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Unapologetically Blind

Tag: Android

  • Lets Talk Tech – Dive Into My Ecosystem

    Lets Talk Tech – Dive Into My Ecosystem

    Hey everyone! Let’s talk tech. Over the past few years, I’ve amassed quite a collection, some thanks to a fantastic program through Google, and some I’ve bought myself. All of it has impacted my life, made me think differently about accessibility, and introduced me to platforms I now use every single day. So, let’s dive into my world of smartphones, smartwatches, and computers/tablets. (We’ll save smart home tech, like Firesticks and Chromecasts, for another post!)

    Smartphones: From Flips To Candy Bar Phones

    My current daily driver is the Samsung Galaxy S23+, but it’s a recent switch. Before this, I was rocking the amazing Z Flip 5. Why the change? It was really a matter of opportunity.

    The Z Flip 5: A Flashy Throwback

    The Z Flip 5 was, and still is, my absolute favorite phone. Even with its slightly unusual screen ratio, it was incredible. The outer screen was so functional, it blew my mind. Pair it with a good case, and you’ve got a flashy, flippy throwback to the early 2010s and those iconic flip phones. Remember the original Motorola RAZR? Enough said.

    The Z Flip 5’s One Downside

    The only real con? The inner screen. Because it’s flexible, it needs a special screen protector that costs about $80 to replace here in Alberta. Having to do that every six months gets expensive.

    My S23+: Back to Basics (But Better)

    I got a great deal on the S23+, and it made me realize why I still love the classic “candy bar” style. While I miss the Z Flip’s foldability, the S23+ has a bigger battery, better cooling, and oh my goodness, a much better camera. Samsung makes amazing devices across the board – you have to give them that – but the camera on the S23+ is a vital tool for me.

    A History of Phones

    I’ve used everything from a Samsung S5 to the S23+, a Pixel 4A, Moto devices, and even an iPhone (gasp!). So why Samsung? Well, it ties into my next category…

    Smartwatches: More Than Just Time

    My smartwatch journey started with a cheap, used Asus Android Wear watch. I was hooked, not just for telling time, but for notifications, step counting, and so much more. And they’re accessible!

    After that first watch shuffled off this mortal coil, I got a Mobvoi TicWatch 5E. It was the more budget-friendly version of the TicWatch 5, and I loved it. I did have some minor accessibility issues with the Mobvoi apps, but the watch itself cemented my love for smartwatches.

    Then, I found a deal on a Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic – you know, the one that doubled as a fidget spinner! I used it for a few months until that update. You know, the one that was supposed to fix the bricking issues from the previous update… and promptly bricked my watch.

    So, I needed a new one. Tough choice: something similar in size and sportier, or the Watch 5 Pro – chunkier, but tougher with titanium and sapphire glass? I went Pro, because let’s be honest, I’m rough on my tech. It’s still going strong after three years! And the Watch 5 Pro is a big reason I stick with Samsung phones. Features like ECG and blood pressure monitoring are unique to the Samsung ecosystem, and as someone with high blood pressure, those are important to me.

    Laptops: From Bricks to Beasts

    My laptop history is… eventful. I had a Lenovo IdeaPad that bricked itself with corrupted files. Then, I got a used 17-inch HP EliteBook, which was amazing (wi-fi issues aside). On a whim, I bought a Lenovo ThinkPad 2-in-1, and loved it! It was my daily driver until it couldn’t keep up anymore.

    Enter the Samsung Galaxy Book! This sleek, slim, non-touchscreen machine was, and still is, a micro-beast. It’s small but powerful.

    But, I have to confess, my true love right now is Chromebooks. Thanks to that Google program, I got to try a Pixelbook, and I still use it daily at work. I also loved the Lenovo Duet 5, which I traded with my partner for her monstrous 16-inch Asus CX5601 Chromebook. That Asus? My new favorite. It’s fast, has an amazing keyboard and trackpad, and all the ports I need.

    My current home workspace setup? My Samsung Galaxy Book connected to a beautiful 32-inch monitor and a 42 or 46-inch TV. And beside that beast, I have my trusty Brother monochrome laserjet printer.

    Tablets: Less Used These Days

    Since I have a 2-in-1 touchscreen laptop, I don’t use tablets much anymore. I do have a Pixel Tablet, but it mostly lives on its dock in the bedroom. I’ve used everything from iPads to Samsung Galaxy Tabs, and they all have their pros and cons. It really depends on what you need a tablet for.

