Recently in adaptive tech Category

Egnyte introduced Blackberry and Android device interfaces that allow small business users secure access to all their business files via their Blackberry or Android-powered smartphones.

Egnyte's on-demand file server enables both Mac and PC business users to have online file storage, file sharing and automatic backup in one solution. The new interfaces, which require no additional software installation on the device, leverages a mobile drive -- "m Drive" -- that lets mobile users access all of their data stored via the Egnyte file server.

For existing Egnyte users who use a Blackberry or Android-powered smartphone, the new user interfaces allow businesses and professionals to easily navigate folder hierarchies and open and share files using their Blackberry or Android device keypad or touch screen. Last year, Egnyte introduced an iPhone interface following the launch of the Apple iPhone 3G. Following its introduction, users quickly adopted the interface, illustrating the need for mobile data support, as more and more business professionals seek to complete work functions outside of the traditional office.

Epocrates Essentials is now avaialble for BlackBerry smartphone. BlackBerry smartphones are one of Epocrates' fastest growing platforms with more than 20 percent growth among U.S. physicians in the past quarter. For a $159 annual fee, medical professional can get easy access to reference information.

Epocrates' top-ranked software is used at the point of care to support clinical decisions from diagnosis to treatment. Beyond the free drug prescribing and safety information, the enhanced Epocrates Essentials suite introduces new content and features to the platform including:

• Thousands of in-depth, peer-reviewed disease topics developed in conjunction with the BMJ Group, publisher of the British Medical Journal
• Hundreds of diagnostic and laboratory tests for interpretation and diagnostic support
• Hundreds of brand name OTC drug products with drug interactions
• More than 600 alternative (herbal) medicines
• Infectious disease treatment guide with empiric and specific treatment recommendations.
  

Nokia, Tampere University and the Finnish Federation of the Visually Impaired have created the Nokia Braille Reader. The Nokia Braille Reader offers the visually-impaired and blind a way to read SMS text messages via Braille.

The app captures received SMS messages and brings them to the foreground for reading using Braille and tactile feedback.

The app beeps when an SMS message is received. The software opens up. The message is displayed in Braille one letter a time.  The Braille is felt via haptic feedback. There is pause button if the reader needs to stop.

It works on Nokia touchscreen phones. Nokia would like feedback from users.

The comments are interesting, suggesting that mobile phone could also be used as a Braille writer. Others request voice reading. A video follows with a demonstration.

Audiopoint, introduced an upgrade to its Voice Terminal Service that speaks directly to the visually impaired community, voice enables Google Calendar and offers entry level service plans making the service affordable to all.

VTS allows visually-impaired users to access email and web data using voice commands. There’s no additional hardware to set up. All that is needed is a computer and a phone.

Users can send and receive email with just a word, add a dinner date to your online calendar and have headline news, stock quotes, weather and more read to you anywhere you have a phone. VTS includes the patented Notifier® technology, important emails and events can be sent to you at a moment’s notice ensuring that you’re never disconnected from the pipeline again.

This upgrade is especially pertinent to those with low vision or no vision by providing them first time access to their personal data without the need for expensive, specialized equipment or hardware such as screen readers. With simple voice commands, VTS is accessed via any telephone - landline or mobile phone. VTS improves the online user experience of the visually impaired and liberates them so that they can reach greater independence and mobility.

“Our visually impaired customers have mentioned that adding voice access to calendar and scheduling is top on their “wish list” as the next most beneficial feature add to VTS,” said Brian Lichorowic, President and CEO of Audiopoint. “We listen to our customers and responded with the VTS 1.5 upgrade by delivering the first release of VTS’ Google Calendar Interface.”

VTS’ Google Calendar Interface allows users to listen to Daily Agendas, based on specified date, add detailed calendar events, based on a scripted interface, including a user-recorded audio description of the event, and a “Quick Add” function, which allows the user to rapidly add calendar events, based on a specific “expert-mode” syntax. Later releases of VTS will allow the user to modify or cancel existing calendar events, via voice command, as well. VTS 1.5 improves usability with new call flow prompts, an updated voice user interface, and an easier, more secure login process. Users can now access their address book over the phone and the ‘Enhanced Notifier’ feature allows users to broadcast messages by group, individual contact or, particularly critical for emergency services, access a phone number that is not in their address book that is sent via email or alert.

Verizon Wireless is now offering new assistive technology that converts displayed text into speech for users who are blind or visually impaired. It will available on the  MOTO Q 9c smartphone beginning March 15.  TALKS for Verizon Wireless supports audio feedback for writing and reading text messages, e-mail and notes.

Powered by Nuance Communications, TALKS for uses ETI-Eloquence text-to-speech software - similar to other screen-reading packages on WindowsPC platforms. With the TALKS application, the MOTO Q 9c from Verizon Wireless can:

• Hear the caller ID of an incoming call.
• Dial a number from the phone's Contacts directory.
• Add and edit entries in the Contacts directory.
• Read and write text messages and e-mail.
• Read and write documents using Mobile Office.
• Access and compose multimedia message service (MMS) messages.
• Use Mobile Internet Explorer to access the Internet.
• Control speech volume and rate of speech.

