at&t users, help with choosing a phone?

Category: accessible Devices

Post 1 by TheAsianInvasion (The Zone's invader) on Wednesday, 04-Aug-2010 17:17:10

I'm looking into getting a new phone, any suggestions are welcome. also, how would I go about getting either mobilespeak or talks?

Post 2 by Striker (Consider your self warned, i'm creative and offensive like handicap porn.) on Wednesday, 04-Aug-2010 20:24:06

I'd go iPhone 4 but, i'm bius, I think.

Post 3 by illumination (Darkness is history.) on Wednesday, 04-Aug-2010 20:34:47

I have to agree with James here. The iPhone is probably your best bet.

Post 4 by purple penguin (Don't you hate it when someone answers their own questions? I do.) on Wednesday, 04-Aug-2010 21:36:03

Sorry to confuse you even more, but you could get the $89 deal for mobile speak.
http://www.wireless.att.com/about/disability-resources/mobile-speak-magnifier.jsp
They need to update their list of supported devices, because the ones they offer are kind of old. You could get a supported phone, and buy Talks or Mobile Speak for their regular price. This might sound ten times better. Get the iPhone with voiceover already built in. I'm not for having a phone that does everything except make pizza, but that's just me. Whichever works the best.

Post 5 by Nicky (And I aprove this message.) on Thursday, 05-Aug-2010 3:10:08

I have to agree, the Iphone, I got one right before they came out with the iIphone 4 but thats find I like mine and can wait for my update to update. Even though, I still say, get the Iphone.

Post 6 by Dirty Little Oar (I'd rather be rowing.) on Thursday, 05-Aug-2010 8:51:52

Call the at&t disability center to find out what devices they have available right now. The number is 1-866-241-6568. What are you interested in? Yes,the Iphone is an option but it's not your only option. You can get mobile speak from at&t for $89. Would you be comfortable with a touch screen? Would you rather have real buttons? Do you want a number pad or a qwerty keypad? Are you just using it for calls or do you want to text, read email and surf the web? You'll get better advice if you give us some of this info. Choosing a phone comes down to personal preference. I think the IPhone is neat and I applaud Apple for it's built in accessibility. But, I have zero interest in using one. That's just my preference. So, don't let all the apple fan boys and girls push you into the IPhone without considering all your options. And keep in mind, that IPhone that everyone is so in love with comes with a mandatory data plan that will set you back some extra cash every month. Good luck.

Post 7 by Dirty Little Oar (I'd rather be rowing.) on Thursday, 05-Aug-2010 8:57:33

Also, you might want to check out www.blindsea.com. There's a lot of info on there about phones, Talks, Mobile Speak, etc that might help with your decision.

Post 8 by Marissapc2010 (Zone BBS is my Life) on Thursday, 05-Aug-2010 10:20:59

iphone iphone iphone iphone iphone
lol

Post 9 by starfly (99956) on Thursday, 05-Aug-2010 11:30:12

I agree with the 2 posts above the last one. yes Iphone is a neet phone but not everyone wants to bee tied into a touch screen and a data plan every month.

Post 10 by chelslicious (like it or not, I'm gonna say what I mean. all the time.) on Thursday, 05-Aug-2010 11:43:48

I have a nokia n75, and purchased mobile speak from at&t. I love it; it's personal preference, though.

Post 11 by illumination (Darkness is history.) on Thursday, 05-Aug-2010 14:51:07

Or, if you want something a little less fancy than the iPhone, you could always get a Windows Mobile phone with Mobile Speak or Talks. Those phones can sell prety cheap. If it happens to be a touch screen phone, Mobile Speak can work with that.

Post 12 by Striker (Consider your self warned, i'm creative and offensive like handicap porn.) on Thursday, 05-Aug-2010 16:22:53

Yeh, their are a few other usable options on AT&T but, I believe they all require a data plan.