    So, that’s a glimpse into my tech journey. I love how each piece has influenced my next purchase. I think I’m heading towards a full Chrome OS ecosystem. I’ve already ditched my Microsoft 365 subscription and kept Google Workspace for the extra Drive space. Google is making serious waves, creating functional and fantastic mobile operating systems. Android and Chrome OS? They’re my daily drivers.

  • Blue Bubble, Green Bubble: Does It Really Matter?

    Blue Bubble, Green Bubble: Does It Really Matter?

    The iPhone vs. Android debate is a long and storied one, dating back to the era of the Blackberry’s reign and the iPod Touch’s transformation into a smartphone. A time when Google’s Nexus devices were just emerging and Android was a fresh-faced operating system, offering a world of mobile choices.

    So, Android or iPhone?

    In the early days, the iPhone held a significant advantage, particularly when viewed through the lens of accessibility. This wasn’t a matter of personal preference, but rather a practical reality. My own experience in September 2010 solidified this. While I was enamored with the newly released HTC Desire, a Telus representative demonstrated the stark difference in out-of-the-box accessibility between iPhones and Androids. At that time, the iPhone was simply more accessible. It’s important to note that this was my experience, and I later learned about software that could enhance Android accessibility. However, for this narrative, I’ll stick with my lived experience.

    Thanks to that Telus representative, I walked out with a shiny iPhone 3Gs. Its accessibility, right out of the box, made it a great device. For years, I remained loyal to the iPhone, upgrading from the 3Gs to the 4, 5, and eventually the 7+. Familiarity and reliable accessibility were key factors. Then came Android 4.4.4 KitKat and the stunning Samsung Galaxy S5.

    I took the plunge, with both excitement and trepidation! I traded the “safety” of iMessage and the familiar iPhone display for the green bubble world of Android. I fell in love. Android offered accessibility, customization, and expandable storage. This marked the beginning of my Android journey and my introduction to the Samsung ecosystem.

    Android: Strong, Free, and Mine

    Loving the freedom of the S5, I upgraded to the Samsung Galaxy Note 5. Sleek, slim, powerful, and boasting an amazing stylus (more of a fidget toy than a functional tool, but I loved it nonetheless). This device introduced me to mobile payments and a new level of accessibility thanks to Samsung’s custom screen reader, Voice Assistant, a perfect blend of TalkBack and VoiceOver.

    A Touch of Nostalgia

    Then, in 2016, nostalgia struck. The new Blackberry Priv promised the perfect combination of a physical keyboard and a touchscreen in a sleek, sliding design. I was hooked! The screen size, the tactile keyboard, the Android operating system – it was the best of all worlds! Until, disaster struck. A cracked screen revealed the Priv’s greatest vulnerability. The repair cost far exceeded the price of a new iPhone 7+.

    Back to the Blue Bubble

    I was forced to return to the iPhone. Frankly, the accessibility wasn’t significantly different from the iPhone 5 I’d left behind. I was a little disappointed. The device was slimmer and felt better in hand, but that was about it. The changes felt minimal. A few iMessage gimmicks aside, there wasn’t much to write home about. Or was there? Let’s delve into a bit of psychology.

    The Apple Addiction

    Around that time, talk of “phone addiction” was rampant. I’ll admit it: I believe there was something about the iPhone that had a hold on me. Whether it was marketing or the device itself, I can’t say. But it was constantly in my hand. I wanted to hold it. It went everywhere with me, even to the bathroom at home. I can’t explain it, but I genuinely believe I was addicted to that phone. This became clear when I returned to Android with the Galaxy Note 9. With the Note 9, I found myself able to put it down and forget about it. I didn’t feel the need to constantly hold it, and I didn’t feel like I was missing out when it was on my desk. Apple, what did you do to our brains? Was it the marketing? The device’s coating? I’ll never know.

    My Choice?

    Since the Note 9, I’ve cycled through many phones, all Android. The reason is interesting and has become clearer over time. Today, from an accessibility perspective, Android and iOS are essentially on par. Android excels in some areas, while the iPhone still has advantages in others, depending on the user’s specific needs. Personally, I find Android more accessible due to its greater freedom. The variety of devices, screen sizes, form factors, and customized operating systems (built on the base Android system) allows for unparalleled choice. This has enabled Android to become a dominant force in the world of accessibility.

    Dare I say it? iPhone and Android are… distant cousins?