The Blind Life Podcast – Ep 40

"BlindShell Classic 3 – The Best Accessible Phone Just Got Better"

Host: Sam Seavey
Date: February 19, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Sam Seavey, host of The Blind Life Podcast, shares an in-depth audio review of the BlindShell Classic 3, the latest accessible cell phone designed for the blind and visually impaired. The Classic 3 comes with subtle but significant hardware upgrades and several new software features—most notably the Tandem app and the Luna AI assistant. Sam breaks down the features, improvements, and unique elements that make this a compelling option for the visually impaired community.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Introduction to BlindShell Classic 3

• The BlindShell Classic is a specialized phone, purpose-built for blind and visually impaired users.
• The Classic 3 introduces:
  • Improved hardware
  • Enhanced software
  • A dedicated new app (Tandem)
  • AI assistant (Luna)
  • New color options: Golden Sand and Ocean Blue
    (00:35–01:59)

2. Physical Design & Accessibility

• Classic, early-2000s design with a physical keypad for tactile navigation.
• Tactile and high-contrast buttons, intentional color-contrasts for accessibility.

  "They've gone with that early 2000s look for their phone. And this is on purpose. This is to make it more accessible for the blind by bringing back that physical keypad." —Sam (01:27)

• Large, high-contrast display (still mostly non-touch, but with very limited touch capability for third-party apps).
• Physical buttons on sides:
  • Left: Volume control
  • Right: Quick launch and AI assistant activation
• Top: 3.5mm headphone jack and dedicated flashlight (in addition to camera flash)
• Back: Camera for photos and video, programmable SOS button, removable battery, dual SIM slots, expandable storage (02:00–04:45)

3. Hardware Upgrades

• Increased RAM (3GB) for better performance
• Storage bumped up to 32GB
• Softer, smoother material for improved tactile feel
• Faster boot-up and new startup sound
  (04:46–05:27)

4. User Interface & Experience

• Interface is similar to Classic 2, just more refined and optimized
• Bright, loud speaker; works well on T-Mobile and AT&T networks
• Full screen reader throughout device; customizable voices (variety of male and female, multiple languages)

  "If you don't need that, maybe you just need the large print high contrast display. Well, you can turn the voice off, but I think for most of us the voice is a very welcome feature." —Sam (06:21)

• Visual and auditory indicators for menu navigation
  (05:30–07:14)

5. Customization and Accessibility Enhancements

• 12 new high-contrast color themes for the display, borrowing from popular video magnifier schemes

  "Previously we had just a few color schemes... now we have 12 different color schemes available." —Sam (07:25)

• Updated and toned-down sound effects and haptics, responding to user feedback

  "Blind Shell has gone in and toned some of that down. That's one great thing I've always admired about the company is they are constantly trying to improve their product by listening to feedback from the community." —Sam (08:16)

• Numerous shortcut keys and menu jumps (e.g., pressing number pad keys to navigate menus quickly)
  (07:17–09:25)

6. New Features

• Quick Menus and Shortcuts:

  • Upper left button: status menu
  • Press and hold: voice output and brightness
  • Hold # button: sound profiles
    (09:25–10:29)

• Conference Calling:

  • Frequently requested by users; now available
    (10:37)

• SMS Templates:

  • Create and use text message templates for frequent replies

• Display Off, Phone On:

  • Turn off the screen while continuing to use the phone for privacy and battery saving
    (10:37–11:30)

• Third-Party Apps Support & New Touchscreen

  • App catalog is now split: “BlindShell Apps” (curated/guaranteed) vs "Third Party Apps" (not guaranteed to work/accessibility varies)
  • Touchscreen is only enabled for certain third-party apps; most of the phone remains controlled entirely via physical buttons
  • Touchscreen supports basic TalkBack gestures when needed

  "99.9% of the time when you're using the Blind Shell phone, you're not going to be using a touchscreen ... it's only going to be used for some of those third-party applications." —Sam (12:17) (11:30–13:27)

7. Major New Software: Tandem App

• Pre-installed on BlindShell Classic 3; available on iOS & Android for others to connect
• Features:
  • Text chat
  • WiFi and video calls
  • Encrypted, secure messaging
  • Remote assistance: a trusted person can remotely control the BlindShell device to provide support

  "The other super cool feature of the Tandem app is the ability for someone to remotely control your BlindShell phone. This is going to be great for... training... [and] family members and loved ones..." —Sam (15:09) (13:32–15:09)

8. Major New Software: Luna AI Assistant

• Upgraded voice assistant, now AI-powered for greater versatility
• Activation: Long press right-side button
• Can:
  • Answer device-status questions ("Is my phone connected to Bluetooth?"),
  • Report network connection,
  • Perform typical assistant functions (calls, messaging, managing contacts)
  • Answer general knowledge queries (e.g., "How old was Abraham Lincoln when he died?")

  “Now we have Luna and Luna is a much more powerful AI-based voice assistant.” —Sam (15:44)

• Sample responses:

  "Luna, Abraham Lincoln was 56 years old when he died on April 15, 1865.” —Luna (18:00) (15:10–18:07)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the purpose of physical design:

  "They've gone with that early 2000s look for their phone. And this is on purpose. This is to make it more accessible for the blind by bringing back that physical keypad." —Sam (01:27)

• On BlindShell’s commitment to feedback:

  “Blind Shell has gone in and toned some of that down. That's one great thing I've always admired about the company is they are constantly trying to improve their product by listening to feedback from the community.” —Sam (08:16)

• On remote support through Tandem:

  "The other super cool feature of the Tandem app is the ability for someone to remotely control your Blind Shell phone." —Sam (15:09)

• AI Assistant, Luna, in action:

  “Luna, Abraham Lincoln was 56 years old when he died on April 15, 1865.” —Luna (18:00)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:35 – Introduction to BlindShell Classic 3
• 02:00 – Physical design & tactile features
• 04:46 – Hardware upgrades
• 05:30 – User interface overview
• 07:25 – New color themes
• 08:16 – Customization, feedback, and haptics
• 09:25 – Shortcuts and menu navigation
• 10:37 – New features: conference calling, SMS templates, display off mode
• 11:30 – Third-party app support & new touchscreen
• 13:32 – Tandem app overview
• 15:10 – Tandem app’s remote control function
• 15:44 – Luna AI assistant demonstrations
• 18:07 – Wrap up and conclusion

Conclusion

The BlindShell Classic 3 represents a thoughtful evolution in accessible mobile technology, combining community-driven improvements with new features aimed at both usability and connectivity. The addition of Luna, a more robust AI assistant, new hardware upgrades, more customization, and the innovative Tandem app for communication and remote support, make it a notably stronger offering than its predecessor.

For more assistive technology insights and resources, visit theblindlife.net.