Budget Minder 1 | VoiceOver Review

Posted on January 21, 2012 by David

Five star rating out of five stars.

Developer: Reticent Arts
Version: 1.1

Using iPhone 3Gs, version 5.01
Originally Reviewed: January 21, 2012

Pros:

  • Very clean and easy to use interface with VoiceOver enabled.
  • There are no unlabeled elements or mystery buttons, everything is within reach.

Cons:

  • While not directly VoiceOver related, there is a sense that this basic app could be presented to do a lot more. Only offering four categories to maintain a budget for seems a little tight. Also, category names cannot be customized or moved around.

Breakdown:  

The accessibility of Budget Minder 1 far exceeds any other budget-oriented program I’ve played with yet. This is a skeletal budgeting app at best, but if you’re not running a complex household or have a need to have a “set it and forget it” automated process, this just might work for you. I personally found that in tandem with a regular written monthly budget, this app keeps me much more on track than I otherwise would be.

 

Download Budget Minder 1 from the iTunes Store.

Posted in IPhone App Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ambiance | VoiceOver Review

Posted on January 16, 2012 by David

Rated three stars out of five.

 

 

Developer:  Urban Apps
Version:  3.3.8

Using iPhone 3Gs, version 5.01

Originally Reviewed: January 16, 2012

Pros:

  • Use of the app and navigation is easy enough with VoiceOver enabled. All elements of the program are accessible and have a fairly short learning curve.

Cons:

  • For the best results and easiest time using this program, single finger left and right swipe gestures work consistently. Merely moving your finger around the screen results sometimes in VoiceOver focusing only on a specific part of a button or description. Which can be annoying.
  • Some buttons are unlabeled, leaving them a mystery as to what they do until tapped on.
  • Going through lists within category sections either within the Store or Library can be slow using VoiceOver. For some reason, it takes a second or two for VoiceOver to catch up with what is currently displayed on the screen.
  • Controls within the Ambiance Player itself are disappointing attempting normal touch navigation.

Breakdown:

The program overall is worth its price regarding compatibility with VoiceOver. While there are some rough edges, and small things which at first stand out, when used to navigating the app and downloading sounds the experience gets better with time.

Download Ambiance from the iTunes Store. ($2.99)

Posted in IPhone App Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

VizWiz | VoiceOver Review

Posted on December 22, 2011 by David

Five star rating out of five stars.
App Name: VizWiz
Developer: ROCHCI
Version:  1.3.1

Originally Reviewed: December 23. 2011
Using iPhone 3Gs, version 5.01

Pros:

  • This app was created specifically for VoiceOver in mind. Serving as a visual aid for the blind and visually impaired to judge almost anything to do with visual cues or the requirement for sight.
  • Navigation with VoiceOver is very basic but easy. No real need for explanations or tutorials.

Cons:

  • When tapping on the record button a second time to stop the recording, VoiceOver seems to freeze and not respond for a half second. Either that or the pause function in place does not bode well with VoiceOver for some reason.

Breakdown: If you have trouble seeing small print, have any form or visual acuity problem, or blind, this app is a must have.

Download VizWiz from the iTunes Store. (free)

Posted in IPhone App Reviews, Safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Text Marks the Spot | VoiceOver Review

Posted on November 20, 2011 by David

Four stars out of five.

 

 
App Name: Text Marks the Spot
Developer: BCM
Version: 1.2
Using iPhone version 5.01
Originally Reviewed: November 20, 2011

Pros:

  • This app is very straightforward and easy to use with VoiceOver. Double tapping the “Pin” button will bring up a screen where you can either directly type in a phone number or select from your contact list.
  • While initially created for convenience, Text Marks the Spot also serves as a safety net for someone who is blind or visually impaired. If you are like me, and occasionally have a random notion or paranoia of getting off route or completely lost;  this app can serve as a distress beacon of sorts to family or a friend to either assist in finding your way or just to come pick you up.

Cons:

  • The map portion at the bottom of the screen is not accessible with VoiceOver. Although if you are fluent in latitude and longitude coordinates, they are provided after the telephone entry field using the single finger left and right swipe gestures.
  • Navigation using exclusively touch and no swiping with VoiceOver is kind of random as the app is visually oriented.

Breakdown:

This was a very random and off-chance find browsing through an app recommendation program. I do feel better having it on my iPhone, and have tested it with my wife’s Windows Phone as a recipient and it really works. If you are blind or visually impaired I believe this is a must-have on your iPhone.

Download Text Marks the Spot (free) in the iTunes Store.

Posted in IPhone App Reviews, Safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

myAT&T | VoiceOver Review (updated to version 2.1.2)

Posted on November 20, 2011 by David

Five star rating out of five stars.

App Name: myAT&T
Developer: AT&T Inc.
Version: 2.1.2

Using iPhone 3Gs, version 5.01
Revised Review: November 20, 2011

Notable Changes:

  • VoiceOver works excellent with all aspects of this program. There are no buttons unlabeled or seemingly missing elements to note. This is a very streamlined and simple app, which a lot of iOS developers should take a look at as to emulate.

