Hi Sagar, I agree with your view that the voice over and voice typing are far better then Talkback and Gboard voice typing, but what about other apple's products like I-map which is not properly functioning in India? Moreover, one has to use google's products to fulfill our commutation needs? Also Apple has not clarified its vision regarding AI.
________________________________ From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of sagar Verma <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2025 21:17 To: AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues concerning the disabled. <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [AI] Request for Lobbying Disability Discounts on Smartphones for the Blind Community Honestly, the issues on Android are serious deal breakers—especially for someone who relies on accessibility features every day. There are just too many problems that impact daily use. For instance, TalkBack becomes extremely laggy when typing. Text editing with TalkBack really, really sucks. It's nowhere near as good as iOS. On iOS, you have multiple reliable typing methods: standard typing where you find the character and double-tap, direct touch where lifting your finger enters the character, and “tap-tap” input for users familiar with key positioning. There’s also Braille screen input and built-in dictation. All of this makes text entry on iOS much smoother. Action implementation is also far better on iOS. Navigating and interacting with elements feels more intuitive and consistent. Even the selection mode on TalkBack only works within edit fields—it does not work globally like iOS text selection, which is far more powerful and flexible. If you use a Braille display, Android will disappoint you. Braille support on iOS is simply miles ahead. Day-to-day, iOS clearly remains the best platform in terms of accessibility. In the past, Android had an edge due to the variety of text-to-speech engines, especially the beloved Eloquence voice. But now that Eloquence is practically dead on Android, we’re left with limited and often subpar TTS options. The experience feels sluggish and incomplete. Even basic tasks like writing an email in the official Gmail app are frustrating. With TalkBack, focus jumps unpredictably, making editing a chore. You end up searching for workarounds just to get through what iOS handles effortlessly. Yes, iPhones are expensive, but the accessibility on iOS is deeply integrated and refined. Android is only good if you’re willing to experiment and waste time. Even if you buy a flagship Pixel or Samsung device, the experience is often no better than using a ₹10,000 Android phone. With the release of the Commentary Screen Reader, some issues have been minimized, but not enough to match the experience VoiceOver provides on iOS. All in all, iOS still remains the best platform when it comes to accessibility. Sent from my Google pixel On Sat, Jun 21, 2025, 20:34 Mujtaba Merchant <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: Hi Ajay, I understand your perspective, but for me, an iPhone isn't just a luxury – it's an accessibility necessity. The gestures and features are intuitive, and the security features provide peace of mind. While Android has made great strides in accessibility, my experience with iPhone has been seamless. That being said, I agree that affordability is a major concern, and discounts or subsidies would greatly benefit the blind community. Let's focus on making accessible technology more affordable and available to those who need it. From: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> On Behalf Of Ajay Minocha Sent: 21 June 2025 12:09 PM To: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Subject: Re: [AI] Request for Lobbying Disability Discounts on Smartphones for the Blind Community Agreed, with an accessible android phone costing around 10k these days, Iphone is nothing but a luxury. Our focus has to be on expanding the reach of government schemes to genuine beneficiaries coupled with Student / other focus group discounts and easy EMIs. Thanks, Ajay On Sat, 21 Jun 2025 at 09:03, Srinivasu Chakravarthula <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: I would rather prefer we lobby to make affordable phones made accessible. Android has evolved greatly. It’s app developers who need to ensure their apps are accessible. I’m told that Android has a mechanism to send an accessibility report when an app is published on play store b That said Government’s ADIP scheme includes smart phones and laptops. Best, —Srinivasu Sent from Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef> ________________________________ From: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> on behalf of Mujtaba Merchant <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Sent: Friday, June 20, 2025 10:30:05 PM To: AccessIndia Google Group <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Subject: [AI] Request for Lobbying Disability Discounts on Smartphones for the Blind Community I am reaching out to discuss a pressing concern for the blind community in India. As you may be aware, smartphones like iPhones have become essential tools for independent living, enabling access to information, communication, and various assistive technologies. However, the high cost of these devices poses a significant barrier for many individuals in the blind community. Given the challenges in gaining employment and financial constraints, it becomes increasingly difficult for them to afford these technologies. In light of this, I was wondering if we could lobby for disability discounts on smartphones and related devices. This would greatly enhance the accessibility and affordability of these life-changing technologies for the blind community. I believe it would be beneficial to bring this issue to the attention of the Indian government and explore possible solutions. By working together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals who rely on these technologies for independence and empowerment. Thank you for considering this request. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this matter. Sincerely, Mujtaba Merchant Bangalore | INDIA Sent from my iPhone ® Help support my causes: NVDA<https://www.nvaccess.org/support-us/#donation-support> | Billion Strong<https://www.billion-strong.org/donate-today/> | EyeWay<http://eyeway.org.in/?q=donate-0> -- Disclaimer: 1. 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