An American Printing House for the Blind annual report on Research and Development Activities has published some details on the long-awaited successor to the Book Port portable audio player. APH has contracted with Shinano Kenshi Co., makers of the Plextalk Pocket, to create a customized version of the player including many new enhancements. As of this report, which was published in October, a prototype model has been created. Of note, the Plextalk Pocket hardware already includes 802.11G wireless support, though no mention is made of whether this will be utilized in the initial release. Also, support for braille files and braille input is suggested, numerous navigation and performance improvements, and the idea of the unit perpetually operating in stand-by mode, acting more like a cassette player. Indeed, some of the speed improvements discussed can be seen in the 3.0 revision of the Plextalk Pocket firmware.
It can run for an estimated 20 days in this mode, according to the report. Plans as of the report were to release the unit in the spring of 2010.
Category: Portable Devices
awesome, I still have the original bookport, I love that you can make both voice and text notes with it. I always have thought the bookport beat out the stream with text file support. It would be awesome if they do use the wireless. I'd love to go on to bookshare, RFB&D, NLS, or audible and download a book right to the player. Connectivity to a braille display would also be a welcome addition.
ftealucard Sunday, 27-Dec-2009 9:30 PM ET:
Regarding ordering from APH, I've been waiting 2 months now on a refreshabraille 18 and icon braille plus docking station ordered in october. Just a warning, order by phone instead of online since you can at least find out if a product is backordered, since no product statis is available on their site or in the order e-mail received. Paying these kind of prices $1695 for the braille display and $600 for the docking station respectively, the customer should at least be given product statis. Unfortunately, I could see this happening with the bookport plus.
daronoff Monday, 28-Dec-2009 07:24 AM ET:
I also still have my original bookport and it works great, I was considering getting a victor stream when it dies but now I might check out this new bookport plus!
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J.J. Meddaugh is an experienced technology writer and computer enthusiast. He is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a major in telecommunications management and a minor in business. When not writing for Blind Bargains, he enjoys travel, playing the keyboard, and meeting new people.
