During this visual impairment have access to a variety of output content using Apple's gadget. This is possible because Apple has been buried by default accessibility features on IOS devices.
Apparently, Google wants to accommodate the needs of the visually impaired. Through the newest version of Android Ice Cream Sandwitch (ICS), now the blind can use a tablet that carries the Android operating system!
Devices with IOS's innards have long been the top choice in various countries for the visually impaired to access information in mobile. Accessibility features of the Voice Over screen reader enables blind people to access information presented by the gadget's IOS.
The problem is, the price of gadgets like the iPad and iPhone is still relatively expensive for the visually impaired who live in developing countries.
Well, Android tablets that are more affordable even began to glance with visual impairments. Unfortunately, for the tablet that still use Android version below 4.0 does not yet provide special features for the visually impaired.
In the ICS version 4.0, accessibility features have been planted by default, so the blind can directly activate and use them without needing third-party applications. Explore his name-by-touch, which when activated can help the visually impaired to access the tablet with voice output.
Enabling Accessibility Features
To enable this accessibility feature, turn on your first gadget ICS. Make sure the tablet has completed the startup process and be in a position ready for use. Then, put your finger on the top left corner. Draw lines to form squares, starting from top left to top right and then proceed to the lower right to lower left and end up back at the top left.
If successful will hear a "beep" and the Explore-by-touch will soon be active. If this method does not work, switch it manually via the menu Settings> Accessibility> Explore-by-touch.
When the Explore-by-touch is active then all of the information contained on the screen will be read by the system. The sound depends on the reader's text-to-speech that are installed on your tablet.
When you tap an icon or a menu with a fingertip, the system will read out the items that you touch. To activate it, lift your finger and tap the item you want activated. It's like doing double click on the mouse. This method is also used to type using the virtual keyboard.
To switch pages we usually use one finger while sliding. When the Explore-by-touch is active, you must use two fingers, because the active accessibility features automatically changes the way users operate a shortcut in the navigation.
Explore-by-touch also supports the activities of internet. When we start the browser, then the system will automatically download the necessary scripts, so the Explore-by-touch can recognize the elements that appear in the browser.
High-end Low-end vs.
The author had the opportunity to taste the accessibility features of ICS on two types of tablets, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus (representing the high-end entries) and Ainol Novo 7 Paladin (representing the low-end entries). Why is that?
Indeed all the accessibility features of ICS was able to run full-on tablet Samsung Galaxy Nexus. But because the price is still relatively high, the authors try to find a cheaper alternative to tablet, and the choice fell on the Ainol Novo 7 Paladin who has brought the ICS.
The author also tested the Ainol Novo 7 Paladin. When the author is trying to turn Explore-by-touch by using the fingers to form a box, this feature can not be turned off. In addition, Explore-by-touch was not installed by default on the Ainol Novo 7 Paladin, so it must first download it via Android Market.
In addition, sound modules are available after the Explore-by-touch mounted on a Ainol Novo 7 Paladin is Pico TTS (UK version of U.S. and UK English). When writers want to install the module-to-speech text to another, the system was rejected. This is in spite of the author has done on the root operating system.
Based on the information that the authors are getting, this is probably due to the hardware used different low-end tablet with a high-end. That is what probably causes the text-to-speech (and perhaps some other applications) can not be installed, and accessibility features are not embedded by default on low-end tablet.
However, for others running the exact same features with the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. Only text-to-speech congenital Samsung Galaxy Nexus much better, and of course accessibility features already installed by default.
Conclusion
For blind people who want to seriously make Android tablet as the primary gadget, the authors suggest to refrain once. This is because of the accessibility features still not available uniformly, especially for a cheap tablet.
In addition, there are still some rather annoying bugs during an operation, such as content that is not legible to the internet, or misreading when we touch the icon or menu.
But, if still determined to try it, I recommend to directly select a high-end tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. The authors explore the experience feel more smooth, and certainly feel more comfortable because of better sound modules so good to hear the ear.
Well, for blind people who want to practice and experience using a touch-screen gadget, so-so try it on the tablets the output of China's cheap. Make sure the tablet is already carrying the ICS, and ask sighted people to enable the Explore-by-touch manual.
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