Category: accessible Devices
It looks like the IPhone 3g is accessible; now featuring voice over.
http://www.apple.com/accessibility/iphone/vision.html
Which zoner out there plans on snapping this one up?
i don't, as i have a perfectly goood, phone.
i recently sind up with teem Mobile. So not yet. But I would like tot see it in action.
Yeah, reading the description, it would be fun to go to an Apple store and see one demonstrated. It seems like such a cool, yet odd concept to run a screen reader via touch screen.
I'm mighty curious. *smile*
I too would like to see it in action.
I agree, I'll definitely go to test it out if I can. But I think it's wayyyy overhyped, the phone that is. If they truly managed to make it accessible though I'll ahve to give them due consideration whenever I renew, since it'll compare very favorably to a copy of Mobilespeak or Talks plus a different phone.
I can't wait to get one but it won't be till december though
Issues I see. First no accessible GPS, Symbian has several different choices. Second other apps arn't accessible, what if I want to get an rss reader, last.fm radio client, etc? At least on Symbian there's a chance of those apps being accessible. Third programming isn't as easy for the iphone as it is for Symbian, python on symbian allows me to quickly throw together quick scripts to do stuff like get current temperature, etc.
I'll deffinitly be grabbing two of these up! I'm already a huge VO fan from the mac prospective so this should be nice.
no thanks, I've seen all the issues my friends have with thos over priced peaces of shit. can you imagine trying to type a text message? apple is just trying to play the catchup game as usual.
over priced? its only $199 with a buildt in screen reader.
No thanks. I'm perfectly fine with the phone I already have.
yeah its only $199 with a built in screen reader .. truely breaking the price point of aTTS software + unlocked nokia phone. But but its still a touch screen which unless i am missing something here .. still is the only imput method and can be quite a hassle if you can't see whats where on the screen to begin with. Though like i have said .. it looks promising with the hardware interigration in the 3.0 iPhone Software that both the current iPhone and Iphone 3GS will be providing a keyboard and or voice command are implemented well. also all the 3rd party apps will have to be written to take advantage of voice over as well. like i said .. looks promising but i don't think its where it is to compete with nokia/windows mobile yet. But hey i will next time i am out and around an ATT store or something i'll try playing with one and see just how well it works with voice over and a touch screen.
you can also give it voice commands you guys.
from what I've heard there is no screen reader its just the boice ober and um you can't text and that is a huge eal breaker cuz I love texting
No no, you can definitely read and send text messages. Yep, from what the article said, you can use voice commands to do various tasks.
I think it sounds exciting! And a great price point for a cool phone with a built in screen reader.
Lol, most of the fun phones are at AT&T, unfortunately.
Excellent price point. I love Apple, and totally appreciate their access to everything. That said, I won't get ain iPhone. I'm not switching to AT&T for Apple. I will, however, get an iPod Touch once it catches up.
Exactly gotta apprishiate the effort to make it accesible without having to purchase a screen reader on top of it. And the fact that it is a touch screen phone and yet they make it work for us is amazing with in itself. No more bitching about how apple doesn't make their products accesible and blah blah blah
Agreed, voice over is pretty cool.
My boyfriend got one. I'm going to let him mess with it. see how it works for him. I already have atnt and a nice excessable phone but I am curious about it. But a touch screen. I think that would just be strange to find things. I want to test it, see it work, but I wouldn't just go out and by one now. I love my phone anyway.
I guess I just don't think the touch screen is such a big deal, when the first PDA's were made accessible by code factory they were basically opperated via the touch screen, granted they have migrated in to pocket pc phones with keyboards but initially you opperated with the use of a touch screen. Also there is a BT keyboard out there for the iPhone which will help for typing purposes.
