[22c-user] Ring tones, case and cable

[A list for users of the Owasys 22C screenless phone.]

Let me add one other point about downloads, ring tone, or whatever
downloads ...

What's at stake is our ability to sell you the 22C at a reduced price.
T-Mobile is subsidizing most purchases to the tune of $300. That usually
makes the difference in whether people can afford a 22C or not.

If we supported downloadable ring tones, but didn't certify OMA Forward
Lock, they (and others who might come along later) would almost
certainly not provide this kind of subsidy. Let me put it this, this
specific question has come up in our discussions with the phone
companies. Given the cost of adding OMA Forward Lock and certifying it,
I'm very happy right now to be able to just say "Not Applicable."

We believe the $300 subsidy is far more important than downloadable ring
tones.

I guess this is one difference between the Owasys 22C and other
solutions such as those that add speaking software to mainstream
phones. The mainstream phones sell in the millions of units per year.
So, the cost of OMA Forward Lock per phone is pretty low. I can promise
you we'll have no problem with adding OMA Forward Lock should we ever
sell a million phones--but we never will. In fact I doubt we will ever
sell ten thousand in one year. In fact, we're not even close to that
level of sales, though it would be nice because we'd be able to sell the
phone for less and still add features.

This is an old and familiar problem in technology for persons with
disabilities. If you can use the things that most people use, you get a
better price but probably don't get the accessibility support you'd
really like. I don't know any way around that except when governments
get involved, and our Uncle Sam isn't about to.

Janina

-- 

Janina Sajka,	Phone:	+1.202.595.7777;	sip:janina at a11y.org
Partner, Capital Accessibility LLC	http://CapitalAccessibility.Com

Marketing the Owasys 22C talking screenless cell phone in the U.S. and Canada
Learn more at http://ScreenlessPhone.Com

Chair, Open Accessibility	janina at a11y.org	
Linux Foundation		http://a11y.org