I don't think I'll buy one as I have a lapotp and hopefully will be getting an iphone so I hope for now all of my needs are solved.
Take care. S Good luck. On May 5, 2010, at 2:56 AM, Nicolai Svendsen wrote: > Hi, > > The iWork suite is probably what will cause me to buy it in the end. I have > heard blind and sighted perspectives alike on the iPad, and some simply > present an issue I have never even considered. Nevertheless, all opinions are > of course valuable, and they are definitely helping me decide whether or not > I am going to buy one. > > Regards, > Nic > Mobile Me: nic2...@me.com > Skype: Kvalme > MSN Messenger: nico...@home3.gvdnet.dk > AIM: cincinster > yahoo Messenger: cin368 > Facebook Profile > My Twitter > > On May 5, 2010, at 11:52 AM, olivia norman wrote: > >> It's always interesting to get another prospective. I do have a case for my >> iPad, so don't have to hold it up at all which helps. Personally, I love >> the device, but as with anything, people have differing opinions and I >> actually found Brian's experiences interesting and valuable to read. >> I find that the four finger flick gesture really helps while moving around >> most iPad screens, especially in applications such as mail and safari, this >> gesture helps avoid swiping with one finger constantly. I also find that >> applications such as iBooks and the iWork applications are wonderful >> additions to this device, and afford the user functionality ad productivity >> you just don't find on the iPhone. >> In my way of thinking, these are two different kinds of devices, which >> perform different functions and I use and think of them for completely >> different things in my life. >> There's also the issue with the iPhone's battery life. I can't for >> instance, watch a movie or stream a youtube video for any length of time >> with out experiencing significant battery drain. On my iPad, I am able to >> watch videos for hours, no problem. >> The case is a great, and IMO, needed, extra with the iPad for both blid and >> sighted users. It allows for more comfortable use of the iPad and means >> that you don't have to hold it or risk it falling. You can purchase it from >> apple for about $39.99. >> I am sorry to hear the iPad didn't work for you, Brian, and your experience >> just shows that not every piece of technology works well for every user. >> Thank you for posting this to the list! Have a great day! :) >> Olivia >> On May 5, 2010, at 4:52 AM, Nicolai Svendsen wrote: >> >>> Hi, >>> >>> He was saying it was uncomfortable to move around on the larger screen. If >>> he has the case and puts it on a table, I'd imagine this would be a lot >>> easier. At least, it sure would for me and would give me a better overview >>> than having it in my lap, for example. Or, the frequent complaint that is >>> often heard is that holding it up is also uncomfortable, which makes sense >>> too. >>> >>> Regards, >>> Nic >>> Mobile Me: nic2...@me.com >>> Skype: Kvalme >>> MSN Messenger: nico...@home3.gvdnet.dk >>> AIM: cincinster >>> yahoo Messenger: cin368 >>> Facebook Profile >>> My Twitter >>> >>> On May 5, 2010, at 10:49 AM, Ben Mustill-Rose wrote: >>> >>>> What would the case solve though? >>>> >>>> I also have the vo freezing problem on my touch; I expected it to be >>>> at least partly fixed on the ipad. >>>> >>>> On 05/05/2010, Nicolai Svendsen <chojiro1...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>> Hi, >>>>> >>>>> Just one question. >>>>> >>>>> Why not get the iPad case and put it in there? That just seems like a >>>>> logical solution to your dilemma. If you haven't sold it yet, give it >>>>> here. >>>>> lol >>>>> >>>>> Really, I've always thought the iPhone was mainly for a consumer. You can >>>>> write long documents on it, but it is far from comfortable and very >>>>> efficient. Well, you can write really quickly on that device, but really, >>>>> it >>>>> might get tiresome after a while. We will have Bluetooth keyboard support, >>>>> though, so that is very exciting. >>>>> >>>>> I imagine the screen to be exactly the opposite of what you are saying. >>>>> Sorry to disagree. I think the larger screen would aid me a great deal, >>>>> and >>>>> the split-screen is just a nifty feature to me. I won't get an iPad, >>>>> though, >>>>> and I have a lot of reasons for that. I'll try out an iPad at the end of >>>>> May >>>>> when they ship internationally, but