It looks like the Android V. iOS wars are popping up in the blind community again, so here’s my take. I love free (libre) open source software. I truly do. But free is not automatically better than proprietary,and with regard to iOS V. Android, accessibility is not subjective. We have standards by which to measure the accessibility or lack thereof of software, and while Android has improved, it is not yet at the same level of accessibility as iOS is. While there are some details of accessibility which are subjective, accessibility as a whole as it pertains to the removal of barriers faced by people with disabilities when using software and websites is not subjective. It doesn’t mean different things to different people. As of right now, Android’s accessibility continues to lag behind the accessibility of iOS, and Android users who insist on saying otherwise are fooling themselves.
I look at the wars this way. Each has strengths, and weeknesses. One OS may do something a little better then the other, or not at all. But, they both still have to exist none the less.
that was a very pro data statement with a very data lacking article. As an android user who is blind I’d ask you to measure more holisticallly and use data to support your statements
I will agree, although I do believe that Google is a proponent of exclusivity as well.
for one, they have it in the bag for knfb, giving the Android app a $80 discount. So are they basically saying to hell with ios users? Not sure, but it sure seems like it as…
Apple users have never gotten that big a discount – then again, Apple doesn’t sponser nfb. Second, I’m getting near perfect emulation of what could be called a roter, because of two things. My phone running oreo, and it having a newer fingerprint senser.
Now that spells exclusivity right there. Yes, I always advise people to stick with google hardware and nothing else but, but that kind of takes away a core portion of android’s benefits that was freedom of choice. Oh, and not everyone’s comfortable with custom roms.
Thank you for your take. My boyfriend is in love with android, but he’s also sighted. He’s been desperately trying to get me to get one, and I tell him pretty much what you said. Accessibility for us on iOS is better.
Measure more whollisticly? The Android accessibility API is objectively behind the accessibility APIs of literally all of its competitors.
I am totally cool with people using whatever they want to use. But Android is not just as accessible as iOS, and Android users can still use Android while acknowledging that fact, instead of trying to argue with facts.
Please read this series of articles. They are unfortunately still relevant: chrishofstader.com/testing-androi… chrishofstader.com/testing-androi… and finally chrishofstader.com/testing-androi…
It’s probably great for your boyfriend. Lots of sighted people love them. But for people with disabilities the platform still has some catching up to do.
Yep, that’s what I tell him. One of the reasons he wants me to get it is because he can remote in from his desktop if I have a problem, but I told him I have lots of friends with iPhones who can help me if I get stuck.
Amanda: As usual, your take is dead on target, editorially accurate and pulls no punches. By the way, have a great Birthday!
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Especially in the area of braille, and there is no excuse for it after all this time.
Strangely, Amazon is doing a better job with Braille support out of the box on their Kindle Fire tablets than it’s found in android.