ADAPTECHGBC

New wheelchair designed to encourage seated movement

2012-01-17T09:53:00.000-05:00

New wheelchair designed to encourage seated movement:

If you sit behind a desk in an office all day then you'll be all too aware of the effects from not changing your position regularly. Wheelchair users spend the majority of their day seated, with long periods in the same position, resulting in severe pain, deformities, and even bedsores. Roger Hochstrasser, founder of r going, plans to improve the situation with a new adjustable wheelchair.

Hochstrasser has teamed up with Swiss research group Empa, and the pair have developed an ergonomic seat for electric wheelchairs which helps users move around frequently. The wheelchair, which is undergoing testing, consists of ribs and movable joints inside an articulated backrest that match the contours of a user's body. The unique backrest, powered...

The iPen May Be The iPad Stylus You’ve Been Looking For

2012-01-13T12:50:00.000-05:00

Using a stylus with your iPad to write or draw can be hit or miss. You may get more precision with your stylus than with your finger, but it still doesn’t compare to an actual pen-on-paper experience. Many note-taking and drawing apps lack wrist support, meaning you need to have your hand hover over your iPad while drawing or writing. The apps that do have wrist support are still buggy sometimes and allow unwanted input from your wrist. If you’re still searching for a stylus that suits your needs, the Cregle iPen may be just what you’re looking for.

“iPen is the first active digitizer stylus that allows you to write with precision directly on the iPad. Unlike the passive digitizer used in the typical iPad stylus, iPen writes like a real pen with accurate positioning and palm rejection features that passive products simply cannot achieve.

With the Cregle iPen’s active digitizer, the attached receiver picks up the iPen’s signal and its precise position as it hovers above the screen (whereas a passive stylus can be located only when the user touches the screen). This crucial advantage allows iPen to actively transmit 60 samples per second to pinpoint the pen’s exact location.”

Every iPen comes with an external receiver that plugs into the iPad’s charge/sync port. The receiver then gathers ultrasonic and infrared information from the iPen to pinpoint it’s location on the iPad. The iPen currently supports a handful of great note-taking apps, such as NotesPlus and GhostWriter Notes, and is aiming to be compatible with many more apps by February.

Cregle Inc. has already surpassed their $35,000 goal by receiving over $162,000 in pledges. Head over to Kickstarter to make a pledge if you’re interested as iPens are expected to ship this month.

The iPen May Be The iPad Stylus You’ve Been Looking For is a story by AppAdvice.com

Plantronics Clarity Fortissimo speakerphone hands-on (video)

2012-01-13T12:49:00.000-05:00

Music aficionados will recognize the term "fortissimo." It's used to signify belting out the tunes as loud as humanly possible, which is exactly what Clarity is hoping to achieve with its speakerphone that uses the name. The Clarity Fortissimo is geared toward those who are mobility-challenged, offering a massively loud 95dB speaker, huge buttons, voice activation, Bluetooth and DECT connectivity, and a large touchscreen display. The Fortissimo offers Plantronics' Vocalyst technology, which has the ability to push emails, messages and even social network updates. It also has a dedicated button that automatically dials Clarity's support center, where a rep can then program the phone remotely for you. Expect to see the Fortissimo available this spring -- we were quoted April / May -- and will retail for $500. We have images and video after the break.

Gallery: Plantronics Clarity Fortissimo hands-on

Continue reading Plantronics Clarity Fortissimo speakerphone hands-on (video)

Panasonic unveils new line of Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids

2012-01-05T08:51:00.000-05:00

Panasonic unveils new line of Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids:

Hearing aids aren't the sexiest gadgets on Earth, but Panasonic has done some interesting stuff with its R1-W series of in-ear audio-boosters. For one, they come packing Bluetooth for directly tethering to a mobile or landline phone using the Hearing Hub and have an add-on audio transmitter than can beam content from a TV or other source directly to the aids. The Hearing Hub also has a voice memo feature so that wearers can take notes for themselves and play them back in an easy to hear format. All that and it manages a pretty impressive 300 hours on a single set of batteries. Check out the complete PR after the break.

