Thinking about switching to Android

By Levi Gobin, 15 September, 2023

Forum
Android

hello everyone on applevis,
I have been thinking over the last months about switching from iPhone to Android.
My reason is symple, Apple not fixing there accessibility issues.
For those who have used android, I have a few questions.
1. Can I use eloquence?
I've heard from someone that vocalizer has a trial period. Just like with NVDA, does this also include eloquence?
2. could someone tell me what features talkback has and does not have compared to voiceover?
Also, if anyone knows a good starting phone, that would bee helpful.
what brands have the most access ability, or are they all the same?I was thinking about samsong but didn't know where to start.
Someone told me that they thaught that android11 was a good starting point. If this is best, please let me know.
All help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Levi

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Comments

By Justin Philips on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

If you go for a high end phone, you will have a better experience compared to low end ones. I hear Samsung, Moto, and Oneplus have good phones (others' opinions). I think Eloquence is being retired in Android, but I am not sure. Anyway, wherever you go, bugs are there. You learn to live with them.

By Jarrod Jicha on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

Hello there. I have both an android, and an IPhone, so I can deffinitly help you out. as far as what phone to get that is intirely up to you, but pixel, and samsung are the two most popular ones. I am not sure what you have for a budget, but I would suggest getting something newer that has at least android 12, but android 13 would be even better. if you would like to contact me privatly, you can email me at jamminjerry2011@gmail.com. as far as eloquence, you can't get that anymore as code factory quit selling it several years ago. vocalizer, and Acapela you just pay per voice, and on vocalizer, you get I think it is a 7 day trial. Acapela doesn't have a trial, but you can hear a sample of the voices. I hope this at least answers some of your questions. if you want to hear audio demos, just ask, and I will see what I can do for you. some of the very basic jestures are the same like flicking left, and flicking right, and even answering a call, and starting and stopping music.

By Josh Kennedy on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

I switched to android, I could not live without eloquence. I could not live without the good comprehensive keyboard and braille support voiceover has, and I could certainly not live without the image descriptions and OCR features voiceover provides. so i went back to IOS.

By Brian on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

Hi there,

My experience is a little outdated, as the last time I played around with an Android device was in 2021, but I will do my best to list the similarities and differences, and you can (hopefully) make an informed decision.

ā€¢ Eloquence: I have no experience with this on Android, but it can be obtained here ~> https://www.androidout.com/item/android-apps/515949/eloquence-text-to-speech/

ā€¢ The Rotor: Android does not have a rotor, though they have something kinda sorta similar; there is a gesture where if you quickly flick down, then up. . . or up, then down, you can cycle through controls/actions. The overall functionality is similar, just a different gesture and of course controls that may or may not be comparable to iOS' rotor.

ā€¢ Custom Touch Gestures: In iOS you can reprogram about 85% of the touch gesture functionality in regards to VoiceOver. When I last used Android, this was not so. Android does have its own custom "number 7" gestures. This is my own name for them, but you basically draw a "7" or capital "L" in different directions to access menus with preset controls/actions. i.e. A swipe down, then immediately left will give you one preset. A swipe right, then immediately up will give a different preset, etc, etc.

ā€¢ Face ID and Fingerprint Biometrics: Some Android phones have both of these together. And this coincides with your question about a "starter" phone.

ā€¢ Starter Android recommendation: I would recommend a Pixel for your first choice. With Pixel, you will get stock Android apps without a whole lot of "bloatware" that you will likely find on other providers (see: Samsung, LG, etc). Also the layout of the apps on a Pixel are near exact to an iPhones, so you will not have to learn "everything" from scratch. Organizing apps on your home screens is equivalent to how its done in iOS as well, so again a little slice of familiarity for you.

ā€¢ AI assistant: Android of course has the Google assistant built-in. This also has "Hey, Google" and if you are used to Siri on iPhone, this will be a no-brainer to use.

