For how many of the applications available for touchscreen phones and tablets is the touchscreen really necessary? For some of them(fast-paced games, visual-art

For how many of the applications available for touchscreen phones and tablets is the touchscreen really necessary? For some of them(fast-paced games, visual-arts-related things, etc.), the touchscreen is key, but those are largely inherently inaccessible to the blind. Not as much to arthritics and others with decreased manual dexterity, but they'd probably be better off with a mouse. For most iPhone/Pad apps, the touchscreen, at best, makes the UI more convenient. It is not at all integral to the functionality. One of the frequent criticisms of Android is the risk of fragmentation of the platform between devices with very different capabilities, but this is one situation where that could actually be a good thing. There's no hope that a blind person will ever be able to use an iPhone or an iPad, but there is at least a chance that HTC or some other company will release an Android device targeting people who have difficulties with touchscreens. It probably would be a much worse experience than a normal Android device for people who can use touchscreens, but the decision for those that can't wouldn't be between a normal smartphone and one without a touchscreen, but between a phone without a touchscreen and no smartphone at all.