[Techno-Chat]: Google Home Mini

[Dane Trethowan]

I received mine this morning, a nice neat little device which will sit 
perfectly on my bedside table.


I've found out quite by accident just how helpful Google Home can be in 
the kitchen - that's where my bigger unit is -.


Say to Google soemthing like, "Okay Google, How To Cook Porterhouse 
Steak" and then interact with yoru wonderful Google cook as she talks 
you through each step of a suggested recipe, from the preparation of 
ingreedients to the method and tips on getting the best cooking results 
to your preference.



--

**
"For the gardener nothing is more handier than bulbs, I mean the one's you put in 
the ground and not the electric light one's."
**

--

This post, like all posts to the Techno Chat E-Mail group has been scanned by 
our server-side antivirus/malware solution. This should not, however, be viewed 
as a substitution for your own security strategy. We assume no culpability 
whatever, implicit or otherwise, for any compromise to your systems as a result 
of opening any post to this group. Suffice it to say that we remain vigilant 
within the boundaries of reason. We strongly urge you to do likewise! You have 
been warned!!!

You can find an RSS listing of all posts to this group at:

or at:


To encourage your friends to join this group, first accept our thanks for 
spreading the word. Then, have them send a message to the list processing 
engine at:

To toggle on/off Digest (batch) mode for this group, please send a blank 
message to:

To leave the group, please send a blank message to:
.

To contact the support address for this group, please write to:
supp...@techno-chat.net>

--

[Techno-Chat]: Experiences with Chromebooks

[Joshua Gregory]

Hello,
I was wondering if anybody has had any experiences with Chromebooks and the
chromevox screen reader. What were your experiences? Did you like it, did
you not? Was there anything that stood out to you in comparison to, say,
windows and nvda or narrator? Thanks very much!

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Re: Reading Versus Listening

[Joshua Gregory]

No actually you do have a point. There is a difference. Hadn't thought
about it that way but it's true.

On 11/9/17, Gordon Smith  wrote:
> Main stream is certainly cheaper, once you have the phone itself, that is.
> Actually I’m going to. Look at the Android Audible client, because I also
> use Audible books quite a lot. You’re right, Josh, they have actually a
> tremendous amount of professionally recorded materials.
>
> But you know, Josh, there are an awful lot of great text and Kindle books
> around, and some of them are both entertaining and informative. Reading is,
> in my view, not just about recreation. It’s also about information learning.
> And I really think that Amazon’s independent publishing service is something
> worth looking at for both potential publishers and for reading enthusiasts.
>
> I personally don’t classify listening to audiobooks as “Reading”. But that’s
> just me. That’s listening to somebody else doing the reading. I often read
> stuff on my Braille display, courtesy of the Internet. That is what I
> classify as “Reading literature”. But to each their own.
>
> 
>
> My compliments and kindest regards
> Gordon Smith:
> 
> Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..
>
> This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can avoid
> printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!
>
>   Contact:
>
> • UK Free Phone:
> 0800 8620538
> • UK Geographic / Global:
> +44(0) 1642 688095
> • UK Mobile/SMS:
> +44 (0)7804 983849
> • Vic. Australia:
> +61 38 82059300
> • US/Canada:
> +1 646 9151493
>
> 
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On 9 Nov 2017, at 16:19, Joshua Gregory  wrote:
>
> I don't read much but when I do I use Audible. Sure they don't have
> everything, but they do have a lot, and while you do have to pay for
> the books they're professionally done. I do feel that blindness stuff
> is quite expensive, I do get what is said here, but for a lot of folks
> mainstream is more affordable and easier for this reason.
>
> On 11/8/17, Dane Trethowan  wrote:
>> I'd like to take a slightly different tac if I may and pose a question,
>> I wonder how relevant all these talking book player this and talking
>> book player that may be in the future with the advent of Amazon Echo,
>> Google Home and so on.
>>
>> I find myself reading more books with my Amazon Echo these days through
>> audible though Audible too does have some disadvantages but in the main
>> Amazon Echo is a truly delightful tool for book reading.
>>
>> Issue voice commands to navigate through your book, bookmark, set sleep
>> timers and so on.
>>
>>
>>
>> On 11/9/2017 7:08 AM, Gordon Smith wrote:
>>> Read the article. The primary differences are convenience and
>>> all-in-the-same-place functionality. David’s point is valid, regarding
>>> swiping around. Certainly on iOS it is, at any rate. But I’m not so
>>> sure that an Android user who knows their way around the system would
>>> find it such a chore. This is due, in my opinion, to the fact that the
>>> entire interface under Android is consistently better than it is under
>>> iOS.
>>>
>>> But again, if the user is happy with iOS, then more power to them.
>>>
>>> 
>>>
>>> My compliments and kindest regards
>>> Gordon Smith:
>>> >
>>> Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..
>>>
>>> This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can
>>> avoid printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!
>>>
>>>   Contact:
>>>
>>> • UK Free Phone:
>>> 0800 8620538
>>> • UK Geographic / Global:
>>> +44(0) 1642 688095
>>> • UK Mobile/SMS:
>>> +44 (0)7804 983849
>>> • Vic. Australia:
>>> +61 38 82059300
>>> • US/Canada:
>>> +1 646 9151493
>>>
>>> 
>>> On 8 Nov 2017, at 19:48, joe quinn >> > wrote:
>>>
>>> what's the difference between ios and the stream then? you can do the
>>> same thing with ios devices that you can with the stream
>>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> **
>> "For the gardener nothing is more handier than bulbs, I mean the one's
>> you
>> put in the ground and not the electric light one's."
>> **
>>
>>
> --
>
> This post, like all posts to the Techno Chat E-Mail group has been scanned
> by our server-side antivirus/malware solution. This should not, however, be
> viewed as a substitution for your own security strategy. We assume no
> culpability whatever, implicit or otherwise, for any compromise to your
> systems as a result of opening any post to this group. Suffice it to say
> that we remain vigilant within the boundaries of reason. We strongly urge
> you to do likewise! You have been warned!!!
>
> You can find an 