BTW the touch screen approach used in voice over on the iPhone will be utilized in the snow lepord as well, and will allow you to use your finger on the touch screen to read or explore the layout of the screen or to click buttons ETC. Personally I think a huge step in the right direction, and given the small market of users the blindness community makes in the large marketing plan for apple, I think it speaks volumes to their commitment to equal access that they made the iPhone accessible to any degree!
i'm interested, but i wouldn't buy it right now. That's the problem with people sometimes, they want to buy these things right when it comes out. You have to wait. THey have to fix bugs if there is any. So its not good to buy right when it comes out, but its interesting.
To the persoson who said there is no screen reader just voice over .. Voice Over is the name of the apple screen reader. And yes voice commands are great .. and works great in your quiet home or office. but how many of you have tried using this elsewhere .. where its not so quiet? Also converting voice to text isn't perfected yet so dictating a text message could be more hassle than it worth. and well if you are thinking of just recording an audio message and just sending that along ... well guess what multi media messages (which by the way is supported by just about every other phone and all carriers worldwide) isn't and wont be in the iPhone till version 3.0 of the software comes out .. and well after the iPhone supports it you have a few more months before AT&T supports it for the iPhone. And well a blue tooth keyboard would makes things a lot better as well which once again support for is coming in the 3.0 software (which gets released on monday if not mistaken) So as i said promising but not quite where it is for me to even begin considering ditching my very nice nokia phone which i got for free btw. I do commend apple for continueing to show support for the blind community by implementing things like voice over at the OS level, but lets be honest here we are such a small share of the market that we aren't gonna ever be very high up on the priority list of features. But i have a sneaking suspicion that the iPhone is accessable for the same reason that there is now an iPhone for $99 and $149, (which by the way is probably enough for us and there is no real need to get the iPhone 3GS unless you want the speed) is that eventually apple is going to run out of people who are willing to pay $199 and $299 for a phone.
Hmmm, I guess I'm confused. There isn't any kind of keypad to compose a text message?
nope is all touch screen
@23 mms'is are supported.
I just don't see what the hype is about really. Sure, its one of the only phones that has a built in screenreader, but should I buy it just to show my support for apple?
I'lllet all the early adopters get substandard devices first and then we'll see what happens.
Only if either I hear positive reviews from it's accessibility, or if I get the chance to get a demonstration of it's features will I decide.
Sandra
yes ATT supports mms but since the iPhone is just implementing it its for whatever reason taking att additional time to add that capability for the iPhone to its network. I can send mms messages from my nokia 6650 as is right now .. so i don't know why it is gonna take ATT a few months to add that functionality to the iPhone. And This is the story according to what they said at the keynote for wwdc when running down the list of new features for the iPhone.
I'm definitely impressed, but like others, plan on waiting to hear reviews first. I'm a bit of a cell phone whore though, so I may just have to meander towards it at some point.
Ok, I know it will be a bit of a sideways post, but Skyla, I want to hear your cell phone collection! *Lol,* maybe we should start a new thread, Cell phones, past, present, and future! I'm such a gadget girl!
polka dots, so am I!! I'm currently using the n82 with KNFB reader and talks, but used to use the Nokia6682 with talks. Before that, I had an LG that talked (but accessibility-wise, it doesn't at all compare with phones that have talks/mobile speak). Before that, I had all sorts of phones--I just memorized the sequence of buttons pressed in order to do certain things. I'm really tempted by the iPhone though, so I'm just waiting for the brave techy blind folk to try it.
well if you do get an iPhone want to pass that N82 over here? lol
haha, I'm adding the iPhone to the list of things I'm promising myself if I get into grad school. I'm currently severely impoverished. Enough said LOL.
