Hello Everyone, 

The following is a short tutorial, in narrative form, on how the new Windows Mobile 6.1 threaded (conversation) text message view is used with Code Factory’s Mobile Speak Smartphone screen reader/magnifier/Braille software application, for the blind and low vision. 

As many of us know, change is never easy, especially where technology is concerned.  Be that as it may, technology, like time, waits for no one.  Keep this in mind when you begin using the new Windows Mobile 6.1 SMS interface.  While different from its WM 5.0 and 6.0 predecessor, given enough time, I am confident that you will, if not love, then like it a great deal, I hope.  (Big Smile)

NOTE 1:
The following is a simplified scenario of the new Windows Mobile 6.1 SMS and Mobile Speak experience. That is, there are many options and contingencies that have been omitted in order to keep this tutorial short and easy to follow.  Therefore, it is my intention that you use this tutorial as merely a general guide and not as a step-by-step user manual.

NOTE 2:
This tutorial assumes that you are familiar with the basic commands and keyboard layout modes used to control Mobile Speaks. 

NOTE 3:
Before attempting to use WM6.1, be sure to download the latest version of Mobile Speak from Code Factory’s website located at:
http://codefactory.es/ 

NOTE 4:
The English verbs “see”, “hear”, and “read” are used interchangeably in the following scenario.

SCENARIO
Both Mark and Cara have Windows Mobile 6.1 devices with the latest release of Code Factory’s Mobile Speak.  They each have an unlimited SMS plan (recommended) activated on their respective wireless accounts. 

1.
Mark sends a text message to Cara that reads:
“Hello there, how are you?” 

After entering the message, he taps the Left Soft key on his phone to send it.  Unlike WM6.0, there will be no confirmation that the message was successfully sent. 

Upon sending the text message to Cara, Mark will be returned to whatever screen he was on before sending his message.  At this point, if Mark opens his SMS Inbox, he will see the message he has just sent to Cara.

2.
Cara receives and reads Mark’s text message to her.  To reply, all she need do is tap any key on her device’s QWERTY keyboard in order to focus Mobile Speak on the insertion point at the bottom of the screen which is ready for the reply. 

This means that Cara does not need to use either of the phone’s soft keys or menu items in order to begin writing her response.  All she has to do is tap any key, to focus MSS, and then she can begin typing her message. 

Cara writes, “I’m fine. Where are you?”

Then she taps the Left Soft key in order to Send her reply.  Unlike WM6.0, there will be no confirmation that the message was successfully sent.

Upon sending her reply to Mark, the original message, containing the question she just answered, will still be in focus.  This mean that if Cara wishes to return to her SMS Inbox, she must tap her phone’s [BACK] key. 

3.
Mark receives an SMS alert letting him know that someone has just sent him a text message.  He opens the SMS inbox and, assuming that he has not deleted his previous message to Cara, he will now be notified that there is one new message in this thread. 

Mark taps the [ENTER] key on his device and MSS begins reading the entire history of any messages he and Cara have exchanged on this thread from oldest to most recent.  For example, with the above history, Mark would see:

Mark: “Hello There, how are you?”
Cara: “I’m fine. Where are you?” 

To reply, all he, Mark that is, need do is tap any key on his device’s QWERTY keyboard to focus Mobile Speak on the insertion point at the bottom of the screen which is ready for the reply.

This means that Mark does not need to use either of the phone’s Soft keys or menu items in order to begin writing his response.  All he has to do is tap any key, to focus MSS, and then he can begin typing his message. 

Mark writes, “I’m still at home but will be leaving soon.”  Then he taps the Left Soft key in order to Send his reply to Cara.  Unlike WM6.0, there will be no confirmation that the message was successfully sent.

And it goes on and on and on and … 

(Smile) 

Hope This Helps.

Enjoy,

Mark