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Re: Accessible Services For All; Or Not?

[Joshua Gregory]

Serious question. How do you guys do it? That's... damn.

On 11/9/17, Gordon Smith  wrote:
> I think you’re looking at this from the sole perspective of the US consumer.
> Believe it or not, there is intelligent life beyond the Atlantic and Pacific
> Ocean base. ;-)
>
> In other countries, such agencies simply don’t exist. Blind and other
> disabled people over here, for instance, can only get aid if they require it
> for their professional lives. The rest are left to either come up with the
> dosh themselves, or do without! And that is a strong argument in favour of
> main stream technologies.
>
> After all, as Dane quite rightly points out, one can simply pay something
> like $50.00 U.S, and there you are with a more than usable device. Even with
> the smallest Google Home or Amazon Echo Dot, you can get hundreds of hours
> of pleasure from listening to audio content both locally and on the
> Internet.
>
> 
>
> My compliments and kindest regards
> Gordon Smith:
> 
> Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..
>
> This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can avoid
> printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!
>
>   Contact:
>
> • UK Free Phone:
> 0800 8620538
> • UK Geographic / Global:
> +44(0) 1642 688095
> • UK Mobile/SMS:
> +44 (0)7804 983849
> • Vic. Australia:
> +61 38 82059300
> • US/Canada:
> +1 646 9151493
>
> 
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On 9 Nov 2017, at 02:20, The wolf  wrote:
>
> as long as the voc rehab agencies continue too purchase these devices there
> are going to be priced really high
>
> pritty much 99.9 percent of blind people don't even make a income to
> aford these high end devices myself included
>
> 700.00 a month is my total income 581 of that money pays the rent
>
> the rest has to cover everything utilities food for my guide dog the basic
> needs
>
> thank god fore food stamps.
>
> so the voc rehab agencies are getting them fore the clients
> when all the funding dries up from the agencies it is going to  be really
> interesting to see what companies end up by going out of business.
> I understand that this is a nitch market
> but these AT companies can only do this fore so long
> On 11/8/2017 7:11 PM, Dane Trethowan wrote:
>> Its tipical Humanware though really isn't it? Late to the party yet
>> again.
>>
>> There is a segment of the population that can't access an IOS or Android
>> device so perhaps Humanware's device may be useful for those people.
>>
>> What's the betting too that this device is using out of date hardware?
>>
>>
>>
>> On 11/9/2017 5:47 AM, Gordon Smith wrote:
>>> Hello everybody
>>>
>>> Sadly, HumanWare has put their device beyond the reach of many, yet
>>> again. And not only that, but they’ve made it an untenable product, in my
>>> view. Everything it does, you can do via iOS and Android. That includes
>>> playing talking books and, I’m pretty sure, DAISY content.
>>>
>>> Given that the main stream devices have so much more to offer than simply
>>> being a book player and a GPS navigator, I don’t really think they’re on
>>> to a winner this time.
>>>
>>> Sure, the functionality is easy to use, and accessible. But then again,
>>> most people would find it just as easy to use a smart phone with GPS, and
>>> something to the tune of the Seeing Eye, (RNIB) Navigator.
>>>
>>> But make up your own minds. I’m just expressing my humble opinion as
>>> somebody who is looking to start advising clients on this sort of ting
>>> professionally. My take on this is, sadly, it won’t last long.
>>>
 http://store.humanware.com/heu/victor-reader-trek-talking-book-player-gps.html
 

