Strategy: Smartphone to help with memory skills
8 Keywords: Smartphone, Activesync, Memory, Accessibility, Colour, Large Fonts, Mobile Phone, Windows Mobile Software
"I was due for an upgrade on my phone. So after doing some research I went to Orange. They offered me a Smart phone which allows me to use Word, PowerPoint and Excel on my phone. The phone also has Wi-Fi connection so I am able to connect to the internet for free!
I often check my emails, I can compose emails when ever I fancy and can upload my emails when I find a Wi-Fi connection. I also upload documents on to it when I sync with the computer. I can then work on these at my leisure. I also use MSN Messenger to chat to and discuss work with my friends."
It is possible to download Microsoft ActiveSync and have documents, photos and e-mails on both the computer and phone.
Sarah recorded her thoughts about using her smartphone on the device itself, so the quality is not very good. She sent the file by Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) mentioning the topics discussed above. The audio file (.amr) was transferred to a PC played in Realplayer - converted to MP3 using Switch Audio File Conversion Software (there is a free Windows version).
"On my Smartphone I have an organiser in which there is a Calendar, Quick notes, tasks and voice notes. The calendar automatically tells me what's happening that day and the next day, the quick notes function allows me to write down any simple notes in text, the tasks will tell me when my tasks begin and finish so when the deadline is due for example I use it for putting essays in. My voice notes - you simply press a button and it will record what you say and then use that later. This comes in helpful if I want to record things which I want to put into my Word document for ethics, for example. However, I can also access my Word, PowerPoint and Excel documents saved on my phone and change these as and when I want to. So for example if I've gone out and I'm sat somewhere and I suddenly think 'Ooh that would sound good in my essay.' I can open up the document, put it in and save it with a new bit added!"
Quote
"I felt that having access to a ‘computer’ (smart phone) available for me to use all the time would enable me to keep a note of what I need to say or do when it comes in to my mind as I have short term memory problems..."
- Sarah DTip
If your Smartphone uses Windows Mobile, to make text larger go to the Settings - Home Screen to change features. Contacts and messages will be more readable. Background colours can be changed by adding a blank coloured background image saved in the pictures folder.
