Via BlueProton, Amazon.com has the Sandisk 8GB Cruiser Micro USB 2.0 flash drive for $30.99. With $4.25 for shipping, we weren't able to find this drive for less elsewhere. This drive has u3 technology, which allows programs such as Serotek's System Access to run directly off the drive.

Over in our Auction Gateway, there are currently several embossers listed in our braille embossers category. Most have starting bids of only a couple hundred dollars or less. Models range from Versapoints to Blazers and Romeos.

IndependentLiving.com has posted their list of web-only specials for August. Among them, save $10 on the Prodigy Blood Glucose Reader, or find an aluminum check writing guide for $5.99. A Farberware Crock Pot and large print address book are also included. Deals end August 31.

All-in-play has announced that TAG, short for The Anagram Game, has gone gold and is now available as part of the website's online game offerings. TAG is a fast-paced word frenzy that has proven quite popular in recent weeks. Follow the link on this post to try it, or their other games including poker and Crazy Eights, for free for 15 days. Even former members are able to play for free until August 16. After taht, monthly, quarterly, and annual subscriptions are available. All of All-in-play's games are fully accessible to both the blind and sighted.

Amazon.com has the Leatherman Micra Multitool for $15.50. Shipping is about $5, or order $25 or more for free shipping. This tiny utilitarian device can attach to a keychain and includes scissors, nail file, several screwdrivers, a bottle opener, and a small knife. A 25-year warranty is also included.

AT&T Wireless has the Samsung Blackjack II for $99.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate. A new two-year plan is required. THis phone runs Windows Mobile 6 and is compatible with Mobile Speak Smartphone.

Onsale.com has an HP Smart Buy laptop for $399.99 with free shipping. Plus, get a printer and some accessories for free after a mail-in rebate. The system features an Intel Celeron M 440M 1.86GHz processor, 512MB memory, 80GB hard drive, DVD/CD-RW drive, 15.4" WXGA BrightView monitor, 802.11b/g wireless, modem, network port, and Windows Vista Home Basic.

Google Maps is working it make it easier for those of us who don't traditionally travel by car. Go to the link on this post, and select the get directions link. You'll notice a new option after the start and end address fields, that being a choice of directions by car or walking. As with vehicular directions, Google's directions range from quite useful to rediculous. But it's certainly worth a try.

Amazon.com has the Nokia N82 cell phone, compatible with the KNFB Reader Mobile software, for $389.99. With free shipping, that's $10 off our last mention and the lowest price we've seen for this phone since May. In addition to the 5 megapixel camera used for the OCR package, it includes a built-in GPS receiver, wi-fi connectivity, a 2GB MicroSD card, and several other accessories. This phone will work with both Mobile Speak and Talks, though neither is required to use the KNFB Reader Mobile product. It's also compatible with Wayfinder Access, the accessible GPS package. Update: The price has again fallen to $379.99.

Buy.com has the Fantom Titanium-II 500GB USB 2.0 External Hard Drive for $79.99 after a $20 mail-in rebate. With free shipping, it's $13 off our April mention, and the lowest price we've seen for this drive. Deal ends July 28.

For a reader, ZipZoomFly.com has the Hitachi Travelstar 120GB laptop hard drive for $52.99. Add about $7 for shipping. This IDE drive runs at 5400 RPM and is compatible with many older and newer laptops.

The new issue of Accessworld has been posted to the AFB website. The July 2008 edition has a heavy emphasis on access to mainstream technology, including looks at MP3 players and in-flight entertainment systems. You'll also find the latest news and technology insights. AccessWorld is published bimonthly and is available free on the web.

the PQI 4GB secure digital high-capacity memory card fell to $14.50 with free shipping from MeritLine.com. It's one of the cheapest cards of this capacity we've seen. It works with the Victor Reader Stream and many other devices.

Dell Home has the Inspiron 1525 laptop starting at $499. It comes with an INtel Celeron 2.0ghz processor, 160GB hard drive, 2GB of memory, and a DVD-ROM drive. We recommend upgrading the processor to at least a Core 2 Duo for an additional $100. You can also upgrade the hard drive to 250GB for $50, and bump to a DVD burner for $30. It comes in various colors, or if you don't care about color, downgrade to jet black and save $25. Many other options are available. Deal ends July 22. Sales tax and shipping is added where applicable.

Last year, we gave a couple of mentions to the fiendish Japanese pocket puzzles over at ThinkGeek.com for $9.99. We mention these accessible puzzles again now firstly because they are simply cool to play with but secondly because there's quite a few in stock now, and we can almost guarantee that if you wait for Christmas to buy them, they'll be sold out of most of them. Now, there's a half dozen styles in stock including the always-addicting radix, heart, enigma, star, and laby. For the uninitiated, Most of them are two pieces of metal attached to each other, for instance, the star is wedged inside another piece of metal. Simply separate the two pieces to win. Simple, right?

