Here are my thoughts on this subject.
1. I am the owner of a Dell Latitude D520 computer. It is very
convenient to be able to carry an extra battery with me or have one
charged and available if needed.
2. Humanware's up and coming competitors, the Voice Sense from
GW Micro:
http://www.gwmicro.com/voicesense
the Icon from Level Star,
http://levelstar.com
also sold as the Braille+ by the American Printing House for the
Blind, all have replaceable batteries.
3. I don't know about the cost in New Zealand, but here in the US
a replacement battery for the Voicenote costs $87, plus an
additional $50 to have it installed, plus another additional $45 for
return shipping. Not to mention the cost of shipping it back to
Humanware and the inconvenience and time lost while being without
your Voicenote.
As a prospective Voicenote customer, I have wondered for years why
Humanware never took the lead in this area.
Instead of being reactive, they could have been proactive.
I consider a replaceable battery not merely a convenience, but
practically a necessity. After all, how is something really
portable if one can't even replace its battery? How many notebook
computers and PDAs sold to the general public do not have
replaceable batteries?
I have been interested in GPS for several years now, and the time is
nearly at hand where I am going to make a rather expensive
purchase. In fact, I am seriously considering biting the bullet and
making this purchase in Louisville, Kentucky at the American Council of
the Blind convention in 2008.
At which time, it is very likely that the Voice Sense will be
using the Sendero GPS program so my decision won't be limited
to the Voicenote if I want, at least for now, the best GPS program
on the market for the blind.
Keith
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