I am one who is quite interested in the IPhone. Right now I have a pathetic 6620 running talks and it is about to die. I have had it since 2005 so I am do for a new one. And, I am looking at 2 possibilities. either the pantech Matrix with mobal speak or wonder of wonders, the IPhone. I am going to head to the store this weekend so I can test it and see what I think of the screen reading capability. I am a techy girl and even if I decide not to buy it I love playing with gagits. lol The concept of being able to have a screen reader with a touch screen is such a neat idea to me if for no other purpose then that it is a novel one. I know PDA's have had them but you had to buy special software to install. It is nice to think in theory that you can buy one thing and work along side our sighted counterparts and be up to date. Now saying that, I also am not sure if it will work as well as they claim, hence my trip to the store this weekend to get answers. smiles I wonder is it going to be as easy as they say to find stuff on the screen and locate nearby objects or will I have to fumble around frequently thus rendering it more of a pain then a help. I know they say it works with all programs on the phone but how easily and effectively. These are questions I hope to get ansewr too and I must say I want! want! want! the phone. lol Another thing to note with this phone is that it is a requirement to get the data plan which is 30 bucks more a month so expense is definitely a factor and that doesn't include the texting part of a plan. You have to have the net with this phone. and I have to say apple should be commended for at least taking the time and making the effort to create something with accessibility in mind. I only got to play with voiceover on the mac briefly but from what I saw it worked better then window's poor attempt at a screen reader. Though I have heard that Vista's performs better but again it is after another company beat them to it. I must say though I have still been eager for this release and like a kid in a candy store will have fun once I get to my AT&T carrier. lol Maybe I will be able to write more after this weekend and give my thoughts for what they are worth. lol
Well that data plan requirement isn't just for the iPhone but for all smart phones ... or phones that AT&T consider smart phones. Fortunately for me AT&T doesn't consider the 6650 a smart phone like nokia does so the extra $30 a month gets me unlimited data and texting. Well let us know just how well the iPhone works .. I really do hope voice over is all it takes to make that phone accessable, but yes either way kudos to apple for taking the necessary first steps in that direction if it isn't. And also if you can while you are at the store this weekend please varify that voice over is part of the 3.0 software update and Thus available on all iPhones and not just the iPhone 3GS.
I really want one, but like others have said, I want to wait to see what the blind community thinks. Bessides, I just got a new phone three months ago, so I'll have to wait for a while before I can get another phone.
I have a friend who wants to buy the new IPhone, so I am going with him to see the new IPhone at the at & T store tomorrow. I have a list of things that I will test, and see if I can have them demonstrated. The person at the store said they would demonstrate it for me and everything, and even turn on voiceover so I can try it myself.
The evaluation consists of the following:
1. Whether I can truly navigate the touch screen easily or if it's more hassle than it's worth.
2. If I am currently able to text message easily and efficiently.
3. if I am able to use the mp3 player functions as easily.
4. the accuracy and responsiveness of the hints and tips buttons and just how much information I can get when they're pressed.
Anything else you guys can think of put it here on the board and I'll put it on the list of things to evaluate for the phone.
I also have to give apple their props for really steping up, and making things accessible out of the box.
Test out internet browsing as well if you can.
and if you can see just how fast the iPhone 3G is vs the iPhone 3GS in real world usage, both with internet browsing and just opening apps.
Voiceover is *only* available on the 3gs.