I'm not going to be that excited. >>>>> >>>>> First, what can the iPad do that my iPhone cannot? iWork? Perhaps. But >>>>> right >>>>> now, I don't see myself using an iPad. Technically, the space I would take >>>>> up if I hook up a bluetooth keyboard to the iPad is probably just as much >>>>> as >>>>> my Macbook, if a little bit less. The Macbook is faster, and I need the >>>>> superior speed. I need to be able to type blazingly fast, and though I >>>>> could >>>>> do that with the iPad keyboard dock or bluetooth keyboards, I still don't >>>>> want to carry those accessories around with me. Of course, that doesn't >>>>> mean >>>>> I can't become very efficient with the on-screen keyboard on the device. >>>>> >>>>> Secondly, yes, the glare from the iPad's LCD is hard on the eyes for a few >>>>> hours. Having to read on the iPad or iPhone for long periods of time is a >>>>> pain, and that is really only because it is bright. IF it was like the >>>>> Kindle where you still need a lamp to read, great. >>>>> >>>>> Third, I just don't think the iPad is right for me. I want something small >>>>> like my iPhone that can do all these things already, and I just can't >>>>> justify buying an iPad right now. Yeah, there are probably things the >>>>> iPhone >>>>> will be unable to do, but that hasn't hampered my productivity any. >>>>> >>>>> Regards, >>>>> Nic >>>>> Mobile Me: nic2...@me.com >>>>> Skype: Kvalme >>>>> MSN Messenger: nico...@home3.gvdnet.dk >>>>> AIM: cincinster >>>>> yahoo Messenger: cin368 >>>>> Facebook Profile >>>>> My Twitter >>>>> >>>>> On May 5, 2010, at 7:23 AM, Bryan Smart wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> OK. So, I've had my iPad Wi-Fi+3G for less than a week, and I've already >>>>>> decided not to keep it. There is so much of a euphoric glow on some of >>>>>> the >>>>>> lists about the wonderfulness of this device. I'm the type of person that >>>>>> is always eager to investigate new technologies and ways of working, and >>>>>> so expected that I'd agree with the generally positive reception. I >>>>>> don't. >>>>>> >>>>>> I have experience with the iPhone, and, other than the fact that it is >>>>>> slower to operate than a device with buttons, and that the battery life >>>>>> is >>>>>> terrible when compared to most mobile phones, I thought that it was an >>>>>> impressive piece of tech with an advanced approach to user interaction. >>>>>> >>>>>> I was excited about the iPad, and expected it to bring everything from an >>>>>> iPhone, only improved. First, the iPad would have a larger screen, so it >>>>>> should be possible to more easily move my finger directly to the position >>>>>> of known controls in order to speed up the operation. Also, the iPad >>>>>> would >>>>>> have a significantly larger battery than the iPhone, so I could spend >>>>>> hours using apps, even wireless apps, without having to worry about >>>>>> draining the power away. >>>>>> >>>>>> The only universally great thing that I can say about the iPad is that >>>>>> the >>>>>> battery is spectacular. With the screen brightness set to low, it runs >>>>>> for >>>>>> a very long time. I've spent hours streaming movies via Netflix over 3G, >>>>>> and the battery just keeps on going. >>>>>> >>>>>> Unfortunately, that's where it all ends. It isn't that I think that the >>>>>> tech behind the iPad is necessarily bad. If you want this experience, >>>>>> though, as a blind person, you're better off with an iPhone. >>>>>> >>>>>> Why? Well, let's compare the iPad to the iPhone 3GS. >>>>>> >>>>>> The iPad has a larger screen. If you're sighted, this is great for >>>>>> watching video. Watching movies on a tiny phone screen has got to be an >>>>>> eye strain. Blind people don't watch movies, and we can listen to them >>>>>> just fine on an iPad or iPhone speaker. >>>>>> >>>>>> I thought that the larger screen would help with VoiceOver, but, >>>>>> actually, >>>>>> it makes things worse. When you work an iPhone, placing your finger at >>>>>> different positions on the screen only requires wrist movement. The iPad >>>>>> screen is huge when compared to the iPhone, and you must move your entire >>>>>> arm in order to navigate the screen. This can become tiring after hours >>>>>> of >>>>>> computing, because your arm can rarely rest on anything. If you don't >>>>>> hold >>>>>> your arm up, with your fingers angled down, you're likely to bump the >>>>>> screen with part of your wrist or forearm, causing VoiceOver's focus to >>>>>> jump to some random position on the screen. This is particularly >>>>>> frustrating because there is so much content on an iPad screen. If you >>>>>> navigate through controls by swiping, you'll be swiping and swiping and >>>>>> swiping and swiping to get to where you'd like. Of course, you can >>>>>> directly explore with your finger, but I've noticed that, in several >>>>>> places (like the App Store and Safari), tapping somewhere doesn't >>>>>> necessarily mean that swiping will continue from that point. In many >>>>>> places, I'll tap at a point on the screen, but, when I start swiping, >>>>>> VoiceOver will always start from the top of the screen. So, in those >>>>>> situations, if you accidentally touch the screen with some other skin >>>>>> while swiping, or if VoiceOver mistakenly interprets a swipe as a tap, >>>>>> then you'll lose your place, and need to start from the top of the >>>>>> screen. >>>>>> In the App Store in particular, I've swiped myself to frustration. >>>>>> >>>>>> The size of the screen is also not convenient for holding the iPad like >>>>>> you would the iPhone. It must rest on your lap or a table. And, with me >>>>>> pushing and tapping on it with both hands, I've had some situations where >>>>>> it has nearly slid off of my lap. With the screen being made of glass, >>>>>> that is not a great thought to ponder. So, I think that the screen size >>>>>> is >>>>>> not only wasted on blind users, but is also a drawback. >>>>>> >>>>>> The on-screen keyboard is a bit nicer to use on a large screen. However, >>>>>> the touch-typing mode makes even one-handed typing on a small screen a >>>>>> breeze. Besides that, the larger screen meant that a lot more arm motion >>>>>> was required to type on an iPad. I tried the two-handed typing approach >>>>>> in >>>>>> landscape mode, but find that, no matter how well you place your hands, >>>>>> typing is very mistake prone. For anyone that finds it hard to type for >>>>>> extended periods of time on the iPhone, you can use the iPad keyboard >>>>>> dock >>>>>> with it when the next iPhone OS comes out. >>>>>> >>>>>> VoiceOver is worse on the iPad. I'll just put my flame retardant suit on >>>>>> right now for the hordes of people that will respond and tell me how I'm >>>>>> wrong, how wonderful it is, and how it must be me. Well, I've used an >>>>>> iPhone extensively, and I've used the touch gestures on my MacBook Pro a >>>>>> lot, so I think that I'm pretty familiar with how everything is supposed >>>>>> to work. On the iPad, for gestures to work, I must over-act them. On my >>>>>> MacBook or iPhone, a little flick of my finger is enough to indicate that >>>>>> I'd like to move to the next item. On the iPad, I must make a huge swipe, >>>>>> extending a few inches. Small flicks will work, sometimes, but VoiceOver >>>>>> is very likely to just interpret the flick as a tap, and jump my focus. >>>>>> As >>>>>> I've said before, given how huge the screen is, and how the control order >>>>>> is broken in several important places, this is extremely frustrating. >>>>>> Having to make huge swipes means that my whole arm is involved, and >>>>>> swiping and swiping and swiping with your whole arm will really make your >>>>>> forearm sore after a few hours. Sometimes, the screen won't even register >>>>>> that I touched or swiped. The iPhone screen seems much more sensitive. >>>>>> >>>>>> The speech glitches at high speed. At 90% or above, Samantha can't say >>>>>> "search", and other words, without chopping off the ends. >>>>>> >>>>>> And, my largest complaint about VoiceOver on the iPad. It doesn't >>>>>> recognize, in most cases, when the screen updates. This seems to be most >>>>>> noticeable on screens that use HTML/web content. Say that you are in the >>>>>> App Store, or Safari, and you tap a link. You know that a new page/screen >>>>>> must have loaded. Sometimes you'll hear the audio cue indicating that the >>>>>> load completed, sometimes not. However, most always, if you start >>>>>> swiping, >>>>>> you'll realize that you're reviewing material from the old page. You must >>>>>> tap somewhere on the screen for VoiceOver to realize that, in fact, the >>>>>> screen has changed. This is annoying for purposes of situation and >>>>>> orientation. >>>>>> >>>>>> Here is how it should work. You double-tap