Continue reading Panasonic unveils new line of Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids

Kinect aids in improving mobility and rehabilitating stroke patients

2011-12-20T08:55:00.002-05:00

Kinect's finding its way into more and more areas of research as a comparatively cheap way to create 3D images. The camera's particularly gaining ground amongst health practitioners, and now we've heard of Kinect being used for gait analysis and rehab.

The uses in gait analysis — the study of how people walk — are being developed separately by both Missouri University and by students from Oak Ridge High School, Tennessee. Equipment to monitor people's walking exists already, but is expensive and usually requires use in a specialized testing environment. Missouri's working in collaboration with Americare's Tiger Place senior housing, where the cameras are being installed into residents' apartments to collect data and analyse their...

Ekso Bionics' exoskeleton used to let paraplegics walk (video)

2011-12-19T14:36:00.000-05:00

It's not just nuclear-powered super soldiers who will use exoskeletons -- it can also be used to help those with physical disabilities. The Kessler Foundation grabbed one of Ekso Bionics' Ekso units and gave six people with severe spinal injuries, including a tetraplegic, the chance to walk. It's part of a trial study to examine the effects of walking for wheelchair-users, to see if it's better for their overall health or if it could contribute to their rehabilitation. A wider study will begin early next year with the hope of expanding use of the gear to domestic situations in the future. After the break we've got video of the people walking for the first time since their injuries and it's hard not to find yourself feeling a little emotional at the sight of it.

Continue reading Ekso Bionics' exoskeleton used to let paraplegics walk (video)

Ekso Bionics' exoskeleton used to let paraplegics walk (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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YouTube launches education-only option for teachers worldwide

2011-12-13T09:29:00.002-05:00

Even though there’s a ton of nonsense on YouTube that can admittedly be distracting to anyone at any age, there is a vast wealth of informative videos that could serve well in the classroom.

YouTube project manager Brian Truong explained on the official YouTube blog that “teachers that they want to use the vast array of educational videos on YouTube in their classrooms, but are concerned that students will be distracted by the latest music video or a video of a cute cat, or a video that might not be appropriate for students.”

Thus, the video sharing site’s developers have added a network setting that enables school administrators with access only to educational content from YouTube EDU.

YouTube has already put considerable effort into the project, which includes digital content from more than 600 partners, including the Smithsonian and TED. Furthermore, YouTube has worked with teachers to curate over 300 playlists categorized by subject (i.e. math, social studies, science, etc.) and by grade level. Teachers can also suggest their own playlists to YouTube.

For a closer look at the YouTube for Schools “global classroom” initiative, check out the promo video below:

Microsoft introduces OneNote for iPad, updates iPhone version

2011-12-13T09:18:00.000-05:00

Microsoft introduces OneNote for iPad, updates iPhone version:

Microsoft pushed out a native iPad version of the company's OneNote productivity app today along with enhancements to its existing iPhone counterpart. The popular note-taking utility allows users to create and edit documents on Apple's tablet, syncing them across devices via the cloud by way of Microsoft's SkyDrive. OneNote goes beyond simple text entry by offering checkboxes and bulleted items for easy composition of to-do lists, and photos can also be imported from the iOS camera roll to further personalize your work. A Windows Live ID is required to use the free-to-download app, though you'll only be able to create a total of 500 notes at no cost. An in-app purchase is required beyond that point, and is priced considerably higher on...

Trouble hearing? Advanced Bionics' waterproof implant is paddling your way

2011-12-02T15:30:00.000-05:00

If you're one of the 200,000 deaf people who've received cochlear implants, then here's an upgrade worth considering: the Neptune from Advanced Bionics claims to be "the world's first and only swimmable, waterproof sound processor," and it's just received certification for the US and Canada. Read on for more details in the full press release and soon you could be bantering while you bathe.

Continue reading Trouble hearing? Advanced Bionics' waterproof implant is paddling your way

Braille-It Labeler brings low-cost printing, 'sightless construction' to the blind -- Engadget

2011-12-02T09:22:00.000-05:00

It's certainly not the first Braille label printer we've seen, but Ted Moallem's Braille-It Labeler does bring notably unique element to the table -- namely, "sightless construction." Presented at this year's A Better World by Design conference, this compact device allows blind or visually impaired users to print out adhesive labels in Braille, thanks to a simple six-button design that's compatible with any Braille alphabet. Made out of relatively common materials like aluminum and steel wire, the Braille-It can also be constructed by the blind themselves -- a potentially groundbreaking development for a demographic that's too often ignored by the retail sector. Moallem, a former MIT grad student, explains:

Blind people cannot depend on mainstream commercial forces to advance the cause of Braille literacy. Nearly two centuries after the invention of Braille by a blind adolescent boy, the most widely used Braille-writing tools, the slate and stylus, are quite similar to the tools used by Louis Braille himself. In the hands of the sighted, the low-cost Braille industry has stagnated.

The inventor tested his label maker at a workshop last year in Katpadi, India, where blind trainees successfully taught other visually impaired users how to create their very own Braille-It. Moallem is now looking to set up similar workshops across other locations, including Senegal, Liberia and Lebanon. The ultimate goal is to empower blind consumers to create their own low-cost and potentially life-saving tools -- particularly in developing countries, which account for an estimated 90 percent of the world's blind population. If successful, Moallem's invention and ensuing campaign could provide a remarkably simple solution for a large, yet often neglected population. We certainly wish him the best of luck. Find out more at the source link below, or check out Inhabitat's extensive coverage for more images and insight.

Link: Inhabitat.com

Dragon Express offers Lion users lower-cost speech-to-text

2011-11-15T12:43:00.000-05:00

Dragon Express offers Lion users lower-cost speech-to-text:

Nuance released on Thursday a new speech-to-text app for Mac users called Dragon Express. The pared-down app features the same speech recognition engine as its full-featured, $199 cousin Dragon Dictate, but at a much lower price.

We have already reviewed Nuance's Dragon Dictate, which offers features like direct, in-app input, voice-based editing controls, voice commands to control you Mac, and more. Dragon Express is more akin to Dragon Dictation on iOS—activate the app (you can configure a hotkey), say something out loud, and your speech is converted to text. The text can then be sent to the clipboard and pasted into any other app. It can also be sent to any active text box in any currently running native Cocoa app.

Nuance said that Dragon Express can work with either your Mac's built-in mic or an optional USB headset. We haven't been able to test the app's accuracy without a headset just yet, but our experience with the iOS app suggests it should be good enough to at least give you a workable rough draft. If your typing speed isn't that great, or hampered by a repetitive-stress injury, Dragon Express could be a big help.

Dragon Express has a few more tricks up its sleeve, too. Using a limited selection of voice commands (or merely clicking the requisite icon on the app's toolbar), you can send the translated speech to Facebook, Twitter, in an e-mail, perform a Spotlight search on your Mac, or search online using Google.

Dragon Express only runs on Mac OS X Lion and is available now from the Mac App Store for an "introductory" price of $49.99.

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Online Text to Speech Solutions for Corporate, Media and Public Web Sites

2011-11-15T12:40:00.000-05:00

Online Text to Speech Solutions for Corporate, Media and Public Web Sites:

ReadSpeaker® Enterprise™ is a family of online text to speech solutions that speech-enable your website(s) for the benefit of people who would like to listen instead of (or as well as) read. Without the need for downloading and installing any additional programs it is available to all users and from anywhere. ReadSpeaker® Enterprise™ solutions are easy to implement and are used both in the public and private sectors worldwide.

ReadSpeaker® Enterprise™ is built with usability, accessibility and device independency in mind to provide maximum access not only from PCs but also from iPhones and other smartphones including BlackBerry and Android powered phones, iPads, MP3 playing devices, PDAs, Video game consoles, Interactive Internet TVs and Internet booths and kiosks.

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An iOS 5 Tip: Using Your Camera Flash As An Indicator Light

2011-10-21T09:10:00.000-05:00

An iOS 5 Tip: Using Your Camera Flash As An Indicator Light:

Were you aware that you could now use your iPhone’s camera flash as an indicator light? Of course you can and here’s how.

Note – This tip works on the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S using iOS 5

First go into Accessibility using the Settings app (General > Accessibility). Next, select LED Flash for Alerts and simply turn it on.

LED Setting

Now, whenever you receive a new alert, you’ll see your iPhone’s camera flash blinking as well.