Now I am sure I have missed some equivalencies between iPhone and Android, but this is what I could remember. So there! šŸ˜

Having said all of the above, I will list some Pros and Cons of each in my humble opinion. šŸ˜‡

Android---
Pros:
ā€¢ Freedom to download apps and ringtones from anywhere.
ā€¢ Pixels come with a USBc to USB adapter that you can plug into your Android, and then plug a thumb drive in to share files. You can also use the adaptor to connect a USB wired keyboard. Or use a 3rd party Bluetooth keyboard that has its own USB receiver.

ā€¢ Androids work just as well, if not better with Windows or Linux based computers.

Cons:
ā€¢ Open source means security vulnerabilities. You will absolutely want to install some form of antivirus/internet security software on your Android, or else risk being a hackers' plaything.

ā€¢ Some apps can crash and/or brick your entire system. Be mindful of where you download/install apps from.

ā€¢ It has been said here on AppleVis that Google does not have the best of customer service. Your mileage may vary.

iPhone---
Pros:
ā€¢ Closed system = better security. Apple has a pretty good track record of providing timely security updates to patch security vulnerabilities and/or exploits as they are discovered. I for one feel good about not having to scan my iPhone for viruses daily. šŸ˜…

ā€¢ Apps are safer from the App Store. While Android allows you to download an app from anywhere, you really do not know what you are getting. With Apple, you at least have a sense that the apps have been vetted by Apple technicians.

ā€¢ Ringtones are just as easy to get on iPhone these days as they are on Android. The need for iTunes is a thing of the past.

ā€¢ AppleCare and Apple cares: Whenever you get a new iPhone you get a limited AppleCare protection plan, with the choice to extend it up to 2 years. While you "can" get insurance on an Android, I have not heard much about it to tell you if its good or bad. . . Apple also has decent customer service, both in their Apple stores and their telephone support. And while they may not fix the bugs as fast as we would like, they are aware of them and are in fact working to make iOS better for everyone.

Cons:
ā€¢ Expensive: One of the biggest drawbacks of Apple technology is the price. Although I would say Android phones are comparable price-wise.

ā€¢ Apps can be a money sink: Some of the apps, especially accessible apps, can be insanely expensive on Apple. Android seems to have better deals on a lot of the same, of not similar, types of apps.

ā€¢ Lightning port: This is actually a moot point as of the iPhone 15, but prior to that, the iPhone has a unique charging port/headphone jack known as the "Lightning Port". While not necessarily a game changer, it does mean that your iPhone wired headset/earbud will need an adaptor to work on other (non-Apple) devices, and vice versa.

So, there you go, my "humble" and (mostly) unbiased comparison.

HTH! šŸ˜ƒ

By Brian on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

Almost forgot to mention this:

ā€¢ To toggle VoiceOver on and off you triple click the home or side button if you do not have a model with a "home" button.
ā€¢ To toggle TalkBack on and off you "hold" both volume up and down buttons until you hear a chime. This worked on the Pixel 5, I cannot say for certain if this is a universal shortcut or Pixel-specific.

By WellF on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

I just can't adapt to Android and it's lacking external keyboard support. Also the screen readers all feel kinda sluggish for me. Bugs aside, iOS has me more satisfied than Android ever could so far.

By Henrik on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

I'm not exactly sure when this was introduced, but you no longer have to draw shapes on the screen to perform actions. There's a Voiceover style rotor in Talkback now, and you can switch between actions by swiping with three fingers left or right, and up or down to change the value. This does work with Pixel phones, and I definitely agree about it being a good choice. I've played with one for a while now, and I've been pretty impressed about how much it's been catching up to iOS in terms of usability and accessibility.

By Dennis Long on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

Android keyboard is shit. Voiceover blows it out of the water. Also you label buttons on android if they already have a label. You can on iOS. You have better image and screen recognition on iOS.

By Ekaj on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

I'm very intrigued by these Apple vs. Android discussions. I realize this site was created specifically for Apple users, but it seems we've kinda mixed things up a bit. Not a bad thing at all imho, and I for one am not into bashing of any kind. Having said all that, perhaps I will try out an Android phone sometime just to see how it works. A neighbor upstairs is an Android user. He is fully sighted, but I'm sure he'd turn on the screen reader at least for a little bit. He would of course have to supervise me, as I wouldn't want to mess up his phone. Additionally, I'm going somewhere in a few weeks with both parents, and I plan to discuss upgrading to a new phone among other things. The above-mentioned neighbor said that his Android phone was rather cheap compared to the iPhone. Otoh, I'm used to VoiceOver and another neighbor suggested to me that I should stick with iOS for that reason. So I guess this whole thing really is a double-edged sword.

By Brad on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

Yes there's bugs but apple has things like screen recognition and is able to read text in images plus atempt to describe them.

Android doesn't have this out of the box and i don't think you can get any apps that can do that.

Having said that; if I were sighted, I'd switch to android in a second because it's cheeper.

I've tried android with talkback and while it's usable, I prefered apple both times.

If you can go to a shop and try it out, go ahead and see what you think.

By Brian on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

@Dennis Long
Damn, forgot about the labelling function with VO over Android. Heh, thanks for the reminder. In my defense, its been a minute since I owned an Android...

@Ekaj
The First rule of AppleVis Fight Club is, "nobody" talks about AppleVis Fight Club. šŸ˜…

By Ipadman on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

I Was interested to learn that talkback now incorporates the magic tap feature, the two finger double tap, to pause and play audio and hang up phone calls.
Can you also use this To toggle dictation?

By Brad on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

I think you have to tap the button. These are small things I use every day that I'd not be able to do on android.

By Brian on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

One huge issue with Android products is that they are made by everyone and their sighted brother and sister. Where Apple takes a more uniform approach to design and ingenuity Android is kind of all over the place. Also to note, TalkBack on Samsung is not TalkBack on a Pixel. As Samsung has its own version of TalkBack and, as I understand things, is actually behind Google's "standard".

On a side note, I just listened to a YouTube video where someone demonstrated labeling unlabeled buttons on an Android.
Looks like Google is starting to take notes.... šŸ„ŗ

By Levi Gobin on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

I will probably be going to a shop today to look at an android. I will try both Google and Samsung.
What is the difference between android 12 or 13 as far as accessibility improvements, new features, etc.?

By Dominic on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

No, Iā€™m warning you now, if you want to install eloquence on an android, fighting Google pixel, prepare for the shit show on android 13. As it is, you canā€™t even use it on the galaxy phone running android 14. So yeah

By David Goodwin on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

Hello everyone,

Although discussion comparing iOS and Android accessibility is interesting and falls within the scope of AppleVis, this thread has strayed quite far off topic in seeking recommendations for specific Android handsets and advice for using the Android OS.

While we understand the interest in exploring other options, those topics fall outside the core focus of AppleVis and are better suited for Android-specific forums.

Thank you for understanding, and for helping keep the forums on-topic and helpful for all.

By Lielle ben simon on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

Hi, I was play with Android and I have several things to say.
As a blind person who used Braille display Talkback needs to be eimprooved Braille support.
Even writing with Braille Display not was recognized when My Braille Display is connected.
I used an Pixel 7 running Android 13 and Talkback 14.
The swipe on the touch screen isn't registered when I tri to flick from anywhere on the screen. with iOS everything go quite well.
The touch on iOS is more smoove.
On an Android device when we touch the screen Talkback not always reading you touch and you need to touch in another place and back to previous you touched before.
There a lots of bugs on iOS but regarding accessibility Android far from iOS.
I love several things on Android but to my upinione iOS is better.

By Dominic on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

While we understand the interest in exploring other options, those topics fall outside the core focus of AppleVis and are better suited for Android-specific

Starts the actual focus on talkback

By Dennis Long on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

Want another thing? system wide copy and paste good luck doing it with Talk back. Also spell check is better and easier on iOS. so again this is stated no where in documentation or anywhere but the google keyboard must be the default in order for spell check to work proper. More over the spell check doesn't work in anything other then Google apps. Also third party app support is better on iOS then Android.

