Well - I never wanted a debate in the first place but it's concerning when personal preferences become a subject of mudd shedding. I hope the moderator has a fair look at this message.
Cheers, Ajay On Thu, 26 Jun 2025 at 15:11, Mujtaba Merchant <[email protected]> wrote: > Thanks for sharing your detailed experience with iOS and Android > accessibility features. I completely agree that iOS has a more seamless and > refined experience, especially with VoiceOver. For me, it's not about > luxury, but about the return on investment (ROI) - and in this case, the > ROI is 100%! I've had to save up for 2-3 years to get an iPhone, and even > then, it's not the latest model. But for someone like me who relies on > accessibility features, it's worth the wait. Guess some of us are just poor > like that, and we need to prioritize our spending! š Thanks again for > your insights! > > > > *From:* [email protected] <[email protected]> *On > Behalf Of *sagar Verma > *Sent:* 21 June 2025 09:18 PM > *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 breakersāespecially 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 ātap-tapā input for users familiar with key > positioning. Thereās 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 fieldsāit 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, weāre 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 youāre 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 ā¹10,000 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]> wrote: > > Hi Ajay, > > > > I understand your perspective, but for me, an iPhone isn't just a luxury ā > 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] <[email protected]> *On > Behalf Of *Ajay Minocha > *Sent:* 21 June 2025 12:09 PM > *To:* [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]> wrote: > > I would rather prefer we lobby to make affordable phones made accessible. > Android has evolved greatly. Itās app developers who need to ensure their > apps are accessible. Iām told that Android has a mechanism to send an > accessibility report when an app is published on play store b > > > > That said Governmentās ADIP scheme includes smart phones and laptops. > > > > Best, > > āSrinivasu > > > > Sent from Outlook for iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef> > ------------------------------ > > *From:* [email protected] <[email protected]> > on behalf of Mujtaba Merchant <[email protected]> > *Sent:* Friday, June 20, 2025 10:30:05 PM > *To:* AccessIndia Google Group <[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 Ā® > *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. 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/EB7D680F-C01A-4116-8CF4-6C0F33FFA27A%40gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/EB7D680F-C01A-4116-8CF4-6C0F33FFA27A%40gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > > -- > 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/TYZPR01MB67396D0DFF2D986B420294F3F77FA%40TYZPR01MB6739.apcprd01.prod.exchangelabs.com > <https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/TYZPR01MB67396D0DFF2D986B420294F3F77FA%40TYZPR01MB6739.apcprd01.prod.exchangelabs.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > > > > > -- > > Ajay Minocha > Mobile: +91-9584076767 > Email: [email protected] > [email protected]. <[email protected]>in > > -- > 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/CA%2BhY0dKKd-Di7niCKcRPvNOLiUx7FSmd99GiMRR6W1GrXZfh%2BA%40mail.gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/CA%2BhY0dKKd-Di7niCKcRPvNOLiUx7FSmd99GiMRR6W1GrXZfh%2BA%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > > -- > 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/007c01dbe2bd%24c81a1350%24584e39f0%24%40gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/007c01dbe2bd%24c81a1350%24584e39f0%24%40gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > > -- > 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/CADwy9hfOXSi4WzKCNr827j_k4-2jr3QLMAFQpQJG9sSbYdG7xg%40mail.gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/CADwy9hfOXSi4WzKCNr827j_k4-2jr3QLMAFQpQJG9sSbYdG7xg%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > > -- > 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/00b501dbe2c5%244f9fa9a0%24eedefce0%24%40gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/00b501dbe2c5%244f9fa9a0%24eedefce0%24%40gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- Ajay Minocha Mobile: +91-9584076767 Email: [email protected] [email protected]. <[email protected]>in -- 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/CA%2BhY0d%2BjC28OGHwygFAGyzmkLROo9AZKP-T5PZVy1YGDL43ozw%40mail.gmail.com.