The MOTO Q 9c with TALKS for Verizon Wireless will be available online on Sunday for $249.99 after a $70 online instant rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Existing MOTO Q 9c customers who wish can add the TALKS application.

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), States, exhibited at theinternational Consumer Electronics Show along with the Sendero Group

Stevie Wonder was also there to advocate more blind-friendly consumer electronics and mobile devices. Although he currently uses a BlackBerry, he can't use all electronic devices.

"As chips get smaller and things get cheaper, people don't always appreciate the significance of how a few very simple things can make a product accessible," said Wonder.

"There are ways to make the technology not only good for the blind but for everyone," he said, noting one of his producers started using a voice interface on a mixing board after seeing the him use the technology on other products."

Sprint announced the availability of local, 10-digit phone numbers for internet-based Relay (IP), Instant Messaging Relay (IM), Video Relay Service (VRS) and Federal VRS customers. These services are used by deaf and hearing-impaired users.

Sprint Relay's 'Call Now' service allows IP and VRS users to be assigned a local 10-digit phone number to receive calls directly and make 911 calls based on their geographic location.

Sprint now offers WebCapTel On the Go, a new, free mobile web-based service that allows hard of hearing customers to read word-for-word captions on Windows Mobile 6 Web browsers. The service is also compatible with the Safari 2.0 Web browser. This new service is expected to help an estimated 30 million Americans with hearing loss.

With Sprint WebCapTel On the Go, users can make calls using two phones -- reading captions on a wireless phone and listening and speaking on a second phone. Prior to making a call, the user would log onto www.sprintcaptel.com on one mobile device to read text captions of what the other party is saying. For more information on Sprint's wireless devices and select plans, go to the Sprint Relay Store at www.sprintrelaystore.com.

A group at the University of Washington has developed software that deaf and hard-of-hearing Americans to use sign language over a mobile phone. UW engineers had phones working together this spring, and recently received a National Science Foundation grant for a 20-person field project that will begin next year in Seattle.

This is the first time two-way real-time video communication has been demonstrated over cell phones in the United States. Since posting a video of the working prototype on YouTube, deaf people around the country have been writing on a daily basis.

For mobile communication, deaf people now communicate by cell phone using text messages. “But the point is you want to be able to communicate in your native language,” said principal investigator Eve Riskin, a UW professor of electrical engineering. “For deaf people that’s American Sign Language.”

Nokia announced the Nokia Wireless Loopset, designed specifically for improved mobile communications for people with hearing aids. With a T-coil equipped hearing aid or cochlear implant, the Loopset can help hearing aid users enjoy great audio quality and handsfree operation of their mobile devices and other compatible audio devices. The Loopset is expected to start shipping worldwide in the first quarter 2009.

Nokia has a range of products and related accessories to help improve accessibility for people with disabilities. A full listing of available solutions and support can be found at www.nokiaaccessibility.com.

A 20-year-old male chimpanzee named Albert was the first ape to join Facebook, the largest online social network. Soon after Albert joined, three other chimps named Mr. Jones, Sheena, and Britney followed.

Scientists from The University of Northern Oregon have spent the last two years training Albert and his comrades, who all belong to the Pan troglodytes species, to acquire language skills necessary for their online social life.

 

With the help of specially designed software that recognizes sign language (ASL), and a chimp proof adapted touch screen, these leading scientists recently announced that the four apes can communicate using more than 1000 symbols, adapted to the most popular features of the online social network. They can chat online with their best friends from around the world, write text messages and even upload their favorite profile pictures. Alberts gang has become very popular among Facebook's users.

Comment from Wireless and Mobile News:

We wondering who Albert approves to be his friends and if he contacts underage chimps.  Also when Albert will master Twitter.

AT&T Inc. announced two new applications that will increase usability for wireless customers who are blind or have low vision. AT&T is partnering with Code Factory to offer Mobile Speak and Mobile Magnifier, both for Windows Mobile and Symbian Series 60operating system devices.

Mobile Speak is a powerful, full-fledged screen reader with an easy-to-learn command structure, intuitive speech feedback in several languages and Braille support, which can be used with or without speech. Unlike other screen readers for mobile phones, Mobile Speak automatically detects information that the blind user should know, just as a user with sight would easily find highlighted items or key areas of the screen at a glance. Supported applications and functions include:

• Speed dial, call lists and contacts
  
• Text messaging Calendar, tasks, notes and calculator
• Internet browser Word, Excel and PowerPoint
  
• Voice Recorder, Media Player, voice speed dial and voice command
  
• Phone/device settings, profiles, alarms and ringtones

Mobile Magnifier is a flexible, full-screen magnification application that supports low- and high-resolution screens and can be used with or without speech feedback. Magnification software is compatible with a wide range of mobile devices

Mobile Speak and Mobile Magnifier are each available for a one-time charge of $89, which is billed directly to the customer’s credit card. For additional information or to obtain a 30-day software trial, contact the National Center for Customers with Disabilities (NCCD) at 1-866-241-6568 or place a TTY call to 1-866-241-6567. The NCCD is available from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.