I’ve given this some thought for the major part of the afternoon, I’m surprised that Humanware etc haven’t released something that is voice activated like say an Amazon Echo version of a Victor Reader stream.
********** “For the gardener nothing is more handier than bulbs, I mean the 1’s you put in the ground and not the electric light 1’s.” > On 9 Nov 2017, at 4:20 pm, david griffith <[email protected]> wrote: > > I sympathise with the financial aspect. The rent situation sound appalling > for you. In the UK many/most Blind People can access a benefit call Personal > Independenc Payment used to be called Disability Living Allowance which is > designed to help us meet these sorts of costs. I realise that this sort of > benefit will not be available everywhere. > I support accessible mainstream but whilst this has massive benefits it also > has issues. People who want/need devices with tactile buttons are being > driven into the margins alongside the companies which are struggling to > provide the specialist kit. > The advances in NVDA Narrator and Voiceover ALLIED TO Talkback and Chrome vox > on several platforms has placed the commercial Screen Reader companies > under enormous pressure. I support all of this but the paradox is that I > still want Jaws as it can do stuff that the free options cannot. > I am not sure what can be done about it but the advance of accessibility in > the Mainstream has placed the Niche manufacturers who try to meet the needs > of those uncomfortable with touch screen technology, or in the case of > someone like me who simply finds it nicer to use buttons, under severe > pressure. > I am dismayed by the number of Specialist companies who appear to be going > to the wall or sinking without trace over the last year or two. The people > who make the Vaio Braille Displays have apparently gone bust recently. > Window Eyes is no more having been swallowed up by VFO who entirely > predictably have ditched it, as they soon will ditch Magic. Companies like > Code Factory whilst still going seem to have a void in their customer support > which does not augur well for their future. The Plextalk Daisy and Pocket > devices, whilst not apparently fomally inlliquidation have been quietly wound > up with no sign of any replacement devices under development. > It is no surprise then that the niche manaufacturers are having to charge > exrtra to meet their costs given their shrinking market base.. > The Kapsys Smart Phone with buttons for example in the UK is costing £499 > without kapsys Software and £599 with Software which is expensive when all is > said and doen for an Android 6 phone with 16GB of memory. Yet despite its > cost it is now the only option for my sister to buy now as she is completely > unable to cope with a touch screen. If Kapsys did not exist she would have > no option. > The other approach is those even more niche companies who charge an absolute > fortune for devices like the Orcam which make Humanware products seem cheap > by comparison. > So personally I am glad that Humanware for the time being are managing to > resist the pressure to liquidate that other VI Companies are suffering and > more importantly are bucking the trend by continuing to develop products. > We who like buttons have at least a chance for the time being.. > David Griffith > > > > mimnished > > My Blind Access and Guide dog Blog > http://dgriffithblog.wordpress.com/ <http://dgriffithblog.wordpress.com/> > My Blind hammer Blog > https://www.westhamtillidie.com/authors/blind-hammer/posts > <https://www.westhamtillidie.com/authors/blind-hammer/posts> > > From: The wolf <mailto:[email protected]> > Sent: 09 November 2017 02:22 > To: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Humanware - Victor Reader Trek – talking book > player & GPS - Victor Reader Talking Book Players (Stream & Stratus) - > Blindness - Low Vision Aids for Macular Degeneration > > as long as the voc rehab agencies continue too purchase these devices > there are going to be priced really high > > pritty much 99.99999 percent of blind people don't even make a income to > aford these high end devices myself included > > 700.00 a month is my total income 581 of that money pays the rent > > the rest has to cover everything utilities food for my guide dog the > basic needs > > thank god fore food stamps. > > so the voc rehab agencies are getting them fore the clients > when all the funding dries up from the agencies it is going to be > really interesting to see what companies end up by going out of business. > I understand that this is a nitch market > but these AT companies can only do this fore so long > On 11/8/2017 7:11 PM, Dane Trethowan wrote: > > Its tipical Humanware though really isn't it? Late to the party yet > > again. > > > > There is a segment of the population that can't access an IOS or > > Android device so perhaps Humanware's device may be useful for those > > people. > > > > What's the betting too that this device is using out of date hardware? > > > > > > > > On 11/9/2017 5:47 AM, Gordon Smith wrote: > >> Hello everybody > >> > >> Sadly, HumanWare has put their device beyond the reach of many, yet > >> again. And not only that, but they’ve made it an untenable product, > >> in my view. Everything it does, you can do via iOS and Android. That > >> includes playing talking books and, I’m pretty sure, DAISY content. > >> > >> Given that the main stream devices have so much more to offer than > >> simply being a book player and a GPS navigator, I don’t really think > >> they’re on to a winner this time. > >> > >> Sure, the functionality is easy to use, and accessible. But then > >> again, most people would find it just as easy to use a smart phone > >> with GPS, and something to the tune of the Seeing Eye, (RNIB) Navigator. > >> > >> But make up your own minds. I’m just expressing my humble opinion as > >> somebody who is looking to start advising clients on this sort of > >> ting professionally. My take on this is, sadly, it won’t last long. > >> > >>> http://store.humanware.com/heu/victor-reader-trek-talking-book-player-gps.html > >>> > >>> <http://store.humanware.com/heu/victor-reader-trek-talking-book-player-gps.html> > >>> <http://store.humanware.com/heu/victor-reader-trek-talking-book-player-gps.html > >>> > >>> <http://store.humanware.com/heu/victor-reader-trek-talking-book-player-gps.html>> > >>> > >>> > >> > >> ======================================== > >> > >> My compliments and kindest regards > >> Gordon Smith: > >> <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> > >> Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist.. > >> > >> This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can > >> avoid printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree! > >> > >> Contact: > >> > >> • UK Free Phone: > >> 0800 8620538 > >> • UK Geographic / Global: > >> +44(0) 1642 688095 > >> • UK Mobile/SMS: > >> +44 (0)7804 983849 > >> • Vic. Australia: > >> +61 38 82059300 > >> • US/Canada: > >> +1 646 9151493 > >> > >> ---------------------------------------- > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > > > > ------------------------------ > > This post, like all posts to the Techno Chat E-Mail group has been scanned by > our server-side antivirus/malware solution. This should not, however, be > viewed as a substitution for your own security strategy. We assume no > culpability whatever, implicit or otherwise, for any compromise to your > systems as a result of opening any post to this group. Suffice it to say that > we remain vigilant within the boundaries of reason. We strongly urge you to > do likewise! 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