Post 13 by monkeypusher69 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Thursday, 05-Aug-2010 17:31:32

yeah last i looked at the list of phones that qualified for the $89 mobile speak promotion from AT&T all those phones were smart phones that all required a data plan. However now AT&T has 2 data plans and not just the single $30 option anymore so now u can get data for as little as $15 if u don't plan on using it much. oh and all smart phones do every thing but make pizza, even the n75, some just do it better than others and are snappier than others. SO when u consider that no matter which phone u go with .. u will have to pay for data to get the deal on mobile speak then the iPhone starts to looke better. Reasons i like the iPhone, well unlike windows mobile and nokia phones running talks or mobile speak its a lot snappier and faster even with the screen reader in use. And the second you actually use one and ton't think of approching it as a touch screen the way a sighted person will use it but with some of the voice over esque features you will quickly realize that its just like using a phone with buttons except u can navigate things alot faster. Then there is the massive app library, u may think you will never use any of those apps and u have no use for them .. but once u give it a try you will most likely get hooked on something fun and or useful. Oh and You can get an iPhone 3GS for as little as $99 for an 8GB model and thats cheaper than any other phone plust the $89 mobile speak deal. I say get an iPhone play with it for 30 days if u don't like it send it back and get something else, but i don't think u will really get to understand how to use one till u actually use one for a while. Trust me playing with them in the store doesn't do it justice. Also if u do decided to get a different phone then don't use the AT&T disability center other than to pay for your mobile speak liscense. the phones through them are usually not discounted like they are on the website or in the stores and u don't have to get the phone from then you can get the phone from any AT&T dealer and then just call them to pay for mobile speak.

Post 14 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Friday, 06-Aug-2010 0:50:48

If I were doing AT&T and paying for a data plan it'd be iPhone. These high-power mobile computing appliances will outsell computers in a very few years. My niece is almost 21, and she does everything even for college, on her Blackberry. Blinkosphere don't quake, I know; we cn't use blackberry devices that much yet and "accessible" isn't the point here. What I am saying is everything she does with her Blackberry you can do with your iPhone, and it has the built-in reader. and iOS4 supports iBooks. Now you can consume published content with your sighted counterparts, at the same time, and the same quality.

Post 15 by kieranlittle667 (Account disabled) on Friday, 06-Aug-2010 10:18:52

i would also go for the iPhone.
It's the way to go un fortunatly.
Windows mobile is dead,
windows phone 7 is a failior, and symbian is dying.
So,
Yeah.

Post 16 by monkeypusher69 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Friday, 06-Aug-2010 13:45:19

u know just because windows phone 7 isn't accessible doesn't mean it's a failure remember us blind users are like 1% of the population not everything is going to be made accessible out of the box which sucks and isn't fair etc etc but we are no where near a majority . Hell apple waited till the iPhone could handle accessibility without being brought to a crawl before putting it in. so lets give windows phone 7 sometime to see what it's actually like before panning it, I mean its not even out yet and every where i look it seems to be getting favorable reviews thus far.

Post 17 by changedheart421 (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Friday, 06-Aug-2010 15:06:46

I liked the tilt when I was looking at switching to att. Also the jack was good to but you can not do mobile speak in calls.

Post 18 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Friday, 06-Aug-2010 16:39:18

I think Android and iPhone have proven you can start with a Linux kernel and produce a UI that most users will want to use. Windows kernels just don't manage memory that well. So, you may ask, why is that so important? Simply put, when an application is closed, all relevant memory needs to be freed up - not the cumulative turds you find when inspecting the processes in Windows. The Linux kernel is independent of higher-level processes. Windows has always had this memory problem, and it always will unless it ceases to be anatomically Windows, aka it separates the kernel from GDI / GDIPlus and the rest. Ironically, certain graphics acceleration and other techniques are unique to Windows because of this apparent hole.
I personally think the mobile appliance of the future will be Linux-based, be it iPhone or otherwise. Even BlackBerry's OS does better than Windows Mobile.
Windows Mobile and BlackBerry may compete for enterprise solutions - corporate issue PDAs and similar, but I think we're seeing a difference and separation now between the user and enterprise markets. To me it looks rather like the inevitable splitting of Pangaea.

Post 19 by illumination (Darkness is history.) on Saturday, 07-Aug-2010 13:44:28

So I'm going to presume that Oratio isn't all that good with the Blackberry? I've heard that screen reader put through its paces, but I didn't think the quality was good enough, but I wasn't sure about accessibility.

Post 20 by rat (star trek rules!) on Saturday, 07-Aug-2010 16:15:11

cant' say how good it is, but it only works with, what is it, one device?

Post 21 by monkeypusher69 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Sunday, 08-Aug-2010 0:42:46

TO POSTER 18 LEO GAURDIAN, YOU ARE AWARE THAT WINDOWS PHONE 7 IS A COMPLETELY NEW OS AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WINDOWS MOBILE OR WINDOWS 7? I AM GUESSING NOT.

