Talk Me Through It: A Review of Two Cell Phone-Based Screen Readers
By Burton, Darren; Access World, Vol. 8, No. 1Publication Date: January 2007
Article provides a review of TALKS from Nuance and Mobile Speak from Code Factory, which are third-party cell phone screen reader programs. The applications are evaluated in terms of their performance on the Nokia 6682 Symbian cellular phone. Mobile Speak and TALKS provide text to speech access to all cellular phone features. Both programs provide a level of access that is far greater than that of the off the shelf phones, as they access the phone's interface in the same manner a screen reader such as JAWS or Window Eyes would access a personal computer. The programs are evaluated in terms of the following features and criteria: (1) voice output, (2) accessible documentation, (3) battery level indicator, (4) ringer volume control, (5) caller identification, (6) speed dial, (7) downloading and installing, (8) Bluetooth keyboard and headset, (9) web browsing, (10) voice recorder, (11) RealPlayer and Music Player, (12) Braille display compatibility, and (13) pricing. The author found that both applications provide extensive access to Symbian phones, as they can meet the needs of a technologically savvy person who is blind or has low vision. Each company does offer a free 30-day trial, so the consumer has the opportunity to test each program prior to purchase. Implications for advancements in each program are discussed.
Assistive Products Discussed: NUANCE TALKS
MOBILE SPEAK
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=aw080103
