Hi Vince Many thanks indeed, this really helps. I agree that you know where you are with Apple and its iPhone. You have VoiceOver and that's it basically. But Android seems to be more complicated in respect of what you ask for. So later versions of the operating system have accessibility built into them which can be activated upon purchase? As for Georgie, that approach wouldn't appeal to me personally. I've had enough of buying items that have a short shelf life, and I rather feel Georgie will come into that category. Kind Regards, Jackie Cairns -----Original Message----- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Vince Thacker Sent: 17 July 2012 10:21 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: Android Jackie, Names such as Gingerbread, Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean are nicknames for the various versions of the Android operating system. Jelly Bean is the latest, and is version 4.1. Ice Cream is version 4.0. The more recent the version, the better the accessibility is likely to be. Older versions can be made to work, but you may need to download some of the apps yourself, which could be tricky if you don't have any sight, and don't have any accessibility, like. 4.0 and 4.1 are the best ones to look at, as speech is readily available with those. Google are the developers of the OS, but how much any particular phone is a purely Google version is where it seems to get messy. Manufacturers of Android phones often tinker with the system and impose their own apps, affectionately known as bloatware. The problem for us is that some of this bloatware can interfere with, or break, whatever accessibility that is built into Android. I'm open to correction here, but HTC seems to be one of the worst offenders when it comes to breaking the accessibility with its own junk software. On the other hand, phones that are often mentioned as good for keeping to a decent version of Android include the Galaxy Nexus, the Galaxy S3 and the Sony Xperia Pro (which also still has some physical buttons, so may interest some people just because of that). One of the problems with the Georgie idea might be that if you get frustrated with the walled garden approach and turn off the special apps, you're left with an old version of Android, possibly version 2 point something, so you'd need to rebuild some accessibility into your phone. Anybody could be forgiven for being confused with all this, and this fragmentation of Android seems to have been a major hurdle in getting Android to appeal to blind people. At least with an iPhone, you have a pretty good idea of what you're getting, and the staff at the Apple Store are likely to know how to set up the accessibility. With recent versions of Anroid, though, you'd be able to set it up OK yourself. Vince. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mobeen Iqbal" <mobeeniqbal@xxxxxxxxx> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2012 9:28 AM Subject: [access-uk] Re: Android > hi jackie. I have used various android handsets. Accessibility is > vastly improved with 4.0! To give you an overview i can give you a > ring at your convenience? Send me your number off list and we can go > from there. Mo. > > On 17/07/2012, Jackie Cairns <jackie.cairnsplace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: >> As I have become kind of interested in this thread, perhaps Steve or >> someone >> with knowledge of Android phones could please tell me which of them work >> with accessibility? I was chatting with my son last night, and he says >> two >> of his friends have the Galaxy S3, whatever that is. It would appear >> that >> Android Smartphones are cheaper than the iPhone, but do they all work for >> blindies? The general threads from people on this list have aroused my >> curiosity in Android. I gather, without wishing to sound ignorant, that >> Android is the operating system, so what is the Ice Cream Sandwich or >> Jellybean part of it then? And is Android something to do with Google? >> >> Sorry to sound vague, but I am only just beginning to wake up to the >> Apple >> alternative, (smile). >> >> >> Kind Regards, >> >> Jackie Cairns >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf >> Of >> ANDY COLLINS >> Sent: 16 July 2012 17:16 >> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >> Subject: [access-uk] Android >> >> So, if that is so, which phones does it work on? - >> >> Andy >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: Peter Beasley <mailto:pjbeasley23@xxxxxxxxx> >> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >> Sent: Monday, July 16, 2012 4:32 PM >> Subject: [access-uk] Re: Cobolt compass, beware >> >> androyd is the operating system. >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: Vince Thacker <mailto:vince@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> >> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >> Sent: Monday, July 16, 2012 3:30 PM >> Subject: [access-uk] Re: Cobolt compass, beware >> >> Andy, Android, as I understand it, started off as its own >> company, but is now part of Google. >> >> Vince. >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: ANDY COLLINS <mailto:Andy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> >> >> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >> Sent: Monday, July 16, 2012 3:11 PM >> Subject: [access-uk] Re: Cobolt compass, beware >> >> Hi Steve - I'm still with the N82 [I know I know >> <smile>] My intention when I next go for a phone, was to probably go the >> IPhone route, but have to say, I don't like the size and shape of it so >> much. Guess I need to find out what the differences are between it, and >> Android models. I'm a bit behind with the latest mobile market. Are >> Androids >> the manufacturor name, as with Nokia? Or is Android the OS produced by >> Google? - >> >> Andy >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: Steve Nutt >> <mailto:steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> >> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >> Sent: Monday, July 16, 2012 8:31 AM >> Subject: [access-uk] Re: Cobolt compass, >> beware >> >> >> Hi Andy, >> >> >> >> I?ve never seen the Cobolt compass, but I do >> this on my mainstream Android phone <Smile>. >> >> >> >> All the best >> >> >> >> Steve >> >> >> >> -- >> >> Computer Room Services >> >> 77 Exeter Close >> >> Stevenage >> >> Hertfordshire >> >> SG1 4PW >> >> Tel: 01438-742286 >> >> Mob: 07956334938 >> >> Fax: 01438-759589 >> >> Email: steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx >> <mailto:steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> >> >> Web: http://www.comproom.co.uk >> <http://www.comproom.co.uk> >> >> >> >> From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >> [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of ANDY COLLINS >> Sent: 15 July 2012 22:42 >> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >> Subject: [access-uk] Cobolt compass, beware >> >> >> >> Hi all - >> >> >> >> Another waste of dosh! I think I paid about >> £35 for this, and it's a load of rubbish. My experience with >> >> it, found it to be both inaccurate and >> unpredictable. >> >> >> >> Like many things produce for blind people, >> it is also very ugly, and cheap looking/feeling. >> >> >> >> I'm not just banging the old drum of >> complaint against equipment produced for the blind. In fact, it saddens >> me >> to find yet again the same experience, of over-priced [but I do >> understand >> the niche market equals fewer sales argument] ugly build, hardly fit for >> purpose, assistive equipment. >> >> >> >> I always try to buy where I can, >> mainstream equipment, and figure out how to get the best from it, but >> sometimes, mainstream can be too non-accessible, and I am forced to go to >> the so-called specialists. It truly gives me no pleasure in bringing to >> the >> attention of the list this poor piece of specialist equipment, but I >> think >> we need to keep shouting for equality in product performance, >> reliability, >> and aesthetic appeal. I don't want big clunky stuff in my pockets, or >> around >> my house, just because it can talk, or give me some other kind of >> additional >> feedback. As I have said before on this list, the PTR1 was the most >> over-priced, mal-functioning, hugely ugly piece of junk, I've ever wasted >> 600 quid on. Sadly, I've wasted 35 on a useless compass, that thinks >> North >> is wherever it fancies, on any given day - >> >> >> >> Andy >> >> >> >> __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus >> signature database 7227 (20120617) __________ >> >> The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. >> >> http://www.eset.com >> >> >> >> ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- >> ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] >> ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: >> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >> ** and in the Subject line type >> ** unsubscribe >> ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the >> ** immediately-following link:- >> ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] >> ** or send a message, to >> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq >> >> > ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- > ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] > ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: > ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > ** and in the Subject line type > ** unsubscribe > ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the > ** immediately-following link:- > ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] > ** or send a message, to > ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq > ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq