Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Question for blind users regarding ebooks (self.Blind)
submitted by Human-Chickenpede
Hi r/blind!
I had a quick question for you all in regards to reading ebooks. What is the level of interest in having the ability to read an ebook with a blind capable device similar to a kindle?
I understand that there are full functional tablets currently in development for the seeing impaired, however would anyone have an interest in a tablet that would strictly be for reading ePub files and possibly docx files as well?
Would a lower price point influence your decision to purchase such a device if it didn't natively support online apps such as Facebook, twitter and the like if it was provide at a much cheaper price?
Would something like this be of interest? Or would something like audiobooks that are provide via a digital medium already suffice?
I'm aware that there are a number of products currently on the market already. Has anyone used such a device?
If so, what would you change about it? Would you use a device simply for reading books and documents, (Possibly textbooks as well) if those changes were implemented? Or would you rather simply have a full function tablet at a higher price point?
Thank you all for reading!
EDIT** Thank you all so much for your input! This is exactly the feedback I was hoping for.
I had a quick question for you all in regards to reading ebooks. What is the level of interest in having the ability to read an ebook with a blind capable device similar to a kindle?
I understand that there are full functional tablets currently in development for the seeing impaired, however would anyone have an interest in a tablet that would strictly be for reading ePub files and possibly docx files as well?
Would a lower price point influence your decision to purchase such a device if it didn't natively support online apps such as Facebook, twitter and the like if it was provide at a much cheaper price?
Would something like this be of interest? Or would something like audiobooks that are provide via a digital medium already suffice?
I'm aware that there are a number of products currently on the market already. Has anyone used such a device?
If so, what would you change about it? Would you use a device simply for reading books and documents, (Possibly textbooks as well) if those changes were implemented? Or would you rather simply have a full function tablet at a higher price point?
Thank you all for reading!
EDIT** Thank you all so much for your input! This is exactly the feedback I was hoping for.
-shacklebolt- 4 points 6y ago
> having the ability to read an ebook with a blind capable device similar to a kindle?
You mean a kindle?
> I'm aware that there are a number of products currently on the market already. Has anyone used such a device?
For the purposes of being able to read an ebook? You mean a computer, ipad, ipod, iphone, some e-ink readers, android tablet, android phone, notetaker, specialized devices like the victor reader, etc?
Yes, people in this subreddit have used them.
If this is for a student project, we don't want it. If this is for a commercial project, we strongly encourage you to understand what it is you're trying to do, the feasibility of it, and if the blind community actually wants more of it. The sheer amount of vaporware "tablet for the blind!!" products is ridiculous.
You mean a kindle?
> I'm aware that there are a number of products currently on the market already. Has anyone used such a device?
For the purposes of being able to read an ebook? You mean a computer, ipad, ipod, iphone, some e-ink readers, android tablet, android phone, notetaker, specialized devices like the victor reader, etc?
Yes, people in this subreddit have used them.
If this is for a student project, we don't want it. If this is for a commercial project, we strongly encourage you to understand what it is you're trying to do, the feasibility of it, and if the blind community actually wants more of it. The sheer amount of vaporware "tablet for the blind!!" products is ridiculous.
awesomesaucesaywhat 5 points 6y ago
I died laughing at "you mean like a kindle?"
tymme 3 points 6y ago
The name of the game now is consolidation, not separation. Don't need/want another device that only does one thing when I have a phone and/or tablet that can do it equally well for less than $100.
fastfinge 3 points 6y ago
I already need to carry an iPhone everywhere because of GPS. So I just use the Kindle app on that, or VoiceDream Reader for audiobooks.
Plus, Amazon's Kindle Fire already comes with Amazon VoiceView, making it fully accessible to me. So if I wanted something like a Kindle, why wouldn't I just get a Kindle? Can you really underprice Amazon?
If I want something specialized for blind people, perhaps because it has no screen and thus a longer battery life, the Victor Reader Stream is a good option. Again, I doubt you could compete with them on price or features.
In short, this is a really crowded space. If you wanted to compete here, you'd need an extremely good value proposition. The only thing I don't have a good way to access is Adobe Digital Editions DRM. None of the apps that can decrypt it on IOS or Android are that accessible. So I might go for a cheap tablet that can do Digital Editions DRM, because that's what my local library uses (via overdrive). But Adobe really, really, really doesn't like to partner with third parties. I'd be absolutely shocked if they gave you the keys to work with there DRM in your tablet.
Plus, Amazon's Kindle Fire already comes with Amazon VoiceView, making it fully accessible to me. So if I wanted something like a Kindle, why wouldn't I just get a Kindle? Can you really underprice Amazon?
If I want something specialized for blind people, perhaps because it has no screen and thus a longer battery life, the Victor Reader Stream is a good option. Again, I doubt you could compete with them on price or features.
In short, this is a really crowded space. If you wanted to compete here, you'd need an extremely good value proposition. The only thing I don't have a good way to access is Adobe Digital Editions DRM. None of the apps that can decrypt it on IOS or Android are that accessible. So I might go for a cheap tablet that can do Digital Editions DRM, because that's what my local library uses (via overdrive). But Adobe really, really, really doesn't like to partner with third parties. I'd be absolutely shocked if they gave you the keys to work with there DRM in your tablet.
funkymollusk 1 points 6y ago
I have to strongly echo the previous commenters here. Also, the sample of people you're getting on reddit is going to tend to be younger or more tech savvy and therefore probably already owns a device or two capable of everything. Older folks, on the other hand, who aren't on reddit and make up a much larger proportion of the blind population, would be a much better target for this kind of device. But great inexpensive options already exist.
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