I think many know my story on Android. I had an iPhone six, a Mac mini late 2012, and didn’t much like either. “Apple is buggy and closed,” I said at the time. Of course, weak arguments from someone who wasn’t settled down yet. So, I got the Google Pixel, the latest, coolest device, right from the Holy Google. I didn’t like it much. Android was too simple for me. I mean, iOS has all these configurations and settings, Google doesn’t even have Braille Screen Input. Why? The accessibility API’s do not allow for more than two finger gestures. The Android accessibility API’s hold the Talkback developers back, so nothing can be done. After seeing through the supposed coolness of Android, and my bluetooth keyboard breaking so I couldn’t lean on that, I had little choice. I like to say exactly what I mean, how I mean it, and regular typing on a touch screen cannot provide that to me. My attention just can’t hold the concepts of what I want to say long enough for me to also focus on finding a letter on a smooth surface and make sure my finger stays still as it lifts. Of course, there’s also Alex, my preferred voice, because MacinTalk actually attempts to make sense of what it’s reading enough to speak it with proper inflection. So, I now have an iPhone 7, a MacBook Air, and love them both dearly. As an aside, I wondered when I had my Android, why there were no MacBooks for sale under $700 or so. Why? Because people are happy with them, usually. Every blind person who is into technology as I am, really wants a MacBook, or even a Mac mini. Of course, there are many around me who are happy with what Microsoft can give them, but I can’t just settle for good enough, and that’s what Windows is for me. Does Apple have bugs in their systems? Yes, but compared to the lukewarm software of Android and Windows, and the taped together software of Linux, Apple is like a beautiful house with a few Beatles on the plants, where Microsoft is an older house with a nice, expanding facade, but a crumbling foundation, and Linux being a house that’s just a storefront, with rooms built outward, with other rooms and wings built onto those, with little where else to expand. Sure, some great somewhere has arisen from Windows and Linux, Foobar2000 and NVDA on Windows, and BRLTTY and Youtube-DL on Linux. Of course, all this is my opinion. I’ve used many systems, from the Braille Note Empower, to the Braille Plus, to the Braille Note Touch, the Google Pixel, the MacBook Air, and the iPhone 7. Those are, essentially, my credentials for writing all this. So, take away from it what you will, and you can critique it, but know that these are not written as fact. Devin Prater Assistive Technology Instructor
, Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, and Powerpoint instructor certified by World Services for the Blind > On Mar 4, 2018, at 10:28 AM, Kawal Gucukoglu <[email protected]> wrote: > > Hi Everyone. > > I have just started to read the Macvisionary list e-mails today after a weeks > work. I tend to read these on a week end. > > Anyway, I did find this thread very interesting. > > I have never owned an android device but have recently tested an android > device for an organisation and had to give some feedback. > > I did also get an android demonstration a few years back and I found that > Talk Back was not for me as I didn't like the voice. However, I used this > android device again and had the same feeling that I didn't like the gestures > but also found that some of the apple gestures were similar to IOS. > > I came from a mobile speak phone straight to the `I phone 4, as I at the time > didn't want to go Android as I had a slight bust up with Code Factory after > giving them many years of support especially with the braille on Mobile > Speak. If Mobile speak had not gone I think I would have stuck with that > company and not go to the I phone. > > Today for the first time in many years, I purchased an album from the Itunes > store and used Face ID to complete the transaction. I had used Apple pay on > my Apple watch but never on my I phone 1-0 because of the Face ID, as I > thought I would have an issue, but I didn't. After that, I laughed my head > off as I still can't get over that I can use Face ID. > > I have asked people who I know who use Android devices and they say that Face > ID for them is a bit hit and miss but they have Touch ID on the back of their > devices but they don't like it. I found the Touch ID on the Android quite > easy but I like the fact that I have to use my Face to make purchases. I > think I am one of the few people who love Face ID. > > Kawal. >> On 2 Mar 2018, at 06:42, Simon Fogarty <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> Pretty much all android devices should be usable. >> >> I've got a Samsung 7" tab a which is just a simple tablet that I can work >> with if I need to investigate something on the android platform or test >> software for a dev using adaptive tech. >> >> I've also got a huawah y7 mobile phone with one of the latest android os on >> it which I use as both a secondary device and again for testing and config >> of work realted services >> >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: [email protected] >> [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of sandi sørensen >> Sent: Thursday, 1 March 2018 7:51 PM >> To: [email protected] >> Subject: Re: Standing on the crossroad. >> >> What i am wondering , is, what is the price for an workable android tablet, >> that i would actually be able to use? >> Do they work out of the box? >> If we are not allowed to talk about it here, let me know. >> >> Sandie >> >> >> >> Sent from my iPad >> >>> On 1 Mar 2018, at 06.39, Karen Lewellen <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> Gosh I'm honored my words resonated. >>> Seriously, in a different lifetime I spent several years introducing people >>> to technology for the first time. Lots of them had heard stories of what >>> there were supposed to be if they were a truly good example, yet equally >>> unfortunate, insistence of what they could never be...according to >>> another's dictionary. >>> Speaking only for myself I came to believe there is profound magic in >>> reminding people there is power and freedom in remembering they have >>> choices, are the only souls inside their bodies, and examples of human >>> art that will never be duplicated again, no matter if they share labels >>> with others. >>> But that is just me smiles. >>> thanks for seasoning some of those choices with all you provide here. >>> Sincerely, >>> Karen >>> >>> >>>> On Wed, 28 Feb 2018, M. Taylor wrote: >>>> >>>> Karen, >>>> >>>> Your sentiment is absolutely beautiful. I completely concur with >>>> everything you wrote; and I truly mean it when I say that I could not have >>>> put it better, myself. >>>> >>>> Thank you so much for contributing to this thread. >>>> >>>> Sincerely, >>>> >>>> Mark >>>> >>>> -----Original Message----- >>>> From: [email protected] >>>> [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Karen Lewellen >>>> Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2018 2:07 PM >>>> To: 'Chris Blouch' via MacVisionaries >>>> Subject: Re: Standing on the crossroad. >>>> >>>> Hi there, >>>> The things that excite or interest us about technology are truly personal >>>> things are they not? >>>> I mean you are the only person using your phone, your computer, your >>>> toaster for that matter. >>>> so, speaking only for myself, I have not ever resonated with tech >>>> decisions made via democracy smiles. >>>> If the individual things that are important to your personal experiences >>>> needs and desire are best managed by the IPhone, then your choice is made. >>>> If those are better done with another platform, again your choice is made. >>>> I honor your ability to know, on your own, what works for you best of all. >>>> I do not feel I deserve a vote, nor does any outsider. >>>> Just my take, >>>> Kare >>>> >>>> >>>>> On Wed, 28 Feb 2018, Anders Holmberg wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Hi friends! >>>>> I don’t know what to do or think really. Yu know, i got my Iphone stolen >>>>> a year ago. >>>>> So i bought me an android device and was very happy with that. >>>>> Then i bought another Android device which was faster and even more >>>>> better. >>>>> Today my intention was to reset the device back to factory settings >>>>> because things were going nuts on it. >>>>> So i did that and when i started Talkback on the device the speech was >>>>> gone. >>>>> People on the android list told me that my synth didn’t support my >>>>> language but that is the biggest lie in the world. >>>>> So i got really pissed off and took out my sim card and put it in the >>>>> Iphone Se i got money for from a foundation here in sweden. >>>>> It was ment to use it as an extra phone so i could have it if my Android >>>>> broke down. >>>>> Now its broken down and guess what. >>>>> I am back to the Iphone SE. >>>>> I am on a crossroad and have to decide wheather to stay the Iphone Way or >>>>> the ANdroid way. >>>>> I don’t want to start a flame war about operating systems here. >>>>> I’ve had enough of that on the eyes-free list. >>>>> BUt i want your help to decide. >>>>> Now it seems i am very very happy with my Iphone again. >>>>> And i can say that one thing that impressed me which i’ve forgot was the >>>>> ability to answer phone calls on another apple device. >>>>> Another thing that impress me is the braille support on the Iphone and >>>>> Ipad. >>>>> Also the easyness when typing and doing tasks on the device. >>>>> I can say i have been testing Android and i think i was quite good on >>>>> using it but i never got the hang of talkback and all the strange >>>>> gestures. >>>>> Even though they worked for me they seems to be very clumsy. >>>>> I guess i will stay with the Iphone. >>>>> What do you all think. >>>>> Sorry for the very long post. >>>>> Thanks in advance. >>>>> /A >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> The following information is important for all members of the Mac >>>>> Visionaries list. >>>>> >>>>> If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or >>>>> if you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the >>>>> owners or moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. >>>>> >>>>> Your Mac Visionaries list moderator is Mark Taylor. You can reach >>>>> mark at: [email protected] and your owner is Cara Quinn - you can >>>>> reach Cara at [email protected] >>>>> >>>>> The archives for this list can be searched at: >>>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >>>>> --- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >>>>> email to [email protected]. >>>>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>>>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >>>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> The following information is important for all members of the Mac >>>> Visionaries list. >>>> >>>> If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or >>>> if you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the >>>> owners or moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. >>>> >>>> Your Mac Visionaries list moderator is Mark Taylor. You can reach >>>> mark at: [email protected] and your owner is Cara Quinn - you can reach >>>> Cara at [email protected] >>>> >>>> The archives for this list can be searched at: >>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >>>> --- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >>>> email to [email protected]. >>>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>> >> >> -- >> The following information is important for all members of the Mac >> Visionaries list. >> >> If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if >> you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or >> moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. >> >> Your Mac Visionaries list moderator is Mark Taylor. You can reach mark at: >> [email protected] and your owner is Cara Quinn - you can reach Cara at >> [email protected] >> >> The archives for this list can be searched at: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >> --- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >> >> -- >> The following information is important for all members of the Mac >> Visionaries list. >> >> If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if >> you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or >> moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. >> >> Your Mac Visionaries list moderator is Mark Taylor. You can reach mark at: >> [email protected] and your owner is Cara Quinn - you can reach Cara at >> [email protected] >> >> The archives for this list can be searched at: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >> --- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > > -- > The following information is important for all members of the Mac Visionaries > list. > > If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if > you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or > moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. > > Your Mac Visionaries list moderator is Mark Taylor. You can reach mark at: > [email protected] and your owner is Cara Quinn - you can reach Cara at > [email protected] > > The archives for this list can be searched at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- The following information is important for all members of the Mac Visionaries list. If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. Your Mac Visionaries list moderator is Mark Taylor. You can reach mark at: [email protected] and your owner is Cara Quinn - you can reach Cara at [email protected] The archives for this list can be searched at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
