Do Cell Phones Plus Software Equal Access? Part 2
By Burton, Darren; Ulsan, Mark; Access World, Vol. 5, No. 1Publication Date: January 2004
Article evaluates the TALKS text-to-speech software for people who are blind or have low vision from Brand and Grober Communications, as it works in conjunction with the Nokia 9290 Communicator. The Nokia 9290 is a combination cell phone and personal digital assistant (PDA) that features an outside telephone interface as well as an inside PDA interface. The phone runs on the Symbian operating system, and works like a standard cellular phone. The device features a set of dialing buttons arranged in a traditional 3- by 4-inch grid. The TALKS text-to-speech software is a screen reader program that allows a person who is blind or has low vision to access nearly all of the PDA functions of the Nokia 9290 Communicator. The PDA can be used as a speakerphone to place and receive calls and to access all of the advanced telephone functions. The outside telephone interface is not supported by TALKS, though the basic functions of placing and receiving calls can be completed without speech assistance. The authors contend that the Nokia 9290 Communicator/TALKS combination gives people who are blind or have low vision access to more cell phone features than any of the other cell phones evaluated to date. Access to the PDA functions provides additional value, as the phone can function as though it were a miniature personal computer.
Assistive Products Discussed: NOKIA COMMUNICATOR (MODELS 9210, 9210i, & 9290)
NUANCE TALKS
Published by: AFB Press (Website:http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=46)
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) (Web Site: http://www.afb.org )
Link to text: http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw050106
