Category: accessible Devices
So, the price has been lowered on the PAC Mate Omni yet again. But my thought is that the price is getting lowered because the PAC Mate is about to go deep into the ocean and drown. Also, the weight and the thickness of the think makes it look sucky. I don't know about you, but I would rather carry an iPad or iPhone around with a bluetooth keyboard and start using that as my notetaker. I honestly think that the PAC Mate should be nonexistent because it is so out of date, and there are mainstream products out there that are much lighter than this piece of crap. Freedom Science Fiction needs to leave the Windows Mobile Platform, which in and of itself is out of date, and needs to embrace the new technology that is out there and go along with it. This is 2011, and there is so much more out there than just a computer with a Braille keyboard and a Braille display. I will even go so far as to say that that makes us blind people look like we need special technology to do everyday things, and that's no longer true. So why not get yourself an iPad or an iPhone and join in with the sighted world and show them that you are normal? The truth is we don't need the special technology anymore. The assistive technology is built right into the mainstream products.
the only thing that isn't built in is a braille display which some of us like to use. you can say to go the bluetooth display route but that's another device to carry and another battery to keep charged.
yep. braille is great.
Agree with post 1. I have a Pac Mate that is nothing more than a paper weight. They're worthless pieces of crap at this point. I'd rather carry a small Braille display and an iPad or laptop. carrying 2 smaller, less clunky devices is still less awkward than carrying 1 heavy brick like a Pac Mate. Plus, the Pac Mate can't do anywhere near as much as an i device or laptop. Pac Mates in particular, but really note takers in general, are obsolete in my opinion. They all need to die. We don't need specialized, over priced and inferior products anymore. Give me an accessible mainstream product any day.
I have a PAC Mate Omni myself and I'm going to find every way I can to get rid of it, since it belongs to our state's Commission for the Blind. And I'm going to find every way to get the money to get an iPad, whether I get the money from the casino or from work. I guess I can give Humanware a little credit for making the BrailleNote lighter and thinner and perhaps more up to date, but it's way overpriced.
Thanks to Icecream sandwidge a screen read app developer has already said he is going to work on intigrating braille into android. That makes me excited.
Yep, I think Ice Cream Sandwich is a pretty good competitor to the iPhone. Seems like it'll be a nice sandwitch to eat, chocolate chips and all. lol
I expect we'll be seeing the PAC Mate around for a bit if only to sell off the remaining stock. But yeah—Windows Mobile is a dead (or mostly dead) platform, unless you work for UPS or in some other verticals that are using it.
OOH, I want the chocolate chips that come with android icecream sandwidge!!!.
pacmates are deffently shit.
I never owned one but during a technology consultation at the Commission for the Blind in Oregon some years back I had the opportunity to use one while the Commission decided what tech would be best to replace my Braille Lite, which had suffered a stroke and died shortly before. Let's just say I wasn't impressed. The Braille Note, even in the rather crude form it was then with only dialup internet, impressed me more. Then I got a laptop and never used the BN again.
Honestly I do not want to use a device that is running the same OS that my now, know longer used motorola Q9c was using at the time.
Had a pacmate as well Used it a lot actually until I got my iphone. Now I honestly can not believe people pay the rediculous charge to upgrade them and so on. they are definitely heavy as well.
And certainly I respect those who use a PAC Mate or a BrailleNote, but to me, it just feels like the technology makes me look like I'm a disabled person. I don't want to look disabled. And that's why I'm all for mainstream products that have accessibility built into them.
you can't exactly look disabled, it's also how you project yourself. i have a cane so i'm disabled, i think not but i can tell you there are some that will think that way.
With me it's a financial consideration. I hate dealing with Voc Rehab even on the best days and I definitely ahte dealing with them whenit comes to getting assistive tech. Granted I didn't have trouble getting my first laptop from them but that was probably because I was going to college at the time. And like many such agencies they overlooked the possibility that there might be better options than JAWS in terms of screen readers. That's why I was glad when I discovered Window-Eyes. And it was the same sort of thinking that impelled me to get the IPhone when the time came to upgrade my phone again, which is now a little over a year ago. I wanted something with the accessibility already built in and that wasn't going to cost me an arm and a leg. In fact that right there is probably why I don't have an IPad yet since I've seen that they cost over a grand at least in some places. I probably will look into one eventually but not for now.