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Review – A Look at Accessibility and VoiceOver in iOS 5

2011-10-12T14:52:00.000-05:00

Review – A Look at Accessibility and VoiceOver in iOS 5:

The day has arrived! iOS 5 will be released today for supported iPHone, iPod, and iPad devices. You can find out about the most compelling accessibility enhancements, especially those in VoiceOver in "A Look at Accessibility and VoiceOver in iOS5". We hope this review will be useful and informative.

Accessibility Features in the new iOS 5

2011-10-12T12:53:00.001-05:00

Access granted

While we think of iOS devices as extremely easy-to-use, there are plenty of people for whom a touchscreen is less than ideal—especially those folks with disabilities. Apple has made an attempt to improve its devices’ accessibility with each subsequent software release; with iOS 5, the company has made far-reaching enhancements to accessibility across the board.

VoiceOver, first introduced in iOS 3, helps visually-impaired users navigate their iOS device by providing feedback via a synthesized voice and letting them use simplified gestures to interact with the touchscreen without having to see what’s on it. It gets a few improvements in iOS 5, including the addition of a compact voice option that (to my ears, anyway) sounded much better and more human when activated.

There are more options for the Rotor interface as well, including Volume, Hints, Search Fields, and more. In addition, iOS 5 now supports the expanded Eight-dot Braille configuration on Braille displays, and there’s an option for how VoiceOver should navigate images (options include always, with descriptions, and never).

In addition, users can now enable a text-to-speech option by enabling the Speak Selection option under Accessibility. When you select text in any app, a Speak button will then appear over it—tap that, and a computer-generated voice will read the selected text; during the speech, the Speak button will turn into a Pause button.

For the hearing impaired, iOS 5 now offers a Hearing Aid Mode that can improve compatibility with assistive devices, though it also warns it may reduce 2G cellular coverage. Plus, in addition to the Mono Audio capability that’s been around for a while, you can now adjust the balance of audio, even shifting it entirely to either the left or right channels. You can also have incoming calls automatically routed to the iPhone’s headset and speaker (or to the default audio output) and, on the iPhone 4, you can also choose to have the LED Flash blink when an alert goes off. Unfortunately, that feature did not appear to work in my tests—the sound and vibration went off as expected, but the light did not illuminate. Most of the colleagues I polled said they couldn’t get it to work either; one said that though it didn’t work when he first enabled it, it started functioning correctly later on.

Good Vibrations: iOS now supports custom vibration patterns, which can serve as a sort of Caller ID for users with visual impairment.

There’s also a nifty new feature that may even appeal to those who aren’t hearing impaired: custom vibration patterns. In the same way that you can assign a custom ringtone or other alert sound, you can now select a distinct pattern of vibrations. Apple provides a handful—the standard Alert, Heartbeat, Rapid, SOS, and Symphony (Beethoven’s Fifth, if you must know)—but you can also create your own in a nifty interface where you tap out the pattern and record it. You can also assign custom vibration patterns to individual contacts, so you’ll know when your significant other is calling without even taking your phone out of your pocket.

VIP Access: Users with motor impairments can take advantage of iOS's new AssistiveTouch technology to perform complex gestures and actions.

iOS 5 also includes accessibility features for a whole new class of users, those with motor impairment. The new AssistiveTouch feature adds a button that can be docked to one of the screen’s corners or along the sides (though not the bottom or top of the screen). Tapping this button summons an overlay menu that gives access to a variety of the device’s features, including a software Home button, screen rotation, screen locking, volume controls, muting, and device shaking. It also lets users simulate multitouch gestures with a single finger so, for example, you can mimic a two-finger tap, where necessary.

You can also record custom gestures and store them in a Favorites pane in case there are apps that require certain types of multitouch gesture. By default, the Favorites pane includes iOS’s pinch gesture, allowing disabled users to perform it with a single finger.

All in all, the improvements in iOS 5 help make Apple’s devices some of the most accessible to date. But it’s not without limitations. One major shortcoming is any sort of speech-to-text capability, a feature the company recently demonstrated running exclusively on its new iPhone 4S. Given the capability of third-party dictation apps like Dragon Dictation, it’s hard to imagine that the iPhone 4, at least, couldn’t handle systemwide speech-to-text functionality. Providing a system-level dictation feature to more than just users of the latest and greatest device would have been a great help for those users who have trouble typing on their current iOS devices.

