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Looking for a New Phone
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Nicole Massey
Aug 31, 2012, 6:32:21 PM8/31/12
to
Okay, folks, I need to get a new cell phone -- mine is five years old, and I
need something that is more reliable and will cover all my needs.
First and most important, though, is the software that runs on my computer
to edit and back up the phone's data. I want something that will allow me to
set custom ring tones, (I'll have to have a data cable on the phone and it
must support MP3 ring tones for each user) determine which users have voice
dialing set up for them, and of course back up this data to either Palm
Desktop or Outlook 2007. (Other considerations, like actual physical buttons
and a not too large footprint I'll deal with by individual phones, not the
brand)
So, which phones have accessible editing and backup software for them? I
need one that is accessible running Windows XP Professional and Jaws 12, and
since I'm still running a 3.4GHz single core machine for this, it'll have to
be both processor light and also 32 bit.
Any comments on what phone software does and doesn't give y'all joy?
Thanks for any direction y'all can provide.
need something that is more reliable and will cover all my needs.
First and most important, though, is the software that runs on my computer
to edit and back up the phone's data. I want something that will allow me to
set custom ring tones, (I'll have to have a data cable on the phone and it
must support MP3 ring tones for each user) determine which users have voice
dialing set up for them, and of course back up this data to either Palm
Desktop or Outlook 2007. (Other considerations, like actual physical buttons
and a not too large footprint I'll deal with by individual phones, not the
brand)
So, which phones have accessible editing and backup software for them? I
need one that is accessible running Windows XP Professional and Jaws 12, and
since I'm still running a 3.4GHz single core machine for this, it'll have to
be both processor light and also 32 bit.
Any comments on what phone software does and doesn't give y'all joy?
Thanks for any direction y'all can provide.
John Doe
Aug 31, 2012, 7:59:18 PM8/31/12
to
I do Windows, not mobile phones, but...
I don't know about other smart phones, but an iPhone is horrible
for interfacing with a PC. You definitely don't want to use an
iPhone with Windows XP. My next ultraportable computer (a smart
phone) won't be an iPhone.
I don't know about other smart phones, but an iPhone is horrible
for interfacing with a PC. You definitely don't want to use an
iPhone with Windows XP. My next ultraportable computer (a smart
phone) won't be an iPhone.
Nicole Massey
Aug 31, 2012, 9:44:51 PM8/31/12
to
"John Doe" <jd...@usenetlove.invalid> wrote in message
news:k1rj4m$ems$4...@dont-email.me...
versions. There is nothing to indicate that they won't do that again. So
Apple products are categorically excluded from consideration.
Oh, and I have AT&T as my provider if that makes any difference.
Brian Gaff
Sep 1, 2012, 5:10:18 AM9/1/12
to
Maybe you should hold out and see if the new Windows ones actually work. I'm
not holding my breath though. About the only thing you could say was that
the interfaces should work.
I know that the Nokia control software is very difficult to make work with
screenreaders as well, I'm not up with the Android stuff, but being a more
open system its possible somone has done the work here in a manner that
could work.
Personally, I prefer a phone that is just a phone. I don't really need a
computer and camera that is also a phone. However, the idea of having an ocr
on your phone to read stuff could be useful.
Brian
--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active
"Nicole Massey" <ny...@gypsyheir.com> wrote in message
news:k1rpeg$cl1$1...@news.albasani.net...
not holding my breath though. About the only thing you could say was that
the interfaces should work.
I know that the Nokia control software is very difficult to make work with
screenreaders as well, I'm not up with the Android stuff, but being a more
open system its possible somone has done the work here in a manner that
could work.
Personally, I prefer a phone that is just a phone. I don't really need a
computer and camera that is also a phone. However, the idea of having an ocr
on your phone to read stuff could be useful.
Brian
--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active
"Nicole Massey" <ny...@gypsyheir.com> wrote in message
news:k1rpeg$cl1$1...@news.albasani.net...
Nicole Massey
Sep 1, 2012, 9:40:21 AM9/1/12
to
"Brian Gaff" <Bri...@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message
news:k1sjdq$sja$1...@dont-email.me...
> Maybe you should hold out and see if the new Windows ones actually work.
> I'm not holding my breath though. About the only thing you could say was
> that the interfaces should work.
> I know that the Nokia control software is very difficult to make work with
> screenreaders as well, I'm not up with the Android stuff, but being a more
> open system its possible somone has done the work here in a manner that
> could work.
> Personally, I prefer a phone that is just a phone. I don't really need a
> computer and camera that is also a phone. However, the idea of having an
> ocr on your phone to read stuff could be useful.
> Brian
I don't even want to bother with text messaging. I just want a phone with
> I'm not holding my breath though. About the only thing you could say was
> that the interfaces should work.
> I know that the Nokia control software is very difficult to make work with
> screenreaders as well, I'm not up with the Android stuff, but being a more
> open system its possible somone has done the work here in a manner that
> could work.
> Personally, I prefer a phone that is just a phone. I don't really need a
> computer and camera that is also a phone. However, the idea of having an
> ocr on your phone to read stuff could be useful.
> Brian
real buttons, not some touch screen, and with the ability to set my own ring
tones and voice dial someone without having to pay for a service. And I want
to be able to edit anything on the phone using the computer where I have a
trustworthy screen reader.
The reason why I'm thinking about this is that my phone is starting to give
me difficulties, and my charger is on its last legs. I don't have a home
phone, so this is my only voice lifeline to the outside world.
Brian Gaff
Sep 1, 2012, 12:39:33 PM9/1/12
to
You can get replacement chargers all over the place.
Sadly its becoming very polarised. One has the granny phones, big buttons
big display, but little in the way of ringtone features, and you have the
smartphone.
I don't know of a granny phone that can be hooked up to a computer the way
the nokias can, but the nokia the last time I looked was a bit of a mess for
its software that ran on the pc.
Brian
--
Brian Gaff....Note, this account does not accept Bcc: email.
graphics are great, but the blind can't hear them
Email: bri...@blueyonder.co.uk
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
news:k1t3c2$rvv$1...@news.albasani.net...
Sadly its becoming very polarised. One has the granny phones, big buttons
big display, but little in the way of ringtone features, and you have the
smartphone.
I don't know of a granny phone that can be hooked up to a computer the way
the nokias can, but the nokia the last time I looked was a bit of a mess for
its software that ran on the pc.
Brian
--
Brian Gaff....Note, this account does not accept Bcc: email.
graphics are great, but the blind can't hear them
Email: bri...@blueyonder.co.uk
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
news:k1t3c2$rvv$1...@news.albasani.net...
Nicole Massey
Sep 1, 2012, 1:38:15 PM9/1/12
to
news:k1tdo6$it1$1...@dont-email.me...
was good, because some of them are things I composed. (I always know when
the phone ringing is mine) I can't assign selective ring or tell it to
record voice dialing prompts without sighted help, but I can edit entries in
it with no problem, so it has been a decent phone -- after all, I've used it
since March of 2007. But I'm now stuck here with no way to charge it, and no
way to even call for assistance to get to a Radio Shack. (At the very least
I could pick up something that allows me to plug my phone's car charger into
the wall there)
But it's getting time for a new phone anyway, so I'm wondering what folks
are using out there.
Of course Usenet is mostly dead, and I don't think Miracle Max is going to
be able to revive it, so I'm aware that my chances of getting a lot of
responses are somewhat slim.
> You can get replacement chargers all over the place.
> Sadly its becoming very polarised. One has the granny phones, big buttons
> big display, but little in the way of ringtone features, and you have the
> smartphone.
>
> I don't know of a granny phone that can be hooked up to a computer the way
> the nokias can, but the nokia the last time I looked was a bit of a mess
> for its software that ran on the pc.
My Sony Ericsson was okay for that -- it let me set my own ringtones, which
> Sadly its becoming very polarised. One has the granny phones, big buttons
> big display, but little in the way of ringtone features, and you have the
> smartphone.
