Singing my praises for the N82 with KNFB reader!

Category: accessible Devices

Post 1 by Skyla (move over school!) on Sunday, 01-Mar-2009 15:20:26

Hi everyone!
So I posted a while back, asking for peoples' experiences with the phone, but noone replied. Anyway, I decided to see if I could get one through the school (I justified it for academic purposes by saying I could read hand-outs in class), and they got it for me!! 2600 dollars later, I have to say I'm in love. The phone is sleek and attractive, but the KNFB reader was what had me hooked. I know this sounds ridiculous, but when I successfully read a menu at a restaurant last night, a chill went up my spine; I guess I never thought I'd actually be able to do that ever, you know? I was so moved I could have cried!
Anyway, my point in making this post was just to let you guys know that I'm having success with it, and that if you can somehow manage to get it covered (or if you're rich enough to afford it on your own), I can't recommend it enough. I used to have the 6682, which is also a fantastic phone, but unfortunately it doesn't support the KNFB reader. Oh well, new phones are exciting anyway!

Post 2 by Ok Sure (This site is so "educational") on Sunday, 01-Mar-2009 15:38:06

I’m glad it is a good investment. It’s the little things like not being able to read a restaurant menu while dining out that can be some of the most frustrating inconveniences. However, just as a suggestion for those who live in large cities, or can find restaurants online, if your phone permits it, download the menu or your favorite menus on to the phone. It’s not better than an NFB reader, but it’s something.

Also, I’ve been curious, have you tried shooting at something like a bulletin board in a coffee shop or at a college departmental office? If so, how well does it manage?

Post 3 by Polka dots and Moonbeams (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Sunday, 01-Mar-2009 16:07:40

I've also wondered, can you shoot at the on-menu screen on the television?

Post 4 by Skyla (move over school!) on Sunday, 01-Mar-2009 17:23:41

Ok sure, I thought I'd replied to your question, but now see that I haven't. I haven't tried reading a board, seeing as there's often more than one posting on it, but I do read individual paper--mail envelopes, pages in books, and labels on bottles. I'll try shooting at a sign or board though and let you know how it goes.
PolkaDots, I haven't tried shooting at the tV screen yet, but I'll let you know if I find any success with it.

Post 5 by Dean (Generic Zoner) on Sunday, 01-Mar-2009 18:48:16

as people are talking about this i do have an n82 with knfb reader for sale. i've had it for a while so willing to let it go for a good price.

Post 6 by Emerald-Hourglass (Account disabled) on Sunday, 01-Mar-2009 19:42:26

i'm gonna assume it doesn't read handwriting..

Post 7 by Skyla (move over school!) on Sunday, 01-Mar-2009 23:24:29

Caribbean_queen, I haven't tired reading handwriting, but I suspect you're right.

Post 8 by Polka dots and Moonbeams (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Monday, 02-Mar-2009 18:29:44

Has anyone found a big difference between the classic version and the most up to date? Does the product work better now?

Can you read items like bottles and jars?

Post 9 by Skyla (move over school!) on Wednesday, 04-Mar-2009 1:02:37

I hadn't tried the original one, but based on what I'm told, this newer one is an improvement. I can read some bottles, but not all. For cans, I think the best thing to do is peal off the label, lay it flat, and scan it. When done, slap a braille label on the can quickly, or better yet, eat the contents! (well, when they're desireable).

Post 10 by WillieTheWoof (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Wednesday, 04-Mar-2009 8:35:48

My question is how forgiving is the reader in regards to how it is held? I am not very good at straight line orientation. Basicly, how far off can you be? Also, is the filter still on the outside or have they found a way to put it under the lenze?

Post 11 by Skyla (move over school!) on Wednesday, 04-Mar-2009 15:17:08

I believe that the filter is under the lens.
And, you don't have to be exact in your alignment with the page; moreover, it will give you an initial field of view report, wherein it tells you how far to the left or right you are (so it would say "camera is 30 degrees counter-clock-wise relative to the page"). It will also tell you how many of the edges it can see (if you're scanning a page in a book, for example). Most of us blind people are not adept photographers though, and I think they took this into consideration. You can always readjust, and I'm starting to get better at it.

Post 12 by Big Pawed Bear (letting his paws be his guide.) on Wednesday, 04-Mar-2009 19:26:35

right. version 6.1 is a great improovement from v5. the polerizers are on the outside of the phone, stuck over the lense and flash. also, the knfb reader can't read handwriting. the new version for the n82 and nokia xxx classic xxx means that i can't remember the number. 6620? that will also run the reader, though the polerizers are not interchangeable between the two phones, so be careful what you order for. i love my knfb reader mobile. dam good software, and the n82 with full firmware upgrades is fantastic.

Post 13 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 07-Mar-2009 6:08:44

I really want one of these. A good friend of mine has one, and I'm envious of it's portability and accuracy. No, it doesn't read handwriting, I don't know of any OCR software that does. And, my friend did try shooting it at a screen, but it didn't do so hot on that, as we guessed it wouldn't. LOL.

Post 14 by Big Pawed Bear (letting his paws be his guide.) on Saturday, 07-Mar-2009 6:20:36

you can now, apparently use the knfb reader mobile to read computer screens. switch off the flash, hold the reader as normal, about ten inches from the pc screen, then shoot. some have had success with this approach.

Post 15 by Skyla (move over school!) on Sunday, 08-Mar-2009 17:39:10

If we use screen readers, I'm just wondering in what instances we'd want to be able to shoot the screen? or did you guys just try it for fun?

Post 16 by Texas Shawn (The cute, cuddley, little furr ball) on Sunday, 08-Mar-2009 17:53:44

reading the computer bio's for one or seeing what kind of error you had on the screen when vista or xp boots and before you get in to windows.

Sometimes for me vista starts up and before I get speech it hangs or does something and with out sighted assistance I don't know what is goine on.

Post 17 by Emerald-Hourglass (Account disabled) on Sunday, 08-Mar-2009 18:28:12

omg i wish this thing wasn't sooooo god damn expensive, jeez

Post 18 by Texas Shawn (The cute, cuddley, little furr ball) on Monday, 09-Mar-2009 17:50:26

It did come down in price a little, 995 for the software now instead of 1695.

Post 19 by changedheart421 (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Monday, 09-Mar-2009 19:24:04

o man what a break. lol.

Post 20 by Skyla (move over school!) on Monday, 09-Mar-2009 21:09:31

To post 16, that makes total sense. I didn't even think of that!
And, I managed to get the phone and the software covered through a bursery available to Canadian college or university students with a disability, so I'd encourage others to see if they can get it through something similar, if possible.

Post 21 by Big Pawed Bear (letting his paws be his guide.) on Wednesday, 22-Apr-2009 19:26:14

the n82 is such a good phone, i've purchased a spare as they are difficult to get hold of now. i love its useability and everything about it. it's one fantastic phone, and that's without knfb on it, which frankly makes it more than just fantastic. love it.

Post 22 by Feathered Serpent (I can't call it a day til I enter the zone BBS) on Wednesday, 22-Apr-2009 22:17:11

what if something happens to your phone. Can you get a new license? Or do you have to get an new copy?

Post 23 by Big Pawed Bear (letting his paws be his guide.) on Thursday, 23-Apr-2009 13:38:57

you can unregister the old imie and register a new one for free i think. as of yet, i don't know about upgrade pricing after the first year. as it is, there is no charge for licencing a new phone if the old one becomes unusible. at least that is free. the licence or crossgrade of talks, haven't decided which i'll go for yet, is not free.