As a reminder, Serotek is offering a huge prize package to one lucky person who fills out a short survey on accessibility products. The winner of the Summer Sizzle contest will receive, among other items, a complete System Access screen reading package, an Asus EEE ultraportable PC, a copy of Mobile Speak (any version), and a Victor Reader Stream. If you're looking for a bunch of the latest in technology but can't afford it, you might as well fill this one out. Your chances of winning a contest from an assistive technology company are certainly much higher than winning just about anything else, simply due to the lower number of entries. Contest ends September 1.

By day, Chris Grabowski is wrapped up in the world of GPS as he works for the Sendero Group. By night, he authors the Mystic Place blog and podcast. We've added this one to our must-check list, not only for the timely technology news, but also for the interesting additional content included on the site. For instance, a recent entry lets you learn about exploring Boston by foot using some completely accessible walking tours. Follow the link to read the blog.

The A-Data 4GB MicroHDSC card, which comes with an SD adapter, fell to only $19.99 at MeritLine.com with free shipping. Considering many of the compatible devices have MP3 players, podcast downloaders, and high-resolution cameras, you're gonna need the space. Trust me.

Here's a fun time waster for the kids or kids at heart. IndependentLiving.com has an accessible version of Hot Potato for $12.50 plus about $6 for shipping. Pass the potato around the circle, but don't be caught when the music stops. Deal ends July 31.

Buy.com has the Metrologic 3780 Fusion USB bar code scanner for $217.99. Plus, shipping is free. This scanner can be used with a computer and a bar code database to identify product bar codes on cans, bottles, CDs, medicine, and many other items. You can use it with our free BCScan site, for instance or to sell items on Amazon marketplace.

Humanware has once again released version 2.0, this time version 2.0.6, of the Victor Reader Stream software. It's available from their website in three English editions, depending on the voice you desire. The software was originally rushed out for the beginning of the summer convention season, but later pulled when bugs with the reading of Bookshare titles were discovered. The Stream Companion software version 2.0 has been available for some time now.

ACB Radio's technology show Main Menu will be looking for new hosts after their current duo of Jeff Bishop and Darrell Shandrow step down after this week's show. The show is looking for new hosts, and those interested can apply for the position, which usually brings with it quite a bit of prestige, if the career paths of pasts hosts is any indication.

MeritLine.com has the A-Data 8GB Speedy Compact Flash card for $29.99. plus, shipping is free. That's about $3 less than our mention last month. It works in many devices such as the BrailleNote MPower and would hold the entire United States set of Sendero GPS maps, for example.

Buy.com has the Fantom Titanium 1TB external hard drive for $129.99 after a $20 mail-in rebate. That's just under 13 cents per gigabyte. This recertified drive comes with a one-year warranty. Deal ends July 21.

Earlier, we learned a bit about the history and function of the Si Recognizer. Now, we sit down with CEO Marco Gregnanin for a hands-on demonstration, reading everything from printed text to round cans. Listen to find out how the software performs, and more.

We've heard a lot about the SI Recognizer (pronounced See Recognizer) but have not been able to get a good hands-on idea of how the product actually works. In the first of an expanded two-part audio interview, we speak with CEO Marco Gregnanin about the product and explore its functions. Stay tuned for part two where we try out the text recognition software on a variety of objects.

ABISee, Inc. has improved on its text recognition software to make it more friendly for totally blind users. Sales Representative Peter Golfman tells us all about the latest happenings from the company in this audio interview.

All-in-Play is seeking input on their next game, another word game title. To give your ideas and possibly win free chips or three months of membership, follow the link on this post. The survey is a short three questions long.

National Braille Press has been producing some of the most useful braille reference and leisure reading titles for decades. In this audio interview, we talk to Customer Service Representative Antonio Guimaraes about the latest releases including new reference books for Office 2007 and a guide to labeling just about anything.

There has been much movement recently on the development of the Dolphin product line. Gareth Collins, Technical Support Manager, tells us about the latest features for both PC and mobile users in this audio interview.

The folks over at Plextor are about to introduce a new entry into the portable DAISY recording arena. Though it doesn't even have a name yet, listen in as we talk to Hiroaki Mizukami, International Sales Manager, about a full-featured DAISY recorder that can fit in your pocket.

Blind people in other countries often use different techniques for accomplishing the same tasks. Sam Kim, Sales Manager for AD Information and Communications Company talks about an alternative technique used for reading printed material involving the use of bar codes in this audio interview.

As soon as we entered the exhibit hall, our ears were immediately drawn to this audio exhibit from NASA. Listen as we walk on a virtual sun and make music while Marty Quinn,, founder of Design Rhythmics Sonification Research Lab, tells us all about it.

Code Factory has released a free update to its Mobile Speak screen reader for Symbian phones. Version 3.60 adds support for the web browser on newer phones as well as support for several new handsets. The update is free for current users.

The latest version of the Icon has added support for Audible books while braille display support is planned. Marc Mulcahy from LevelStar tells us all about it and more in this audio interview.

MobileBee.com has the unlocked HTC S710 cell phone for $445.99 with free shipping. Or save an additional $140 with a new contract from T-Mobile. This GSM phone includes both a numeric keypad and slide-out QWERTY keyboard. It includes 802.11G wireless, a MicroSD memory card slot, and up to 7 hours of talk time. It runs Windows Mobile 6.0 and is compatible with Mobile Speak Smartphone and Smart HAL as well as the upcoming Mobile Geo software.

Those with diabetes are gaining more and more choices when it comes to medical supplies. Elissa Preston, Manager for Homecare Supply of America explains one such option, the Prodigy Blood Glucose Meter in this audio interview.

After months of anticipation, GW Micro has released a public beta of Window-Eyes 7.0. In this audio interview, we talk with several representatives from the company about new features as well as their hardware products.

Buried amongst the high-tech demonstrations in the exhibit hall was a new company dedicated to something completely low-tech. In this audio interview, we speak with Brian Davis, Chairman and CEO of Unipeg North America, who tells us about Wizzpeg, a new product which can ensure those socks stay together.

Our sister site, ATGuys.com, is selling preorders of the new Mobile Geo GPS software for $795. That's $100 off the retail price, which will go into effect September 1. This software works with any device running Mobile Speak Smartphone or Mobile Speak Pocket and offers accessible GPS based on the Sendero software platform.

The big news from Vision Q, the United States distributors for Optelec products, comes in the release of their long-anticipated feature pack for the Alva BC640 braille display. In this audio interview, we talked with Larry Lake, Director of Vision Cue about the latest developments with the company.

Serotek is offering every K-12 student a free license to System Access Mobile, the screen reader which is fully operational from a thumb drive. The license, a $499 value, is available to any student meeting a few simple and standard requirements. A U3 thumb drive is required, but not included in the deal, though they are available for a low cost. An email list for product updates is also available, and complete details are available from the link on this post.

While there are several products for listening to audio podcasts and radio stations wirelessly, few are completely accessible. In this audio interview, we speak with Werner Han, owner and founder of Solutions Radio, about a wireless audio solution that is completely accessible and also includes features taylored for blind users.

While version 2.0 of the Victor Reader Stream firmware has still not been rereleased, the Stream Companion software version 2.0 is available. It offers an easier way to copy files to any of the stream's folders as well as new support for copying files from ZIP archives.

We were unbelievably busy at convention in Dallas and barely had time to post our audio coverage. But don't fear because over a dozen interviews are being posted over the next day. Check back often for lots of exclusive audio content.

With our busy schedule at the convention, we've failed to mention the release and subsequent pulling of version 2.0 of the Victor Reader Stream software. We don't have further information on when it will be available, but when it does, support for Windows media, BRF, and rich text formats among others will be included.

We always look forward to hearing from technology pioneer Ray Kurzweil, and for good reason. In his speech, new and upcoming features of the KNFB Reader Mobile were discussed and demonstrated. There is a new voice and TTS engine used for reading, while the Eloquence voice is still used for the menus and prompts. It also reads in seven languages and can translate between them on the fly. This feature can potentially extend the reach of the reader beyond the blind, especially for anyone traveling in a foreign country. Imagine taking a picture of a menu or brochure written in French and hearing it translated in English within a few seconds. Other hints were dropped including indoor navigation and object recognition,. As for the latter, he is helping to develop technology for untrained recognition, so objects could be described without prior training. Also, in his demonstration, the pause between pressing the down arrow key to take a picture and the actual taking of the picture appeared to be much shorter, which would cut another 2-3 seconds off the reading time. No release dates were given, but we expect the language options to be available soon.

We always follow the great convention coverage from our friends over at the Ranger Station blog, so just a quick reminder to check them out for more observations from Dallas. The exhibit hall is now open, so watch for much more from us soon.

New safeguards to prevent against data loss are among the features slated for version 6.1 of the PAC Mate Omni. In an exclusive audio interview, Jonathan Mosen, Vice President of Blindness Hardware Product Management for Freedom Scientific talks about this and many other features of this free update, which should be released very soon. Also, a few hints are dropped concerning JAWS 10 and we discuss the company's convention presence.

Perhaps one of the most anticipated summer product releases is Code Factory's Mobile Geo, the latest entry into the ever-growing GPS software landscape. In this audio interview with Chris Grabowski, technical support specialist for Sendero Group, we hear an initial hands-on demonstration as well as discuss the features of the upcoming product.