Note: I specifically visited the Samsung Members event yesterday to provide feedback regarding Samsung Accessibility. I repeatedly mentioned InnovationLab #54 during the event, encouraging them to collect all accessibility feedback from Samsung Accessibility users onto a single platform. Although many things happened yesterday, the highlight of the event was that after asking I received the contact number of Mr. Kyungyun Roo (commonly referred to as KY Roo), the Managing Director of Samsung R&D Institute in Noida. Mr. Roo, a South Korean, oversees more than 2,300 employees. I have already shared feedback with him regarding Samsung Accessibility. He responded to my message as follows: "Hi Ashutosh. Thanks for your valuable visit our RnD center. Hope good memory to you also. Please contact me when you have idea, issue any thing."
I replied: ""Good evening and Thank you sir. I visited the Samsung Members Event at the Samsung RND Centre yesterday specially to provide feedback for improving accessibility features. Two years ago, following my repeated requests for an accessibility-focused Innovation Lab, Samsung launched InnovationLab #54. I also encouraged many users with disabilities—especially those with visual impairments—to share their input. Unfortunately, Samsung India lacks a dedicated team to address these needs, and our feedback is not being properly acted upon. While Samsung Korea and Samsung USA have Accessibility Teams, they focus on their local markets and do not respond to feedback from Indian users. Therefore, I request that Samsung India establish its own Accessibility Team or, at the very least, designate one knowledgeable and empowered representative to address accessibility issues. This is crucial since surveys reveal that India has over 19 million persons with visual impairments and more than 100 million persons with disabilities, representing a significant market for accessible technology. Previously, Samsung’s independent Accessibility Team, was a leader in accessibility. However, since its collaboration with the Google Accessibility Team, progress has declined over the past 5 years, prompting many users to switch to brands like Google Pixel and iPhone. Currently, Samsung TalkBack—a merger of Samsung Voice Assistant and Google TalkBack—receives infrequent updates, delivered only with Samsung UI updates. As a result, these updates lag behind Google TalkBack by six months to over a year, often introducing major bugs that take much longer to fix. In summary, Samsung should develop an independent screen reader to ensure continuous innovation in accessibility. A reliable screen reader is essential for effective mobile use, and timely updates and bug fixes are critical for user satisfaction. Importance of Accessibility Features: • Social Impact: Accessible tools empower independence, inclusion, and equal opportunity. • Economic Benefits: A commitment to accessibility expands the user base and drives long-term growth. • Innovation Catalyst: Innovations developed for accessibility often benefit all users. Samsung Members InnovationLab #54: In this Innovation Lab Samsung can get so many feedbacks of their Samsung India Accessibility Users: https://r2.community.samsung.com/t5/Tech-Talk/Innovation-Lab-54-Accessibility/td-p/13862814?src=ShareByUserCM I hope Samsung can regain its leadership in accessibility through independent innovation rather than relying solely on external teams." Mr. Roo responded: ""Ashutosh. Thanks for your message. We will review current status of Accessibility and will assign dedicated team or person in charge and will get opinion on the same. Will contact you soon." I concluded my correspondence by saying: ""Sure, sir. I have contacted Samsung more than 500 times through the Samsung Members App, Samsung Galaxy Store, Samsung Customer Care, emails, three visits to Samsung Service Centers, emails to the Samsung Service Head, and even on Twitter/X etc. I have tried everything I possibly could to fix the bugs of Samsung TalkBack and inaccessibility of Samsung Apps for Screen Reader Users like me. I hope to see Samsung regain its position as the champion of accessibility. This is very much achievable, as there is minimal competition in the accessibility field compared to other features. Please do not take this the wrong way—I am offering constructive criticism regarding Samsung. If Samsung needs any help regarding accessibility, please feel free to let me know. If Samsung implements the feedback and improves its accessibility, I would be one of the happiest Samsung Accessibility users in India. Thank you. I earlier sent all the emails from [email protected] email ID, Twitter/X account name is @Sugamyata and Samsung Members account name is Ashutosh-Singhal." I hope this time that Samsung will take action to increase it accessibility for Persons with Disabilities. -- Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list.. Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "AccessIndia" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/CAFL6VgJYrO2B1UZSkGw4vQM4fQHbK8HD%2Boy9ycn-QnKxNJqiVg%40mail.gmail.com.
