 9:24:55

So, I just left gingerbred to venture out to IceCream Sandwige using a galaxy sIII, so far I like it. So lets start with a description, its a 4.8 screen with 3 buttons running android 4.4 "Icecream Sandwige". Lets sart with the front of the phone, on the front of the phone you have a huge gorgious touch screan measuring 4.8 its longer then the Iphohne, to be able to have this huge touch screen, along the sides of the device, there are from the left volume, then moving toward the top no buttons on the left. The top of the phone has the hear phone plug, I believe the "NFC" chip is there as well, have not found a samsung sIII user to test this yet. On the right hand side is the power button along the spine of the phone. On the bottom top of the phone you have one physical button "home" then on the left and right soft buttons. On the edge or spine of the phone at the bottom you have the charge port and no more ports or buttons. On the back of the phone starting from the top is the camra "8 mega pixal with flash" then from there is the battery cover. Now from a gingerbred user's point of view, Icecream sandwige has allowed me to use every part of my phone with out having to install third party apps just to dial the phone, manage my contacts, and brows the web. To day when I find time, I am going to test the facebook app with explore by touch to see how that works. So in closing, Icecream Sandwige has come a long way, I would suggest to any one the samsung galaxy sIII who is looking to upgrade or to a new phone. Those who are already running Icecream sandwige plese chime in on this post.

Post 2 by starfly (99956) on Tuesday, 07-Aug-2012 12:34:02

I for got the nexis as well and the samsung galaxy sII will work too. At first you will need to upgrade the samsung sII to Icecream sandwige via samsung kys, this is straight forward and no need for sighted assistants. After that, if the rectangle thingy, has not been broken, draw the rectangle from right to left on your screen to in able accessibility. If this is brook seek sighted assistants to turn it on. Note, in jelly bean when these 2 devices get it, no sighted assistants is needed to turn on accessibility.

Post 3 by forereel (Just posting.) on Tuesday, 07-Aug-2012 14:49:35

I don't have one, but have seene it and I think its a beautiful device.
I think it has a ways to go to catch up with Apple's iPhone accessibility, but loved the fact it works right from the start without any needed downloading or sighted assist, so that right there is improvement.
My gripe, and I still have this gripe, is the lack of easy information on accessibility features. I do admit, the manual, and I have read it several times, does now cover them, but not in enough detail.
You did a wonderful job on your review, just forgot it has a front facing camera, and also is Monster Beat sound quality.
We are promised a 64 GB version soon, though, this is not major, due to the phones ability to be upgraded with an SD card, and A T T promises us a hot red one. They currently are Blue and White, bother beautiful colors, vary pretty.
If you are sighted, or want a gift for a sighted friend, this is a great choice.
Go! Android.

Post 4 by forereel (Just posting.) on Tuesday, 07-Aug-2012 15:01:17

I'd love to see this topic moved to cellphone talk. I think it get more notice, and I would like to see what other blind users will say when they use this phone.

Post 5 by Nitrogen (Zone BBS Addict) on Tuesday, 07-Aug-2012 16:05:15

Hello,

This is definitely a great phone.
A keyboard of some sort would complement it well though.
I feel the eyes free keyboard is abit slow in my opinion as well as the stock keyboard.

And just my experience, installing some custom roms like cyanogen mod 9, as well as the jellybean preview took away some settings that I hoped would be there.
But jellybean looks very promising with the new changes made in talkback as well as the framework in general.
Maybe they are still working on adding the settings, but I just thought I'd give a slight warning not to flash just yet if you're a flash guru like myself.

the settings that I'm talking about are:
1. Answering calls with the home key.
2. Having a short cut to accessibility at the power screen where you have options of what you'd like to do when going to switch your phone off.
3. The motion settings i.e. flip the phone to mute calls, picking up your phone which would give a short vibrate to tell you of missed calls, new messages etc.

But I love the technicality of this phone as well as the responsiveness. Has to be the fastest phone I have had thus far. Opening applications and doing other things feel so instant, you have to experience it to believe it! and this is all on samsung's rom which is usually bloated.

truely amazing.

Regards,

Post 6 by starfly (99956) on Wednesday, 08-Aug-2012 8:39:38

thanks yes I did for get the front facing camra sorry, sorta slipped my mind. I did a review on this phone because its the first phone I ever could buy and use with out buying extra software to use it. Note, GB if you have a stock android then no software is needed to be bought to use it, just wanted to clear this up. However, the home screen has to be changed to an accessible one. Now, though, in icecream sandwige I can use the home screen that comes preloaded on my device. What the last poster said is totally correct, this device is fast, apps open fast and browsing the web is nice. Later on going to load the firefox nightly build and see how that works on this device. Oh, netflix is accessible under ICS, I got to watch some of the transformer "dark side of the moon" on my device to day this morning while waiting for my ride for work. I love this phone, I hope to keep it for a long time. Before I was switching phones here and there now, I am quite happy with the galaxy sIII. I would recommend this phone to a blind user, just keep in mind the way tasks are done on android is different then IOS. What ever you do, stay away from HTC android powered phones, HTC brakes accessibility in the core apps because of a overlay called HTC sense.

Post 7 by forereel (Just posting.) on Wednesday, 08-Aug-2012 9:00:38

Guess if you're not with Sprint you'll have to go without lunch to pay for all that data you'll be using being amazed as you go to work. Smile.

Post 8 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Wednesday, 08-Aug-2012 11:37:48

So could you turn on the accessibility yourself? Did it work?

Post 9 by starfly (99956) on Wednesday, 08-Aug-2012 13:44:15

no, this is where samsung broke that feature, note: this is the only feature they broke. I can tell you all you would have to do is ask t-mobile reps to go to accessibility, talkback, explore by touch and web scripts. If the triangle can be drawn, I not sure I did not try it. During my adventures at t-mobile in raleigh NC, I took it upon myself to educate the reps at the t-mobile store about android access. When they get the Iphone, I will do the same.

Post 10 by starfly (99956) on Wednesday, 08-Aug-2012 13:47:32

Forereel , I have an some what unlimited plan, when I go past 5GB my connection drops to a slower speed no charge for going over.

Post 11 by forereel (Just posting.) on Thursday, 09-Aug-2012 0:06:10

Yea!
The accessibility how to is in the manual, but can not be done without sight. Just tell your rep to read it, or call the tec support.
Leo, if you haven't used an Android phone before it will not be easy, but it does work, and there is no downloading and such.