One of the leading makers
of customized handsets, OwnFone has released the world's first
3D-printed customizable Braille phone for blind folks. OwnFone
established as the primary company in the world to introduce
customizable phones partly developed by using 3D printers in 2012.
There are readers that might have heard about features phone, which
are programmed to call a special set of mobile number.
Like other feature phone
products, you have to log on to the OwnFone website to purchase this
marvelous Braille product. After that, you have to select names and
numbers to have programmed onto the phone's screen. The cost of the
handset is £60 ($101), while customizing phone’s color or adding
picture cost an extra £5. OwnFone gives its own mobile network,
named as OwnFone Service. Their subscription fee is around £7.50 to
£15. The service piggybacks of OwnFone's service piggybacks on
Vodafone's network, however, services like roaming and data, text
messages, etc. are not available.
The phone's inventor
told the BBC, "3D printing... provides a fast and
cost-effective way to create personalised Braille buttons. The phone
can be personalised with two or four Braille buttons which are
pre-programmed to call friends, family, carers or the emergency
services. This is the first phone to have a 3D printed keypad and for
people that can't read Braille, we can print texture and raised text
on the phone. Our 3D phone printing process is patent pending."
There are many
visually-impaired people using smartphones with visually impaired iOS
and Android apps. Apart from, there are some apps that read aloud
articles from apps and websites, or can take many devices’
functions like messages, calendar, phone, contacts, email and maps to
help and shorten visually-impaired people process.
Advantages of Using
Braille Mobile Phone
- Very light at only 40 grams with compact design almost the size of a credit card.
- Ease of use is perfect for children and seniors.
- Excellent battery life with up to a year on standby on a single charge.
- Price is very affordable for most consumers.
Disadvantages of Using
Braille Mobile Phone
- Changing a contact name on the phone requires you to affix a decal over the old contact.
- No dial pad so you cannot call anyone else other than the preset contacts on the phone.
- To change a contact you would need to get in touch with customer service.