>>>
>>> 
>>>
>>> My compliments and kindest regards
>>> Gordon Smith:
>>> 
>>> Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..
>>>
>>> This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can avoid
>>> printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!
>>>
>>>Contact:
>>>
>>> • UK Free Phone:
>>> 0800 8620538
>>> • UK Geographic / Global:
>>> +44(0) 1642 688095
>>> • UK Mobile/SMS:
>>> +44 (0)7804 983849
>>> • Vic. Australia:
>>> +61 38 82059300
>>> • US/Canada:
>>> +1 646 9151493
>>>
>>> 
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
> --
>
> This post, like all posts to the Techno Chat E-Mail group has been scanned
> by our server-side antivirus/malware solution. This should not, however, be
> viewed as a substitution for your own security strategy. We assume no
> culpability whatever, implicit or otherwise, for any compromise to your
> systems as a result of opening any post to this group. Suffice it to say
> that we remain vigilant within 

[Techno-Chat]: Re: Accessible Services For All; Or Not?

[Gordon Smith]

I think you’re looking at this from the sole perspective of the US consumer. 
Believe it or not, there is intelligent life beyond the Atlantic and Pacific 
Ocean base. ;-)

In other countries, such agencies simply don’t exist. Blind and other disabled 
people over here, for instance, can only get aid if they require it for their 
professional lives. The rest are left to either come up with the dosh 
themselves, or do without! And that is a strong argument in favour of main 
stream technologies.

After all, as Dane quite rightly points out, one can simply pay something like 
$50.00 U.S, and there you are with a more than usable device. Even with the 
smallest Google Home or Amazon Echo Dot, you can get hundreds of hours of 
pleasure from listening to audio content both locally and on the Internet.



My compliments and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:

Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..

This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can avoid 
printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!

  Contact:

• UK Free Phone:
0800 8620538
• UK Geographic / Global:
+44(0) 1642 688095
• UK Mobile/SMS:
+44 (0)7804 983849
• Vic. Australia:
+61 38 82059300
• US/Canada:
+1 646 9151493










On 9 Nov 2017, at 02:20, The wolf  wrote:

as long as the voc rehab agencies continue too purchase these devices there are 
going to be priced really high

pritty much 99.9 percent of blind people don't even make a income to aford 
these high end devices myself included

700.00 a month is my total income 581 of that money pays the rent

the rest has to cover everything utilities food for my guide dog the basic needs

thank god fore food stamps.

so the voc rehab agencies are getting them fore the clients
when all the funding dries up from the agencies it is going to  be really 
interesting to see what companies end up by going out of business.
I understand that this is a nitch market
but these AT companies can only do this fore so long
On 11/8/2017 7:11 PM, Dane Trethowan wrote:
> Its tipical Humanware though really isn't it? Late to the party yet again.
> 
> There is a segment of the population that can't access an IOS or Android 
> device so perhaps Humanware's device may be useful for those people.
> 
> What's the betting too that this device is using out of date hardware?
> 
> 
> 
> On 11/9/2017 5:47 AM, Gordon Smith wrote:
>> Hello everybody
>> 
>> Sadly, HumanWare has put their device beyond the reach of many, yet again. 
>> And not only that, but they’ve made it an untenable product, in my view. 
>> Everything it does, you can do via iOS and Android. That includes playing 
>> talking books and, I’m pretty sure, DAISY content.
>> 
>> Given that the main stream devices have so much more to offer than simply 
>> being a book player and a GPS navigator, I don’t really think they’re on to 
>> a winner this time.
>> 
>> Sure, the functionality is easy to use, and accessible. But then again, most 
>> people would find it just as easy to use a smart phone with GPS, and 
>> something to the tune of the Seeing Eye, (RNIB) Navigator.
>> 
>> But make up your own minds. I’m just expressing my humble opinion as 
>> somebody who is looking to start advising clients on this sort of ting 
>> professionally. My take on this is, sadly, it won’t last long.
>> 
>>> http://store.humanware.com/heu/victor-reader-trek-talking-book-player-gps.html
>>>  
>>> 
>>>  
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> My compliments and kindest regards
>> Gordon Smith:
>> 
>> Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..
>> 
>> This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can avoid 
>> printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!
>> 
>>Contact:
>> 
>> • UK Free Phone:
>> 0800 8620538
>> • UK Geographic / Global:
>> +44(0) 1642 688095
>> • UK Mobile/SMS:
>> +44 (0)7804 983849
>> • Vic. Australia:
>> +61 38 82059300
>> • US/Canada:
>> +1 646 9151493
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
> 

--

This post, like all posts to the Techno Chat E-Mail group has been scanned by 
our server-side antivirus/malware solution. This should not, however, be viewed 
as a substitution for your own security strategy. We assume no culpability 
whatever, implicit or otherwise, for any compromise to your systems as a result 
of opening any post to this group. Suffice it to say that we remain vigilant 
within the boundaries of reason. We strongly urge you to do likewise! You have 
been warned!!!

