3G Shutdown Alert
All 4G services have been restored for Optus users after the 3G shutdown on 31st October 2024. Optus, Telstra, Vodafone and all sub-carriers are now operating with 4G on the Blindshell phone as long as long as the software has been updated.
BlindShell Mobile phone - as seen on the Today Show
The new generation BlindShell Classic 2 provides a unique design for people who are blind or who have low vision; a tactile keypad, voice dictation and loud speaker, plus many fully accessible apps - delivering the power of a smartphone without the hassle of a touchscreen.
The BlindShell Classic 2 has dozens of useful functions “built-in”, yet it is still simple to use “out of the box”. There are many optional apps including voice recorder, weather updates, radio, podcast and book player, calendar, reminders and many more. No need to learn “VoiceOver” or complex swipe gestures, the Blindshell Classic 2 is entirely menu-based using a minimal amount of tactile buttons.
While not a fully-featured iPhone-style voice-activated Personal Assistant (for example, you can’t speak a “Hey Google” voice command) Blindshell Classic 2 does remove a lot of the complexity of smartphone use, which is often a barrier for many vision impaired people.
Visit us in our Sight Support Centres for a demo – try before you buy! Or call us on 1300 883 853 for advice about whether this product is right for you.
Key Features
- Very loud speaker
- Tactile keypad
- Long life 3000 mAh battery
- 13 Mpx Camera
- Charging cradle
- USB-C cable
- Voice Dictation capability for all text fields, eg for text messaging (but it is not a Personal Assistant like Siri for the iPhone)
- BlindShell app catalogue
- Assistive tools
- NFC object tagging
- Single button access to the favourite apps
- BlindShell Screen reader
- Lifetime free software updates for Classic 2 model
- SOS button
- GPS location
- Games
- Book Reader
- Email
- FM and Internet radio
Notes:
This 4G phone is unlocked and not linked to any particular carrier / service provider. You have the freedom to arrange your own mobile phone plan with your chosen telco.
If you want to transfer your existing phone SIM card to the BlindShell Classic 2, you should be aware that the device does not have the small NANO SIM slot. You will need to ask your local mobile phone store or current provider for a MICRO SIM holder, which they will normally provide at no cost.
Technical specification
Connectivity
- GSM (2G): 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
- WCDMA (3G): B1/B2/B4/B5/B8
- FDD-LTE (4G): B1/B2/B3/B4/B5/B7/B8/B12/B13/B17/B20/B25/B26/B28/B66/B71
- TDD-LTE (4G): B38/B40/B41
- VoLTE
- Bluetooth: 4.2
- WiFi: 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac)
- GNSS: GPS, Galileo, BeiDou
- FM radio receiver
- NFC
Hardware
- Dimensions: 135.2 x 54.6 x 16.7 mm
- Weight: 100 g (phone), 49 g (battery)
- Display: 2.83" (480 x 640)
- Memory (RAM): 2 GB
- Internal storage: 16 GB
- External storage: micro SD memory card up to 128 GB (FAT32)
- Camera: 13 MP
- SIM Card: Dual micro-SIM
- Battery: 3000 mAh
- Loudspeaker: 1.5 W
- Microphone: Dual microphone, noise reduction
- 3.5 stereo audio jack
- USB Type-C
- Buttons: SOS, Volume, Side action button
- Indication LED
- Camera LED flashlight
- LED flashlight
Sensors
- Magnetometer
- Barometer
- Accelerometer
- Gyroscope
- Proximity sensor
Certifications
- CE, FCC, IC, ICASA, ACMA, RoHS, HAC, UN38.3, MSDS, IEC 62133
- HAC: M3/T3
Download the manual here.
Find other BlindShell products below:
Warranty 12 months on battery, 24 months for Blindshell phone
Update Instructions - 4G
Blindshell Classic 2 phones running software versions greater than 5.1.8.5 are fully compatible with 4G and will not be affected by the Telstra and Optus 3G shutdown scheduled for 31st August 2024. Even if you bought a Blindshell recently, we recommend you "check for updates" with the instructions below. Please note that even though you install the latest update, you may still receive messages from Telstra or other carriers warning customers about the imminent shutdown of 3G - you can ignore these messages if you have updated your phone.
Instructions to update the software, to ensure 4G is operational after 3G shutdown
1. At the Home Screen, press the Down Bar until you hear "Settings", then press the Confirm Button (the round button you use to answer a call)
2. Press the Down Bar until you hear "Networks", then press Confirm Button
3. Press the Down Bar until you hear "Mobile Network", then press Confirm Button
4. You will hear "Mobile Data", press the Confirm Button
5. You will hear "Mobile Data Switch", press the Confirm Button
6. If you hear "turn off mobile data selected", then you need to press Down Bar and you will hear "Turn On mobile data, not selected" - press Confirm Button. However, if you heard "turn off mobile data, not selected" then the mobile data was already on, and you can ignore this step.
7. In any case, you should now Long Press the Back button (the Hang Up button, a forward slash symbol) to go back to the Home Screen.
8. At the Home Screen, press the Down Bar until you hear "Settings", then press the Confirm Button
9. Press Down Bar until you hear "System Update", press Confirm Button
10. You will hear "Check for Updates", press Confirm Button
11. You will hear "new Version 5.2... is available to download, 1 of 3". Press the Down Bar until you hear "Download Now" and press Confirm Button
12. You will hear "Downloading ... " followed by frequent messages about percentage complete, until you hear "Download completed, do you want to install the update?..." At this point, press the Confirm Button.
13. The phone will perform a Reset and a Restart, after which it will be updated to the latest software version. If you hear a more robotic message during this process "Updating Blindshell", this is normal, and after the phone restarts it will have its normal voice.
