All Deals

When it comes to mainstream video games, many titles are quite playable if it wasn't for those pesky menus and setup screens. Enter We Can Play, a new wiki-based website that allows users to share tips for getting around these screens, game reviews, audio demos, and other information to allow for the playing of more mainstream games. Created by L-Works programmer Liam Erven, the site accepts reviews and tips for virtually any platform from Playstation to Nintendo and relies primarily on user contributions. It has quite a bit of potential to open up accessibility to many more game titles, and it'll be interesting to watch the site as it develops.

Humanware has released version 2.1 of Maestro and 3.02 of their Trekkor applications. The new update to Maestro adds a web browser, file explorer, improved power management on the HP HP hx2490b platform, among other enhancements. Version 3.0.2 of Trekkor adds support for the Holux m1000 bluetooth GPS receiver. Note that their is now only one setup file, which runs on all platforms of Maestro and Trekkor.

J.J. and Matt from Blind Bargains were guests on this week's Main Menu Live, which focused on the 2008 ATIA conference in Orlando. Listen to this two hour show to hear replays of some of the audio interviews from the conference, listener questions, and discussions of what we saw at the conference. Main Menu is a weekly technology show heard on ACB Radio Mainstream.

In case you missed it, Top Tech Tidbits is back for 2008, now with a partnership with Flying Blind, LLC who is now distributing the weekly technology newsletter. Dean Martineau still compiles this useful list of technology news links which is available via Email or on the web. Look at this issue and see why it was voted website of the year in the 2007 Blind Bargains Access Awards.

An Ebay seller has listed a tested Freedom Scientific Blazer Inferno braille embosser with a starting bid of $99.95. This was the upgrade model to the Braille Blazer which prints at up to 50 characters per second. It also prints on wider 11.5 inch paper and weighs 17 pounds. The unit powers on, talks, and feeds paper though no further testing was done, according to the listing. Auction ends early on February 6.

An EBay seller has listed a copy of Window-Eyes version 5.5 with a current bid of $300. That's $595 off the cost of a new copy of version 6.1, though an upgrade cost is necessary to bring the program to the current version. Auction ends February 10.

We thought you may be interested in seeing this press release from Applian Technologies, makers of Replay AV, regarding their nomination in the Blind Bargains Access Awards. We're glad to see a mainstream company recognized by blind and visually impaired computer users for their accessibility efforts.

MacMall.com has the Nokia N82 unlocked cell phone, the model compatible with the forthcoming KNFB Reader Mobile software, for $489.99. With about $6 for shipping, it's $90 off our mention last week and the lowest price we could find. In addition to the 5 megapixel camera used for the OCR package, it includes a built-in GPS receiver, wi-fi connectivity, a MicroSD card slot, 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. Of note, you may need to send your phone to a KNFB dealer to have the software and lens polarizers installed.

We're now back from ATIA and ready to talk about it. Join J.J. and Matt on this Tuesday's Main Menu as we discuss all things ATIA and replay some of the audio interviews. We'll also answer your questions about the conference, the new technology we saw, or how much nicer the weather was in Orlando. Main Menu first airs from 8-10 PM Eastern, and then repeats every two hours after that. If you miss that, a podcast feed is also available.

Amazon.com has the Socket P500 compact flash 802.11G wireless card for $85.99. With free shipping, we couldn't find this particular card for less elsewhere. This card works, among other places, in the new Pac Mate Omni which includes built-in drivers.
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Humanware has released some details regarding a new update to the Maestro and Trekkor applications. First, version 3.1 of Trekkor adds support for the Holux m-1000 GPS receiver. Version 2.1 of Maestro adds a web browser, file explorer, and improved power management on the HP hx 2490b PDA. Both updates are expected to ship by the end of this week. In addition to these firmware updates, Humanware is developing a slimmed-down version of their Trekkor. Stay posted to Blind Bargains as details are made available.

If you're wanting to learn more about the future of scripting with Window-Eyes, check out this news release from their website. It gives more details as well as an excerpt from their forthcoming documentation.

An EBay seller has listed a Humanware Braille Window refreshable braille display with a starting bid of $74.99. Add about $15 for shipping. This display is being sold as is without a power supply, but may be worth the gamble for the price.

Lenovo has announced a partnership with the newly-formed AIR Foundation, the same nonprofit that announced a free web-based screen reader a day earlier. The partnership will allow for Lenovo ThinkPad laptops and ThinkCenter desktops to include access software, namely Serotek's System Access screen reader. We'll have more on this in an audio interview with Serotek CEO Mike Calvo later this weekend.

The Air Foundation, in partnership with Serotek Corp. today has announced the availability of System Access to Go, free to anyone with access to a computer and an Internet connection. This product is completely free and there is no time limits or restrictions. Of note, a second product announcement from the foundation is expected on Friday.

GW Micro has released some details regarding Window-Eyes 7.0. First, this version will support scripting, allowing any programming

language to be used provided that it can utilize com automation. Second, the program is now written entirely in Unicode, which

will allow for easier translations to Asian languages. GW Micro expects to release a public beta of Window-Eyes 7.0 by CSUN this

March. Stay posted to Blind Bargains for further information.

Mike Calvo, CEO of Serotek Corporation, will be among the presenters at this year's ATIA conference in Orlando this Saturday. Among the themes of his discussion is their initiatives that are creating a more accessible web for both the blind and the deaf. New features of System Access and the System Access Mobile Network will be discussed, such as the ability to use the Napster digital music service and their new pay as you go licensing schemes. We'll be reporting much more from the ATIA conference in the coming days, here in Orlando.

KNFB Reading Technologies has officially announced the release of the KNFB Reader Mobile, a new version of the portable scanning device that will initially run on the Nokia N82 Symbian cell phone. Retailing for $1,595 for the software alone, it includes the same features as the original KNFB Reader, now called KNFB Reader Classic, and boasts improved scanning time and quicker navigation. Using the phone's built-in 5 megapixel camera, a printed page was scanned and recognized in about 15 seconds in a demonstration held Monday. In addition, the phone's screen enables access for large print users by highlighting the text as it is read. While no additional software is required, users can purchase Mobile Speak or Talks to enable complete functionality of the phone. Users of the KNFB Reader Classic will be able to upgrade for "a modest fee" according to Ray Kurzweil, CEO of KNFB Reading Technologies. The software is expected to ship on February 15. We'll have much more coverage on this product including a hands-on review and audio interviews in the coming days.

Adaptive Information Systems Inc. is selling the Humanware Victor Reader Stream digital book player for $299. With free shipping, we weren't able to find this player for less elsewhere. The Stream can play Daisy books from Bookshare.org, as well as Audible.com and RFB&d Audio plus books. Note that Adaptive Information also sells the Executive Products leather case for the device, for $34 shipped when purchased with the Stream.

According to a press release, a new groundbreaking product, assumably the previously mentioned KNFB Mobile, will be demonstrated at a press conference in Washington, DC on Monday, January 28 at 10 A.M. Ray Kurzweil will be on hand to introduce the new device which was previously leaked in this year's ATIA program. We'll be on hand and report our findings.