Well, I can't think of anyone who would buy an iPhone just because they need
a phone.
Andy
-----Original Message-----
From: Ari Moisio
Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2014 2:00 AM
To: 'David Goldfield' via VIPhone
Subject: Re: NFB June Braille Monitor/Article on the iPhone
Hi
Comments about comments about comments:
1. If you don't want to pay for a data plan, the iPhone has no option for
that. A data plan will cost you about twenty dollars a month. You need a
data plan for the iPhone to be able to communicate over the Internet.
Response: you need to pay for a monthly plan to get anything on the
Internet. If a consumer already has an Internet connection in his home, he
can buy an iPod Touch or an iPad. These devices run iOS and don't require
an additional monthly data plan. The fact is that any computer or device
that accesses the Internet is usually going to require you to pay for some
sort of access plan.
On the other hand you cannot use ipad as a phone. Most non-iphones works
as a phone without a data plan.
2. It is very inefficient to make a simple phone call with the iPhone,
particularly if you don't have a person in your contacts list. You can
dial a phone number that you know much more quickly with a keypad that has
real, physical buttons.
Response: not at all. You can simply press the home button and command
siri to call any number, such as saying "call 302 555-1212." That's hardly
what I'd call inefficient. Also, a consumer can order screen protectors
from Speeddots containing tactile keyboard overlays.
Finally, the rivo keyboard, while insanely expensive, gives you a keypad
allowing for quick telephone entry and it also provides keyboard commands
which let you control many other functions of the iPhone.
We also had that kind on telephone services at early 70's where one had to
dictate the telephone number to the operator. Then we got the rotary dial
and after that the tone dial. That's why i consider Siri a bit
old-fashion:-)
Even with different tactile screen protectors you cannot simply push
harder to press the button. Also each application will spread it's buttons
around the screen so every application you'll use needs it's own tactile
layer. Good business, i have to admit.
3. On the iPhone touch typing for texting and email is very slow as
compared to a regular keyboard; this has been somewhat mitigated by
Braille apps, of which there are now two. However, you should know that
research has shown that, on average, a blind person entering data using
the touch-screen QWERTY keyboard is writing at about three words per
minute. By contrast, users of the built-in Braille apps have been clocked
at around 23 words per minute.
response: you can use any number of Bluetooth keyboards if you want to
compose a lengthy email or text message. For short text messages,
composing one is as quick as dictating the text to Siri, just as you can
use your voice to place a call.
Keyboards are even bulkiert than the iphone itself. If i have to dictate
something i can call with same effort.
4. The iPhone is very much a technology requiring good hand-ear
coordination. People who want real buttons that they can operate silently
by touch will be very disappointed in the iPhone.
As I stated in a previous response, you can purchase affordable tactile
overlays from Speeddots. Besides, in the section in the article covering
the iPhone's strengths, it is stated correctly that the iPhone
demonstrates, with a properly designed user interface, that blind people
can successfully operate a touchscreen.
But people who prefer tactile buttons are still disappointed.
5. Battery life for the iPhone is still an issue. You have to charge it at
least once a day--a lot more if you use GPS.
Response: yes, I long for the days when products like the Braille 'n Speak
could give us 30 hours of battery life from one charge. However, this is a
non-issue. During the day, I connect my iPhone to my computer's USB port
and when I get home I connect it to my computer for a few hours before
going to bed. Turning off Bluetooth, if you're not using that service, and
turning your screen brightness down to zero percent will do a lot to save
battery life. Besides, it's not exactly a major inconvenience to plug the
thing into a computer or a wall outlet every night.
It depends if you have a computer or usb connector near you. For example
for a long bus or train journey if you like to follow your location on
gps there are not always a usb port to charge. GPS is especially power
hungry.
6. The iPhone is not small. It is bigger than a lot of flip phones.
response: are you serious? Really, are you kidding me? My wife's Motorola
Droid Ultra has a wider form factor. The iPhone fits very comfortably in
one hand. I mean, we're not talking about a device like an iPad or a
Kindle 8.9 HDX.
Should i list here all the smaller phones i know?
7. For a lot of people the iPhone is a lot more technology than they want.
It is not for someone who just wants a phone to make and receive calls.
response: true, but once blind people discover that the iPhone can act as
their digital book player, restaurant menu reader, Web browser, email
client, money identifier, barcode scanner, radio tuner, game player and
object recognizer they might just want to use it for more than just making
and receiving phone calls.
Are you sure about that? Any studies supporting that claim?
For me and you one device with many features would be good but i know
there are people who don't want or like to study anything new.
Should pocket calculators also be replaced with computers because one
can do more with them?
8. The iPhone is not cheap. Even with a two-year contract, the basic unit
can cost $200. The full retail price of the iPhone is approximately $650.
I received my iPhone 5C, 32 GB version, for free if I agreed to sign a
two-year contract with Verizon, which I was more than happy to do.
Admittedly, that particular deal expired on March 31 of this year but I
have heard that at least one other carrier was offering a similar deal. It
is likely that consumers who do a bit of searching will be able to acquire
an iPhone for a fraction of the actual cost if they are willing to sign a
contract with the carrier.
If those phones are free could someone send few dozens here; i'll sell
them for a good profit:-)
Frankly speaking there is not such things as free lunch or free phone.
You'll pay it way or another.
And the accessories: keyboards, overlays, covers, battery packs etc are
not free and cost on worst case the AT price.
9. First-time users of the iPhone have reported initial frustration with
this powerful technology. It is not uncommon for these people to feel as
if they want to throw the phone away during the first month. Answering
calls and hanging up calls seem to be two particularly difficult problems
for beginning iPhone users.
Response: does this mean we shouldn't recommend JAWS or NVDA to some
consumers who are new to Windows because we can find a percentage of users
who experienced frustration with their screen reader during the first few
weeks or months of use. It is common for people to find a new piece of
hardware or software frustrating or difficult to use when they're first
learning how to use the product. Yes, using a product with a touchscreen
is a very different way of interacting with a device and frustration can
occur. This is true, by the way, with sighted consumers as well as blind
consumers so this really is a very silly objection.
Yeah, there are other cases too when totally visual environment is brough
to blind users but i have rarely noticed that sighted would have problems
with those environments because they are made to be used visually.
For some odd reason my sighted frieds never have similar issues when asked
to do something with my iphone even they haven't used iphone earlier. Vice
versa they are a bit confused what example 'rotor' means.
10. The iPhone requires a fair amount of dexterity and the ability to tap
quickly. People who have motor issues or poor dexterity will likely not
benefit from this technology.
Response: I don't believe this is correct. I'm no expert on this but I
remember reading about how the iPhone can be adapted for consumers with
difficulties with hand movement.
That article would be interesting to read. For example i have
difficulties to double-tap fast enough.
And one point: it is not always preferrable for a blind user to have a
phone one have to keep exposed and handle with two hands.
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