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A guide to buying a textphone, 2001 (view report contents)

Mobiles

Mobile Communicators


A Nokia 9210 Communicator.

These are combined mobile phones and palm top computers. Nokia have produced a range which can be used as textphones with some adjustments and some extra software. The first, the 9000i, is no longer being made. Its successor, the 9110 can currently only be used on the BT Cellnet and Vodafone networks. The 9210 will replace it in the near future. Software to enable it to be used as a textphone is in the pipeline. Contact the RNID for up to date details of both of these phones and for information on how to get them.

The next generation of these devices will do even more. They will work as mobile phones, give access to the internet, allow you to send and receive messages and carry out some computing tasks. They are likely to have easy-to-use features such as colour touch screens. They may be constantly connected to the phone network, which would make text conversations possible. Manufacturers are working on plug in keyboards and other devices which should make them easier to use.

SMS

This stands for Short Messaging Service and comes with new digital mobile phones. With it you can send text messages to other mobile phones - not to textphones. Up to 160 characters (about 30 words) can be sent at one time. Keying can be cumbersome because of the size and number of the keys and the nearest you can get to a conversation is to exchange a series of messages in separate phone calls, which can seem slow.

Apart from the Orange network you can now use SMS for e-mail. Alternatively, if you have a WAP phone (lets you get information from the internet) you can use WAP to do this. The advantage is that (apart from Vodafone) you are not limited to 160 characters.

Some newer communicators can send messages in real time to other communicators. You stay connected while exchanging messages, rather than having to make a series of separate calls.

Coming soon

As we went to press a launch of the Ameriphone Q90 is planned. Its main advantage is that it can be plugged into an analogue mobile phone which means you can use it anywhere there is a signal. Details from Safe and Sound.

 

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Report contents

What are textphones?
How to use
Some main features explained
The display
Printing
Accessories
Deafblind people
Buying Guide
Mobiles
Alternatives
Typetalk
How to get a textphone
Professional advice
Helpful organisations
Suppliers
Acknowledgements