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Unapologetically Blind

Tag: Chrome OS

  • My Screen Reader Experience: A World of Choices

    My Screen Reader Experience: A World of Choices

    For years, JAWS (Job Access With Speech) was the screen reader in North America, alongside the built-in VoiceOver on macOS. Then came NVDA, shaking things up. Finally, we have the ubiquitous ChromeVox, the built-in screen reader on all Chrome OS devices. Let’s explore my experiences with each, considering their platforms and target users.

    JAWS: Sink or Swim?

    This shark-themed screen reader was one of the first on Windows. I remember it running on DOS/Windows 3.1 as a separate piece of hardware – talk about ancient history! Today, you can download it… after paying a hefty price. Last I checked, a license cost around $1,000 Canadian, not including updates.

    Personally, I found JAWS incredibly frustrating. It always seemed slower than me, struggling to keep up with my typing and lagging during simple tasks. I later realized it’s a resource hog, demanding massive amounts of RAM. While they recommend 4GB, I’d suggest nothing less than 8GB, preferably 12GB. Anything less leads to lag, slowdowns, and crashes.

    VoiceOver: A Breath of Fresh Air

    Just as I was about to give up on JAWS, I discovered VoiceOver thanks to the iPhone. I fell in love with its ease of use, clean functionality, and ability to keep pace with me. This led me to buy a Mac. I lived in the Apple ecosystem for several years during university, using a MacBook Air and a MacBook Pro. It was incredibly liberating to use a system that thrived on 8GB of RAM, felt fast and responsive, and rarely crashed. VoiceOver on Mac was, and still is, one of my favorite screen readers.

    NVDA: Free, Adaptable, and Flexible

    NVDA is FREE! This amazing open-source software is flexible, adaptable, and highly functional, and it won’t break the bank. They do accept donations, and you can choose how much (or nothing) to give.

    NVDA breathed new life into Windows for me. It’s fast, responsive, adaptable, and smoother than JAWS. Dare I say it’s the Windows equivalent of VoiceOver? I’ve been using NVDA on my personal Windows laptop for five years and love it. It can do everything JAWS could, and even allows for reprogramming (if you know Python, which I don’t).

    ChromeVox: My New Love

    Okay, enough with the sappiness… but ChromeVox on Chrome OS is truly smooth and unique. It operates within Chrome OS and provides the same system-level access as other screen readers. The key difference? It runs amazingly well even on sub-$500 Chromebooks. Whether you have 4GB or 16GB of RAM, a 12-inch or 16-inch screen, ChromeVox performs. It connects to most mainstream braille displays and has a built-in magnification system, though the built-in magnifier isn’t as flexible as I’d like for my dual-screen setup. Still, we’re focusing on ChromeVox’s fluid function.

    From the moment you power on your Chromebook, you’re a key command away from independent system setup. Just press Ctrl+Alt+Z, and you’ll hear that familiar Google voice.

    I’ve been daily driving ChromeVox for several weeks now, and intermittently for years, and I can honestly say it will soon be my primary screen reader. I’m not even sure a traditional PC has a place in my life anymore.

    Conclusion

    The world of screen readers has evolved significantly. From the expensive and resource-heavy JAWS to the streamlined VoiceOver, the adaptable NVDA, and the surprisingly powerful ChromeVox, users now have a range of choices. My journey has highlighted the importance of accessibility, performance, and cost-effectiveness. While each screen reader has its strengths and weaknesses, the rise of free and efficient options like NVDA and ChromeVox has democratized access to technology for visually impaired users. Ultimately, the “best” screen reader depends on individual needs and preferences, but the availability of diverse options is a huge win for accessibility.

  • 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.