Post 22 by The SHU interpreter (I just keep on posting!) on Tuesday, 24-Aug-2010 0:17:22

i have the iphone and love it. so consider it. if you can't get that at least get ipod touch. it's cheaper and you don't need data plans. and the ipod touch is the same as iphone the only difference, it doesn't have a camera, is thinner, and doesn't have a phone

Post 23 by donovan303503 (Newborn Zoner) on Wednesday, 25-Aug-2010 23:49:36

from what I hear the iPod also can have skype on it and you can buy a phone number thru them. also there is an app that lets you send text messages thru the ipod. How ever the downside is you can only use it in wifi spots.

Post 24 by starfly (99956) on Thursday, 26-Aug-2010 8:50:13

to the poster, I can do anything a Iphone can do with moble speak and the touch screen. This is why we ahve options to each of there on. Also I can update facebook using a keyboard that does not need to bee purchased. I have the touch pro2 and it does not freeze on me. Yes windows moble has had its problems but so has other os's out there. I am pationtly whating for moble speak to support win7 moble, I know they are working with microsoft.

Post 25 by starfly (99956) on Thursday, 26-Aug-2010 8:52:47

I do use pandora to listen to the radeo it works. takes some getting use to but yappers it works. Keep in mind this is my appinion and Iph9one users are probly gona bash what I say. For my last post, I do not have anything against the Iphone, its the network who they chose to partner with at this time.

Post 26 by rat (star trek rules!) on Thursday, 26-Aug-2010 13:55:51

you're not alone with taht, believe me you aren't

Post 27 by illumination (Darkness is history.) on Friday, 10-Sep-2010 17:50:24

Well, folks, keep this in mind. The reason why the iPhone is on the AT&T network is because it's the fastest GSM network out there. I'm sure they'll come to other carriers in the future, but I have to tell you, after having the iPhone for the past month, AT&T really isn't all that bad of a network. As far as the Windows Phone 7 Series, yes, it has a lot to do with Windos Mobile because they're still including the office suite as well as Internet exploder. It's just going to be a whole different UI.

Post 28 by starfly (99956) on Tuesday, 14-Sep-2010 8:50:58

Oh really? Is this why my co-worker Iphone does not even reach 4g speeds and I work smack dab in the middle of raleigh!. If A T and Shit is so great, why does his Iphone 4 craw on the network and I as a team moble user can download faster then him still keep a 3g speed. Hmm wonder why I want go to A T and T. Lets not for get that at team moble we still have a unlimited data plan. Not so true for A T and T. They would rather rape you of all your savings then even reconsider bringing back a unlimited plan after admitting they were not ready for the smart phone revolution. So in short, I will go to an Iphone when its not on the A t and Shit network.

Post 29 by starfly (99956) on Tuesday, 14-Sep-2010 8:57:02

Oh for my last comment on here bee for I go, tell me why sprint was the first one to have a 4g network before A T and T even desided to start building there 4g network. Not that I am a sprint fane boy, as shown in the post above.

Post 30 by rusty81 (Zone BBS is my Life) on Tuesday, 14-Sep-2010 12:06:52

do iphon 3gs 16gb have voiceover?
and what about iphone 4 16gb?

Post 31 by illumination (Darkness is history.) on Tuesday, 14-Sep-2010 18:45:37

The problem that I'm seeing here is that someone is generalizing too much. The iPhone 4 is really fast on the AT&T network. And before you call it crap, please make sure you test it first. Also, it seems like every carrier is going to get rid of the unlimited data plans, including Verizon an tMobile.

Post 32 by starfly (99956) on Wednesday, 15-Sep-2010 4:45:52

Hmm as for the Iphone g4 I was not calling it crap. I just stated A T and T is crap in my appinion. Yes I have witness the Iphone G4 having problems reaching G4 speeds. I was there when a friend was downloading Iheart radio for someone who's name I will leave out. Nice phone but Apple choose another network.

Post 33 by Striker (Consider your self warned, i'm creative and offensive like handicap porn.) on Wednesday, 15-Sep-2010 13:45:53

Um? Ok, now lets sort threw this.
the iPhone 4 (not 4g) is a 3g device. It is not a 4 g device. Seccondly,you can't deny that AT&T has serious congestion issues in surtain locations in surtain times of the day, but they are improving their infrastructure. In all honesty, the iPhone was a drastic departure from the way networks were used to opperateing. At&T was really the first network to take this plunge, and in many ways their still catching up and fixing the errors other networks learned by watching AT&T. I personally usually get several mb down on my iPhone, but I realize this isn't the case everywhere. And "team mobile?"... Ok, now that that's out of the way.

