I don't know if there is a tactful way to say this, but, is it really Apple's responsibility to make sure of this? I mean c'mon.
Starving children in Africa won't be able to use it either.
There are hundreds of phones out there for the blind to use, and I think among all of the unfortunate disadvantages conferred on a blind person in our society, not being able to buy this particular gadget won't rank very highly.

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I hate to do it to you, but this is a DUMB blog, Why would the blind want this Phone as 90% of its function is visual. Try again.

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Does EVERYTHING have to work for EVERYONE??? Come on... I'm an overweight guy, so should I expect every piece of clothing that fits slimmer people to work for me? I highly doubt it.

Before you say, "You can lose weight, but the blind can't do anything about their situation!", keep in mind obesity has been labeled a "disease", as well... :)

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I dont mean to be an ass, but who cares?

There are plenty of cellular options out there for the visually impaired. This article is milking the iphone for TUAW coverage just like I'm sure at some point someone is going to try to milk apple for the lack of consideration for the blind.

Little Joe - Usability Expert, level 3.

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I agree that this is a somewhat extreme iPhone milking headline.

Apart from anything else, the functionality might not be there right now but
there is plenty of functionality in OS X under accessibility options
that you could imagine being utilised at some point down the road.
High contrast, enlarged text etc. What about voice recognition?
That'd turn this into the most accessible device for the impaired.

What amazes me is that within 24 hours of its launch, the device is
getting criticised when nobody has had it in their hands yet and
don't even know the full extent of the final functionality.

I expected better from TUAW.

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Oww.

I expected at least 48 hours before the truly idiotic objections began to surface. THE BLIND? How about those who have lost their hands in industrial accidents? How about the mute? How about the chronologically impaired (infants)? Seriously - the BLIND?

On further reflection you are right. In fact I believe this should be extended to all products. I intend to open a class-action lawsuit against General Motors since they make no "blind friendly" automobiles. And how about the manufacturers of knives - those things can be dangerous to the "sight impaired".

WORST. BLOG. COMPLAINT. EVAH.

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I can't imagine how people with significant visual impairment could use the iPhone. I also am very glad Apple didn't let that stop them from making the best phone interface they could for the rest of us.

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I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A THREAD POSTED ON WHO WILL BE WILLING TO BRAKE THE PHONE CONTRACT TO GET THE JESUS < I MEAN APPLE PHONE.

Alltell wants $200.00 to brake out of their contract, No problem.

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I don't see why the iPhone couldn't be used as a device for the blind or sight impaired. In fact, I see it as a boon.

Since nearly everything is in the software, the multitouch interface could easily be adapted for speech feedback. Those same sensors that can tell when your finger is hovering over a keyboard key -- and visually enlarges it as confirmation -- can report to the user what key they're about to press.

Likewise, there can be audio feedback for every element and function of the iPhone's operating system, applications and widgets, to include reading chat, email and web site content.

Not too much of a further stretch for there to be voice recognition as well, right?

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Dang! You're right! And people without fingers won't be able to use it either! Apple should just cancel the whole project.

I'm a photographer, should my studio be criticized or even shut down for not providing our best products and services to the blind? Sheesh. You guys have been brainwashed by too much politically correct liberal pap.

C'mon...this is ridiculous. Accessibility for the impaired refers to public services and safety issues. Beyond that if a company doesn't want to serve a particular sector, they can choose not to. It's called capitalism. If there's such a huge and desperate need for cutting edge phones for the blind, then someone can fill it and make a living doing so.

Maybe it will pay better than lame blog entries.

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What a travesty, since the iPod was so friendly to the visually impaired.

Oh wait, no it wasn't. It was an entirely visual interface with an ephemeral wheel to spin up and down and a single button to navigate the whole system.

Of course, if the iPhone is built on OSX, and Leopard will have Universal Access for the handicapped including "lifelike" voice narration, then perhaps a future revision of the phone will have it?

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ERICA SADUN - the iPhone features coverflow, touch-scrolling, touch-web browsing, etc... and Google Map. These are all VISUAL programs.

Touch-screen takes away the tactile buttons, which is something that Universal Access cannot compensate. The iPhone relies HEAVILY on Mac OS - its icons and Graphic User Interface.

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I just noticed the headline. That is truly bizarre. The blind SHAFTED?! What a way of looking at things. What's next? "Artist paints masterpiece: Blind shafted again!"?

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I was actually just thinking about a similar subject myself.

Ford, Dodge, Toyota heck none of the major automotive manufacturers have provisions in their vehicle for blind people either. Can you believe that? I can't fathom how they get that stuff out the door without testing the usability of said products with blind people first.

Lame!

If it's such a big deal, just wait and sign up with the class action lawsuit you know is coming.

While you're at it, file a suit for the hearing impaired who purchased ring tones.

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Blind people encountering a disadvantage in their lives? Whodathunkit?

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If Apple is going to "reinvent the phone" one would hope they make it usable for everyone, including the blind. I don't see why this is such a stupid thing to ask for. EVERY phone out there and EVERY keyboard on EVERY computer at least have those little knobbles. Some sort of audio feedback and voice recognition has to be included eventually if this is going to revolutionize anything at all.

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This Blog entry is just stupid. If everything had to work for everyone immediately, we'd never get any cool tools. More memory and software will come in version 2. Extended voice control interface will come in version "later" after 20 million non-visually impaired bring the price point down to $300.

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.:..::: .:.:::.. ...:: . ...::: ::..: .:...

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What a bunch of hateful fucking fan boys. Those of us who have the ability to step out of Steves reality distortion field can sit back and ask some tough questions. Cell phones are typically a universal access device, not always for the completely blind but usable by most with severe impairments. One of the great things about apple inc products in the past is that the simple industrial designs make it easier for people to overcome their handicaps.

In the interest of full disclosure, I'm not impressed with the phone. Other than a beautiful display (witch other will have similar by then) Its Just another cell phone.

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