Software Deals, Sales, and News

Gerry Chevalier, Victor Reader Product Manager for HumanWare was featured tonight at AccessibleWorld.org and discussed the upcoming version 1.2 software for the Victor Reader Stream. As announced previously, there is now a built-in SD card format utility, support for NIMAS textbooks and content from the Serotek System Access Mobile Network, improved transfer speeds directly with the stream, increased volume of the built-in speaker, and a pitch control for the Vocalizer voice. Regarding the music bookshelf, there are now separate bass and treble controls, file and folder names are only announced when the player is stopped, and a go-to-time feature has been implemented. Windows Media Audio and BRF support is forthcoming, possibly in two to three months. Version 1.2 of the Victor Reader Stream firmware is expected to be shipped by the 21st of February, however this release has already been pushed back once.

Amazon.com has Nuance's Dragon NaturallySpeaking Professional version 9 for $759.99. Plus, shipping is free. This is Nuance's high-end voice recognition software. It also works with the J-Say script package which enhances functionality with JAWS.

There's some new goodies on the KNFB Reader website. They'll all require you to create an account, which you can do by following the link on this post. Once you've done that, you can get an MP3 tutorial for the KNFB Reader Mobile, manuals and fact sheets in both TXT and PDF format, and a download of the software. Don't get too excited about the download, though, since you'll need to activate it to get any real functionality out of it. But the posting of the software on this site should mean that dealers will be able to activate it very soon.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Most tech companies are happy with one blog. But now, Code Factory has upped the stakes by launching two. One focuses on messages from the company's CEO while the other will feature messages from the rest of the Code Factory staff. Both are pretty bare for now, but what do you expect, they're brand new.

An EBay seller has listed a copy of Kurzweil 1000 Version 11 with a current bid of $123.50 plus $15 for shipping. New copies cost $995, and this is the latest version. Auction ends January 5.

Humanware has released version 1.0 of their Stream Companion software which works with the Victor Reader Stream. It offers a streamlined interface for transferring and sorting media as well as a tool for converting voice notes recorded on the stream into .WAV format.

We've been waiting for an announcement from Code Factory regarding their recent partnership with AT&T and it looks like it has now come. AT&T offers licenses for Mobile Speak and Mobile Magnifier for $89, a significant savings off retail. We assume service with AT&T is required, and a short list of five phones is initially supported including the Nokia E62 and N75. We'll post more as we learn about it, and watch our site for deals on supported phones in the coming days. There isn't a lot of info on the AT&T site yet, but you can contact the National Center for Customers with Disabilities (NCCD) at 1-866-241-6568.

Sendero Group has released version 4.2 of their GPS software for the BrailleNote family of products, which adds at least twenty software improvements and a small number of bug fixes. Of note, route calculations are claimed to be 20 percent faster, audio and text files can be associated with points of interest, and GPS headings are smoothed out. This upgrade costs $149, or the use of one count on a current software maintenance agreement.

An EBay seller has listed a copy of Kurzweil 1000 version 11 with a starting bid price of $775.85. With about $15 for shipping, it's about $200 off list price for this software, which is the latest version of Kurzweil's OCR product. Auction ends December 8.