LATEST BARGAINSFor the Two People that actually still Care, Humanware Releases OratioIt could be de described as the biggest botched software release of the past five years. Oratio, Orator, or whatever they're calling it these days has finally been released by Humanware with a price tag of $449. Promised since 2007, the software brings access to Blackberry smart phones. Correction, make that one AT&T Blackberry smart phone. If you bought any Blackberry phones, including some we listed as deals last summer because of the planned screen reader compatibility, you can toss them right out the window. The Blackberry Curve 8520 from AT&T is the only currently-supported phone. The Verizon Wireless or Sprint 9630 Tour, or the T-Mobile 8520 Tour are not on the supported phones list. There's also some lively discussion over on the Accessible BB website about the lack of Humanware involvement in their mailing list. No official Blackberry mailing list is known to exist at this time, other than an announce-only update stream. Still interested? orders are being taken now. If you have comments or thoughts on Oratio for Blackberry, please post them.
Here's a quote from a message on the Accessible Blackberry list from list owner Carlos Palomino:
"No matter what has taken place from July until
today, one thing has remained constant, and that is Humanware's shady
business practices and abhorrent public relations methods. So, whether
we waited patiently for news or attempted to gather info from the
company itself, we were ignored. And being the largest collection of
potential customers, it seems aweful inconsiderate and blatantly stupid
to take such a stance against us."
Other things to note about Oratio are after the jump.
Read more
Posted today 5:45 PM ET in Articles2 comments
#ATIA2010 Code Factory Releases Mobile Speak 4Code Factory has officially launched version 4 of Mobile Speak, their screen reading solution for mobile phones. Version 4 eliminates the need to purchase a different version of the product for different operating systems, as Mobile Speak is now cross-platform. Users can move their license from one device to another free of charge, provided their phone number remains the same. A device-based licensing system is also available. Version 4 supports a wide selection of new phones, including numerous touchscreen devices as well as Windows Mobile 6.5. Those who purchased Mobile Speak on or after September 1, 2009 will receive a free upgrade. Learn more at Code Factory's website. Note: the website may experience delays as many people are browsing the information.
Posted Wednesday, 27-Jan-2010 1:28 PM ET in SoftwarePost a comment
#atia2010 Audio: The Apex of Humanware InterviewsHumanware has been busy over the past few months with new product releases and several free updates for existing products. In this extended audio interview, we speak with Dominic Gagliano, Vice President of Sales for the U.S. market and Greg Stilson, Product and Support Specialist for Humanware about a variety of topics. We discuss the design of the BrailleNote Apex as well as some of the changes planned for the next release of Keysoft, the forthcoming free update to the Victor Reader Stream which includes support for a new book format, a free update to the Trekker Breeze, the status of Trekker, Humanware's take on the Intel Reader, and the current status of Orator.
Posted Wednesday, 27-Jan-2010 12:42 PM ET in Computers/HardwarePost a comment
BBC Posts Another Blio ArticleThe BBC has posted another article with some more details about the upcoming release of the free Blio Ebook reader. "We will run on all platforms," said Mr Kurzweil
"People don't want an extra piece of hardware. They want to take one device and do
everything with it and they want colour screens." KNFB Reader President Peter Chapman is also heavily quoted, expressing his thoughts about the next generations of book readers. The software will include over one million free titles and 200,000 paid offerings, according to the article. Blio is still scheduled for a February release. Via BBC News
Posted Wednesday, 27-Jan-2010 01:27 AM ET in Books/Movies/Music1 comment
Last Chance for Mobile Speak 4 Preorders for $148ATGuys.comm will soon be ending the preorder special for Mobile Speak 4. The current price of $148 is good until the day of release, which is imminent.
Suggested retail is $195,. Mobile Speak and Mobile Geo upgrades can be purchased in combination for $278. It's delivered as a download, so there is no shipping cost. This upgrade applies to owners of mobile Speak, Mobile Speak Smartphone, or Mobile Speak Pocket. The new version 4 combines these into one product, supporting more phones and including many new features. If you purchased Mobile Speak or Mobile Geo on or after September 1, the upgrade is free.
Posted Tuesday, 26-Jan-2010 4:19 PM ET in SoftwarePost a comment
#ATIA2010 Mobile Speak 4 Release ImminentEnding much speculation, Code Factory has announced that the release of Mobile Speak 4 is imminent. Marketing Director Caroline Ragot writes:
"The release date is coming soon. The beta cycles are closed and we are
going through the signing process of all the Mobile Speak downloads.
This process can take from 1 day to 15 days. So If all goes according
to plan, Mobile Speak 4 should arrive very soon. You can start
counting down the days!" We will post more as we receive it.
