[Reader-users] Are there any updates due for thestandard reader?

[Pam Drake]

I see I have a decision to make here so I'm asking help from others in 
making it.  <smile>

Am I correct in that there is a slightly higher rate of accuracy with the 
new Reader?

Also, although my accuracy improves daily thanks to help from a holiday 
visit from friend and fellow user Shannon and her sighted husband Lloyd, I 
am wondering if the new reader will be easier to aim than the current one.

There are a few good reasons why I might entertain the thought of a change. 
First, I realize I don't have to change my current cell phone carrier and 
status till my contract runs out in September; but then I might be willing 
to consider purchase of one of the phone accessibility products.  In this 
regard, I tried learning Mobile Speak with one of its earliest PDA phones, 
but before I developed any proficiency at all with the unit, before I ever 
felt comfortable enough to switch and begin to use the new phone, it was 
stolen in a home burglary a year ago last September 17th as we slept, along 
with my Trekker, two laptops, and most of my best jewelry.  <sigh>  Long 
story for another time and place; but suffice it to say we upgraded our 
existing contracts and never thought about any more accessibility changes.

Second, this unit would be truly portable; and yes, since Dave and I do 
travel and stay in hotels often enough, the identification of shampoo and 
lotion bottles is attractive to me.  No more trying to locate a member of 
the housekeeping staff and hope she won't forget to notify the head 
housekeeper to leave out the conditioner; no more using both packets of 
coffee so we're sure to get that kick in the morning.  <smile>  And wouldn't 
it be great for menus!

Does the upgrade include a new phone if the original hardware is returned to 
KNFB?

I, too, have only had my Reader for a few months so I want to research well 
before making a decision.  Hopefully the answers to my questions will help 
others as well in making the decision.

Thanks in advance for all thoughts.

Pam



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kevin Jones" <kevin at kevinrj.net>
To: "Kurzweil National Federation of the Blind Reader user list" 
<reader-users at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2008 1:57 PM
Subject: Re: [Reader-users] Are there any updates due for thestandard 
reader?


  at&t and t-mobile are the US companies on which the nokia n82 will
work. The wording on the site is a bit mis-leading but in the press
release Christopher did use the mobile reader to identify a $20 bill so
that tells me the money identification is still present in the new
reader mobile software.


Powers, Terry (NIH/OD/DEAS) [E] wrote:
> Kevin;
> That makes no sence.  If I hardly ever use a cell phone, why would I
> want to pay about $30 per month and maybe not even make a call.  I could
> put $100 on the phone and be covered most likely for over half a year.
> What probiders can we use with this new reader.  The 2 listed at the end
> of the site, are they probiders or kinds of phones.  Also, from the
> wording of the site, it sounds like the money feature is being taken
> away.  Is this correct?
> To me, they are not clear what companies we can use.
> Terry Powers
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kevin Jones [mailto:kevin at kevinrj.net]
> Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2008 2:55 PM
> To: Kurzweil National Federation of the Blind Reader user list
> Subject: Re: [Reader-users] Are there any updates due for thestandard
> reader?
>
> the keyboard for the n82 has wonderful tactal feedback and buying time
> ahead is really not the best solution monetarily it's less efficient
> than buying the cheapest plan plus if you run out you dont have any way
> to call out except for 911 until you buy more.