You can find an RSS listing of all posts to this group at:

or at:

[Techno-Chat]: Re: Talking Book Technologies

[Gordon Smith]

You’re missing just one very important aspect here Dane. All talking books are 
not created equal. I still believe that, for those with a range of 
disabilities, (including vision impairment), DAISY products still have a great 
deal to offer. Particularly in view of the fact that it can contain multimedia, 
not just textual or spoken audio. And that’s where some of the dedicated 
technologies win through.



My compliments and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:

Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..

This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can avoid 
printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!

  Contact:

• UK Free Phone:
0800 8620538
• UK Geographic / Global:
+44(0) 1642 688095
• UK Mobile/SMS:
+44 (0)7804 983849
• Vic. Australia:
+61 38 82059300
• US/Canada:
+1 646 9151493










On 9 Nov 2017, at 02:23, Dane Trethowan  wrote:

I'd like to take a slightly different tac if I may and pose a question, I 
wonder how relevant all these talking book player this and talking book player 
that may be in the future with the advent of Amazon Echo, Google Home and so on.

I find myself reading more books with my Amazon Echo these days through audible 
though Audible too does have some disadvantages but in the main Amazon Echo is 
a truly delightful tool for book reading.

Issue voice commands to navigate through your book, bookmark, set sleep timers 
and so on.



On 11/9/2017 7:08 AM, Gordon Smith wrote:
> Read the article. The primary differences are convenience and 
> all-in-the-same-place functionality. David’s point is valid, regarding 
> swiping around. Certainly on iOS it is, at any rate. But I’m not so sure that 
> an Android user who knows their way around the system would find it such a 
> chore. This is due, in my opinion, to the fact that the entire interface 
> under Android is consistently better than it is under iOS.
> 
> But again, if the user is happy with iOS, then more power to them.
> 
> 
> 
> My compliments and kindest regards
> Gordon Smith:
> >
> Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..
> 
> This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can avoid 
> printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!
> 
>   Contact:
> 
> • UK Free Phone:
> 0800 8620538
> • UK Geographic / Global:
> +44(0) 1642 688095
> • UK Mobile/SMS:
> +44 (0)7804 983849
> • Vic. Australia:
> +61 38 82059300
> • US/Canada:
> +1 646 9151493
> 
> 
> On 8 Nov 2017, at 19:48, joe quinn  > wrote:
> 
> what's the difference between ios and the stream then? you can do the same 
> thing with ios devices that you can with the stream
> 

-- 

**
"For the gardener nothing is more handier than bulbs, I mean the one's you put 
in the ground and not the electric light one's."
**

[Techno-Chat]: Re: The Accessibility Industry

[Gordon Smith]

Hello David

Actually, this trend is one which some of us find troubling. GW Micro was taken 
over by Ai Squared, which in its turn was swallowed by Freedom Scientific, 
which in its turn was swallowed by a new company calling itself VFO Group. VFO 
Group is now almost the sole player in the Windows market, with the notable 
exceptions of the Australian charity which produces NVDA, and Dolphin Computer 
Access, which is a British company.

There are one or two other very small organisations, but they are fighting a 
losing battle I think. In any event, these changes do not bode well for the 
consumer in my opinion. Basically, it means that the 10% rise in prices which 
Sight And Sound blame on the conversion rate between the US dollar and the 
Pound Stirling, is set to continue this December, and probably for the long 
term future each year.

JAWS For Windows, for instance, is now almost double the price that it was 10 
years ago. The thing is, when the conversion rate improves, they conveniently 
forget to lower the prices again. Thus, the British consumer has no option but 
to stomach the price increases, come what may.

Sight And Sound more or less has the monopoly on Index Braille equipment as 
well. Yes, some might say, but HumanWare sells it as wel. Trouble with that is 
that HumanWare has no option but to purchase from Sight And Sound, as they have 
an exclusive franchise with Index Braille in Sweden.

So the changes we’re seeing in the industry now make grim viewing for the 
future I think. And it’s just as well for us that we now have the option with a 
lot of hardware and software to adopt main stream technologies. Apple and 
Google, whether we like them as individuals or not, deserve a great deal of 
credit for their investment and commitment to accessibility.