By Dominic on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

It was a good Saturday night. I have just restarted my Google pixel seven because I was having battery issues. After setting it up and, this might be my fault here, using my galaxy phone is back up, do you think all of my apps and data, everything is going great, until I plugged into charge, turn the screen off for you, took it off charge. No speech, at all. iPad off my phone once, turns it back on. Manage to get to the Google play store that is stopping talking.. So yeah, part of the phone again, and as soon as I unlocked my phone, space just stopped.. Note to self, donā€™t do the stupid shit again! This is why I am almost likely never recommend an android again. Once before his talk, but I have this issue, but I think I might take an l to the face here and just put the Sim card on my iPhone 6s Plus. This can continue no more

By Dennis Long on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

Just switch back to iOS when you can get a new iPhone or a newer phone.

By Dominic on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

I canā€™t use my mums for you to get taken off that form. The person who currently has it is living up in Melbourne and wonā€™t be back until 7 October. My iPhone 6s Plus is a really terrible battery, and using this Google pixel phone for a while now. This phone is absolutely essential for me, as I use it to send messages in the things messages, music, Etc. This is never actually happened before. I donā€™t think itā€™s a talkback problem, this only happens after I plug my phone in to charge. I wonder if the fact that I use my Galaxy phone as a backup that I made of my galaxy phone since Iā€™m still on the problem but I canā€™t help at all. I canā€™t Geoffs, I canā€™t diagnose anything right now my phone is a canā€™t mess itā€™s currently charging my iPhone 6s Plus but I donā€™t know what I am going to do since I donā€™t have any other iPhone that would be able to work for me. I canā€™t reset the phone either while going to recovery mode which I canā€™t do myself.
Take the l your face

By Jason White on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

Unless you know what bugs you'll experience under Android, and you're sure that they'll inconvenience you less than the iOS bugs you're concerned with today, trying to avoid bugs is not a good reason for switching mobile operating systems. You also need to be sure that you won't be inconvenienced greatly by missing features.

I've had few issues with iOS bugs, and I appreciate the quality of accessibility provided by VoiceOver, so switching operating systems isn't a temptation.

By Holger Fiallo on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

Thought about it but never did it. I will keep continue to be part of the Apple force. Yes bugs, do not care about it but android have it worse. I will continue to use iPhone and so on. So far I do not have major issues with bugs in my 13 pro, iPad 9 and series 7. Using RC iOS and OS for watch.

By Troy on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

I just love how when there are bugs in IOS people start coming on these forums, fb groups or what have you and say "I'm going to android!" I'm sure the same thing happens on the other side as well.

By Brian on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

Unfortunately for you, I believe it is because you used your Samsung to restore your Pixel. Something I actually learned last night, is that Samsung has its own version of TalkBack and Samsung's version is "garbage".

While I am a firm supporter of Apple tech, I would recommend anyone interested to check out the following YouTube channel. The host is legally blind and she does absolutely amazing videos on accessibility on Apple, Android, Microsoft, etc, etc. It is in my humble (and completely unbiased, honest!) opinion, a great resource for knowledge.

Enjoy~

Carrie on Accessibility: https://www.youtube.com/@carrieonaccessibility/videos

By Bingo Little on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

brian, I've watched the YOutube channel. Very disappointing. not a Kenneth Williams or a Syd James in sight and as to any amusing double-entendre or camp cries of 'Oooh Matron!' they were conspicuous by their absence. Carry On Doctor is still the best.

On bugs, I agree with those who are saying that bugs are not a good reason to switch. I've always thought the likelihood is you're swapping one set of bugs for another set of bugs. I've never been tempted to switch. The iPhone won me over 13 years ago and while I am open-minded, I'm still waiting for that 'wow!' moment that would get me even to contemplate a change. Perhaps an Android phone that printed money? That would get me thinking.

By Brian on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

Bingo Little,

Your above post made absolutely no sense to me. At all. šŸ˜

Anyways, I provided that YouTube link as a resource for anyone wanting to have a little more insight into what is available in the world for blind accessibility. Nothing more. šŸ˜ƒ

By Andy Lane on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

Hey Bryan, donā€™t feel bad. It wouldnā€™t make any sense unless you had grown up being forced to watch the Carry On Movies. Carryā€™s channel is a reference to those movies. You should look them up on YouTube to get a flavour of what youā€™ve been missing all these years. Hint. Itā€™s not much although the movies are beloved for breaking some social norms through comedy but the cringe factor is high iā€™m afraid.

By Brian on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

Fair enough. šŸ˜…

By Trenton Matthews on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

Greetings!

Almost every Android discussion brought up around here, I have provided the following links for people to surf on over to.

Accessible Android:
https://accessibleandroid.com/

and

Blind Android Users:
https://blindandroidusers.com/

, where they welcome all users with open arms, and also have an Accessible Android app among the Play Store:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tr.bi.erisilebilir.android

Be sure to check them out on YouTube and/or Odysee as well! at "Blind Android Users", and via your favorite podcast catcher.

Before I forget, there is now another version of Talkback in the play store called 'Prudence':
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.prudence.reader
, and is free in the play store, which is 'more responsive', though is still a new product (not in relation to Samsung's or Google's versions).

Now, to clear up some things (while trying to keep this somewhat Apple related)? I'm gonna try David... Let's see how I do.

The Jieshuo Screen Reader (Commentary):
https://github.com/nirenr/jieshuo/releases/
, does indeed blow Talkback out of the water, including a built-in dictation gesture (mentioned here later) although you can read and hear about it yourself via thy following uniform Resource Locator:
https://accessibleandroid.com/jieshuo-screen-reader/

NB. The download link for the latest Commantary version on Accessible Android is Out-Of-Date and have notified them on Mastodon of said error, thus why I shared the official GitHub page above where you can download either Jieshuo Plus or Jieshuo Lite.

Official Jieshuo screen reader communities can be found at

https://t.me/jieshuochat/
and
https://t.me/jieshuoenglish/
, (though unsure how that second one is doing these days).

Unlike with Talkback, you can make Jieshuo litterally your own.
Want VoiceOver (or Galaxy Talkback/Voice Assistant) sounds with your screen reader? You have at least 10 varients of those alone! Want to create a VoiceOver Keyboard (known as a 'hotkey scheme' or gesture layout (which currently does not exist yet?) Do it!
You can make your own keyboard layouts, sound schemes and/or gesture schemes at will, and share them passively or upload them to the Jieshuo Cloud.

I am currently using a Talkback/Jieshuo hibrid gesture scheme myself, but Jieshuo does have so many ways of customizing that screen reader, it's litterally 'Apple-Like!' You can even have Jieshuo gestures or hotkeys open apps or do certain functions at will.
E.G, The 'Magic Tap' with the Talkback/Jieshuo gesture scheme I'm using is a 'single' double-tap with two fingers and a double-tap with two fingers translates text under the curssor and will speak and/or copy it to the clipboard.
The Talkback/Jieshuo gesture scheme I'm using by the way, was created by a user going by the name of 'Phone Expert, where they added functions for opening the phone app, telegram app, Messenger, etc. Of course, ya can change any and all gestures at will

If you do want VoiceOver Screen Rect features from Jieshuo (which it calls Virtual Screen Navigation), you do have to pay for Jieshuo Premium for either a 1 year, two year, or 3 year license. More details on that can be found over here:
https://accessibleandroid.com/how-to-subscribe-to-jieshuo-screen-readers-pro-version/

The layout with Virtual Screen honestly reminds me of a proper computer screen layout of an app (unlike with VOCR on Mac), which has proper object elements look like. E.g, butons, check boxes, sliders, etc.

Oh! One last thing. Jieshuo does have its own dictation feature, and it's got several versions (including Google's own dictation and/or Bixby Dictation) if running on a Samsung device.

And with that, I shal dash away now. Again, do be sure to give Accessible Android and Blind Android Users a look, and submit any apps that y'all know that are accessible. Both platforms need more recognition!

PS. I'm just a Samsung S23+ user running the 1UI 6 beta (that's for another day), who helps in the shadows with these kinds of things.