a control. You wait. You hear >>>>>> the completed audio cue, and VoiceOver speaks the first item on the >>>>>> screen >>>>>> (which now has focus). Now, you can either start swiping through >>>>>> controls, >>>>>> explore the screen with your finger, or two-finger-swipe down to start >>>>>> reading the screen. >>>>>> >>>>>> This is how it works, though. You double-tap a control. You wait, and >>>>>> wait >>>>>> and wait. You don't get any feedback about what is happening, so you >>>>>> start >>>>>> exploring the screen with your finger. If the screen hasn't finished >>>>>> loading yet, then VoiceOver will either repeatedly click at you, or else >>>>>> you'll hear absolutely nothing (because VoiceOver is frozen up). Once the >>>>>> screen finishes loading, all of that tapping and touching that you did >>>>>> while VoiceOver was frozen will be suddenly processed, and VoiceOver will >>>>>> start going crazy with clicking and speaking fragments. Now, you aren't >>>>>> sure where you are, so you must four-finger-swipe up to get to the >>>>>> beginning of the screen, then start exploring. >>>>>> >>>>>> Another way that this can work out is that you double-tap a control, and >>>>>> VoiceOver will say something (supposedly the first control on the new >>>>>> screen "cancel button selected", or similar). When you start swiping, >>>>>> though, you'll hear the contents from the last screen. So, you first tap >>>>>> somewhere on the screen to force VoiceOver to realize that the contents >>>>>> have changed, then four-finger-swipe up to go to the beginning of the >>>>>> screen, then, finally, start exploring. >>>>>> >>>>>> Honestly, this is ridiculous. It is hard to believe that Apple couldn't >>>>>> catch such a problem. I guess that web support had minimal testing. Lots >>>>>> of apps use imbedded web content, though, so this happens in all sorts of >>>>>> apps from Wonder Radio to Net Flix. >>>>>> >>>>>> As a final VoiceOver thought, I've noticed that the iPad is experiencing >>>>>> a >>>>>> problem that the iPhone had early on in its life. For those of you with >>>>>> an >>>>>> iPad, lock the screen. Now, put your ear up next to the speaker. Hear >>>>>> that >>>>>> hiss. Now, put your iPad down for 5 minutes and come back. Still hear >>>>>> that >>>>>> hiss? That is the sound of your iPad's audio hardware constantly running >>>>>> and draining your battery. So, while the iPad's battery life is >>>>>> impressive >>>>>> in a continuous run (like watching movies back to back), it sucks in a >>>>>> similar way to the iPhone where you'll go to sleep with a full battery, >>>>>> and wake up with 70% or less. There is no reason for that on an iPad, >>>>>> since the iPad isn't doing sync for Visual Voicemail and all of the other >>>>>> AT&T phone to tower chatter. That open speaker, though, is probably the >>>>>> cause of most of the drain. >>>>>> >>>>>> I'm further discouraged to hear that the iPad won't be receiving an OS >>>>>> update until the Fall. So, I suppose that these VoiceOver issues will >>>>>> stand for at least 4 or 5 months. There will be a new iPhone, and a new >>>>>> version of the OS for everyone else, in about a month. A major OS update >>>>>> almost certainly means an update of VoiceOver. >>>>>> >>>>>> So, in the final analysis, the larger screen makes the iPad harder to >>>>>> work >>>>>> for me, and VoiceOver has more problems than on an iPhone. The larger >>>>>> battery is nice, but that isn't enough. In my mind, the iPhone is all the >>>>>> iPad that a blind user needs. >>>>>> >>>>>> If you are thinking of returning yours, better decide fast. You only have >>>>>> 14 days after receiving your iPad to return it, and, even then, you must >>>>>> pay a 10% restocking fee. >>>>>> >>>>>> The iPad is an interesting device, but I'd just rather use an iPhone, I >>>>>> think. >>>>>> >>>>>> Bryan >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>>>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>> >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. >>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>> For more options, visit this group at >>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>> >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >> To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >> > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. > To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en.
