New app named VO Starter

By MarkSarch, 17 December, 2012

Forum
iOS and iPadOS

Hi all
Navegating online few minutes ago I found some important information to share:
Again guys another link just click the link below

VO Starter by Michael Doise
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/vo-starter/id586844936?mt=8

Sent by Marco Serrano from my iPhone

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Comments

By KE7ZUM on Saturday, December 22, 2012 - 23:07

Looks all good but why not just go to settings, general, accessibility, voice over and tap the practice jesters? that's how I learned and that's how I've been telling everyone else to learn. I don't think we need another app to do what's already built in to the phone, plus with vo hints on you can get a lot of info out of a control, if the dev did his or her work right. thoughts? Here is the iTunes description of the app if anyone did not yet click the link. VO Starter is the first app to offer blind and visually impaired iOS users training on the built in screen reader, VoiceOver. For more information, visit our web site at iaccessibility.net here is the persons' website. I don't think this app although I think it is a good jester, in the end is a waist of time when we already have stuff in the phone that can do this.
You're right, we already have this in the accessibility settings. But, this app seems interesting because it brings a new learning approach. Instead of training alone, you have clear explanations about every important aspects of VoiceOver and some kind of guided tutorial. But again, it's true, it's not vital. IMHO, this app should remain free and as I sometimes train customers to use an iPhone it could be a good idea to install this app to let them practice at home.
I actually disagree with you about the app's usefulness. I understand your arguments about the practice gestures and VoiceOver hints features, but it's nice to have things in one place, such as an app like this. I think I would have appreciated something like this when I first got my iPhone. I remember being confused by, and having trouble performing, the roder gesture. I also couldn't get the hang of the three-finger flick right/left to move by pages on the home screen. I still have trouble with that one sometimes. I know it has to do with how much contact I have with the phone, and also that the swipe has to be rather pronounced before it'll be recognized by VoiceOver. Anyhow, I'm planning on trying this out, even though I'm an experienced VoiceOver user. I want to see what this app can do for novice users. Thanks, Shersey
Hi, I've ran through the entire tutorial. It's actually good. It's not something I need myself but as it's free it's a different approach to learning the system. It's actually better than the practice area because you are actually carried through a series of exercises or dialogues. They are basic enough but worth a go for new users. Certainly worth it.
lol. I was typing on my phone 10 minutes after I got it, but I tend to catch things rather quickly because it's a necessity in my work. I was even turning the rotor about a day after I got the thing and making phone calls so for me an app like this would have been very pointless as I caught things after trying them once. A lot of valid points are brought up but why not just teach through the phones part and as for the swipe that's easy just pretend it's a book and you've got it. it's a light touch on the screen that helps me do most of the jesters. Good luck to all.

By KE7ZUM on Saturday, December 22, 2012 - 23:07

In reply to by jrjolley (not verified)

I guess the person wanted to emulate the vo training tutorial we all know and love on osx. lol! Maybe they could strike a deal with apple and have this an actual part of the os?

By Kelly Sapergia on Saturday, December 22, 2012 - 23:07

I just finished going through this app, and for the most part liked the way things were presented. While I like using the built-in Voiceover Practice screen in the Settings screen, I think this app would be a good intro for people just starting out using VO. I was glad there were a couple screens where you could practice typing on the onscreen keyboard, even though they recommend using Standard Typing (I personally prefer Touch Typing). Even though the Voiceover Practice screen says you can practice typing in that area, I was never able to do that, so I'm assuming that was an error on Apple's part. As for VO Starter, one part of the typing section confused me at first. I was prompted to type "ABC 123", so I typed it in, but didn't realize you had to put in a space after "abc". I wish this either had been indicated in the prompt, or that the space could've been dropped so you could type "ABC123" without spaces. As well, one thing I would've liked to have seen added in this section is an explanation of how the VO cursor works, since I'm still not used to correcting mistakes when typing in documents, but that might be a more advanced topic. I also found some gramatical errors in the tutorial text, and the Resources section could've been formatted better with links you could tap on to bring up the websites mentioned, but for the most part this app was quite good.

By TheCrazyKiwi on Saturday, December 22, 2012 - 23:07

Hi, As an adaptive technology trainer and tech support person in both Apple and Windows products, I think this is a great app for those who might need a little more guidance, rather than just exploring in the native practice area provided by Apple in the VoiceOver settings page. I became proficient in using the iPhone in a matter of hours, but that doesn't mean every vision impaired person learns in the same way I do, or has the same level of experience/confidence with technology, let alone adaptive technology, as me. In fact, I've had some clients commenting on the need for an app such as this to help them get started with touch screen devices, as it gives clear, concise instructions and little exercises to try. Sometimes if things are applied in a more practical context, such as pressing buttons to advance you through a series of tutorial lessons, it helps to bring concepts out in a more tangible way than hearing hints from VoiceOver as you're trying to explore a new device. That would be like sitting a first time computer user down at a Mac, turning on VO keyboard help and telling them to learn VoiceOver. I think that with a little lateral thinking, apps like this could go a long way to enhancing the training experience for new VoiceOver users. For example, the beginner tutorial with the basics of operating VoiceOver could remain free, but then you could purchase extra ad-on packs that tell you how to edit text with the rotor, navigate around popular apps like Mail, Safari, Messages etc and add contacts, that sort of thing. In my experience, clients are more than happy to pay a little for a resource that helps and motivates them to learn, so if we could get a couple of advanced lessons as optional ad-ons, then I'm up for that. Some people might pick it up after the beginner tutorial, but others might need a little extra help. That way, people have the choice. Well done on a great concept.

By KE7ZUM on Saturday, December 22, 2012 - 23:07

In reply to by TheCrazyKiwi

Actually, that s exactly how I learned my mac, went through the vo trainer. If apple could then intagrate the app in to their product line up when the phone is first restored, booted, what not, then I think then the user could be happier, there could be a no thanks button I know how to use vo or something. maybe apple shoudl bet in contact with the dev on how to do this, or the dev could get in contact with apple?