well I went to see the IPhone 3gs and I must say i like it a lot and really want it. lol First off I will say that I didn't get a chance to see everything. I may go back to explore it some more. The sales representatives at the aT&T store were wonderful. we called a couple days before to varify that they would have one in store for us to look at and the person we spoke with took the phone home so that he could get himself familiar with voice over. It uses a clear easy to understand voice. Now, with a lot of ambient noise it is hard to hear but that isn't much different the the phone I have currently. The phone itself is about 4 inches long and about 3 or a bit more inches wide and half inch thick. There is a home button at the bottom of the phone with volume keys on the left side. Just above that is a switch to silence the phone if desired. I think there is a sleep button too but I can't recall exactly where that is located. The rest of the phone is all used by touchscreen. For some I can see it being frustrating to get used to knowing where things are on the screen. I did it pretty quickly and was able to track across and find all the numbers for the phone application. My biggest problem so far is tapping twice quickly enough, or it seemed that way but again it could be just because it feels different. Also, a thing to note, while the press release mentions how you can just flick your finger to move from icon to icon, you still need to be in the right area of the screen to actually activate it. The flicking left and right is nice however, to learn what is around you and once you are comfortable with the phone you could judge pretty accurately where the item is located. It spoke the battery power, network signal and provider, clock, everything. I looked at the qwerty keyboard and like the rest, it would take some getting used to however I think I could figure it out. There are icons right on the home screen such as stocks and weather that you can touch to get info. i pressed weather and got the 6 day forcast. I simply flicked to the right to hear each day. It said the high and low and weather it was sunny, cloudy etc. Voiceover automatically lowers phone noises so that they don't interfere whenever it is speaking. I didn't get a chance to see the internet working in full action but I may go back up tomorrow with a friend to check it out again and can look then. We played with the gps a bit and we weren't able to figure out how to get it to tell us our current location. However, we were able to read directions when we typed in an address to go to. It told us to go a direction on the street and turn and all that. Overall, I must say I was quite impressed and what is also nice is that any updates to the 3gs are free. Now, someone asked about putting 3.0 on 3g and etting voiceover. one of the representatives had a 3g that they just updated and they were not able to find voiceover on it at all so it must be a 3gs only feature.
As I said, I looked at it a while but I still consider that only a brief incounter with the phhone. I strongly reccomend going to your local store and exploring it for yourself if you are able. That is the best way to get a sense of it and if you feel it is something that is doable.
I am deciding now weather I want to take the plunge. I like the phone, it is kind of like a small computer, I can check email and all that but it would have to be a 30 dollar a month extra on my phone and that is what Iam unsure of.
Ah, decisions! decisions! I wish I would win the lottery then I would be set. lol
Hi all,
For anyone interested, the following URL is to a blog that has three podcasts up about the iPhone. Podcast 3 is where the iPhone is put into action. Enjoy! I just listened to that particular podcast, and am very impressed.
The link is here.
For those of you that have checked it out, how would you text? Is that by touch screen as well?
It is that $30 a month that would stop me. You must have the data plan for the life of the phone.
yes, you have to use the touch screen to type a text message. at first I think it is going to be a bit hard to get used too but with practice I think it would be easier. And yes, I am debating the whole thing because of that $30 data plan. I am trying to weigh the benefits against the cost. gps makes it kind of worth it considering an accessible one is thousand's of dollars. I am still wavering back and forth though. lol and thanks for the podcast because I was trying to look for one of those to listen too.
Ok, so I am a techy person but I haven't done much in regard to podcasts. I am clicking on the link to try and listen to the demo of the IPhone but it is not playing. Do I need any software? or is it just being tempermental as technology is want to do. lol
ok, that last message can be disreguarded. It was my goofy computer that was the problem I got the podcast all figured out. smiles
My mistake apple did lead one to believe in their wwdc keynote that voice over was a feature of 3.0 software and not the 3GS speciffically. Were you outside when you tried to use the GPS, or in the store as you usually have to be outside to get the gps to work. Also if you can when you return to the store to play with it more can you try to varify which bluetooth profiles are supported in the phone now. I am curious to know if it will work with any bluetooth keyboard or if one ha to be made specifficaly for the iPhone?
Oh and that extra $30 data plan is for all phones att consider a smart phone so unless the phone you are considering besides the iPhone sin't a smart phone you will be paying that extra $30 a month anyways.
I asked them about if I had to have the data plan for the matrix and they said no, it wasn't manditory but that the IPhone required it to work, there was no getting around it. and I am not going to be able to get back today like I expected to, but I will this Thursday and will ask that question. It is really amazing and I listened to the podcast and am still impressed.
i guess there are a few smart phones exempted from the data plan rule, but all the ones i looked at required it, and even when i asked it it was required for all smart phones i was told it was. I am assumming you are referring to the Pantech Matrix Pro and not the regular Pantech Matrix?
I actually didn't know there was a pantech matrix pro verses just a matrix. I had looked at a pantech months ago, the duo and decided not to get that one because it seemed like it wasn't durable. But, I saw someone recently who had the matrix and let me see it. They didn't say weather it was pro so I assumed there was only one type. I am seriously leaning more and more toward the IPhone. lol It doesn't help that my family and friends are all encouraging me too. It is hard when everyone else is telling you to get what you want. lol I am just well, cautious when it comes to spending extra money. lol But, I do think I am going to end up coming back here Thursday and say that I ordered it. lol
my phone required me to get the plan as well so yeah I am a little shocked as well that y you didn't have to get it on the matrix.
I saw a little bit of text messaging action on the IPhone. You will have to get used to the querty keyboard being a virtual touch keyboard when sending a message. I think they also told me you could dictate the message as well, but yeah try doing that in a public place. That might not be such a good idea, so, yes, you do have ot text using the touch keyboard.
I am also told that if you take your IPhone with you to the apple store, they will train you on how to use your IPhone.
Secondly, My friend purchased the phone, it was 323.75 with a new contract and it will be here in 14 days.
Also did anyone use the music app on it? Is it just like the IPod? I didn't get to do that so I'm curious on how that works.
Jess
I'm so angry. I bought the att jack about a month ago, with an upgrade. I paid $99 for it. Does anyone know if I can return it, and purchase the i phone, or am I stuck with the jack?? I didn't know about the i phone coming with voice over until after i bought the jack. Damn...
Would have to check with ATT on what your return time is. it's typically 30 days. I just signed a new 2 year with VZW two weeks ago but I called this morning to cancel so I can get the iPhone!
I called, and found out that I have 5 days to send my phone back to att, (I bought it online) and get the i phone. Who thinks I should do it? Or should I just keep the jack, and be patient.
after seeing the IPhone in action, both from the store and on the podcast as mentioned before, I strongly suggest you get your IPhone. I myself would love to get one but my upgrade time isn't for a long while, lol. So I guess I'll have to just wait awhile, but gld it looks so awesome.
Anyway, such is life for me I guess, lol.
Jess
Personally if i were on verizon I would hang out there till the iPhone came over there as well.. i switched to ATT for an accessable phone and well lets just say i miss my vzw service. Though from waht i hear about the jack i would switch to any other accesable phone. Yeah the matrix i don't think is a smart phone but the matrix pro is a windows mobile smart phone and i am pretty sure they told me for the pro you had to get the data plan.
Ok, I decided. I'm going to the att store tomorrow to make the switch. I'll let everyone know how it goes.
I'm going to get the nokia e71x I'm way to busy to figure out a darn touch screen. plus I'm a heavy texter so I don't think the iphone would do me much good
No way in the world the iPhone will come to VZW before 2011 since apple has an exclusivity contract with ATT wireless until then.
I listened to the pod cast on it and I will say on my part: contempt pryer to investagation. it does sound cool but like others have stated I text way to much to have to try and type like that. I do like some of it's features. Now here is a question, my mom has a I phone that she got last year or maybe it was 2 years ago, it was around the time that they came out with ATT. Can you upgrade the software on it, if you get the latest upgrade will it have this voice over feature?
no it won't
Yeah i am aware that att and apple have a 5 year exclusive deal so there is reason to believe that we wont s see an iphone on vzw till 2011.. However .. the rumblings from "reliable sources" are that apple is going to have a device on the verizon network sooner than we think. Now to get around the exclusivity deal with att it would reason that its not going to be the same exact iPhone that Att has .. who knows it could be the big announcement they are saving for jobs return at the end of june (not too far off) or we may not hear about it till another few months or so. Peersonally though i don't think the att network worth switching for to get an iPhone especially when att can't even keep up with apple on new features .. Like i said .. every other phone just about on att can do MMS why is it taking so much longer for them to implement it for iphone subscribers, .. and no tethering ?? Hey to each their own .. Just muc prefer the vzw network over ATT.