By Dennis Long on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

first even if Jieshuo Screen Reader Commentary is as good as you claim I wouldn't use it for a few reasons. 1 not in the play store.
2 made in China what data is it sending back to there?
3 if I have to translate any part of the screen reader I'm doing the developers job.
4 no keyboard support.
5 iOS is becoming more popular world wide then android. The younger people are going to iOS so I never see android accessibility catching up to iOS.

By Josh Kennedy on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

try using your android phone as a notetaker in a classroom, taking notes, or writing a draft of a paper. How can you tell what fonts you are using in your document? And what is the jieshuo screen reader sending back to china that we may not know about? Why can't we just buy it in the playstore like every other app?

By Trenton Matthews on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

And for a time, it "was" in the Play Store, though y'all know how that goes...

There are plenty of applications that are good that you'll never find in the Play Store.

And speaking of China (since you brought that up), the iPhone itself is made there (even if it is from California).
Updating my comment to say that I do know some Apple Products are now being made in India as well, though forget which ones.

At least Samsung phones are made in Koria.

By Josh Kennedy on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

Instead of having three different screen readers, why not just take everything good about prudence, talkback and jieshuo, roll it into one really good screen reader with eloquence baked in, good keyboard and braille support and be done with it? I tried to get into the trusted tester program with google, and I was not approved. You have people like me who suggest over and over how their product could be improved but they don't listen so it seems.

By Trenton Matthews on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

If 1 guy name Lee from China, can make an Android screen reader that compares to VoiceOver in scope (regardless of where it is from) be just as good, why not use it?

Are you telling me that you'd check out Jieshuo more if it was based in North America instead?

Honestly, I'm just glad we have choice!

Also, heard once on the Google Accessibility Email list that Freedom Scientific of all people should make a screen reader for Android.

Honestly, the free version of Commentary (which has all of the online capabilities disabled), should do fine for most people.

And with that, I shall quietly slip away, and give others the floor.

By Dominic on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

Commentary, to sign up for the pro subscription, uses PayPal. No I donā€™t know about the rest of you, but Iā€™m not sure if I would trust somebody given the fact of this really insane online world. Not imagine giving out my payment details to to some Randoā€™s halfway across the world, You donā€™t even say if payments will be secure, or anything. Not to mention, I agree with everybody else here. We donā€™t know what kind of done to China is using against us

By Dennis Westphal on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

Hi,

honestly I don't like this notion that one is perfect and the other one sucks. That is just not true. For people who do not want to dig around a little, iOS is better. But if you do want to make a device truely your own, have some needs that Apple doesn't care about or flat out want a device with at least eight years support and be able to replace broken parts of your phone yourself for little cost and *really* care about the environment, you might want to go the Android-route. In my case I just ordered a Fairphone 5 cause I was bored by Apples presentation. There was basically nothing new that makes even a slight difference to everyday use. USB is nice. But even there Apple went to the cheapest parts possible for the iPhone 15. For that kind of money that is just not acceptable.

But as I said: If you need a device that just works out of the box and will never change, you might be good with the iPhone. Objectively it is easier to use. Choosing it for that reason alone is perfectly fine. But saying that Google doesn't care about accessibility which Dennis Long always states honestly drives me nuts. Cause it is not that black or white. Adding CSR to the mix opens up Android emensly.

If one wants to make the switch be prepared for a harder lerning curve. If it is worth it to you? Only you can tell. And only you should decide for yourself what works for you.

By Dominic on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

There has been lots of talk recently about iOS versus android, here is my final say on the whole situation, and why iOS is good for some, and why android is good for others. Grab your popcorn as well.

why iOS is good for some

Absolutely superior accessibility.

For years now, Apple in the blind community has been well known for its easy to swap devices, easily to be set up as the box using a screen reader, but just a triple click of the home, or side button, depending on what iPhone model you have. But what sets iOS apart from every other phone manufacturer an operating system is it absolutely superior accessibility, not only is the box but in general. For example, I tried creating a black-and-white cabs account on my android phone, strange thing is I got a phone verification code from black-and-white, but my Google pixel is still displaying an error message.

superior design.

