Apple iPhone 3GS is Accessible to Disabled Users

iphone-malaysiaLast year I attended a website accessibility conference organized by the Malaysian Association of the Blind (MAB) and there I made friends with a blind user who’s a geek in person; Moses Choo. Bet you’d have never expected a disabled user to be a geek.

Well, Moses is a geek because he recently shared with me news of the Apple iPhone 3GS is being made usable for the blind. Recently, the NST did an article on how the Apple iPhone 3GS has a feature called; VoiceOver, enabled blind users to use the Apple iPhone 3GS. Now, that is really cool.

I’d show you guys the video demonstration NST recorded of Moses and his friends using the Apple iPhone 3GS but I don’t want to be blamed for hotlinking their video.

If the NST editor or web team reads this, please implement an embed function to your videos. Or even better, host them on YouTube so anyone can share it.

Nonetheless, here’s a screenshot of the video.

nst-iphone3gs-accessibility-video

And Moses has this message he wants to share with Apple and all Apple iPhone owners around the world:

While many of us have been spending money to purchase a software to install onto a mobile phone, Apple has come out with a phone that has a built in speech application. Though the phone is still rather expensive and beyond most malaysians, we need to join all our friends from the rest of the world to congratulate Apple for their initiative. What we can hope for is the cost to come down.

As much a geek he is, he too feels the economic pinch to afford an Apple iPhone. Well, maybe Apple could plan a scheme for the disabled to purchase Apple iPhone’s at special prices.

Who knows, it might happen. Also, I know Moses reads my blog from time to time. So I’d like to thank him for sharing with me this news. :)

Posted by dannyfoo on August 17, 2009 | Filed Under Apple iPhone, News | 1 Comment |

Maxis Releases Apple iPhone 3Gs Price in Malaysia

While Maxis hasn’t officially launched the all-new Apple iPhone 3GS in Malaysia yet, they’ve already placed step-by-step pre-order form for the Apple iPhone 3Gs. Plus, they’ve also updated the website with latest prices of the upcoming Apple iPhone 3GS in Malaysia.

maxis-iphone-3gs-price

You can click on the image for a larger version. And when you do, you’ll notice the real retail price (RRP) for the Apple iPhone 3GS which is going to be set by Maxis.

Maxis Apple iPhone 3GS prices:

  • Apple iPhone 3GS 16GB: RM2490
  • Apple iPhone 3GS 32GB: RM2990

As far as I know, the Apple iPhone 3GS availability is very quiet in Malaysia. Even my reseller hasn’t informed me of the arrival for his stock.

In the Low Yat forums, there are some who’ve started bulk orders but the price quoted is from RM3099. The one selling at the mentioned price is bringing in units from Hong Kong.

It’s not hard to realize that’s an exorbitant fee to pay. But like fashion, being seen with it is a statement.

However, I’m very glad to see Maxis finally make a decision to position the Apple iPhone 3Gs in Malaysia at an affordable expected price. Just that, I’d like to see how they handle the upgrades of current Apple iPhone 3G owners in Malaysia.

What do you guys think?

p.s.: I’m still here, just swamped with work right now. Therefore, I’m doing 140 character updates via Twitter right now. Follow @dannyfoo on Twitter.

Posted by dannyfoo on July 17, 2009 | Filed Under Apple iPhone | 10 Comments |