by Walter Gramza
It's finally here! An affordable, fully accessible phone from Verizon
Wireless.
As of July 29th, 2010, Verizon Wireless has available in its stores a phone
for blind and visually impaired persons which is fully audible via Nuance
speech. There is no extra charge for the speech package, as it is already
installed in the phone and ready for use out of the box.
It is important to note here that when you go to the store, please make sure
that you tell the person assisting you to be sure to turn on the voices
called read outs, located under settings, then sounds, and down to voices.
The six items to be turned on are:
. Menu read out
. digit read out
. alert read out
. flip open and talk
. text message read out
. full read out
In order for the phone to be audible these features need to be turned on.
Placing a Call:
You can enter the contact list by pushing the right soft key in the upper
right hand corner of the phone and then arrow through the contacts or by
pressing the letter of the contact you wish to call. For example, *v* for
Verizon Wireless. Then you can hit ok to view the contact information and
hit send to place a call.
You can enter into your call list of choice which are:
1. Missed calls
2. Dialed calls
3. Answered calls
4. All calls
After entering any one of the lists, you can edit the list and if desired,
delete the specific name and number within the list. You can find out how
much battery strength you have, signal strength, and how many messages,
voice mails, and missed calls you have. You can use the alarm clock, set a
time audibly, use the calculator, tip calculator, and send and read texts.
In short, you are prompted through every one of the functions you are
performing. You can even ask it to call someone provided that they are in
the contact list.
A Braille manual is available through Samsung. Remember, when you go to
Verizon Wireless, you'll need to get the hex number, which they can give
you. You then call Samsung at 888-987-4357 and provide them with this
number along with your address and it will take about one month to receive
the manual. You can also purchase an extended battery which lasts one and
one half times longer than the standard battery.
This is best as any phone with speech uses more battery power and shortens
the life of the battery. By having the extended battery it should bring you
through the day safely. I always make it a habit to charge the phone each
night so that I begin a new day, the phone also begins a new day as well.
When you put the phone into the base charger it says *charging.* When the
phone is charged it says *charge complete.*
If you are a Verizon Wireless customer and are eligible for an upgrade, you
can get the phone for free. If you want to start a new contract with
Verizon Wireless, you get the phone for $40.00 complete with speech software
included. If anyone would like assistance in learning the functions of the
phone, they may contact me via email at:
wgramza1@verizon.net
I hope that you will go and get this phone seeing that this is the only
other phone outside of the 3gs iPhone by apple that is accessible with step
by step prompts throughout the entire phone. Let's show Verizon how
grateful we are for a well planned phone by taking advantage of such a great
item.
Article Source:
Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind
Click this link for a lengthy podcast demonstrating all the phone's
features:
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