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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.

As you may have noticed, our entire site was down for all of Thursday. We are now back online, albeit with a few missing deals from earlier this week. If you notice anything else that isn't working, please let us know. We'll be posting back our recent deals soon. Sorry for the inconvenience.

The 2008 program for the ATIA conference has been released, and buried deep inside the exhibitor list is an announcement of an apparent new upgrade to the K-NFB Reader.
"K-NFB Reading Technology, Inc. will present the knfbReader Mobile, the latest generation of portable reading technology. Following the success of the popular K-NFB Reader, the revolutionary knfbReader Mobile contains groundbreaking software advancements that provide more accurate print analysis and TTS on a truly hand-held device. We don't have any more details, but will be certain to report more as we learn about it. Stay with Blind Bargains for as it happens ATIA coverage.

Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic has released the UAK for the Humanhware Victor Reader Stream digital book player. The key costs $20 and can be purchased directly from their Member Services Department. The key allows RFB&D's audio plus books to be played on the stream.

Fed up with Windows? Buy.com has an Apple Mac Mini for $549.99. Plus, shipping is free. It sports an Intel Duo Core 1.8ghz processor, 80GB hard drive and 1GB memory,. The Macintosh comes with screen reading software so will talk practically out of the box.

Code Factory has released a public beta of Mobile Speak Pocket 2.0, a screen reader for pocket PC phones and devices. Among the many improvements are the inclusion of their user-centered license scheme which allows users to move their software license between devices, direct support for braille .BRF files, improved support for many applications including Internet Explorer, Excel Mobile, and the calendar, improved stability and battery life, and the ability to turn off the touch screen during a call. A complete list is available on the link from this post. It's a free upgrade for current registered users.

Blind Bargains will be attending the 9th annual Assistive Technology Industry Association conference in Orlando, Florida and providing news and interviews throughout the conference. Check back through the week for product announcements, hands-on impressions, and audio interviews with some of the biggest names in the assistive technology arena. Watch Blind Bargains for much more as the conference nears. If you represent a company and will be attending ATIA, please contact us if you would like to be a part of our podcasts. The ATIA conference runs from January 30 through February 2.

The annual conference for the Assistive Technology Industry Association is still nearly two weeks away, but some companies are jumping on the early PR bandwagon. GW Micro has published a brief announcement listing their schedule of events for the conference. Of interest is the mention of advanced scripting features for Window-Eyes 7.0, which has been speculated to be released in some form in the coming weeks. We've linked to a mailing list post to give you more insight. Watch Blind Bargains for much more ATIA coverage in the coming days and weeks.

An EBay seller has listed a copy of Kurzweil 1000 version 11 with a BuyItNow price of $499. With $15 for shipping, that's about half the cost of a retail copy of this popular scanning and OCR product. Listing ends January 20 if not sold sooner.

AFB has published the January issue of AccessWorld, a free online technology magazine. Among the articles in this issue is a discussion of accessibility in telephone call centers, an interview with an IBM executive, and a review of the Victor Reader Stream. AccessWorld is published six times per year.

    An Ebay seller has listed 10 I.D. Mate II Portable Bar Code Readers with a BuyItNow price of $450 each. Even with about $15 for shipping, this is roughly $1,000 off the price of a new unit. The I.D. Mate II contains bar code information for over 1.3 million products and features an omnidirectional scanner. 100 bar code labels for marking your own items without codes are also included as well as a 90-day warranty. Item expires January 21. Update: We believe these to be direct from the company, as the location of the auction is Normal, Illinois, the same as En-Vision America.