All Deals

An EBay seller has listed a DECTalk Express External Speech Synthesizer with an opening bid of $99 plus about $8 for shipping. It comes with cables but is being sold as is. This synthesizer is still compatible with modern-day screen readers, though a serial to USB cable is necessary to use it with newer laptops. Auction ends March 27.

This may seem like we're taking a step backward, but not everyone needs a 16GB flash drive. For a reader, Geeks.com has a Lexar 512MB Jumpdrive for $5. Add about $5 for shipping. It becomes a better deal when buying several drives. Shipping was about $18 for 20 drives, for example.

We are currently having problems delivering mail to AT&T and Belsouth users, because their server is blocking our mail as spam. We are doing what we can to get the block removed, though we also encourage any effected users to call and complain as well. We recommend signing up for Daily Deals using GMail or another service with sensible spam-blocking practices. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

While searching today, we ran across Mobile Space, a well-maintained blog focussing on accessible mobile phones, primarily for the Symbian operating system. Recent posts include a review of the N81, links to applications that work well with the phone, and thoughts and updates from Code Factory and Nuance. It's definitely worth an add to our RSS reader, and we recommend you give it a look.

We've expanded our search page to include more results. Now, in addition to items from our site, we'll run a search on many popular online stores to find additional results. This means you can now search for just about anything and get a result. We're working on the layout of the other results, as they come from a third-party site and aren't as pretty as we'd like. Try it out, and let us know how it works out for you.

An EBay seller has listed an I.D. Mate Omni portable bar code reader for a BuyItNow price of $599.99. Or, make an offer. With shipping, it's less than half the cost of a new unit. This is En-Vision America's latest portable bar code solution. Listing ends March 24 if not sold sooner. Update: This item has sold.

Humanware has released an alternate US English voice for the Victor Reader Stream. The male voice Tom is contained in an alternate version of the just released 1.2 firmware update. Voice samples, other languages and voices are also available.

GW Micro has announced the availability of an upgrade program for current owners of the Braille Sense. Any Braille Sense owner may purchase a Braille Sense plus for $3,200 plus a trade in of their old unit. For those who just purchased the Braille Sense since March 1, 2008, the cost is $500 plus the unit. The upgrade gives you an 8GB internal storage card, the ability to record MP3 files directly, built-in Bluetooth and wireless support, and the ability to use the SenseNav GPS software for an additional price. This price will get you a brand new unit which will not use any of your old parts, according to the message. The deal lasts until 30 days after the release of the Braille Sense Plus, which is expected in May.

An EBay seller has posted a Braille Lite M20 notetaker with a current bid of $78.88 plus about $18 for shipping. It was factory serviced in 2006 and the seller is offering a moneyback guarantee if it doesn't work. Though it's not as classy as today's notetakers, we still believe that a machine such as this one would make a great first computer for a blind child or a nice backup for anyone. Auction ends March 21.

It looks like you didn't have to attend CSUN to get a copy of the free promotional release of Freedom Scientific's MAGic screen magnification product. The download, which gives you free access until August, is available now. MAGic 11 is reported to be better-suited for working in combination with JAWS 9.0, highlighting text when spoken, for example.

Independentliving.com has their EZ 3-In-1 Talking Timer for $6.85. With about $5 for shipping, that's $3 off list and the lowest price we could find. It features six alarm sounds and announces the time regularly as it counts down from up to 24 hours. Deal ends March 20.

Dolphin reminds us that there are more screen access programs that are worthy of our attention. Version 9 of all of their reading and magnification products, such as HAL and Supernova, has been officially released. It boasts better Internet navigation, simplified browsing of page elements in Word and Excel, and the introduction of online quick keys. Thanks to the Ranger Station for the press release.

An EBay seller has listed a Voice Note MPower QT notetaker/PDA with a current bid of $450. With $25 for shipping, that's about a quarter of the price of a new unit. It's running Keysoft 7.0 which is only two versions off the current 7.5 and comes with all cables and standard accessories. The QT has a QWERTY keyboard and is ideal for those who want a notetaker but don't need a braille display. Auction ends March 16.

For the second consecutive year, Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind, a Michigan-based nonprofit providing outdoor recreational programs for blind youth, and Leader Dogs for the Blind are teaming up to give away several Trekker GPS units. Applicants, who must be between 16-19, must submit an application including an essay and, if selected, attend a Trekker Camp where they will learn to utilize their new device. The deadline is March 31.

GW Micro has released version 5.0 of their Braille Sense notetaker. this free update upgrades the operating system to Windows CE 5.0, adds support for the SenseNav GPS application, and includes numerous other enhancements and bug fixes.

If you're going to get a Braille Sense Plus and want to expand on its already large amount of memory, try this PQI 4GB secure digital high-capacity memory card for $16.99 with free shipping from MeritLine.com. It also works in the Victor Reader Stream and many other devices.

Speculation has run wild ever since the release of a GPS product for GW Micro's Voice Sense that a similar offering may soon be available for the Braille Sense. Now, this and much more is available with the pending release of the Braille Sense Plus. This 2 pound notetaker includes a large 8GB of built-in memory, built in wireless and Bluetooth capabilities, and a software upgrade which allows for the use of the SenseNav GPS software. The intro price is $5,995.00 and GW Micro expects to start shipping the unit in May.

Serotek, who perhaps produces the screen access program with the most frequent updates, is back at it again with version 2.4 of System Access and System Access to Go. The latest release allows for magnification up to 6X the original size, which can be adjusted in .25x increments. Also, many of the media content features found in the Victor Reader Stream will now also be coming to LevelStar's Icon. This will happen once a firmware update for the Icon is released. Many of these features are available both on System Access and the free online System Access to Go product.

We have staff on the scene at the CSUN conference in Los Angeles and have just learned of the first major announcement of the week, Humanware's Trekker Breeze. The breeze weighs less than a pound and includes a built-in GPS receiver. The possible down-side, however, is the lack of point-to-point directions. So it basically serves as a tool for gaining information about your surroundings, which may be a tough sell compared with the many other GPS options available. That being said, for those looking for a simple solution without a lot of required setup, this may be the perfect product. Retail for the new unit is expected to be $895. It won't be released until at least the summer, and we'll post more as we find out. Note: The link has been updated with Humanware's press-release.

Buy.com has the Oregon Scientific Talking Blood Pressure Monitor for $38.99. Plus, shipping is free. It not only speak your blood pressure, it will also announce the pulse rate and the mean arterial pressure. A memory function is also included, though we are unsure how well that works with speech. It requires a single AAA battery to run.