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If you want to try the Android screen reader, turn on accessibility with Settings -> Accessibility, TalkBack On. Then, tap a control once to hear what it is, then double tap to activate. (This is very important to know, or else you won't be able to turn TalkBack off again.)

Tip: don't try TalkBack in your office, or you will rapidly drive your officemates crazy.



I often have to help a family member who is blind. Trying to use a phone with Voiceover or Talkback is the most horrific experience. Each button or key press takes 3 time-sensitive taps, while it speaks the contents of that button/key in a robotic voice.

I say this as a sighted person, but is this really the best we can do? If you're blind I can imagine how important it is that it works at all, but it still sucks.

Annoyingly, what my family member really needs for their use case is an old-style phone with tactile keyboard - if it weren't for the fact that they also need to voice dial, hear who's calling, and hear incoming texts.


I have pondered trying to use talkback to operate my phone while i need my eyes elsewhere.




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