What will especially make a mobile device Deaf-friendly is if the wireless carriers start offering rate plans for the Deaf/HOH that will not force them to pay for voice/talk services that they cannot use.

Please sign my petition. The more signatures we get, the more likely the wireless carriers will listen to the needs of the Deaf community. Deaf people are paying too much due to being forced to pay for voice/talk services.

If you are based in the US, start up your own! We need to support deaf communities worldwide when it comes to wireless/cellular goods and services. The more petitions we get going, the more signatures we collect, the more power we’ll have.

Thanks so much.

Sprint/Nextel has unlimited data plans (email, internet access, etc) for use with Blackberry device that only charge for voice usage as pay-as-you-go per minute (if you don’t use voice, you pay zero). Sprint also has data plans for use with computers via a connection card. 30 day money-back guarantee if you do not like the service. go to Sprint.com and you can text chat with a customer representative to identify plans/devices that suit your need.

I am aware this topic discuss on what makes a mobile device deaf-friendly. Just want to ask about the multitasking on the iPhone because I read somewhere on the web says the iPhone supports full multitasking. I’m a super-duper heavy multi-tasker. My questions: Does the iPhone slow down when you’re doing several things at the same time (an example: chatting on IM, surfing on the web and sending/receiving email)? IMO, multitasking is an individual preference– not an extremely necessary feature to make a mobile device deaf-friendly.

iPhone owners, will you please share your thought?

I just want to point something out once again as I have in the past regarding phone plans.

While I agree that the current phone plan rates are too high for comfort for most deaf individuals considering that most include voice plans that would not likely be used. However, for those who are hard-of-hearing, text AND voice may be heavily used and thus the plans may be convenient in that sense.

I know it’s hard to establish a happy medium but in this case, I believe what needs to be done is not to protest the rate plans outright but to merely advocate more rate plan options to choose from. I think advocating well thought out suggestions would be better than bombarding companies with petitions left and right.

@brett: I will admit it is very disappointing that AT&T isn’t willing to par in with their competitors to offer data-only plans for the Deaf and HOH community. I am secretly hoping that it will soon change. I truly hope they do because iPhone is my choice for mobile device and communication. After using the iPhone, I do not wish to use anything else and am willing to shed $30 more than I normally pay. Call me crazy but I choose convenience and excellent productivity tool anytime, anyplace!

@aaron: Yes, the iPhone supports full multi-tasking. You can write an email, open up a web browser, even place phone calls and do emails at the same time (although I can’t speak on the phone but it’s available if you could take advantage of that).

Your criteria is the exact same set I would use to determine if a device is truly useful for me.

Of course, the ultimate would be VideoPhone capability of some sort, whether as a camera that could be hooked up to a computer or possessing the capability for transmitting video through the use of a small screen placed directly in front of an eyeball and a camera that catches one’s signing. I am not sure if I explained that well – I am not “down” with all the techno-speak! Very Borg-like.

Chad-

First of all, I apologize for my ‘insolent’ comments. I know you probably don’t remember this, but I met you at the Orlando DeafNation Expo, and my regret is that we didn’t get a chance to chat about things concerning the Deaf world.

Anyway, the suggestions you listed for a mobile device are pretty spot on. I’d like to add one more thing; that the platform be easily accessible to developers. (The iPhone doesn’t seem to be ‘developer-friendly’, unless I’m mistaken.) The reason is that we need relay service providers to come up with custom software to the mobile devices that DHH people use.

The ultimate dream is still off in the future; A dream mobile device is one that has the form factor of a iPhone, but has a camera and runs on the 3G network. Viola! We now have video-conferencing capabilities and can chat with other users (or VRS providers, even) via ASL! Believe me, I’d ditch my BB 8700g in a heartbeat for this device. (Ok, I’ll have to check the monthly fee for 3G access before committing to a purchase, though!)

Just thought I’d add this link: http://www.iphoneappr.com/

Never thought I’d end up commenting here on MAC site, *snicker*

Here is my two cents, Apple is working on iChat (AIM) and push emails, about vibrations…don’t know yet.

yahoo.com mail server now can provide push into iPhone. Anyone who wants push emails for now, go and register new account at Yahoo.com

Will be released in next upgrade. To my understanding that iChat software will include upgrade which enable camera to act like webcam. Not sure about it.

Yes, CHAD!!! I want a iPhone which I WILL GET. :)

Deaf-friendly mobile devices, we’ve dreamed to have all of the features in our own mobile device units. It all depends on how each companies put their Mobile device unit together.

I’ve been a sidekick user for more than 5 years and has done me well. I’ve decided to leave Sidekick for my iPhone. iPhone is in early stages of development even it is out in the market. Remember iPhone is a first generation device unlike most devices out there that have been in the market for long time.

I have had the iPhone for several days and does really suit me real well. Even it is without IM. I rarely use IM on my sidekick for the last 5 years. Which it did not stop me from buying the iPhone.

Vibrator, iPhone’s vibration is okay. I have always have had problems with my sidekick’s vibration. My recent sidekick’s vibrating unit does not work properly, even my previous sidekicks also have had some vibration issues. Therefore the vibration is not a real concern for me to worry about.

Keyboard, for many years we all have been so used to the physical keyboards. It definitely will take us some time to convert to iPhone’s new touch keyboard device. It did not take me long to get used to it with my fingers. I’ve used my thumbs and did fine. Probably in few weeks I’ll be able master it. Keyboard offers automatic suggestion to correct as you type. When you get used to it it’ll make your typing much easier.

