[Reader-users] Comparing the PDAs again

[Steve Jacobson]

J. J.,

I am not certain to what you are referring?  I know that when I attended demos there was discussion of other differences 
with the general conclusion that performance netted out about the same.  I don't remember what may have been said 
here.  It seems to me that at one point there ended up being a decrease of memory and an increase in microprocessor 
speed among other things.  If it was stated that there were no differences, it would have been with reference to net 
performance or what the customer experiences.  I have never seen it stated that the two devices have the same 
specifications, and I have never seen anything that says that either clearly outperforms the other.

Speaking more generally now, the point of this device is to perform a specific function in a portable device that can be 
used by people who have 
limited technology backgrounds.  There are cheaper ways to do reading, and in some cases the reading will be more 
accurate.  The components of this device, the PDA and the camera are going to change over time as the technology 
changes so this should be expected.  Is the unit "ooverprised?"  Well, if you start out by adding up the cost of the 
camera and the PDA, and if you then for estimation purposes include the cost of K-1000, for example, you are well on 
your way to the price of the reader.  If you then add the cost for specialized software to handle more rotation of 
images and problems that arise due to camera focusing issues, it is even easier to understand the price.  There are 
differences between processing a scanned image and a camera image where lighting and focus are not constant.  The 
price of 
any product also has to include the cost of technical support, items lost or dammaged in shipping, and documentation.  I 
am not at all certain why anyone would want to build a product on a device that they already feel is overpriced.  <smile>  
Further, 
this product is sold as a single package, not as a camera, a PDA, and software to have a known and stable 
environment in which to carry out its function.  It is likely that changing this environment at the very least could void any 
warranty, but could also add instability that diminishes the original function of the device or complicates technical 
support issues.  .  

I did some testing of the original reader but I am not employed either by Kurzweil or the NFB.  What I have outlined 
above is based on information gathered at public meetings and from some experiences with computer software as part 
of my job.  I am not the list moderator but am one of the volunteers who attempts to help out with NFBNET lists.  
Personal insults or negative characterizations are definitely off topic, that I can say for certain.  Please help us make this 
a valuable list for persons having problems with their reader.  

Best regards,

Steve Jacobson

On Sat, 21 Jul 2007 17:17:44 -0400, J.J. Meddaugh wrote:

>I'm talking about the older PDA which was previously advertised as having no 
>differences except for the arrangement of the buttons, calibration, and 
>memory card slot. Recently, speaker volume got added to the list, so it 
>keeps expanding.
>At this point, I am waivering between selling it outright, looking to trade 
>up, or just waiting until a hardware upgrade comes since it has been said 
>that the PDAs will be treated the same when it comes time for an upgrade.

>J.J.
>----- Original Message ----- 
>From: "The BlindTechs Network" <info at theblindtechsnetwork.com>
>To: "Kurzweil National Federation of the Blind Reader user list" 
><reader-users at nfbnet.org>
>Sent: Saturday, July 21, 2007 5:14 PM
>Subject: Re: [Reader-users] Comparing the PDAs again


>> not sure of what model you speak of, the unit I have is the looxn560
>> with a intel (not an arm like previously mentioned) 624mhz chip in it
>> with bluetooth and wifi.
>>
>> I already have an engineering and developement team together and
>> we'll see how far we take thi.
>>
>>
>> Gabe Vega
>> The BlindTech----tech of all techs
>> Board of directors Arizona Council of the Blind
>> Phoenix
>> 602-903-3852
>> skype theblindtech
>>
>>


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