One of the huge things that pushed me in the direction of the iPhone was just the simple fact I wasn't going to a 3rd party and paying as much for my phone, or more, to make it usable, and keep it up to date. Their was another full featured option I couldn't ignore that came in the flavor of iOS. Does it have its flaws, for sure. Is it honestly one of the most if not the most access friendly mobile platform? Yes. Bius aside, you can't ignore that you can go to a store and purchace an iPhone for the same price as everyone else, and use every feature on the device regardless of vision. Its a great acheevement and I hope it sets the bar high enough for true inovation on the other fronts.
I'm personally going to be curious to see how screen reader access could be instituted by a third party on windows phone 7, because of how the OS is designed. Their will be several limitations, unless microsoft gives something like mobile speak a lot more freedom to interact with the OS. Remember windows mobile 6.x had a form of multytasking, windows phone 7 really doesn't for third party apps. Keep in mind that all windows phone 7 apps will have to be installed threw the market place on the phone. No totally blind user will be able to do this indipendantly. It looks like a long and challenging road for mobile 7 access. I'm looking forward to android access progressing, iOS could really use some strong out of the box compotition.

Post 34 by HauntedReverie (doing the bad mango) on Wednesday, 15-Sep-2010 17:05:10

ok guys, here's what I'm looking for.
I don't like apple, so I'll steer clear of the iphone.
I can't use a qwerty keyboard on a phone; I just never mastered typing on the things, and I've never used a touch screen.
so, a new number pad phone would be ideal, and I have no preference of simbian over windows moble. I have a nokia n75 now, because it was cheap, and I hate it. I was looking at a nokia e51.
My other question is, where could I find an e51? I've tried amazon, and I don't really know how to use e-bay. it looks very confusing. oh yeah, and I'm with ATT&T

Post 35 by illumination (Darkness is history.) on Wednesday, 15-Sep-2010 19:20:13

Sure AT&T has its flaws, but my point is that this guy thinks that the iPhone isn't fast. AT&T has dedicated $2,000,000,000 to improve their network in terms of speed and capability. And yes, James is right, AT&T is the first carrier to ever take this plunge with the iPhone, and it's obvious that it's coming along very well. And yes, even iOS itself has its flaws. And by the way, just in case some of you don't know, it is rumored that AT&T will roll out its 4g network starting next year. Will that increase internet speed? Yes. Will the iPhone 4 be able to handle it? Maybe. But I'm sure that if AT&T came out with their 4g network next year, Apple would release an iPhone that can handle that 4g speed if the iPhone 4 can't handle it.

Post 36 by starfly (99956) on Wednesday, 15-Sep-2010 21:24:00

hmm I digress you A T and T users will argue for them I will stay with team moble. I actualy like moble speak and its touch jesters. So I will put this arguement to sleep for now. Here I could bring up what I learned to day by reading but everyone has there right to choose. Personally I will stay away from A T and T. If I get an Iphone I will wait for it to come to team moble :).

Post 37 by starfly (99956) on Wednesday, 15-Sep-2010 21:29:01

I never said the Iphone was not fast, I said the Iphone 4G seems not able to stay at at a 4G phone. It goes to 4G then back to 3G. It took a while for Iheart readeo to download on my co-workers phone. My friend to prove a point has the Iphone G3s it took him hardly any time to download the same app. So again, keep the Iphone 4G until all the kinks are worked out.

Post 38 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Wednesday, 15-Sep-2010 21:45:23

From what I understand, you don't really use gestures at all for MobileSpeak. Yes you tal in various quadrants but you don't explore the actual screen. As one who works in the enterprise market and have since the early nineties, I've had plenty to complain about Apple, but my 15 minutes with an iPad were positively amazing. I know someone using Navigon who was totally amazed by it.B as I've got kiddy stuff to pay for, I'll leave it to those with no job on SSI to afford one.

Post 39 by illumination (Darkness is history.) on Wednesday, 15-Sep-2010 21:53:50

But AT&T hasn't started their 4g network. I can understand what your saying, but they have improved their 3g network to where it's faster. If you are in edge signal, yes, it'll be slower, but the 3g signal is much better in terms of speed. And as far as the enterprise market, that's pretty much what Steve Jobs hates. lol

Post 40 by starfly (99956) on Thursday, 16-Sep-2010 4:37:36

LeoGuardian actually yes you do use gesters with moble speak. There is more then just tapping involved when interacting with a touch screen. :)

Post 41 by illumination (Darkness is history.) on Thursday, 16-Sep-2010 23:19:34

Not familiar with touch screens and Mobile Speak, but I've heard of a demo of a guy just tapping around the 4 quadrants of the screen. What kind of gestures are there, can I ask?