My compliments and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:

Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..

This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can avoid 
printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!

  Contact:

• UK Free Phone:
0800 8620538
• UK Geographic / Global:
+44(0) 1642 688095
• UK Mobile/SMS:
+44 (0)7804 983849
• Vic. Australia:
+61 38 82059300
• US/Canada:
+1 646 9151493










On 9 Nov 2017, at 05:20, david griffith  wrote:

I sympathise with the financial aspect.  The rent situation sound appalling for 
you. In the UK many/most Blind People can access a benefit call Personal 
Independenc Payment used to be called Disability Living Allowance which is 
designed to help us meet these sorts of costs. I realise that this sort of 
benefit will not be available everywhere.
I support accessible  mainstream but whilst this has massive benefits it also 
has issues. People who want/need devices with tactile buttons are being driven 
into the margins alongside the companies which are struggling to provide the 
specialist kit.
The advances in NVDA Narrator and Voiceover ALLIED TO Talkback and Chrome vox 
on several platforms  has  placed the commercial Screen Reader companies under 
enormous pressure. I support all of this but the paradox is that I still want 
Jaws as it can do stuff that the free options cannot.
I am not sure what can be done about it but the advance of accessibility in the 
Mainstream has placed the Niche manufacturers who try to meet the needs of 
those uncomfortable with touch screen technology, or in the case of someone 
like me who simply finds it nicer to use buttons, under severe pressure.
I am dismayed by the number of Specialist companies  who appear to be going to 
the wall or sinking without trace over the last year or two. The people who 
make the Vaio  Braille Displays have apparently gone bust recently.  Window 
Eyes is no more having been swallowed up by VFO who entirely predictably have 
ditched it, as they soon will ditch Magic. Companies like Code Factory whilst 
still going seem to have a void in their customer support which does not augur 
well for their future. The Plextalk Daisy and Pocket devices, whilst not 
apparently fomally inlliquidation have been quietly wound up with no sign of 
any replacement devices under development.
It is no surprise then that the niche manaufacturers are having to charge 
exrtra to meet their costs given their shrinking market base..
The Kapsys Smart Phone with buttons for example in the UK  is costing £499 
without kapsys Software and £599 with Software which is expensive when all is 
said and doen for an Android 6 phone with 16GB of memory. Yet despite its cost 
it is now the only option for my sister to buy now as she is completely unable 
to cope with a touch screen.  If Kapsys did not exist she would have no option.
The other approach is those even more niche companies  who charge an absolute 
fortune for devices like the Orcam which make Humanware products seem cheap by 

[Techno-Chat]: Re: Humanware - Victor Reader Trek – talking book player & GPS

[Gordon Smith]

I actually put this question to their support people, one of whom happens to be 
a friend of mine. The response was that HumanWare is not in that kind of market 
place at present. They prefer, so I’m told, to channel their expertise into 
familiar HumanWare products. The Trek combines what they say is the best of the 
Trekker Breeze with the best of the second generation Victor Reader Stream. 
After all, as their response said, what could be easier than pressing a button? 
Everything on the Trek is almost one-touch, so I’m told. So why do we need 
voice activation?



My compliments and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:

Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..

This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can avoid 
printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!

  Contact:

• UK Free Phone:
0800 8620538
• UK Geographic / Global:
+44(0) 1642 688095
• UK Mobile/SMS:
+44 (0)7804 983849
• Vic. Australia:
+61 38 82059300
• US/Canada:
+1 646 9151493










On 9 Nov 2017, at 06:27, Dane Trethowan  wrote:

I’ve given this some thought for the major part of the afternoon, I’m surprised 
that Humanware etc haven’t released something that is voice activated like say 
an Amazon Echo version of a Victor Reader stream.


**
“For the gardener nothing is more handier than bulbs, I mean the 1’s you put in 
the ground and not the electric light 1’s.”