>
> I don't know of a granny phone that can be hooked up to a computer the way
> the nokias can, but the nokia the last time I looked was a bit of a mess
> for its software that ran on the pc.
was good, because some of them are things I composed. (I always know when
the phone ringing is mine) I can't assign selective ring or tell it to
record voice dialing prompts without sighted help, but I can edit entries in
it with no problem, so it has been a decent phone -- after all, I've used it
since March of 2007. But I'm now stuck here with no way to charge it, and no
way to even call for assistance to get to a Radio Shack. (At the very least
I could pick up something that allows me to plug my phone's car charger into
the wall there)
But it's getting time for a new phone anyway, so I'm wondering what folks
are using out there.
Of course Usenet is mostly dead, and I don't think Miracle Max is going to
be able to revive it, so I'm aware that my chances of getting a lot of
responses are somewhat slim.
J. P. Gilliver (John)
Sep 3, 2012, 6:32:44 PM9/3/12
to
In message <k1sjdq$sja$1...@dont-email.me>, Brian Gaff
<Bri...@blueyonder.co.uk> writes:
[]
he had: it allows you, for people whose 'phone number you have stored,
to actually have a voice conversation with them (-:!
>computer and camera that is also a phone. However, the idea of having an ocr
>on your phone to read stuff could be useful.
As long as it actually is in the 'phone. There seems to be a strong
movement to blur the distinction between software in the 'phone, and
services offered over the air (at a cost). OCR, and translation (between
languages) after the OCR, are a particular case in point.
(I suppose they're still useful if the actual processing isn't in the
'phone, but it needs to be clear when that is the case, since [a] there
may be extra costs involved, [b] it won't work if you haven't got a
signal.)
> Brian
>
--
J. P. Gilliver
<Bri...@blueyonder.co.uk> writes:
[]
> Personally, I prefer a phone that is just a phone. I don't really need a
Yes, I recently heard someone on a comedy programme describing a new app
he had: it allows you, for people whose 'phone number you have stored,
to actually have a voice conversation with them (-:!
>computer and camera that is also a phone. However, the idea of having an ocr
>on your phone to read stuff could be useful.
movement to blur the distinction between software in the 'phone, and
services offered over the air (at a cost). OCR, and translation (between
languages) after the OCR, are a particular case in point.
(I suppose they're still useful if the actual processing isn't in the
'phone, but it needs to be clear when that is the case, since [a] there
may be extra costs involved, [b] it won't work if you haven't got a
signal.)
> Brian
>
--
J. P. Gilliver
Brian Gaff
Sep 4, 2012, 1:34:43 PM9/4/12
to
Well this is what worries me about all this cloud idea. Call me cynical if
you will, but it seems to me that if you are no longer in charge of your
apps their interfaces or indeed your own data, the companies that are
nowassuring everyone that there will be no charges, can at a whim introduce
them and you have no choice but to pay or lose it all.
I agree that we all now put up with data mining to keep things free, but
even there it seems that all is not as it appears on the anonanimity front
either
Besides, if Google change their front ends of web based email and all their
other stuff at a whim, who is to say we will always have access? Look what
happened to the wayferer when it was purchased by a mobile phone company!
No I want everything I use here and in my control. It could be said that
one could lose data that way, well, tough then. I'd sure as hell not be
happy with confidential data on a cloud.
I think at the moment firms like Microsoft see the effect as two things.
Firstly they can effectively keep hold of your apps so no hacked copies and
secondly, they can roll out a common interface on any computer that you use.
That would be great if it included my screenreader etc as well, but why do I
suspect this will not be the case?
Sort of system access but with bells and whistles?
It also means, presumably that the hardware can be crude as long as the
connection is reliable as the real power is not in your device.
At the moment there are some bits of ocr software for mobiles that works
well, but you are right, translation is a whole other ballgame..
Brian
I dont want access at the expense of privacy and individuality.
--
--
From the sofa of Brian Gaff -
bri...@blueyonder.co.uk
Blind user, so no pictures please!
"J. P. Gilliver (John)" <G6...@soft255.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:tQ9bJ4LM...@soft255.demon.co.uk...
you will, but it seems to me that if you are no longer in charge of your
apps their interfaces or indeed your own data, the companies that are
nowassuring everyone that there will be no charges, can at a whim introduce
them and you have no choice but to pay or lose it all.
I agree that we all now put up with data mining to keep things free, but
even there it seems that all is not as it appears on the anonanimity front
either
Besides, if Google change their front ends of web based email and all their
other stuff at a whim, who is to say we will always have access? Look what
happened to the wayferer when it was purchased by a mobile phone company!
No I want everything I use here and in my control. It could be said that
one could lose data that way, well, tough then. I'd sure as hell not be
happy with confidential data on a cloud.
I think at the moment firms like Microsoft see the effect as two things.
Firstly they can effectively keep hold of your apps so no hacked copies and
secondly, they can roll out a common interface on any computer that you use.
That would be great if it included my screenreader etc as well, but why do I
suspect this will not be the case?
Sort of system access but with bells and whistles?
It also means, presumably that the hardware can be crude as long as the
connection is reliable as the real power is not in your device.
At the moment there are some bits of ocr software for mobiles that works
well, but you are right, translation is a whole other ballgame..
Brian
I dont want access at the expense of privacy and individuality.
--
--
From the sofa of Brian Gaff -
bri...@blueyonder.co.uk
Blind user, so no pictures please!
"J. P. Gilliver (John)" <G6...@soft255.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:tQ9bJ4LM...@soft255.demon.co.uk...
Nicole Massey
Sep 4, 2012, 5:57:55 PM9/4/12
to
"Brian Gaff" <bri...@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message
news:k25e3i$gdr$1...@news.albasani.net...
way I'm going to put a client's music on the cloud, at least someone else's
cloud. I am thinking my best bet might be to get my own servers and create
my own cloud, secured and protected, to house my data if I absolutely have
to.
There's another benefit to a cloud based system -- If you catch a virus they
take care of it in their regular scans.
Google is part of the problem, not the solution. I don't use them at all. I
use a search engine that doesn't log IP's, and I don't do anything on Google
servers if I can at all help it. (and if anyone knows of another product
search besides Froogle, please let me know)
I went to get a replacement power charger for my cell phone today, and no
one had one. I had to go to four places to find an adapter to plug my car
charger into the wall so I could charge my phone. And in this process I got
the clear impression that the powers that be are trying very hard to get
everyone to switch to "smart" phones. Well, that's a problem. I won't use
any Apple Product thanks to how they abandoned us for five OS versions. And
though Ice Cream Sandwich has a screen reader in it, it's got some major
flaws, so we're going to have to wait for the next version of the Android OS
to have an option. So my plans are to just plug along with my "stupid phone"
until I can get word on a truly good option -- one that is blind accessible
on the phone, has blind accessible software on the computer, and will let me
set ring tones and voice commands by myself.
Brian Gaff
Sep 5, 2012, 2:56:28 AM9/5/12
to
You could have a long wait in the current economic climate with the elitist
mindset of the current designers though. Whatever we do we are a minority of
minorities and not taken seriously unless there are brownie points to be
made. Hard nosed accountants do not see blind users as anything other than a
pain in the butt.
However I do worry about the touch-centric attitude of the hardware vendors.
if its so cool why do I hear constant rumblings from perfectly sighted
people about how much they miss a keypad?
Hardware manufacturers seem to have an agenda to sell the touchy feely
interface based on flatness, but the only reason I can come up with is
money. Its probably much cheaper to not have buttons and switches on
things.. Yes I'm cynical!
Brian
mindset of the current designers though. Whatever we do we are a minority of
minorities and not taken seriously unless there are brownie points to be
made. Hard nosed accountants do not see blind users as anything other than a
pain in the butt.
However I do worry about the touch-centric attitude of the hardware vendors.
if its so cool why do I hear constant rumblings from perfectly sighted
people about how much they miss a keypad?
Hardware manufacturers seem to have an agenda to sell the touchy feely
interface based on flatness, but the only reason I can come up with is
money. Its probably much cheaper to not have buttons and switches on
things.. Yes I'm cynical!
Brian
"Nicole Massey" <ny...@gypsyheir.com> wrote in message
news:k25tl7$hm5$1...@news.albasani.net...
Brian Gaff
Sep 5, 2012, 5:08:50 AM9/5/12
to
With regard to google yes I agree they are part of the problem. they are not
listening to what blind people want, heck they are not even listening to the
US government about the accessibility of their apps. they press on with
oddball cludges like Chrome Vox when they could very easily have designed
basic useability in at the outset of their projects. They create lists for
access then disregard all the advice they get via them claiming their
developers know best. arrogance of this sort usually ends with egg on face.
Why keep redesigning interfaces for newsgroups their own lists docs social
media etc, why change the way po3 email works etc. They sometimes get good
ideas and screw them up by poor implimentation.
Brian
--
Brian Gaff....Note, this account does not accept Bcc: email.
graphics are great, but the blind can't hear them
Email: bri...@blueyonder.co.uk
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
listening to what blind people want, heck they are not even listening to the
US government about the accessibility of their apps. they press on with
oddball cludges like Chrome Vox when they could very easily have designed
basic useability in at the outset of their projects. They create lists for
access then disregard all the advice they get via them claiming their
developers know best. arrogance of this sort usually ends with egg on face.
Why keep redesigning interfaces for newsgroups their own lists docs social
media etc, why change the way po3 email works etc. They sometimes get good
ideas and screw them up by poor implimentation.
Brian
--
Brian Gaff....Note, this account does not accept Bcc: email.
graphics are great, but the blind can't hear them
Email: bri...@blueyonder.co.uk
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Nicole Massey" <ny...@gypsyheir.com> wrote in message
news:k25tl7$hm5$1...@news.albasani.net...
Nicole Massey
Sep 5, 2012, 8:38:18 AM9/5/12
to
news:k26t2r$vod$1...@news.albasani.net...
on technology and computers.
Throughout history smart people have gotten a lot of flak from the strong
ones. It's the classic jocks vs. nerds conflict. But computers were
developed by the nerds and geeks (they're not the same thing) and the way
they work is completely nerd think -- note how everything has to be done in
a precise manner, with anal observance of procedure and correct actions, and
no tolerance for deviation from the accepted command structure. This is not
normal for most people, and this is why they're struggling with it and so
many people talk about how they don't really know what they're doing on the
computer.
Nerds also love innovation and technology, so they're driving this move to
higher and higher tech like touch screens. (which, by the way, have problems
when it starts to get colder) And since the nerds are creating the products,
(all engineers are nerds by default) marketing has to find a way to sell
them.
I don't have a problem with this social takeover, (I'm something of a geek
myself in several arenas) but I find it interesting to watch.
> You could have a long wait in the current economic climate with the
> elitist mindset of the current designers though. Whatever we do we are a
> minority of minorities and not taken seriously unless there are brownie
> points to be made. Hard nosed accountants do not see blind users as
> anything other than a pain in the butt.
>
> However I do worry about the touch-centric attitude of the hardware
> vendors. if its so cool why do I hear constant rumblings from perfectly
> sighted people about how much they miss a keypad?
>
> Hardware manufacturers seem to have an agenda to sell the touchy feely
> interface based on flatness, but the only reason I can come up with is
> money. Its probably much cheaper to not have buttons and switches on
> things.. Yes I'm cynical!
Most people aren't thinking about what's really going on here with the focus
> elitist mindset of the current designers though. Whatever we do we are a
> minority of minorities and not taken seriously unless there are brownie
> points to be made. Hard nosed accountants do not see blind users as
> anything other than a pain in the butt.
>
> However I do worry about the touch-centric attitude of the hardware
> vendors. if its so cool why do I hear constant rumblings from perfectly
> sighted people about how much they miss a keypad?
>
> Hardware manufacturers seem to have an agenda to sell the touchy feely
> interface based on flatness, but the only reason I can come up with is
> money. Its probably much cheaper to not have buttons and switches on
> things.. Yes I'm cynical!
on technology and computers.
Throughout history smart people have gotten a lot of flak from the strong
ones. It's the classic jocks vs. nerds conflict. But computers were
developed by the nerds and geeks (they're not the same thing) and the way
they work is completely nerd think -- note how everything has to be done in
a precise manner, with anal observance of procedure and correct actions, and
no tolerance for deviation from the accepted command structure. This is not
normal for most people, and this is why they're struggling with it and so
many people talk about how they don't really know what they're doing on the
computer.
Nerds also love innovation and technology, so they're driving this move to
higher and higher tech like touch screens. (which, by the way, have problems
when it starts to get colder) And since the nerds are creating the products,
(all engineers are nerds by default) marketing has to find a way to sell
them.
I don't have a problem with this social takeover, (I'm something of a geek
myself in several arenas) but I find it interesting to watch.
J. P. Gilliver (John)
Sep 6, 2012, 9:22:37 AM9/6/12
to
In message <k27h7u$a6k$1...@news.albasani.net>, Nicole Massey
clean, less to go wrong, and the sleek appearance of the product. I
realise these, especially the last, are no use to the VH/VI. (And see
below as well.)
[]
they match mine. Apart from other differences I think nerd is always
used negatively, except when being ironic, whereas geek is only usually
negative rather than always.
[]
different kinds of touch screens (by how they work I mean), such as
resistive and capacitive.
>(all engineers are nerds by default) marketing has to find a way to sell
>them.
>I don't have a problem with this social takeover, (I'm something of a geek
>myself in several arenas) but I find it interesting to watch.
>
>
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G.5AL-IS-P--Ch++(p)Ar@T0H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
Never be a musical snob. It's all there to be enjoyed. - Sir Malcolm Sargent
<ny...@gypsyheir.com> writes:
>
>"Brian Gaff" <bri...@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message
>news:k26t2r$vod$1...@news.albasani.net...
[]
>
>"Brian Gaff" <bri...@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message
>news:k26t2r$vod$1...@news.albasani.net...
>> Hardware manufacturers seem to have an agenda to sell the touchy feely
>> interface based on flatness, but the only reason I can come up with is
>> money. Its probably much cheaper to not have buttons and switches on
>> things.. Yes I'm cynical!
Quite right to be; though they do have some advantages: easier to keep
>> interface based on flatness, but the only reason I can come up with is
>> money. Its probably much cheaper to not have buttons and switches on
>> things.. Yes I'm cynical!
clean, less to go wrong, and the sleek appearance of the product. I
realise these, especially the last, are no use to the VH/VI. (And see
below as well.)
[]
>ones. It's the classic jocks vs. nerds conflict. But computers were
>developed by the nerds and geeks (they're not the same thing) and the way
I'd be interested to hear your definition of nerd and geek, to see if
>developed by the nerds and geeks (they're not the same thing) and the way
they match mine. Apart from other differences I think nerd is always
used negatively, except when being ironic, whereas geek is only usually
negative rather than always.
[]
>higher and higher tech like touch screens. (which, by the way, have problems
>when it starts to get colder) And since the nerds are creating the products,
Does the cold problem apply to all types? I know there are several
>when it starts to get colder) And since the nerds are creating the products,
different kinds of touch screens (by how they work I mean), such as
resistive and capacitive.
>(all engineers are nerds by default) marketing has to find a way to sell
>them.
>I don't have a problem with this social takeover, (I'm something of a geek
>myself in several arenas) but I find it interesting to watch.
>
>
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G.5AL-IS-P--Ch++(p)Ar@T0H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
Never be a musical snob. It's all there to be enjoyed. - Sir Malcolm Sargent
Nicole Massey
Sep 6, 2012, 8:32:36 PM9/6/12
to
news:kXqp4lzd...@soft255.demon.co.uk...
I know it's a problem with capacitive screens, like on the Ipad. There are
problems with them in Canada, for example. Not sure about resistive ones.
problems with them in Canada, for example. Not sure about resistive ones.
Dana
Oct 24, 2012, 6:37:54 AM10/24/12
to
Well I am using an Ozone on Verizon, and using Mobile Speak. Installed
microsoft Active Sync, and works great.
microsoft Active Sync, and works great.
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