Over a grand? They're only $500, my friend. For a 16 gb version, that is.
I have a Pac Mate Omni and hate it. I can't wait to finally purchase myself a Refreshabraille to pair with my IPhone and later on, an iPad2. The thing is horribly unstable, weighs a ton and Windows Mobile is prettymuch a goner. I can't write off Notetakers as a whole though because my husband has a BrailleSenseOn-Hand which is a dream to use, especially with the iPhone. I'd love to have one of those, but it's well over myprice range. I'd have to go to work to get one, but in the meantime, I'll be satisfied with a Refreshabraille any day over a crapmate.
Well they're more at Amazon. Usually I'm able to get stuff at reasonable prices from there but apparently not the IPad. I'd probably get a 32-GB IPad just to be safe since I might be putting music on it and I think my music collection is just over 17 gig.
No, it's $500 from Apple. And a 32 gb version is $600. It's right there on Apple's web site.
I'd love an iPad2 but am not sure of the differences between that and an iPhone... Hmmm...
Well the obvious one of course is that one is a phone while the other is not. LOL. My guess though is that an actual IPad would have apps on it by default that an IPhone or an iPod Touch wouldn't. Granted I don't know since as yet I haven't had an opportunity to play around with one although I would really like to. Maybe one of these days I'll pop on over to Best Buy and see if they'll set me up with one so I can at least get a feel for it. Because we don't have an actual Apple Store here and Best Buy is the only place I know of that would actually let me try something like that before I decide whether or not it's worth saving up for. Then again if it operates anything like the IPhone and IPod I might already have a bit of an advantage since I'm familiar with both.
It does have the same feel as the Ipod and any IOS device but what may trip you up is the screen is larger oviously and buttons are not probly where your buttons would bee are a little off. I have a apple store in the mall close to me called crabtree mall and they have an apple store. So I got to play with an Ipad and want one. Its probly the only Idevice i really want at all.
I would love to look at some of our navigational charts again on an iPad. all I can tell you is much as my iPod is incredibly useful, when you look at things on an iPad it is as close to really looking at them as I have ever come. All the proportions truly do make a ton of sense. It would be unbridled awesomeness.
I am happy with my Pac Mate.
I know the iphones, androydes, and the ipads will not die out, but if something new comes along and turns out better, then you negative Pac Mate users would have something else to bitch about..
I would be willing to try out these things and may end up liking them who knows!
Just my opinion for what it is worth. Take it or leave it!
Well to each their own. I just disliked it on principle the moment I saw it and even more so once I started actually experimenting with it. Granted GW Micro's voice sense (although they don't actually make it, they just sell it), is ideed intriguing but seeing as how there are alternatives that are so much cheaper I probably won't ever bother getting one.
That is why their are so many items out there so people can have there choice.
I wasn't sure myself, but now that I have one, I am quite pleased with the Pac Mate.
At least, I don't sit and complain about what other people use. Why run it in to the ground!
@Glory, I'm not sure all is complaint though. I gladly used a PAC Mate professionally for six years, for a myriad of purposes. The Apple i devices did a ton more than the PAC Mate.
Then again, I recently had to explain to an older relative that the fact I no longer use a typewriter is not a complaint either. It was fine in its time - up through the 1980s and even used it into the early 90s. However, that got replaced by a computer. And, the PAC Mate has gotten replaced.
Of course, consumer choice is definitely important, more so as long as the consumer is paying for the devices in question. I have bought all mine in their time: Typewriter, computer, PAC Mate and now iPod. The iPod for my uses now works wonders with my Coast Guard duties and with its on-board camera I can identify packaging someone leaves out on the table and all sorts of other things I could not formerly do.
Like you, I'd rather not see the complaints and brand-hatred (just a mirror image of brand loyalty, and equally a sheeple mentality), but device migration is not necessarily complaining.
I'm not above using a typewriter, for instance: when I ran a store, I actually did use one of those to quickly type out a receipt or a date marking for opened containers in case the health inspector came.
Wow. I haven't used a typewriter in years.