> On 9 Nov 2017, at 4:20 pm, david griffith  > wrote:
> 
> I sympathise with the financial aspect.  The rent situation sound appalling 
> for you. In the UK many/most Blind People can access a benefit call Personal 
> Independenc Payment used to be called Disability Living Allowance which is 
> designed to help us meet these sorts of costs. I realise that this sort of 
> benefit will not be available everywhere.
> I support accessible  mainstream but whilst this has massive benefits it also 
> has issues. People who want/need devices with tactile buttons are being 
> driven into the margins alongside the companies which are struggling to 
> provide the specialist kit.
> The advances in NVDA Narrator and Voiceover ALLIED TO Talkback and Chrome vox 
> on several platforms  has  placed the commercial Screen Reader companies 
> under enormous pressure. I support all of this but the paradox is that I 
> still want Jaws as it can do stuff that the free options cannot.
> I am not sure what can be done about it but the advance of accessibility in 
> the Mainstream has placed the Niche manufacturers who try to meet the needs 
> of those uncomfortable with touch screen technology, or in the case of 
> someone like me who simply finds it nicer to use buttons, under severe 
> pressure.
> I am dismayed by the number of Specialist companies  who appear to be going 
> to the wall or sinking without trace over the last year or two. The people 
> who make the Vaio  Braille Displays have apparently gone bust recently.  
> Window Eyes is no more having been swallowed up by VFO who entirely 
> predictably have ditched it, as they soon will ditch Magic. Companies like 
> Code Factory whilst still going seem to have a void in their customer support 
> which does not augur well for their future. The Plextalk Daisy and Pocket 
> devices, whilst not apparently fomally inlliquidation have been quietly wound 
> up with no sign of any replacement devices under development.
> It is no surprise then that the niche manaufacturers are having to charge 
> exrtra to meet their costs given their shrinking market base.. 
> The Kapsys Smart Phone with buttons for example in the UK  is costing £499 
> without kapsys Software and £599 with Software which is expensive when all is 
> said and doen for an Android 6 phone with 16GB of memory. Yet despite its 
> cost it is now the only option for my sister to buy now as she is completely 
> unable to cope with a touch screen.  If Kapsys did not exist she would have 
> no option.
> The other approach is those even more niche companies  who charge an absolute 
> fortune for devices like the Orcam which make Humanware products seem cheap 
> by comparison.
> So personally I am glad that Humanware for the time being are  managing to 
> resist the pressure to liquidate that other VI Companies are suffering and 
> more importantly are bucking the trend by continuing to develop products.
> We who like buttons have at least a chance for the time being..
> David Griffith
>  
>  
>  
> mimnished 
>  
> My Blind Access and Guide dog Blog
> http://dgriffithblog.wordpress.com/ 
> My Blind hammer Blog
> https://www.westhamtillidie.com/authors/blind-hammer/posts 
> 
>  
> From: The wolf 
> Sent: 09 

[Techno-Chat]: Re: Reading Versus Listening

[Gordon Smith]

Main stream is certainly cheaper, once you have the phone itself, that is. 
Actually I’m going to. Look at the Android Audible client, because I also use 
Audible books quite a lot. You’re right, Josh, they have actually a tremendous 
amount of professionally recorded materials.

But you know, Josh, there are an awful lot of great text and Kindle books 
around, and some of them are both entertaining and informative. Reading is, in 
my view, not just about recreation. It’s also about information learning. And I 
really think that Amazon’s independent publishing service is something worth 
looking at for both potential publishers and for reading enthusiasts.

I personally don’t classify listening to audiobooks as “Reading”. But that’s 
just me. That’s listening to somebody else doing the reading. I often read 
stuff on my Braille display, courtesy of the Internet. That is what I classify 
as “Reading literature”. But to each their own.



My compliments and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:

Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..

This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can avoid 
printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!

  Contact:

• UK Free Phone:
0800 8620538
• UK Geographic / Global:
+44(0) 1642 688095
• UK Mobile/SMS:
+44 (0)7804 983849
• Vic. Australia:
+61 38 82059300
• US/Canada:
+1 646 9151493










On 9 Nov 2017, at 16:19, Joshua Gregory  wrote:

I don't read much but when I do I use Audible. Sure they don't have
everything, but they do have a lot, and while you do have to pay for
the books they're professionally done. I do feel that blindness stuff
is quite expensive, I do get what is said here, but for a lot of folks
mainstream is more affordable and easier for this reason.

On 11/8/17, Dane Trethowan  wrote:
> I'd like to take a slightly different tac if I may and pose a question,
> I wonder how relevant all these talking book player this and talking
> book player that may be in the future with the advent of Amazon Echo,
> Google Home and so on.
> 
> I find myself reading more books with my Amazon Echo these days through
> audible though Audible too does have some disadvantages but in the main
> Amazon Echo is a truly delightful tool for book reading.
> 
> Issue voice commands to navigate through your book, bookmark, set sleep
> timers and so on.
> 
> 
> 
> On 11/9/2017 7:08 AM, Gordon Smith wrote:
>> Read the article. The primary differences are convenience and
>> all-in-the-same-place functionality. David’s point is valid, regarding
>> swiping around. Certainly on iOS it is, at any rate. But I’m not so
>> sure that an Android user who knows their way around the system would
>> find it such a chore. This is due, in my opinion, to the fact that the
>> entire interface under Android is consistently better than it is under
>> iOS.
>> 
>> But again, if the user is happy with iOS, then more power to them.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> My compliments and kindest regards
>> Gordon Smith:
>> >
>> Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..
>> 
>> This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can
>> avoid printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!
>> 
>>   Contact:
>> 
>> • UK Free Phone:
>> 0800 8620538
>> • UK Geographic / Global:
>> +44(0) 1642 688095
>> • UK Mobile/SMS:
>> +44 (0)7804 983849
>> • Vic. Australia:
>> +61 38 82059300
>> • US/Canada:
>> +1 646 9151493
>> 
>> 
>> On 8 Nov 2017, at 19:48, joe quinn > > wrote:
>> 
>> what's the difference between ios and the stream then? you can do the
>> same thing with ios devices that you can with the stream
>> 
> 
> --
> 
> **
> "For the gardener nothing is more handier than bulbs, I mean the one's you
> put in the ground and not the electric light one's."
> **
> 
> 
--