Post 42 by monkeypusher69 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Friday, 17-Sep-2010 0:19:38

Ok a few things. Windows mobile 7 is a brand new OS and bares o resembelences to either windows mobile 6 or windows 7 on the desktop. its brand new written from the ground up and based more on the Zune user interface than anything else, so just cuz quick office and internet explore is coming over to windows mobile 7 doesn't means it just a new User interface. Also please for the love of god stop confusing the iPhone 4 with 4G, the iPhone 4 is a 3G device mad eto take advantage of the fastest 3G speeds available, of course your milage may vary depending on where you live etc. Also 4G is not a standard. Sprints 4G network is nothing like Verizons 4G network which may or may not bare some similarities to AT&T's 4G network. 4G simply means its the 4th Generation of wireless data and different companies are going with different standards for their 4G infostructer.

Post 43 by Striker (Consider your self warned, i'm creative and offensive like handicap porn.) on Friday, 17-Sep-2010 14:57:09

Agreed with Steve. I thought I cleared the hole 3g, 4g and "team mobile" errors and misconceptions up in my previous post. Clearly that person neglected to pay attension to what they were reading. Then again, its easier to justify something when you put your self in a position of ignerence.

Post 44 by illumination (Darkness is history.) on Friday, 17-Sep-2010 19:47:47

Well, there are a few updates on AT&T's 4g network for us iPhone users. They are supposedly going t have it rolled out by the middle of next year and be accessible to around 75,000,000 people by the end of next year. There's lots of speculation that it will increase the internet of speed from about 3 mbps to 7 mbps. So yeah, it'll be a pretty darn fast 4g network, as far as I can tell. Will it be as fast as Verizon's? I don't know for sure, but it might. Obviously there's going to be some competition.
Ok, I think we all dropped off the subject of this whole topic, which was about Ray wanting help with getting a phone. lol I'd go the iPhone route because that phone is the cheapest for us blinks.

Post 45 by Striker (Consider your self warned, i'm creative and offensive like handicap porn.) on Friday, 17-Sep-2010 20:11:21

As far as I'm awair, the iPhone 4 is not an LTE 4g device.

Post 46 by illumination (Darkness is history.) on Friday, 17-Sep-2010 23:21:19

I've heard some discussion where some people think that the iPhone 4 can handle the 4g LTE speeds, but they are dormant for right now. But they might be wrong, since Apple said that it can handle downloads up to 7.2 mbps. Unless of course that's going to be the download speed over the 4g network, but you'd think it would be faster than that.

Post 47 by Striker (Consider your self warned, i'm creative and offensive like handicap porn.) on Saturday, 18-Sep-2010 1:32:56

AT&T 3g speeds max out at around that point in some areas. That's the tipical point for other 3g networks around the world. LTE is a different network standard that in theary should be able to support much more when the infrastructure can take it.

Post 48 by monkeypusher69 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Saturday, 18-Sep-2010 1:33:10

yes the iPhone 4 can handle those speed s but its for the 3G frequencies, and in some places around the world 3G does get taht fast .. They will have to be anew phone with will run on the frequencies that are used for th the 4G LTE network that verizon and AT&T are planning on rolling out. its rumored the iPhone onverizon may be the first to do this. I also think he should go with the iPhone give it the 30 day challenege and track me down and i'll be more than happy to help you learn your way around, once you stop thinking of using the phone like a sighted person its becomes as easy as using any phoen with buttons except where typing is concerned but you will get beter over time.

Post 49 by BryanP22 (Novice theriminist) on Saturday, 25-Sep-2010 5:01:35

First off, it's M O B I L E, not M O B L E, even though the spoken word does sound like Moble sometimes. And the cell provider you're mentioning is T-Mobile, NOT Team Mobile. As for the original topic, the IPhone is the route I plan on going when next I get a new phone, and not merely because I've grown to hate my Motorola Q9 with a passion and rather dislike Mobile Speak. That and even if I could afford to do so I'm no longer willing to fork over extra money after buying the phone to get a separate screen reader, even at a discounted price. So I'm going to get an IPhone, though whether a 16 or 32-GB model I don't know. Obviously it's got to have VoiceOver on it. I'm thinking possibly a 32-GB model if finances permit, then I can take the same tunes with me on my IPhone that I have on my IPod, if for some reason I forget or decide not to take my IPod with me when I go out. That and if I find Aps I'm interested in I'll have more memory to install them on.