My Pac Mate had its time. Now I find it outdated and clunky. I have moved on. It's not a complaint. I have outgrown the Pac Mate and no longer find it useful. Why do people get so bent out of shape just because someone says something negative about a device or product they like? The fact that I view my Pac Mate as a paperweight is not a personal attack on people who like Pac Mates. We all have different needs. Use what works for you and don't worry about what others think about it. It never fails. Any time a discussion about a device comes up, a user of said device complains about all the haters who dislike the device. Who cares? I love my iPod touch. I don't care if someone else hates Apple products. It works for me and I'm using it. I also still prefer my Nokia N86 with Talks to making the switch to an iPhone. I don't care if it's outdated technology. I have my reasons and I don't need validation from the rest of the world about my choice. And yes, I recognize the irony of my complaining about people who complain about people who complain about devices and products. At least I feel better. Now someone can feel free to complain about me complaining about people who complain about people who complain about stuff.
i must admit i really like the pac mate's concept, but it's hardware is way way out of date and it's OS too. if there were an updated version, made more like say a mini laptop and it's price were dropped it'd be nice but as it is now it's not even going to compete with anything else.
Everyone's right, this is discussion is not a complaint, but rather a choice. Some people may prefer a PAC Mate or a BrailleNote and that's fine. I'm just simply saying that that technology is out of date and I think it's time to embrace the new stuff coming out. Take the Orion 18 Braille Tablet for example. That should be a hell of a device, considering it'll be running on Android and it'll have note taking capabilities, a cell phone, and a scanner all in one.
@Time Traveling Bunny Interesting note on the Nokia: it may be considered antiquated by some, but based on the guts and the battery I'm pretty convinced some archaeologist is going to dig up one of those someday, find a way to charge it, and power it up to find it working.
To date, Nokia smartphones still have the longest-lasting batteries.
Ever seen the inside of a Nokia? OK you're probably more normal than I am hence not having the propensity and undying curiosity to know ... but most Nokias are some pretty fiercely sturdy devices.
My guess is so are PAC Mates, if their outside and weight to size ratios are any indication.
I've taken a Nokia apart, but never took a PAC Mate apart: I wouldn't take apart an expensive blind device.
I'm with you, though: use what works.
I agree about Nokia. In fact had it been an option back in December of 2008 at the time I had to switch from my Nokia 6682 I would have gone with another Nokia phone instead of that crappy Motorola Q9H. Then I could A. have avoided the constant problems with the phone locking up and B. stayed with Talks for my screen reader. Unfortunately none of the phones they had would have supported Talks. Hell, I would have gone with an IPhone had they been available and had Voiceover back then. Then again since my mom was the one who bought me the phone I don't know if she would have gone that far. Then again maybe she might have if it would have saved me an extra couple hundred on a separate screen reader.
LeoGuardian,
I miss understood so I owe you all an apology. because I thought you all were complaining about the Pac Mate.
I know that the ipod, android, iphone, and the ipad probably can do much better than the Pac Mate, but there again it is technology!
The Pac Mate does what I want it to do so I am happy with it and the rest of you are happy with what you have. So have fun!
Yeah they do more and for a mere fraction of the cost, which is especially good if you hate trying to deal with voc rehab.
Oh Well, that is the way it goes!
Screw the BN, PM, BNS, BLT and whatever! Thanks to the dude that's putting braille in Android, we don't even need them anymore. Just give us our accessible smart phones and we'll be allright! For God's sake, the braillenote can't even play podcasts!
Well, I like them and I don't. They do suck, but they do have their plusses.
um.... plus side you say? "dead OS" barely any apps for it, and I am sorry but if I have to have a blindness product just give me the braille android tablit that is soon to come out. My hats off to darle molic sorry killed his last name, he is trying to bring braille to android. As for CF "code factery" I am not sure what there doing for braille, they have been very hush, hush on the braille topic for android. yes! I am about to put a plug in for IOS, fokes pick yourselves off the floor, but even that OS has braille support that cost half the price of a Crap mate. Oh, yes, IOS even has instant on, oops!!!, time to find a coffen for the packmates and nokea of the world. I will say just one more thing, windows, mobile, is, dead!.
once they actually release the android braille tablet, i'll believe it. i've heard of this thing for oever a year, and nothing has come of it yet.
Souns like they need to get a Round Tuit. LOL.
I know that code factery is currently working on braille support, for ICS "icecream sandwidge" wants to support android tablits as well. To find what I am talking about, go listen to the last "that android" podcast from Saro tech.