[Elecraft] The case against touch screens

[Buddy Brannan]

David, that’s all true, but there’s one little problem. All of those touch screens are attached to Android or iOS devices. Unless Elecraft plans on embedding a full Android or Apple OS in the mythical K4, writing a similar screen reader will not be a small undertaking. 

> On Mar 26, 2019, at 4:50 AM, David Wilcox via Elecraft <elecraft at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
> 
> Don,
> 
> I have a blind ham friend and all his touch screens talk back to him when he touches something..... he can use his iPad, iPod and iPhone faster than I can.  It’s in the programming as it is a special program he has for each.  Another miracle for our blind brothers.  And, that is why he bought Icom gear.  He said they were the only company to offer plug in “talker” boards for their xcvr.  Still using his 756 Pro, 500 w Icom amp and LDG talking SWR meter.
> 
> Dave K8WPE
> 
> David J. Wilcox K8WPE’s iPad
> 
>> On Mar 25, 2019, at 12:02 PM, Don Wilhelm <donwilh at embarqmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Touch screens do not provide support for blind amateur operators. Elecraft has always said they will provide support for blind operators.
>> I just wonder how touchscreens fit into that commitment.
>> 
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>> 
>>> On 3/25/2019 11:18 AM, Buddy Brannan wrote:
>>> While those are certainly advantages, there are several disadvantages. Number 1 on my personal hit parade: they aren’t tactile. You have to look at them to operate them. Which means, for you, another distraction. For me, it means extra support (think VoiceOver on iOS, Talkback on Android, VoiceView on the Amazon Fire things). So far, none of the ham radio manufacturers has implemented anything like that, and so touch screen interfaces on a lot of stuff are out of my reach, as it were. Of course, knobs and switches and buttons have the advantage of being able to be manipulated without having to see where they are. 
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Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
Email: buddy at brannan.name
Mobile: (814) 431-0962