yes I agree with you on a few of these points but on another point I would have to ask one question. if we are talking on a "mobile" and "non Mobile" term here what is a true guide line for a mobile device and non mobile device? you can say a mobile device is anything that runs on a mobile platform such as a windows mobile phone (Samsung Epix). but then there are things like the Iphone and Ipad that are considered a mobile device but can do the things that defy the law of a quote on quote Mobile device. so that begs the question what makes a mobile device a mobile device? is it simply what the device cannot do that makes it a mobile device or what the device can do? I like to think a mobile device should stand on the premise that it will allow me to perform tasks while on the go and still fit into a pocket or comfortable side pouch without having to carry around a lap top. in other words it should be one device that will handle the latest word processor, not just to read but also to edit, handle the latest script weather Java Flash or graphics, and to finish it off these devices should be ever up dating and evolving for changing times. now prices for this kind of device can range from the price of a mobile device such as the Iphone, all the way up to the price of the Braille Note with a Braille display if you so choose. I would hope for the former but we all know that is a tall demand. the money to be made needs to be made based on the productivity and performance of the device and people will purchase the device simply because it is the best and there are no debates whether it will work for them today, or ten years down the line. one thing that bothers me is sighted people have to use an LCD screen to use a computer or PDA, blind people must use speech synthesizers or Braille displays. I have had a Braille display taken apart by an engineer and they said the concept is there, it is a pretty simple design but our refreshable Braille displays are so expensive. now the part that confuses me is Braille does not show in color, we cannot watch High Definition on it, it does not show high quality pictures, and have to light up, yet it is twice as much as a lap top for just a refreshable display. how in the world is it that 32 cells of 6 dots popping up and down is twice as much as a complete device containing 500 Gigs of memory, 6 Gigs of Ram, CD driver, speakers, and a LCD screen with High Definition capabilities? that is crazy if you ask me. someone has to step up to make this market more competitive or our devices will continue to grow with the cost of living and continue to lag way behind in performance.
Bryan Duarte Blind Ambitions -----Original Message----- From: Joseph Lee [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, May 16, 2010 1:32 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [GWN] Few opinions... Hi folks, For those who have seen me inn other lists would remember this style of message. I've enjoyed the debate here - just like I've enjoyed similar ones coming up on other lists. In light of our discussion, I'd like to present few opinions: I would say that what ultimately makes us buy this type of equipment is what we can do with it in the first place. We all have different needs and live in different circumstances. But there's a universal (almost universal, I should say) reason why people bought Braille Sense family: in the hopes that it'll help us complete our tasks efficiently and accurately. Also, we can use braille (an effective communication medium for the blind, I should say) to perform our tasks - reading, writing, scheduling appointments, surfing the web and even chatting innline. However, due to the nature of the devices, not all tasks that we want to do cannot be done on the Braille Sense. Braille Sense and its derivatives are so-called "embedded system" or mobile devices, which means that they have limited resources when it comes to doing their computing work. Unlike a PC, mobile devices are noted as "PC companion" devices - being a "mobile friend" and an information manager when a computer is not availible. As Terri said, Braille Sense fkmily cannot perform processor-intensive tasks that is arormally performed by a computer, such as intensive graphics, support for advanced web elements and so forth. Also, just because we bought an equipment with much money does not guarantee that it will meet all of our expectations. Look at a competetor's product's price range and user stories and you'll notice that there are bugs and features which the users want but are not installed in ROM image. Most of the expenses comes from braille displays (as Mike pointed out); for instance, a longer display would cost more than a shorter display, and the unit without a braille display would cost even cheaper. So, in my opinion, it is not a good idea to judge the performance and expectations of a product just because it is expensive - the product might have bugs and may suffer limitations imposed by the underlying operating system. Also, when choosing a product, it is better to look at a unit's potential rather than outside appearance and specs alone. Braille Sense, although lacking quite a few applications, still hosts a number of potentials, including powerful media applications, useful web browser and support for MSN. Still, there are bugs to be fixed and features which the users hope to see in the future. But there's one drawback (a huge one I should say that HIMS should address in the end) is the limitations imposed by the Windows CE version in use (version 5.0). I hope that HIMS would use plenty of opportunities to upgrade the OS and be done with memory problems (still compatibility should take its place, as we've seen before on another list). Well, just a few opinions, that's all. Hope this helps. Cheers, JL If you wish to unsubscribe from this list, visit: http://www.gwmicro.com/listserv If you wish to unsubscribe from this list, visit: http://www.gwmicro.com/listserv