--
Posted Tuesday, 26-Jan-2010 4:17 PM ET in SoftwarePost a comment
Frio Duo Insulin Cooling Wallet for $25.60For those who need to carry their diabetic supplies while traveling, here's a cool item that may allow you to avoid the need for a refrigerator. The Insulin Case Shop via Amazon.com has the Frio Duo Insulin Cooling Wallet for $25.60. With about $4 for shipping, we couldn't find this item for less elsewhere. It holds a pen and refill or two vials and will stay cool for up to 45 hours. It's design allows the item to be reused dozens of times, making this a great solution for frequent travelers.
Posted Friday, 22-Jan-2010 10:09 AM ET in MiscellaneousPost a comment
is There Room for another OCR Product? HandyTech Thinks There IsAmongst all of the fanfare of new mobile OCR solutions, HandyTech has launched a new desktop OCR product. iRead competes in a marketplace which already includes OpenBook, Kurzweil 1000, and Serotek's Document Scan not including mainstream solutions. The initial press release touts its simple, one-button scanning process, ability to automatically recognize headings and create a table of contents, and support for several image formats including .PDF. Unlike Openbook and K1000, it is not self-voicing, though there are, of course, free screen reading options available if this is an issue.
Available now, iRead costs $750 and a 30-day trial is available. Does iRead bring anything new to the table? Why not download their 30-day trial and post your reactions in the comments.
Posted Friday, 22-Jan-2010 02:43 AM ET in Software6 comments
Solona Offers reCAPTCHA HelpIf you've ever been confused by reCAPTCHA, the Captcha alternative used by thousands of sites, Solona has produced a mini-tutorial and program to practice filling them out. The site explains the process of solving these multi-word challenges, which usually involve typing several words from a randomly-selected phrase. Check it out to learn more about reCAPTCHA.
Posted Friday, 22-Jan-2010 02:29 AM ET in ResourcesPost a comment
Blind Bargains to Present Team Coverage of ATIA OrlandoNext week, Blind Bargains travels to Orlando to present wall-to-wall coverage from the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) conference.
We'll be featuring podcasts with some of the biggest names in the business, hands-on demonstrations of new and emerging products, realtime reactions from the exhibit hall floor, and a few surprises. ATIA is the first major opportunity of the year for companies to launch new products, and this year promises to not disappoint. Check Blind Bargains often for the latest updates from one of the biggest technology conferences of the year.
Posted Thursday, 21-Jan-2010 10:46 AM ET in *Site News2 comments
The Phones of Mobile Speak 4: HTC Tilt2 for $99.99 with AT&T ServiceWe're continuing to feature some of the many new phones supported by the forthcoming Mobile Speak 4. The HTC Tilt2 from AT&T gets its name from the tilting screen on the device. It also happens to be a touch-screen tilting screen, which you can fully use with version 4. If you prefer the more traditional methods of entering text, a slide-out QWERTY keyboard is also housed in the phone. It features Wi-Fi, a built-in GPS, 3.2 megapixel camera, and a MicroSD memory card slot. Also, it includes the latest version of Windows Mobile, version 6.5, which includes enhanced web browsing and Microsoft Office support, among other new features. Amazon.com has it for $99.99 with a new contract and data plan from AT&T. Deals are also available for current customers.
Code Factory has posted much more information including audio demos.
Posted Thursday, 21-Jan-2010 10:06 AM ET in Cell PhonesPost a comment
CSUN Offers First Masters Degree in Assistive TechnologyWhile Master's degrees can be attained for the general blindness field, Cal State Northridge, organizers of the annual CSUN technology conference, have begun to offer a new major focusing on assistive technology. 14 students have enrolled in the new program, on route to earn a Master of Science in Assistive Technology Studies
and Human Services. According to the press release, The CSUN master's program encompasses research and design; law, ethics and
policy; counseling education and the dynamics of play." In this context, assistive technology applies to all disabilities, not just blindness. Assistive technology training certifications have been available from CSUN and others for some time but don't carry as much weight, especially when applying for government-based jobs. It remains to be seen whether this new major will be recognized by these employers when attempting to fill their positions.
Posted Wednesday, 20-Jan-2010 1:22 PM ET in MiscellaneousPost a comment
Brailled Pourfect Measuring Bowls, Cups, and SpoonsHere's a great item for the kitchen. Blind Mice Mart stocks the complete line of Pourfect measuring spoons, bowls, and cups (notice the spelling of pourfect). What makes them perfect is the use of bold large print and braille labels on each cup and spoon, making them quite easy to identify while looking through your kitchen drawers. Get the complete set for $59.75 plus shipping, or just the bowls, just the spoons, just the cups, etc. Many of the sets are available for under $20, but you naturally save when you buy them all together.