Email Push, while using the email push in my sidekick it does pretty good but not always receiving the new emails into my “inbox” it all depends how the network works in the area you’re at. iPhone’s email does work nicely it also has the reload feature allows to try retrieve your email messages to your inBox. It does work pretty well depending where you’ll be at whether it is in wi-fi mode or in the EDGE mode.

Up till today my iPhone does suit my needs so far. A big plus is that I’ll be able to use the VPN at work which my sidekick does not have or works with the company I work for.

There are 3rd party groups working on to support new features for the iPhone. It won’t be very long to see what new widgets or apps that may be available for us to use.

Enjoy.

I doubt email push will be available, when talking to AT&T they said that the push was decisively excluded to increase battery life BUT I still think it should be an option, users will just need to expect that turning email push on will reduce battery life.

But for now I can live with the 15 minute notification. Its really a benefit I think we all are tired of people iterupting your conversation while they check a message they just got on their pager (RUDE!). We’ve kinda gotten to the point where pagers have started to control us. The iPhone helps me gain control over my life again :)

David

Hey all! Been using my iPhone for two weeks now. Love it. Still quite a few things to fix on it before it becomes 100% of what I want it to be.

I am going to be at a meeting between Apple and AT&T and TDI next week, to discuss the accessibiltiy issues with the iPhone.

I’d love for all of you who have an iPhone to send me comments, ideas, or point out shortcomings with the iPhone. With one limitation – it needs to be ACCESS-RELATED, not a wishlist of features on it for the general public.

Some examples that I’ve got from friends (thanks tim) was for them to add an option to forward all phone calls to voice mail automatically, and to make voice mail “forwardable” via e-mail.

Enable TAP plan. More vibration options, etc.

If you all could post on here I can make a long list of access related issues and present to Apple / AT&T.

Thanks!
Barry

I like the look of iphone but not Deaf friendly but what about Helio, did compare iPhone and Helio. Helio are far much better than IPhone but dont know if this is Deaf friendly or not. Comments?

I do not see any email address (info@deafmac.org?)to ask questions so i had to post this qtn in this discussion which is off point.
Is there any software that develops homepage like dreamweaver for mac user? any tips? Would iweb be good?

Last week, Apple announced that they will open the iPhone to third party developers. It would be VERY cool if one of the VRS providers jumped right in to make voice to video messages viewable on the iPhone. The iPhone does have excellent video capability but – at present – it cannot display V2V messages sent in WMV or Flash format.

Easy fast solution: send those V2W messages to iPhone users using a Quicktime format!

My guess is that the first VRS provider to make V2V messages compatible with the iPhone will get some loyal customers who will not change providers later.

HINT HINT HINT!!!

Lormar Logic provides free wireless TTY calling services to the deaf community in the United States. Free TTY and relay operator calls can be made from virtually any cell phone browser at our call gateway, http://www.ttycall.com.

We have recently received a number of questions from deaf asking if this service works from the iPhone. We have tested the iPhone, and we are pleased to report that it works. You can call any TTY or relay directly from the browser.

One thing we noticed, though, is that the native fonts are very small on the screen. Zooming is certainly possible, but this tends to disrupt the natural flow of the call. We are considering providing a custom gateway for the iPhone, as we have done with other unique devices.

Of course, the deaf always have the option of carrying around a portable TTY and using voice minutes for these calls, as the manual describes.

I would still like to be able to hear using using the iPhone. After playing around with high quality in-the-ear headphones while answering calls, i am unable to get the volume high enough to consistently understand whats being said while not knowing the subject of what is spoken to me.
The iPhone needs a higher volume adjustment. Can’t find any apps to help in answering calls, but the app would need to run in the background anyway in which the iPhone cannot do..
Does anyone know if there are headphones with adjustable volume controls?

Often I get video messages via several VRS providers and cannot view them on my non-window devices. I’m wondering if anyone can view WMV format via iPhone or iPod Touch?

Well now? What exactly is a deaf friendly phone? I am severe/profound loss person. I believed all the garbage about iPHone not being compatible. One day I plugged in my neckloop and found out the phone works fine for me. OH i still have troulbe haering the other party well. However, Hamilton Captel and Sprint Captel web sites have captioning phone service at no charge. I also use phonetag.com to intercept my voice mails and transcribes them to text then sends to me. I dont even ans my phone now. I just let them go to voice/text and read the msgs and athen use hamiltoncaptel and return the calls. Lets get w the program folks. I have been severe hard of hearing all my life. I have never waited ro someone else to do things for me. I am a successful manager and computer consultant thanks greatly to the new services and the excellent interface provided by apple via iPhone. I say all blessings to apple for helping me make things work as well as to Hamilton and Sprint. I use voice dialer app on iPhone as well to make dialing easier. So all praises to the apple community. Much care and regards to my fellow hoh iPhone users. Leslie

Thanks Leslie…I am in the Dark ages. I did not realize a neckloop would help be hear better on a iPhone.. It works. But like you i need captions to see what i miss in conversations, especially those voices which are not familiar.

Mobile web captel is especially promising. Only wish it could be done on one 3g device instead of having two mobile phones.

Oh by the way. I have had trouble getting the volume increased on my iMac in the default. No more room for increase i thought. I recently saw in the system preference panel the Universal access icon and within that panel you can increase the sound much higher than the default.
This will allow higher volume on itunes and amazon movie downloads and on-demand movies as well.

Correction. If you have a wifi or strong 3g connection, only your iPhone is needed for a WebCapTel call.

Did anyone invent a new app that would vibrate much longer and intense whenever we get email or sms from anyone yet?