Hello.
I have a question. I have iPhone, Mac OS and Apple Watch.
I am totally blind and I know some blind people on here use iPad, but personally I have not found many advantages to iPad over iPhone. Can someone explain to me what the advantages are? thanks.
By techluver, 13 March, 2022
Forum
Apple Hardware and Compatible Accessories
Comments
Sound quality for one thing
Apple has a bad habbit of barely putting in decent pseakers, though the Mac i have now recifies that somewhat. Another good thing is split screen. so say you're playing a crossword. Youhave the clues on the left, put your hand on the right side, four across is... Plus it's antoher thing to watch tv shows on and things like that.
iPad
I use my for movies and TV shows and if I want to use for create documents, I could use it with word. Use an Apple smart keyboard with it. Is nice and better for it. iPhone is nice but not to type long documents. If you have a mac, you can do it.
Honestly, if you've got a…
Honestly, if you've got a Mac, an iPhone and an Apple watch, there's every chance you *don't* need an iPad as a totally blind user. I'll give you some thoughts as someone who's totally blind and been using an iPad as their primary computer for about 5 years now, though, for what it's worth. All this is just my opinion etc etc etc.
For me, the whole point is the larger touch screen. I use a bluetooth keyboard, but mostly for fast typing - I'm writing this on one, for example, but it's not what I use to do things on my iPad for the most part, to the point where actually using a lot of VO commands on the keyboard drives me nuts.
The whole point for me is actually using the whole screen of the iPad. Sure, if I'm reading through a list of emails or news feeds or something I'll flick through them, but then it's double tap, move my hand right to where I know the email/article is and move my hand left to keep flicking.
An example I just noticed was the iOS share sheet. I double tap share, but then I know on the screen where the action I want is, near the bottom of the screen. With a keyboard or by flicking, I have to go through a bunch of options I don't care about. With a touch screen I just touch near the bottom and I'm within one or two options of what I want. Obviously, you can do this with an iPhone as well, but I think the bigger screen makes it easier.
Multitasking is real multitasking, where I'm generally just moving my hand around the screen and interacting with both apps fluidly rather than using keyboard commands to flip between windows all the time. It's honestly completely impossible to explain in words for me, it just feels completelydifferent to when I was using OS X and covering my screen with tonnes of overlapping windows nobody else could understand.
Not to mention the fact that I don't have to keep interacting and not interacting with interface elements all the time.
The problem is that to use an iPad as an iPad and not a giant iPhone or a sub-standard laptop takes work. You've got to change workflows and apps and even how you use Voiceover, which isn't easy when it's the same operating system basically as an iPhone. For me it's been a totally different way of working with a computer, but I certainly haven't found many other blind people who'd agree, ☺️.
thanks
I think I finally understand.
My workflows are honestly probably too complicated to adapt to an iPad, even if I were sighted.
I think it's just about the fact that some people use it as a primary computer, rather than a secondary device. I'm gonna keep holding on to my current setup and not buy an iPad.
thanks everyone.
Totally blind iPad user
Hi everyone, I think this question is rather interesting. I'm totally blind and have all 4 apple products. I recently got the Apple Watch, mainly to tell time and stay on track with reminders and notifications on my phone. it is perfect for me.
As far as using the iPad, I use it for when I travel to conferences and as a notetaker device whenever I don't want to carry my laptop on long commutes. the laptop along with other accessories can take a toll on my back after a while. I also like to use the iPad when using Facebook and other social media apps because it is easier for me to type with a bluetooth keyboard on it. I got an iPad keyboard case during the hight of the pandemic. It is meant for the iPad Pro 9.7 inch version because it has 4 speaker slots, but my iPad 5th generation fits nicely in they're. Recently, I got a new laptop to replace the MacBook Pro because the screen broke and the battery on it wasn't holding a charge.
It is the MacBook air with the M1 chip, and it is much lighter than the 2015 MacBook pro I had before. So, I can travel with it easier when necessary.
Agree that leveraging the…
Agree that leveraging the entire screen of the iPad is necessary for the best user experience. Best way to do this is to orient yourself to the iPad. I intend on writing an article about this topic when I can find my writing voice again.
The only thing that I'd like to add is that I can read and interact with a lot of text on one side of the screen while simultaneously using external keyboard and keyboard navigation commands to write papers, all without losing my place in either app. I can't do this on my Mac–I need to press command+tab every time I want to switch apps.
keyboard
The issue I have with keyboard is that is not consistent. Using apple smart keyboard and is not like a wireless keyboard. Does not work well all the time and does not provide normal function.
A couple more observations
I use the iPad Pro Second Gen currently. I am looking at getting the new iPad Pro M2 which was announced today. I love the stereo from all four speakers when listening to audio that has stereo. One that comes to mind is the Atlanta Braves audio on Sirius XM. It is in stereo from the ballparks. I believe MLB finally has it in stereo as well. We'll know next year. #back2bottle
Graphic audio productions are very nice too, especially in landscape mode.
Another key feature is you can bring up Braille Screen Input (BSI) by double tapping ]with five fingers. This is not available on the phone. I sure wish Apple would port the gesture over to the phone. It is not always a convenience to tote around a bluetooth keyboard.
Conflicted iPad mini user
Hello,
I have read many blind people here using the iPad - pro or not -, as a computer.
I am totally blind too, and have an iPad mini 6th generation; made no sense for me to buy a bigger one or even a pro, as honestly I prefer to use a computer; but for better portability the mini is a real jewel which fits also in a pocket.
With Braille Screen Input 8 dots, I have all symbols - and editing features explained here some days ago give me a bigger enhancement. But, there's a but...
I am a blogger and use WordPress. With Drafts, SimpleNote or other editing apps I have fun writing my ideas then publishing to wp is always a mess because native WP app has basic features only. No markdown block, no ability to copy&paste a markdown from editor to blog directly, no ability to optimize SEO and use custom taxonomies different from categories and tags - i use them in my web platform.
And what about Safari, yes. It works, although I do not have the ability to quickly switch between controls! With a computer I just press ctrl+f -JAWS for Windows- and I type the desired word, or use place markers or whatever to help me find right points where to adjust settings.
I am looking to confront with other blind users who perform high productivity on iPad just to learn an effective method as I have this jewel and would not like to use it just as a notetaker, then for big productivity having the laptop - or I am also considering the idea to buy a Microsoft Surface.
Thanks, and let me know