Apple has been well known for superior design. Whether it be on its iPhones iPads, Apple Watch, or MacBooks, you can ensure yourself that will be durable all along the way.

superior security.

Apple has been well known, and sometimes, its close operating system. This allows belly, if any, malware, viruses, or others to creep into your device.

what android is good for others?

I am going to be quick here, and said, if you want a cheap phone has, good enough battery life, and if youā€™re not worried about talkback on while on you, go to android. If you donā€™t like Apple, Google is your best bet, but Apple still sells some pretty good mobile

By Dennis Long on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

Dominic you are spot on. More over Apple listens to its users Google Accessibility doesn't. Want proof see the Mosen podcast where he discussed his experience with Google disability support. at the time it was the Mosen at large podcast. It is now called living blind fully. Second far and away better keyboard support, Better spell check ETC. Apple innovates Google doesn't. From personal voice to point and speak to door detection to screen recognition. All examples of where Apple innovated. Google is attempting to catch up which will never happen. Lets take another factor that no one is considering. Sighted users are choosing iPhone more and more. Now one can argue the reason they are doing this might be dumb but it is the reality that is what the numbers say. So where will devs that make third party apps put there time in developing accessibility?

By Dennis Westphal on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

Sorry but where does your black and white thinking come from? Let's choose spell checking as an example. Do you mean the spell checking that does not work at all while using Apples Mail App? That does not scream "accessibility over everything else" to me.

One quick note: If you look up the stats worldwide, Apple does not have the extreme market share that it has in the U.S. I think when discussing those things it is important to disclaim which perspective you take.

Bottom Line: Different people need different systems for different purposes. There is no one company that knows or does best at all!

By Dennis Long on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

First iā€™m very aware of this bug. I tested the betas and Apple thought they had it fixed prior to release they didnā€™t. Iā€™m sure it will be fixed soon. More over Apple listens and fixes issues. This is one of the most stable OS releases. As for the claims i made iā€™ll find the articles and post them.

By Holy Diver on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

There isn't just one right answer here. In general I'd say if you want a stable, lean screenreader without lots of bells and whistles but that usually works go with talkback (not samsung unless you're very technical and can switch talkback versions in a command prompt!). If you want all the features, with a few more bugs, check out voiceover. I think we've had plenty of other topics in the forum here hashing out pros and cons, though I suggest you check out a place like accessible android or Carrie on Accessibility's youtube channel for a more balanced take than you'll get from most people here, not a dig this is just an Apple site as has been previously mentioned.

By Dominic on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

This whole iOS 8, android back-and-forth is rather getting annoying now. At the end of the day, if you like android, do you like android. If you like iOS, then you like iOS. If you like both, then you like both. Nobody can change your mind, thoughts on opinions. At the end of the day, weā€™re just listing our own stories, opinions, and beliefs. We are only human, everyone have different experiences on different operating systems, different screen readers in different functionalities.. We canā€™t help that people use different settings to us, different, synthesises, manufacturers, phones, etc. At the end of the day, we are only just bringing in our feedback from our own kind of opinions, and at the end of the day, itā€™s up to the users choice if he or she wants to use iOS, android or both. We canā€™t make that persons minds up. Just because we are publishing our own opinions on the website. over here, we donā€™t know where that person lives, we donā€™t know what that persons income is. We know absolutely nothing about that person. After all, we are basically just these random people all around the world, typing and thoughts in the pinions onto a keyboard and posting them to some random form topic that was made 13 years ago by a group of blind/live vision people, aiming to make a website for Apple iOS users. at the end of the day, it just depends on the persons own experiences. We are only putting in our own feedback, voicing, our opinions, beliefs, etc. At the end of the day, it is, the authors choice on if you want to stay on iOS, go to android or use both. As I said, we may not know this person, we donā€™t know the state of this persons, income, etc. AI has gotten so advanced. This past couple of years, some of us might even be considering a half of the people here are even real. this concludes the end of my post, saying that this is just an Apple website. And the whole iOS versus android arguments itā€™s just really pointless at this point. Find what works for you and yeah.

By Brian on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 13:47

Pizza. šŸ˜ƒšŸ•