Phones Deals, Sales, and News

Odin Mobile is a new carrier that is only selling phones that would be accessible to people with vision impairments. The first three phones that Odin offered were either very simple, or modified Android phones. They are now offering a mainstream option with the Nexus 4. The phone costs $299, and comes with no contract. According to the Odin Mobile website, when you purchase a Nexus 4, the phone will come with Android 4.4 KitKat preinstalled, and a custom desktop with apps that will help visually impaired users access the features of the phone. Purchasing the Nexus 4 also comes with an instructional package which includes one on one training with a blind Android user and access to a help line for the first month.

It is encouraging to see that Odin Mobile is choosing to sell more feature rich phones and that they're hiring blind Android users to teach new customers how to use their new devices.

Independent Living Aids is offering some great deals on telephones during its Mother's Day Sale with some items shipping for free! Two items of note include:

Braille Speakerphone with Large Numbers, SALE PRICE: $26.40. The large numbers on the keypad of this phone are raised, and have accompanying symbols in Braille.

JV35 Amplified Phone with Jumbo Buttons & Braille, SALE PRICE: $111.95 with free shipping. An outstanding telephone that satisfies the needs of both the hearing and visually impaired. Buttons are High contrast with Braille and voice announcement of each number as it is dialed.

MacMall.com has the Nokia N82 unlocked cell phone, the model compatible with the forthcoming KNFB Reader Mobile software, for $489.99. With about $6 for shipping, it's $90 off our mention last week and the lowest price we could find. In addition to the 5 megapixel camera used for the OCR package, it includes a built-in GPS receiver, wi-fi connectivity, a MicroSD card slot, and several other accessories. This phone will work with both Mobile Speak and Talks, though neither is required to use the KNFB Reader Mobile product. Of note, you may need to send your phone to a KNFB dealer to have the software and lens polarizers installed.

TheNerds.net has the Panasonic KXTG6071m Expandable Cordless Phone system with talking caller ID for $63.21. Pay with the simple-to-use Google Checkout system and save an additional $5, making the price $58.21. Shipping adds about $10. In addition to the talking caller ID, this item includes a speakerphone feature and is expandable with the purchase of additional handsets. New to Google Checkout? It allows you to pay for items using a credit card using a very simple form. Your card information is never disclosed to the merchant to protect your privacy. Deal ends December 18.

CellHut.com has the unlocked Nokia 6120 Classic cell phone, compatible by Mobile Speak, for $267.98. Plus, shipping is free. This model has a standard phone keypad, 2 megapixel camera, FM radio, MicroSD memory card slot, and 3 hours of talk time. It's a Symbian 3rd edition phone.

Amazon.com has the Nokia N75 cell phone for $24.99 profit. With free shipping, that's the best deal we could find for this phone. You will need to either sign up for new service or extend your service contract with AT&T to get the phone. This phone works with Mobile Speak, Mobile Magnifier, and Talks and includes bluetooth, a 2 megapixel camera, and a MicroSD card slot. It also is compatible with the Wayfinder Access GPS software.

Buy.com offers an unlocked Nokia E65 quad-band phone for $340.99. With free shipping, it's $39 off our last mention and the cheapest we were able to find this particular third-generation Symbian phone. It features 802.11G wireless, bluetooth, Micro-sd card slot, seven hours of talk time and a 2-megapixel camera. new Google Checkout users can get an additional $10 off. This symbian phone is supported by both Code Factory's Mobile Speak and Nuance's Talks screen-reading software.

Phone Scoop reports on the release of SlingPlayer Mobile, a program that lets you watch your TV or DVR from your Symbian series 60 3rd edition phone. This includes newer models from Nokia such as the N95 that run with popular screen reading software. The software costs $29.95 and requires a Slingbox, about another $100, a device that lets you watch your TV from anywhere. We are unsure as to the accessibility of the new software. Any feedback is appreciated.

Buy.com offers the unlocked Nokia e61 cellular phone for $328.99. With free shipping, this was the lowest price we could find for this particular third-generation Symbian phone. This quad-band phone features 64MB of flash memory, 9 hours of talk-time using a GSM network, bluetooth, WiFi, Mini-SD slot and is supported by the Talks and Mobile Speak screen-reading software programs.

101phones.com has several deals on Panasonic phones with talking caller ID, starting at around $70. Several models are available, including some with answering machines and speaker phones. Most models are also expandable with additional handsets. Check the link on this post to view the phones. Note that phones with talking caller ID will say so in the description.

Buy.com has the Nokia N75 cell phone for $339.99. With free shipping, that's $60 off retail and the lowest price we could find for this unlocked phone. This phone works with Mobile Speak, Mobile Magnifier, and Talks and includes bluetooth, a 2 megapixel camera, and a MicroSD card slot. It also is compatible with the Wayfinder Access GPS software. Deal ends September 29.

LetsTalk.com offers the MOTO Q cell phone for free after Alltel activation with certain plans. The Q is a CDMA phone that runs on Windows Mobile 5.0 so it is compatible with Code Factory's Mobile Speak Smartphone. It includes Bluetooth connectivity, QWERTY keyboard, stereo speakers and MiniSD memory slot and 240 minutes of talk time. Plus, receive a bluetooth headset with this deal. You can also purchase the phone by itself or the phone with a contract extension from this page, albeit for a higher price.

Buy.com offers an unlocked Nokia E65 quad-band phone for $379.99. With free shipping, this is the cheapest we were able to find this particular third-generation Symbian phone. It features 802.11G wireless, bluetooth, Micro-sd card slot, seven hours of talk time and a 2-megapixel camera. new Google Checkout users can get an additional $10 off. This symbian phone is supported by both Code Factory's Mobile Speak and Nuance's Talks screen-reading software.

Amazon.com has the Netgear Wi-Fi Skype Phone for $89.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate. With free shipping, it's $9 off our last mention and the cheapest wi-fi Skype phone we've seen. This phone works wirelessly independent of any computer and lets you make calls using Skype using most wireless networks. Note: We haven't tested the accessibility of the phone, so sighted assistance may be needed for initial setup. Rebate ends September 30.

Buy.com has the Netgear Wi-Fi Skype Phone for $98.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate. With free shipping, it's the cheapest wi-fi Skype phone we've seen. This phone works wirelessly independent of any computer and lets you make calls using Skype using most wireless networks. Note: We haven't tested the accessibility of the phone, so sighted assistance may be needed for initial setup. Rebate ends September 30.

CircuitCity.com has the GE 5.8GHz Cordless Phone System for $12.99. Add about $4 for shipping, or order it online for in-store pickup. If you currently have a 2.4GHz phone, this phone would be a great upgrade, especially if you have a wireless network, as this phone would not interfere with it. Deal ends June 9.

LetsTalk.com offers the popular Motorola Q cell phone for free after Sprint activation with certain plans. The Q is a CDMA phone that runs on Windows Mobile 5.0 so it is compatible with Mobile Speak Smartphone. It includes Bluetooth connectivity, QWERTY keyboard, stereo speakers and MiniSD memory slot and 240 minutes of talk time. Note: One of the rebates is only valid if signing up for a Sprint data plan with your service. But even if you just sign up for a voice plan, the phone will only cost $100. Coupled with the purchase of an accessible software package, this is a very inexpensive way to get a functional talking smartphone.

Code Factory welcomes everyone to join another competition! Participate for a chance to win a Windows Mobile-powered Smartphone, licenses for any Windows
Mobile screen reader from Code Factory, and more. Teams of three colaberate to create an original ringtone, and the top entries will be chosen for an online vote. The winning team leader will get a new Smartphone with Mobile Speak Smartphone installed while the others in the group will get a Mobile Speak Smartphone or Pocket license. You can be the leader of only one team, but be a member on others. Many more details are on the link from this post. Registration and submissions are due by June 17.

We've mentioned the Belkin Wi-fi Phone for Skype before, but it's worth noting that it now claims support for Boingo hot spots. These are paid hot spots found in many airports, hotels, and other businesses, and having access to these hot spots removes one of the major limitations of this phone,. It has preinstalled Skype software and works wherever you can find a wireless connection, including on most secure networks. As with other wireless Skype phones, we are unsure as to the accessibility of all features, but we suspect that you can make basic calls without assistance.

Buy.com has lowered its price on the Belkin Wi-fi Phone for use with Skype to $139.99. A $10 mail-in rebate drops it to $129.99. With free shipping, it's $20 off our last mention, and the lowest price we've seen for this phone. It has preinstalled Skype software and works wherever you can find a wireless connection, including on most secure networks. As with other wireless Skype phones, we are unsure as to the accessibility of all features, but we suspect that you can make basic calls without assistance. Rebate ends March 31.