Possible Improvements Needed:

One very minor but confusing point on the main page after logging in, there is an advertisement at the bottom of the screen. However VoiceOver only announces this as “page one of three”, which initially I thought was a continuation of the main screen options or things available. Using a three finger swipe right successfully turns to the next page, announcing “page two of three”. Though again, this does not change a page to anything different only presenting a new panel of the advertisement.

Reassessment:

There are no disappointments here when it comes to complete VoiceOver compatibility. It is evident a lot of work went into making this app easy to use for all in mind. There are not a lot of options or radio buttons to sift through, which makes it ideal and fluid to use with VoiceOver. Aside from being an essential component of your iPhone if using AT&T, it is definitely worth a download
Originally Reviewed: June 28, 2011
Using iPhone 3Gs, version 4.3.3

Pros:

  • Easy navigation throughout the entire application. Menus are simple and self-explanatory with no dead ends.
  • Even the billing PDF and AT&T Forums are accessible – which I initially thought would not be the case.

Cons:

  • On the main screen of the Wireless section, the top is labeled as “button”. This is only an ad.

.
Breakdown: Taking into account the limitless flak and complaints of almost anything AT&T, this however is done very well. I had my skepticism even before downloading this app but was proven wrong.

Download myAT&T in the iTunes App Store. (free)

 

Posted in IPhone App Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Bing | VoiceOver Review (updated to version 3.0)

Posted on November 6, 2011 by David

Four stars out of five.

 

 

App Name: Bing
Developer: Microsoft Corporation
Version: 3.0
Revised Review: November 6, 2011
Using iPhone 3Gs, version: 5.01

Noticeable Changes:

  • Significantly improved UI with VoiceOver even describes what the “camera” and “microphone” buttons do. This release was made to be simple and much easier to navigate as all buttons are properly labeled to work with VoiceOver.

Possible Improvements Needed:

  • In directly using the main screen with VoiceOver, the page cannot be pulled up as beforeusing the three finger swipe up gesture. Instead, the list seems to stop at “Movies”. The list of available choices continues however, using the single swipe right gesture.
  • One bug that I can recall existing in previous versions is the ability to interact with other screens while the “My Stuff” section is displayed. This causes some initial confusion, as opening the main page links is still possible.
  • Using the “Maps” or “Directions:  functions with VoiceOver results will vary. When viewing directions within the far bottom-left section of the screen, VoiceOver reads aloud well enough. However when touching anywhere else along the map, VoiceOver seems to be hypersensitive in feedback and jittery only announcing “map view” followed by all related location information.

Reassessment:  Despite the minor remaining bugs, version 3.0 of Bind really feels as if a lot of consideration has been taken into account regarding accessibility. Additionally, the user interface experience appears cleaner and less clunky. If you downloaded and may have dismissed this app once before, it is certainly worth a hard look and reconsideration.

Rated three stars out of five.

Version: 2.2
Using iPhone 3Gs, version 4.3.3
Originally Reviewed: June 22, 2011

Pros:

  • Excellent voice search capability and compatible with VoiceOver. Bing can be configured to automatically start a voice search when the phone is held in the upright position.
  • Both camera and microphone search buttons are easily located and labeled “camera icon” and “microphone icon” in the top right corner of the screen. Camera search only finds book titles and related information.

Cons:

  • Menu selection isn’t instantly obvious. With VoiceOver off, the menu system flows to the top with one flick of the finger. With VoiceOver on, a four finger swipe up is needed to pull the menu only partially up.  Somewhat clunky, but it still works.
  • One hidden announced “ button” above the “images” listing, when tapped, takes you to a background image information screen. This is a dead end. Switching out of Bing then back into the app will bring you back to the menu functions.
  • Navigation within the announced “button app menu” (arrow located in the far-right corner)  can be confusing. Confusing, in the sense that VoiceOver will tell you buttons are present at the bottom of the screen when in fact they are not. In this bug, strangely enough, an one of these “buttons” two-thirds along the bottom right corner, will lead you to the preferences menu. All of the actual buttons are “bookmarks” to “private search”.

Breakdown: While the navigation at times can be intimidating, sloppy, or both, the voice search Capability and compatibility with VoiceOver.

Download Bing in the iTunes App Store. (free)

Posted in IPhone App Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

TuneIn Radio Pro | VoiceOver Review (Updated to version 2.2)

Posted on November 3, 2011 by David

Four stars out of five.

App Name: TuneIn Radio Pro (paid $0.99)
Developer: Synsion Radio Technologies
Revised Review: November 3, 2011
Version:  2.2
Using iPhone 3Gs, version 5.01

Noticeable Changes:

  •  Corrected the visual icons bug which treated each one as a visible button in VoiceOver, essentially rendering the program useless. .

Possible Improvements Needed:

  • No notable or significant changes from the previous review of version 2.0.

Reassessment: Restored to former glory, TuneIn Radio still remains one of my most used and favorite applications for the iPhone.

 

Originally Reviewed: September 12, 2011
Version:  2.0.1 (TuneIn Radio free)

Four stars out of five.