This post, like all posts to the Techno Chat E-Mail group has been scanned by 
our server-side antivirus/malware solution. This should not, however, be viewed 
as a substitution for your own security strategy. We assume no culpability 
whatever, implicit or otherwise, for any compromise to your systems as a result 
of opening any post to this group. Suffice it to say that we remain vigilant 
within the boundaries of reason. We strongly urge you to do likewise! You have 
been warned!!!

You can find an RSS listing of all posts to this group at:

or at:


To encourage your friends to join this group, first accept our thanks for 
spreading the word. Then, have them send a 

[Techno-Chat]: RE: [Techno-Chat]: Re: [Techno-Chat]: RE: [Techno-Chat]: Humanware - Victor Reader Trek – talking book player & GPS - Victor Reader Talking Book Players (Stream & Stratus) - Blindness

[david griffith]

The problem with Siri is that it is completely unable to cope with my slight 
lisp. A speech defect which  I have had since  a child .  Most people who hear  
a recording of me would not really notice it but it completely throws Siri off 
whenever I use a word with S in it. So I can call up BBC Weather no problem but 
Siri struggles big time to recognise BBC Sports and will often claim I have no 
such app. 
Ironically in that respect voice dictation and voice activation has gone 
steadily downhill for me. In the old days I would use a product like Dragon 
Naturally Speaking and it would be perfectly happy to recognise my diction  
after a short training program. It would also I think learn from my 
corrections. I could dictate words like access or accessibility but Siri cannot 
cope. So in this respect Access is going backwards unless there is a way of 
teaching Siri which I do not know about.
The Amazon echo is slightly  more tolerant  but OK Google also struggles but is 
not as bad as Siri.
I once dictated a text on Siri saying on a Friend’s Birthday that “I always 
respect my elders and betters”. Siri somehow mangled that to a a text saying “I 
always expect an Elvis Vendetta”. Even worse in a brain fade I dsent it.
David Griffith


My Blind Access and Guide dog Blog
http://dgriffithblog.wordpress.com/
My Blind hammer Blog
https://www.westhamtillidie.com/authors/blind-hammer/posts

From: Gordon Smith
Sent: 08 November 2017 19:48
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: [Techno-Chat]: Re: [Techno-Chat]: RE: [Techno-Chat]: Humanware - 
Victor Reader Trek – talking book player & GPS - Victor Reader Talking Book 
Players (Stream & Stratus) - Blindness - Low Vision Aids for Macular 
Degeneration

But David. Why can’t you use Siri to simplify at least some of it? I did say 
that there will be those who just go for the convenience, and I can understand 
that totally. You’re quite right that sometimes, it can take forever to 
accomplish the most simple of tasks using touch technology with accessibility. 
Frankly though, I find these days that the iPhone is not the best device for 
me. In fact, I’ve no longer even got one! I’ve held on to my 5S for about 4 
years now because I just couldn’t justify the cost of upgrading it. Now, I’m 
using Android for my mobile technologies and, quite honestly, I do not miss iOS 
much at all.

But, back to the point in question here. There is no doubt that the Trek will 
bring some people a lot of satisfaction, and they will think it’s money worth 
spending. But the £545.00 price tag is just a little too high as far as I’m 
concerned.

When I bought my Victor Reader Stream, (which I still have), I did so purely 
for the convenience of talking books, or, should I say, DAISY content. However, 
I realised afterwards that, A, there are better devices capable of rendering 
that kind of thing, such as the Blaze ET, which does much more than just play 
books. But that’s another story.

Now, the whole situation has changed somewhat, at least to my own way of 
thinking. For that £545.00 I could buy myself a good quality Android tablet, 
not a large one, but just the right size to pop into my pocket. Then, I can use 
apps such as ComPilot GPS or Google Maps, to name but two. And there’s still 
change in my pocket from the £545.00 that I saved up to buy the Trek, but 
changed my mind, hypothetically speaking, of course..

