Samsung has launched their “Samsung Galaxy Tab 750” on 10th August 2011 and I missed on putting the embed for the live streaming. But here is a recorded version available and it can give more info than any other blog,
First there were room size computers, then personal computers, then laptops, then net books and now there are tablets. Technology is evolving day by day and making the life of humans much more comfortable in dealing with their day to day activities. I am writing this post to take part in the Indi blogger Samsung galaxy tab contest. I heard about IPAD which revolutionized the way people with disabilities are benefited and how many opportunities that a new technology and innovation can bring a change in every ones life.
I came across how the tablets are helping people with disabilities in different ways and started to read more success stories of using tablets. Then I started researching how blind people are using android platform tablets and I haven’t found any relevant results through Google which can help me. That amazed me and thought to look for a screen reader for android platform and I haven’t found a solution till date. I am still researching about how people with visual impairment can use the Android based Tablets. I am sure there will be some application developed to address this problem and if it is meeting the needs of people with visual impairment Samsung galaxy tablet might be a hit in the community. A lot of technology innovations doesn’t concentrate on the Differently Baled communities because they think there is no money in this sector, but that is not true there is a huge amount of potential and business opportunities in the world of accessibility and assistive technology.
If Ipad can create history, I am sure Samsung galaxy tab can also create history with more powerful features than IPAD and here there is no limitations attached as the operating system is open source and any one can create applications without limiting their creativity and imaginations.
If Samsung can enable the channels to get information about how people with disabilities can use their products efficiently I am sure there will be a huge market which they never thought to tap.
5 reasons why I would prefer Samsung galaxy tablet
1. open source- Samsung Galaxy tab runs on a open source operating system Honey Comb which will enable better accessibility features and will have ability to make all the necessary applications according to my needs. I haven’t worked with any Tablet computer till date but I am sure Open source technology will open new doors like how “NVDA” for windows a open source screen reader has enabled jobs for a lot of visually impaired.
2. i had an opportunity to play with a Samsung galaxy tablet few weeks back when I was having a meeting with my friend lakshmi Rebecca and I found it is very sleek, light weighted, easy to carry etc. This helps me to carry the tablet where ever I go and can let the world know that my disability has not limited me in any way.
3. With my low vision problem I often find it difficult to watch videos and images going close to my computer monitor. With this tablet this problem can be over come as there will not be any kind of extra stress on my neck and as I can bring tablet very close , change angles I will have a better view of the pictures.
4. i like designs a lot and I often find it difficult to find some one who can explain how a particular design looks so that I can imagine. Every time I cannot call my family or friends to come near my laptop or desktop to explain, but now I can carry my tablet to my family or friends who can explain them.
5. This tablet can help me to take notes more effectively as it is easy to carry than a laptop and often people with visual impairment find it difficult with note taking if there is no proper facility to arrange their laptop and belongings.
I can come up many ways of how visually impaired can use the Samsung galaxy tab, but the question for me is which screen reader works with the Honey Comb Android platform?
Samsung is one of the leading brands which brought Android based phones and Tablets in to the Indian market and let us see the specifications how this tablet is different from others,
Operating System
• Comes with latest Andriod version – Honeycomb.
• Gives split view and multitasking support for applications.
Display and Size
• 10.1” Widescreen.
• 1280×800 WXGA TFT LCD.
• 4-way rotation.
• Dimensions are: 256.7 x 175.3 x 8.6mm (10.1 x 6.9 x 0.39 inches).
• Weight: 565g.
Memory
• 1GB (RAM), 16/32/64 GB (ROM), micro SD (up to 32GB).
• 1Ghz dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 Processor.
Network Connectivity
• HSPA + 21Mbps 850/900/1900/2100
• EDGE/GPRS works on 850/900/1800/1900
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
• Bluetooth 3.0
Camera
• Main(Rear) : 3.0-Mega Pixel Camera AF with LED Flash
• Front : 2.0-Mega Pixel Camera
• Added feature of Instant SNS sharing to Gmail, messaging, Picasa
Battery
• Built-in 7000mAh battery
• Plays video up to 9hrs and audio up to 72hrs
Video and Audio formats supported
• Video formats supported are MPEG4/H263/H264,Divx/Xvid.
• Playback of 1080p Full HD Video @ 30fps.
• Records up to 720p HD Video.
• Audio formats supported are MP3, AAC, AAC＋, eAAC＋, OGG, MIDI, AMR-NB/WB.
• It also has built-in 3.5mm Ear Jack, Surround Sound Stereo Speakers.
Sensors
• Gyroscope
• Accelerometer
• Ambient Light sensor
• Digital Compass
Enterprise Solutions and Value-added Features
• Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync
• Quickoffice HD Editor
• Android Market
• Google Mobile Services available like Google Talk Video Chat, Google Maps, Books, etc.
• Samsung TouchWiz UX
• Samsung Mini Apps Tray
• Social Hub, Music Hub, Readers Hub (May differ as per availability in your region)
• Adobe Flash Player 10.2
• Andriod Browser
Input and Output
• 30-pin dock connector port
• 3.5mm stereo headphone jack
I got these details from the various sources of the web and I have no clue what most of the specifications are for. I have been a tech enthusiast and was attached to the computer world since 2004 but my goal has always been how I can enable and use the technology to fight against the limitations which my disability created. 50 yrs of policies has not changed anything in lifes of people with disability, but a revolution which took in technology in last 10yrs has changed everything. Today I work only because computers are accessible with the help of a screen reader and I found this article how Ipad is helping people with disabilities.
IPad a Therapeutic Marvel for Disabled People – NYTimes.com
you gave very good analysis of how Samsung Galaxy Tab can be used by differently abled persons. I prefer calling them that rather than calling them people with disability. disabled people. I’m proud of u bro 🙂
Hey Hrish yes Differently Abled will be the word that we need to put into use and i wanted to take this movement forward…And yes open source technologies are opening a new doors for people with different abilities.
wow seems that samsung very tempting for techies for differently abled.
Hey Namita yes samsung can be a bigger player in India if they can capture the tech needs of the people disabilities. No need to innovate any thing new just they need to tweak their existing product lines and see how people with different abilities can use and let the community know about it.
Hi Raghav,
Liked your post. Completely new viewpoint to mention about TAB’s usefullness for people with disability. In fact, those people are gifted with some other unique capability. All the best. If you like my blog, you can promote it.
http://www.indiblogger.in/indipost.php?post=73406
Manish V. Panchmatia
Hi Manish,
Great meeting you at the blogger’s meet and thanks for your comments. Yes will go through your blog post.
Thank you for the post. I hope that companies do look into technologies that help people with disabilities. There are thousands who would benefit.