Google finally got me

By JT, 29 June, 2012

Forum
Android

I got the iPad one when it first came out. It was my first touch screen device and my first Apple hardware.
It was love at first sight, within six months I had an iPhone and a Macbook Pro. The iPad two arrived the next year, followed by another iPhone, and iMac and finally and Apple TV.

I’m a huge fan of Apple devices, obviously. I’ve heard the talk about Android and accessibility, good and bad and have remained largely indifferent. Until now that is.

I chose not to upgrade to the iPad three or the new iPad as Apple wants us to call it. As a VoiceOver user, the retina display left me cold and even though I like to take a photograph or two, the improved camera didn’t move me either. Living outside the USA means that the 4G would be irrelevant also.

I had decided to skip a model and wait for the iPad four, which if Apple sticks to its recent release cycle, will be launched in March 2013.

However, all that changed this week, with Google’s release of the Nexus 7.

I use my iPad mainly as a consumption device. I listen to Audible books, listen to podcasts, read books with iBooks, watch programs on the BBC iPlayer and listen to the radio.

The idea that I will be able to do all of this, on a device costing half the price is enough for me to take the plunge.

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Comments

By Carlos Taylor on Friday, June 29, 2012 - 17:20

Of course, any device you use is your choice, but you won't be able to read iBooks on the Android tablet. I hope accessibility has improved in Jelly Bean.

By Amir Soleimani on Friday, June 29, 2012 - 17:34

I'm also following events in the Android camp and the release, or the impending release, of Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) sounds promising especially if what I've heard about quasi-VoiceOver swiping and gestures and an enhanced TTS engine are correct. While not each and every Android handset (even those who have 4.0) will be getting it soon (you know why), its offline voice-typing and Braille support are also things to watch. Anyway, I'd rather read and listen to in-depth access-oriented reviews before making such a judgment especially considering what iOS 6 is to offer soon. Competition is definitely good for each and every one of us.

By Santiago on Friday, June 29, 2012 - 17:47

This is why I'll never switch from Apple products to Google products. Do we even know if this Android tablet is fully accessible? As we all know, all android devices are different, and just because this one comes from Google and Asus, doesn't mean its going to be fully accessible, even though it has Jellybean.

I will be sure to report on my experiences, either here or somewhere else. Of course, I am lucky, I will still have my iPhone 4S and my iPad two and I still intend getting whatever new iPhone comes out later in the year. At £199, the Nexus 7 is definatly worth a try. I know I won't be able to read ibooks, but Google boast of having the largest EBook collection online. I'm very interested to see if they are accessible.

You have my Condolences for your new purchase on a new coffee table. ;)