hello everyone on applevis,
I have been thinking over the last months about switching from iPhone to Android.
My reason is symple, Apple not fixing there accessibility issues.
For those who have used android, I have a few questions.
1. Can I use eloquence?
I've heard from someone that vocalizer has a trial period. Just like with NVDA, does this also include eloquence?
2. could someone tell me what features talkback has and does not have compared to voiceover?
Also, if anyone knows a good starting phone, that would bee helpful.
what brands have the most access ability, or are they all the same?I was thinking about samsong but didn't know where to start.
Someone told me that they thaught that android11 was a good starting point. If this is best, please let me know.
All help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Levi
By Levi Gobin, 15 September, 2023
Forum
Android
Comments
Well...
I actually like those discussions. Loking around what else is on the table can't hurt. If the switch from one to another system is worth it or even is an option is entirely their decision. What doesn't help in my opinion is false information or opinions that are sold as facts.
I do get that for some people Android may never be an option. Eventhough saying something definitive like that worries me personally. What if Apple drops the ball on accessibility? Saying "Everything else sucks!" does not make anything better. I think we should hold all companies to a higher standard. Apple, as well as every other company, has long standing bugs that do not exactly help with productivity. A little competition could help keeping Apple and other companies to invest into accessibility.
I am fortunate to switch from time to time. And both Systems have their own benefits and problems. Neither could replace my Surface Pro 8 with JAWS. As many here have said: If you want to checkout Android or any other alternative, feel free. If you know that it is not for you, that is fine too. At the end of the day they are just tools.
this is the article I was looking for
https://9to5mac.com/2023/08/03/switching-from-android-south-korea/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon
Dingdong the android which is dead
i’m back to using my iPhone 6s Plus and keeping my Google pixel around just in case I need it
android things, not on your nellie
unless i missed it, nobody seems to have mentioned the superb navigation apps on ios. blind square, my way and of course apple maps and yes google maps. how many times i have found my way back from god knows where using them, and the others which are probably on androids such as public transport.unless its changed, theres no compass in androids, which can actually be a big plus, when u have one. how else u gonna find how to meet your guide runner in the local park run! and of course, vo, is always in there so its very rare theres no way to switch it on.
ta
Compass
There is a compass on Samsung phones, there are also compass apps on android
I don't like GPS on either phone anymore
@Neil, congrats on the excellent spot of topic necromancy you did here. I'm baffled why you think android phones wouldn't have compasses, imagine Google maps not being able to give sighted folks turn by turn directions. Now if you're saying there isn't a compass app I think most phones have them, I just downloaded good maps, nearby explorer (rest in peace, I'm still mad) ... if you use blindness specific navigation apps for directions, virtually mapping an area before walking, routing via custom waypoints you make etc we can do that just fine. What we don't have is voice vista, I used to pack a long my SE just for those sound beacons but after a while I found it was basically the same information lazarillo or good maps gives me about custom waypoints, at least for me the different format of audio beacons was more fun than game changing. Anyway I think the whole space lost a lot with Nearby Explorer dying and we've never recovered but that's just me.
Regarding transit apps,…
Regarding transit apps, android also has Moovit. This is also on iOS, and is pretty nice for fixed transportation such as bus routes, etc.
@neil foster,
In your last sentence, what did you mean by, "there's no way to turn it on"?
Lazarillo Accessible GPS
available for both IOS & Android at
https://lazarillo.app/
, is the GPS app I officially use now. Works absolutely fantastic among the USA where I live.
Still prefer iOS over android.
It was about a year and a half ago when I initially wrote this post. Back then, I was using iOS 17(probably in beta), and had noticed a lot more Accessibility bugs.
At least for me, I feel like iOS 18 is a lot better than 17, at least for me. Everyone else might have their own opinion.
I have tried an LG smart phone. Although there are some aspects I liked about it(the headphone jack, custom notification sounds on an app per app basis, LG’s 3-D sound engine, etc), I still prefer iOS. I don’t think I’ll ever switch to android, at least not in the near future.
18>17
Agreed. iOS 18 is far superior to iOS 17, which had more bugs in an iOS version release than I can remember, going back to iOS 5. 😖
re: Lazarillo
For me lazarillo is the best bad option on android. It's really inconsistent, especially when I'm in a bus or car, like it can't quite keep up ... and often when I hit that "where am I" button, even in a place with no obstructions and a clear view of the sky it won't answer. I never had that problem with nearby explorer or voice vista on the iOS side but, sure, it usually works ok. Also, when it comes to tech I personally try never to say never. Things are always changing so fast and loyalty to any particular brand or system just seems wrong, they're all great and terrible.
What I miss...
What I miss, is a really, really old app on Android called "Intersection Explorer". It was a really sweet and accessible roadmap, with some GPS additions.