My wife works for apple, and tells me it's not likely there will be any type of device with VZW until they stop insisting to load the device up with verizon apps
I wouldn't take anything your wife says seriously unless she's got very very good sources from with in the company. Apple has a habit of being secretive and feeding miss information to everyone including there employees.
If only I hadn't signed up for t-mobile. lol Oh well. I'm willing to wait. The podcast sounded really cool. I don't have spacial problems so I am pretty sure I can adjust to the vertual keyboard. I wonder if they will make a version of this phone for t-mobile users as well. One can only hope.
I heard as of now the new IPhone supports bluetooth keyboards as well, so heavy texters might still be able to text just as quickly and easily.
I'll see what other research I can find on that though to confirm the validity of that statement.
TO the Tmobile user check out the G1 its a work in progress but so far looks to be accessable out of the box and with the pending 2.0 software update should be much more if not entirely.
well guys, I just went out and ordered my IPhone today. yay! now the waiting game begins. I went with a friend to show her as well as play some more. she said she wouldn't have the patients but said that I was doing well at it and also said I should get it. lol I was able to dial numbers quickly and find my way around. I stumbled around a bit, but that is normal for something new. I am excited and hate having to wait. lol
The ATT and Apple Stores are out of stock already?
When you order an iPhone they tell you you have to wait 14 business days for it, but that it could be there sooner.
Yep, I ordered mine too. I'm waiting, but not to patiently lol. I haven't seen it yet, but have heard nothing but good things about it!!!!!!! I'm so excited.
ahh i see i have known of ppl who walked into an att store apple store or wal mart and left with an iPhone in hand but i guess it depends on what they have in stock and what colour you want etc
Yeah, and also where you live. I'm from Nyc, which is more populated than other cities, and smaller towns. The bigger the place where you live is, the more people there are that want the new i phone...
Anyone tried the zoom feature yet?
I am hoping it doesn't take as long. The day the phone came out there were loads of ppl in the stores. lol So maybe I will get an email sooner saying it is ready to be picked up. crosses fingers and hopes.
And I just checked my email, not that anyone really cares but I had to share, but it is reserved and now I just have to wait for the email tellingme I can run to the store and get it. lol and run I will do too. July and I walk fast enoughh. lol
To post 69: Wow are you serious? I just got the t-mobile dash. I've had it for a month now but if the IPhone g1 really works I'm wondering if I can change my phone to that one. Any t-mobile users gonna get the IPhone?
Will the ipod touch also have V O on it soon?
i heard the touch doesn't maybe when they refresh the touches (usually aroudn september ) they will be updated with a new processor that will enable them to use Boice Over. TO post 79, the G1 is not an iPhone as it is a google branded phone not an Apple Branded phone. Right now it is only available on T mobile (unless you buy one unlocked then you can use it on ATT... and last i checked you can't get the iPhone unlocked to use on T mobile.) alot of the G1 features are accessable with the built in screen reader and it will should only get better when version 2.0 of the phone software is available. If you haven't had the phone for 30 days i would suggest going to your tmobile store andplaying with a G1 and seeing how you like it compared to the current phone .. if you haven't had the phone for 30 days you should be able to swap phones if you like the G1
Hi all
I listened to the podcasts, and read Apple's accessibility page. I ordered it today so who knows when it'll show, but i can't wait! Anyone wanting the txt manual add me to msn at netgeek20@aol.com.
You know when i saw the previous posters thread about selling a Nokia 6650 i thought to myself .. how much you want to bet they are getting an iPhone. So just out of curiosity did you get the 16GB version or the 32GB version. Well atleast now i know why you are trying to get $200 for a nokia 6650 with accessories. lol good luck with that one.
This would be my dream to have it. Since I burned my bridges with ATT and they want a 700 deposit though not anytime soon will I get one. Still want to see one in action though.