Comments for Jeffrey's Soapbox

Comment on The quest for a high contrasting black mobile phone experience for low vision users by Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Sun, 05 May 2013 03:36:58 +0000

Keep at it, I think you will really like it once you get everything set up. I just wish samsung would release 4.2 for the S3 soon.

Comment on The quest for a high contrasting black mobile phone experience for low vision users by Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Sun, 05 May 2013 03:34:53 +0000

I am really glad you found the article useful.

I think you will really like aquamail. It does exactly what you mentioned you were looking for gmail.

Comment on The quest for a high contrasting black mobile phone experience for low vision users by Jaime A. Guerra

Jaime A. Guerra — Sun, 05 May 2013 02:37:06 +0000

Jeff, I ran into your many posts on high contras on Android based devices; I have low vision that makes it impossible to read my HTC LTE Android phone with stock settings. Basically I have a dark background, but I am looking for a setting to allow me to change my android gmail to dark background with white text. On a Windows PC the HIGH contrast settings work fine, allows IE, thunderbird to have black background and bright yellow text. Unfortuneately I have had difficulty searching for a tool that could easily change my gmail app or play store app so I could easily read it. I did find a workaround only when I am at a library or work location that has a reverse image camera with screen. I place my android gmail screen and presto, I can read it on the monitor with black background and white text. It would be nice if this feature was easily made available on android phones.

I am going to try the AQUAMAIL app that you mentioned.

I find some PLay Store apps such as the Tunein radio have a car mode feature that allows easy reading. They call the option the CAR MODE feaure under Tunein Radio Settings, it drawas less power from device since it keeps majority of screen black other then the text.

I don't want to have to change my device to a windows phone, which claims that have browser, email and etc, with high contrast ability.

Jeff, thank you kindly for your posts, you gave me hope that android may have a solution for low vision users who require high contrast screens.

bye,

Jaime A. Guerra

jaimeguerra123@gmail.com

Comment on The quest for a high contrasting black mobile phone experience for low vision users by Jen Jesso

Jen Jesso — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:13:46 +0000

Thanks for this post! I just got an S3 (after using an iPhone for four years), and, like you, I use a combination of speech and large print on my devices and find that white on black makes a huge difference for me. I had already discovered AquaMail but downloaded a few of your suggestions. I'm too new to Android to have any suggested apps of my own, but will be glad to share them when I find them.

Comment on The must have accessible apps for blind android users by Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 11:33:35 +0000

I think ivona is great; especially if you speak non-english languages where google or acapela doesn't have a voice availble for those languages. I've found the new google tts engine very good and if you have a real meaty processor, acapela works really well for TTS.

Comment on A Blind Trek Through Android – Part 1: Unwrapping the Jelly Bean (Getting Started) by Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 11:31:44 +0000

I might be getting a nexus 7 in the coming weeks. Will let you know what I find out; should I do such.

Comment on A Blind Trek Through Android – Part 1: Unwrapping the Ice cream sandwich (Getting Started) by Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 11:30:44 +0000

Each manufacturer unfortunately has their own timelines and periods where they will support a device. Your best bet is to contact the company itself.

Comment on The must have accessible apps for blind android users by Jon Meyer

Jon Meyer — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 22:46:51 +0000

The best choice to chat is zello, android, ios, pc

Comment on The quest for a high contrasting black mobile phone experience for low vision users by Tad Skalski

Tad Skalski — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 17:44:22 +0000

Hello Jeff,

I very much appreciated this blog. I was able to follow instructions and download the "Starfield" wall paper and install it on My Samsung S3. As a result I was able to see more clearly what was on my home screen and in turn was able to make some other minor adjustments to improve my S 3 experience. This has given me an impetus to download some of the other apps that you have outlined in last December's blog. I will let you know how I fair as I progress. Thanks to this blog I feel that I am starting to move forward on using my smart phone.

Tad...

Comment on Android and external keyboards by bamidele

bamidele — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 09:26:44 +0000

thanks for making life through your write up. I have just bought a tablet with anroid operating system and your write up is helping me. Although your emphasis is on phone hoping what is written would also apply to tablet. Regards onilude b.j