Now, it is very true that different people will see this from different angles, 
and that is absolutely as it should be. I am certainly not going to shoot down 
in flames anybody who says that they believe the Trek represents value for 
money. I absolutely understand that there will be some who just want the 
convenience and simplicity to get the job done quickly. In fact, I can 
definitely understand that perspective. After all, when one is out and about, 
one doesn’t want to have to keep pulling one’s phone out of one’s pocket and 
exposing it to the rogues of this world, of whom there are too many by 
half!People just looking for a soft target to finance their next social 
medication purchase, for want of a better term. I absolutely also concede that 
the average blind person probably wouldn’t feel all that comfortable about 
walking down the street with a Bluetooth® headset stuck on their head. Down 
right reckless, in my view. So again, yes, there’s probably a market for the 
Trek amongst those who fit into that category. Again, that’s absolutely as it 
should be.

Now, let’s consider the device from the perspective of a person who needs the 
GPS and doesn’t own a mobile phone. After all, not everybody does.

Again, there are cheaper solutions which might do the same job. I don’t dispute 
for a moment, looking at the docs, that the HumanWare product has been quite 
well thought through. And I do not dispute that the maps are updated regularly 
so as to take account of ongoing changes which might occur within the user’s 
locality.

So what I’m saying here is that, if 

[Techno-Chat]: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Re: Humanware - Victor Reader Trek – talking book player & GPS - Victor Reader Talking Book Players (Stream & Stratus) - Blindness - Low Vision Aids for Macular Degen

[Joshua Gregory]

I don't read much but when I do I use Audible. Sure they don't have
everything, but they do have a lot, and while you do have to pay for
the books they're professionally done. I do feel that blindness stuff
is quite expensive, I do get what is said here, but for a lot of folks
mainstream is more affordable and easier for this reason.

On 11/8/17, Dane Trethowan  wrote:
> I'd like to take a slightly different tac if I may and pose a question,
> I wonder how relevant all these talking book player this and talking
> book player that may be in the future with the advent of Amazon Echo,
> Google Home and so on.
>
> I find myself reading more books with my Amazon Echo these days through
> audible though Audible too does have some disadvantages but in the main
> Amazon Echo is a truly delightful tool for book reading.
>
> Issue voice commands to navigate through your book, bookmark, set sleep
> timers and so on.
>
>
>
> On 11/9/2017 7:08 AM, Gordon Smith wrote:
>> Read the article. The primary differences are convenience and
>> all-in-the-same-place functionality. David’s point is valid, regarding
>> swiping around. Certainly on iOS it is, at any rate. But I’m not so
>> sure that an Android user who knows their way around the system would
>> find it such a chore. This is due, in my opinion, to the fact that the
>> entire interface under Android is consistently better than it is under
>> iOS.
>>
>> But again, if the user is happy with iOS, then more power to them.
>>
>> 
>>
>> My compliments and kindest regards
>> Gordon Smith:
>> >
>> Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..
>>
>> This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can
>> avoid printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!
>>
>>   Contact:
>>
>> • UK Free Phone:
>> 0800 8620538
>> • UK Geographic / Global:
>> +44(0) 1642 688095
>> • UK Mobile/SMS:
>> +44 (0)7804 983849
>> • Vic. Australia:
>> +61 38 82059300
>> • US/Canada:
>> +1 646 9151493
>>
>> 
>> On 8 Nov 2017, at 19:48, joe quinn > > wrote:
>>
>> what's the difference between ios and the stream then? you can do the
>> same thing with ios devices that you can with the stream
>>
>
> --
>
> **
> "For the gardener nothing is more handier than bulbs, I mean the one's you
> put in the ground and not the electric light one's."
> **
>
>
--

This post, like all posts to the Techno Chat E-Mail group has been scanned by 
our server-side antivirus/malware solution. This should not, however, be viewed 
as a substitution for your own security strategy. We assume no culpability 
whatever, implicit or otherwise, for any compromise to your systems as a result 
of opening any post to this group. Suffice it to say that we remain vigilant 
within the boundaries of reason. We strongly urge you to do likewise! You have 
been warned!!!

You can find an RSS listing of all posts to this group at:

or at:


To encourage your friends to join this group, first accept our thanks for 
spreading the word. Then, have them send a message to the list processing 
engine at:

To toggle on/off Digest (batch) mode for this group, please send a blank 
message to:

To leave the group, please send a blank message to:
.

To contact the support address for this group, please write to:
supp...@techno-chat.net>

--