 

Pros:

  • Surprisingly simple and smooth navigation with VoiceOver. Easy transition from finding new radio stations, adding presets, and removing stations from lists.

Cons:

  • Two small bugs; when interacting with the home preset stations screen, “one of two button” is Presets, and “two of two button” is Songs.
  • When inside the station information screen under the options menu, choosing “clock display” will send you to a large display clock. Seems easy enough until all of the buttons appear still readable by VoiceOver but actually are not. To solve this small dead end, there is a “cancel” button located in the far left bottom corner.

Breakdown: If you are seeking to branch out your collection of internet radio stations and have not yet found this gem, downloading and spending some time with this app will not disappoint. There is a pro version available for $0.99.

Download TuneIn Radio Pro (paid $0.99) from the iTunes Store.

Posted in IPhone App Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

New – Added editing text and copy/paste instructions using VoiceOver

Posted on October 30, 2011 by David

Through a previous oversight on my part, someone asked how to edit text and use these key functions with VoiceOver.  Featured on iOS Developers + VoiceOver.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

iHeartRadio | VoiceOver Review (updated to version 4.0.1)

Posted on October 26, 2011 by David

Rated three stars out of five.

 

App Name: iHeart Radio
Developer: Clear Channel Management Services, LP
Version: 4.0.1

Using iPhone 3Gs, version 5.01

Noticeable Changes:

  • The clear more intuitive interface makes for browsing radio stations and listening a reality with VoiceOver.

Possible Improvements Needed:

  • All buttons are labeled with “inactive” status, whether inactive or currently selected.
  • One minor and personal gripe is the requirement to login to Facebook in order to add radio stations as favorites.

Reassessment: The reworked interface and fact that it is completely usable with VoiceOve is worth another look.  If adding stations were not connected to Facebook, I would probably end up using this app.

Download iHeartRadio in the iTunes App Store. (free)

VersOne star rating out of fiveion: 3.0.2

 
Using iPhone 3Gs, version 4.3.3
Originally Reviewed: June 23, 2011

Pros:

  • Somewhat accessible interface, tapping the bottom bar announcement of “tab bar stations”  takes you to the random station selection screen. Here, you can shake the iPhone to choose a random station. VoiceOver will announce the current station, and to start playing is simple.
  • Pause/Play functions work with iPhone headphone controls.

Cons:

  • Buttons on the bottom row of the app are mostly inaccessible. Unfortunately, these are the primary functions of the application. VoiceOver cannot read or access the buttons “Home” – navigates to the main page. “Favorites” – Where bookmarked stations are stored, and “Settings” – clears a station that is set to auto-play at start, and ironically report bugs and issues with iHeartRadio.

Breakdown: Although I do enjoy using this app, the very limited functionality exclusively to VoiceOver cannot warrant a recommendation.  If by chance you have limited vision, it is possible to turn off VoiceOver and successfully navigate the program to what you want to accomplish.  Otherwise, it is hard to fully take advantage of this app and its functions.

 

Posted in IPhone App Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Facebook | VoiceOver Review

Posted on October 23, 2011 by David

Two stars out of five.App Name:  Facebook
Developer: Facebook, Inc.
Version: 4.0.2

Using iPhone 3Gs, version 5.01
Originally Reviewed: October 23, 2011

Pros:

  • Despite the major interface change from prior versions, navigation for the most part appears solid with VoiceOver.
  • One advantage of using the Facebook app over the website is the ability to change privacy and security settings.  Yes, both are present on the website, but changing these settings with the app using VoiceOver is a snap.

Cons:

  • The notification icons which inform you of new items only state “off” in VoiceOver, when visually I can tell the buttons are turned on. Certainly for someone completely blind would find this very confusing and frustrating.
  • When reading through posts that do not yet have a comment, the tiny like button located on the far-right side of the page is not accessible to VoiceOver. Essentially this makes the ability to comment on such posts impossible. Likewise, limiting the ability to like something as well.
  • Most to all of the buttons are not labeled properly. Thankfully though all of these buttons with the exceptions of the notification panel are self-explanatory. However, getting the sense of guessing where each button may take you next is disorienting.
  • Images throughout the app are labeled as “button” in thumbnail mode. In addition, pictures do not respond to the three finger swipe gestures of previous and next. Why does this matter to someone using visually impaired software?  Even those who can see just a little, try very hard to get as much as possible out of it.
  • One major advantage from the old interface was the ability to create favorites on the main panel. Adding friends and their news feeds onto new pages made Facebook very accessible and not much of a hassle. Tragically this was all stripped away in the new iteration focusing on the overall news stream.

Breakdown: Admittedly I have not fully used the Facebook app in quite some time. Instead preferring remote access services as Voice Brief to pull in new content from my Facebook account. While the previous versions of the Facebook app were not perfect, it seems the new approach was rushed into production leaving accessibility near completely out of the picture. If you happen to upgrade as I did without an option of downgrading; the new release is still somewhat workable with VoiceOver. As the ability to comment and like posts are constrained, interacting in this version of the Facebook app is passive at best.

 

Download Facebook in the iTunes Store.

Posted in IPhone App Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments