Hi Joan Ann,
If you consider buying the iPhone then you might be better waiting for
the
new version which I believe should be available in Ireland some time in
July.
Improvements includes 40 percent longer battery life (a must for smart
phones these days) and accessibility improvements such as the presence
of
touch typing using the on screen keyboard (which I imagine can only
make
texting much quicker).
Of course, if you want to get the existing phone it will likely be
significantly discounted in price, so that would be the cheaper
alternative.
The downside is you'll be locked into a 18 month contract and the
monthly
tarriff (with bill pay) would be a bit higher.
Regards,
Tim
-----Original Message-----
From: vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Joan Ann Brosnan
Sent: 10 June 2010 00:09
To: vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [vicsireland] Re: New phone
Hi Donal and Tony
Thanks a million for getting back to me. I am strongly thinking of going
with the Iphone.
I think the fact that you can buy a phone with speech already installed
and
working with many applications is cool.
I am with Vodafone. As a matter of interest, do you both have a bill
phone?
Donal, I might have a few questions for you on Saturday if you don't mind.
Joan Ann.
--------------------------------------------------
From: "Tony Murray" <tony@xxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2010 8:38 PM
To: <vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [vicsireland] Re: New phone
Hi Joan Ann,
I agree with everything Dónal says below.
You have a flying start with the iPhone if you're already happily
using
the iTouch.
A few other points to note about using the iPhone:
Good Stuff:
- Once you get in to downloading Apps, and using the many many
features of
the iPhone... You'll wonder how you did without it for so long!
- Carrying out many of the operations on the iPhone is actually quicker
than scrolling through the old clunky menu systems on the Nokia phones.
This becomes very apparent when you get to know where to find/expect
things on the screen.
- The speech quality is easier on the ear than Eloquence.
- Voiceover is far more stable than Talks, in this humble user's opinion.
- Once you get your iPhone, you can sell your iTouch!... The IPhone does
everything the iTouch does, and more.
- To adjust the volume of Voiceover, you simply use the control on the
edge of the phone (this is one of the few 'real' sets of buttons).
- If you get lost, or confused, or in any way unsure you can simply press
the 'Home' button which is the other tactile control. This brings you
back to your home screen... Very handy when first getting to know the
iPhone.
- Isn't buying a device with all your accessibility features built in
just
far nicer than having to get additional software after buying your new
phone?
- The iPhone is the ultimate accessory!
Bad stuff:
- The speech comes through a speaker located on the bottom of the
iPhone,
close to where you talk in to. This takes a little getting used to,
especially if you're using the phone in a noisy environment. Of course,
you could use the included Apple headphones/Remote Control as an
alternative.
- The battery life is notoriously bad. Apparently this is to improve on
the new version of the iPhone, which comes out at the end of June AFAIK.
Best wishes,
Tony
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dónal Fitzpatrick" <dfitzpat@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2010 7:52 PM
Subject: [vicsireland] Re: New phone
Hi Joan ann,
I've been using an iPhone now for several months and wouldn't swap it.
However, there are a few things that are significantly different. I'll
summarise here, but if you need more info feel free to contact me
off-list.
1. text-messages.
This is probably the most significant difference between the iPhone
and
"traditional" phones such as the Nokia n-series. In essence there are
two
things:
a) they are organised into conversations. This took me some time to get
used to.
B) due to the nature of the device text input is different. However if
you are used to the iTouch, and have, for example browsed the web, you'll
have no difficulty.
2. making calls.
Again this is significantly different owing to the nature of the
device.
What is different is that the iPhone is not just a phone, but is a PDA.
So there is actually an application that you go into to make the calls.
Navigating around this takes a bit of getting used to, but again as you
are familiar with the touch you shouldn't have a problem.
Oddly enough, the thing that gave me most trouble wasn't actually
making
the calls, but dealing with those automated phone systems. Because
you're
device is based on a capacitive touchscreen, you have to hold the phone
away from you (just as though you were texting) in order to "press one to
go on hold, press 2 to go insane waiting" etc. The reason for this is
that the touch capability is disabled when the phone is held against the
ear and at an angle which suggests that you are having a conversation.
Otherwise, contact with the ear might trigger some of the buttons such as
mute, call-hold etc.
Apart from this, there are no major difficulties in my opinion.
Apologies
for the length of the mail, as I said if you need more info please feel
free to pop me off a mail. Alternatively, I'l be at the event on
Saturday
so you can take a proper look at the iPhone if you wish.
Cheers,
Dónal
On 9 Jun 2010, at 17:01, Joan Ann Brosnan wrote:
Hello
I am looking for some feedback as I need to buy a new phone.
I was using the n86 which is a nice phone. I've only had it about 3
months. I was having problems with the charger socket of the phone and
so I sent it away but, I've been told that it can't be fixed and is not
covered by a warranty.
Does anyone know, What phones are currently available that work with
talks?
For those of you using the IPhone, would you recommend it as a phone
and,
do you find it easy to navigate with regard to making and receiving
calls
and sending text messages.
I have an ITouch so, I'm familiar with the concept of touch screens
and
have no problem navigating it so, that won't be a problem.
Thanks for any info
Joan Ann.
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For mor information on the Visually Impaired Computer Society visit:
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