Posted Wednesday, 20-Jan-2010 09:47 AM ET in HouseholdPost a comment
The Phones of Mobile Speak 4: Nokia 5530 XpressMusic Touchscreen for $232.94Over the next few days, we'll be posting deals on a few of the new phones supported by the upcoming release of Mobile Speak 4. Version 4 supports touch-screen devices for both the Symbian and Windows Mobile operating systems. Amazon.com has one such Symbian device, the Nokia 5530 XpressMusic, for $232.94 with free shipping. Mobile Speak 4 makes these touch-screen devices accessible by the use of gestures, allowing you numerous ways to input text, select commands, or adjust settings using different types of motions on the screen. Apple proved this was all possible with the release of the iPhone 3GS with VoiceOver, and Code Factory is now bringing similar functionality to a host of new phones. As for the 5530 XpressMusic, it naturally has enhanced music capabilities including over 24 hours of continuous music playback. A 4GB MicroSD card is included, and the phone also supports Wi-Fi and includes a 3 megapixel camera.
Posted Wednesday, 20-Jan-2010 09:21 AM ET in Cell PhonesPost a comment
Dell Optiplex Desktops for $119.99Geeks.com has a great deal on a refurbished desktop. It's the Dell Optiplex GX280 for $119.95 with about $19 for shipping. It features an Intel Pentium-4 3GHz processor, 512MB of memory, 40GB hard drive, DVD ROM drive, and runs the venerable Microsoft
Windows XP Pro operating system. It's a good starter or backup system as it is, or slap in some more memory and a bigger hard drive to make it even more useful.
Posted Wednesday, 20-Jan-2010 06:13 AM ET in Computers/HardwarePost a comment
Blind Bargains Mobile RelaunchedWe've relaunched our mobile site, making it easier to follow our site while on the go. It offers many of the features of our regular site using a stripped-down interface. If you visit blindbargains.com from most mobile phones, you'll be directed there automatically. Or, visit http://m.blindbargains.com to get there directly.
Posted Wednesday, 20-Jan-2010 03:33 AM ET in *Site News2 comments
Solar Talking Bibles for $20, MoreA user reminded us of some great deals on religious items. Here's the message they sent:
Bartimaeus Alliance of the Blind is a non-denominational Christian ministry which has a huge online library of public domain books that anyone can access or download. However, they have a few items that are free or at low prices in hard copy
or audio form which are free or which involve a small donation.
These include the popular Solar Talking Bible, which they call the "Pocket" Bible", in either King James or New American Standard (NASB) versions. Proof of visual impairment or reading disability is required.
They have a 7 volume Brail Bible Dictionary for a "donation" of $100
They also offer two Bible story books for kids and several versions of the Bible in various formats.
Applications are available on the website, but there will be an additional phone call for verification of information relating to disability. This is a great deal for the pocket Bibles. They sell anywhere from $70 to $119 from commercial sources.
Posted Monday, 18-Jan-2010 2:48 PM ET in Books/Movies/MusicPost a comment
System Access Limited time Special pricing!It looks like the team over at Handy Tech North America is having a huge clearance on their Serotek product line. For a limited time, purchase System Access Mobile for only $299.99. This screen access configuration gives you the ability to license Serotek's award winning screenreader on two machines as well as a U3 enabled USB thumb drive allowing for ease in intuitive usability and portability. Please navigate to the link above to take advantage of this special.
Posted Monday, 18-Jan-2010 1:45 PM ET in SoftwarePost a comment
Powerful 1GHz LG eXpo Windows Mobile Phone for $49.99 with AT&T ServiceLetsTalk.com has the new LG eXpo for $49.99 with new voice and data service from AT&T. That's $50 off our last mention, and the best deal we know to be available for this model.
To recap, AT&T recently introduced one of the coolest-sounding high-end phones to their product lineup. It's not often such feature-packed phones are offered by U.S. carriers. The LG eXpo is the first phone offered by any carrier in the United States with a 1GHz processor (most have one about half as fast). The phone includes a QWERTY keyboard and touchscreen interface, 5 megapixel camera with autofocus and flash, MicroSDHC card slot, Bluetooth 2.1, WiFi, GPS, and Windows Mobile 6.5.
Alternatively, Amazon has it for $99.99 and may have deals for renewing customers as well. While no official support has been announced by Code Factory, the next version of Mobile Speak is said to support several Windows Mobile 6.5 devices, though we can't make any guarantees this one will be on the list.
As with all smartphones from AT&T, a qualifying data plan is also required.
Posted Monday, 11-Jan-2010 8:35 PM ET in Cell Phones1 comment
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