Boogie Board Rip goes on pre-order, no more tearing through notepads

2011-10-05T10:15:00.000-05:00

Boogie Board Rip goes on pre-order, no more tearing through notepads:

The Boogie Board Rip is now available to pre-order for all your digital sketching needs. The latest stylus-friendly writing tablet from Improv Electronics adds the ability to save notes and sketches, then port them across to your computer as PDFs. Its reflex LCD only uses power when it's wiping the screen, meaning it should squeeze out a week of typical use between charges. You can reserve yours now from the maker in the US and Canada, but at $130, it's pricier than previous storage-free Boogie Boards. Europeans longing for a digital sketch pad can lay a claim to one next week, with the scribbling slate set to ship on November 1st.

Continue reading Boogie Board Rip goes on pre-order, no more tearing through notepads

Boogie Board Rip goes on pre-order, no more tearing through notepads originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 20:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cyberdyne HAL robotic arm hands-on (video)

2011-10-05T10:09:00.000-05:00

Cyberdyne HAL robotic arm hands-on (video):

If the name Cyberdyne doesn't immediately ring a bell, its HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb) robotic suit sure will. Here at CEATEC, we bumped into these folks who kindly offered to strap us onto their latest prototype arm -- a slightly smaller variant of the one installed on Cyberdyne's current suit. Most of the HAL's main part was strapped to the outer side of our upper arm with velcro, while our wrist was tied to the much smaller extendable piece; both parts were hinged together with a power unit. Additionally, a sensory pad was applied onto our forearm's medial cutaneous nerve (around the elbow area) to pick up our muscular nerve signal -- similarly, Cyberdyne's lower-body exosuit requires two sensors on each leg.

Our HAL was energized as soon as we tensed our arm muscles, so lifting up the tray of four 1.5kg water bottles was a piece of cake consistently throughout the demo -- we even managed it with just our pinky (see video above)! And as soon as Cyberdyne's lovely assistant Fumi turned the dial down, our superhuman powers were instantly taken away. We weren't given any dates or specs for this piece of kit, but if all goes well, we may well see a brand new full-body suit at CES 2012 in January, so stay tuned. Oh, and can someone please get Cyberdyne some WD-40?

Zach Honig contributed to this report.

Gallery: Cyberdyne Robotic Arm hands-on

Cyberdyne HAL robotic arm hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 10:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wacom intros new Bamboo line of tablets, carpal tunneled wrists tremble with excitement

2011-09-28T12:14:00.000-05:00

Wacom intros new Bamboo line of tablets, carpal tunneled wrists tremble with excitement:

Members of the creative class, your input options have arrived. Wacom, maker of the tablet you've spent countless deadline-driven, bleary-eyed nights slaving over, has outed a trio of updates to its Bamboo line -- each targeted to a particular user profile. At the low-end of this newly introduced range, home office / business users can opt-in for the company's pen-only Bamboo Connect, which'll set you back about $80 for the base goods. But the real enhancements to a graphic designer's best friend comes via the wireless-capable (courtesy of a separate $40 RF dongle) Capture and Create models -- available for $100 and $200, respectively -- that add multi-touch functionality for "gesture-based input such as scrolling [and] zooming." While the latter entry is essentially a luxe, double-sized (and double-priced) version of the Capture, all of the tabs come bundled with a specific suite of PC and Mac-friendly software, and a pressure-sensitive, eraser-tipped pen. You can snag these latest Wacom family members right now, or if your wallet needs more convincing, feel free to peruse the PR after the break.

Continue reading Wacom intros new Bamboo line of tablets, carpal tunneled wrists tremble with excitement

Wacom intros new Bamboo line of tablets, carpal tunneled wrists tremble with excitement originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Penclic Mouse pointing device set to roll out in US and Canada

2011-09-28T12:13:00.000-05:00

Penclic Mouse pointing device set to roll out in US and Canada:

The Swedish-designed Penclic Mouse has already been making the rounds in Europe for a little while, but it looks like it's now finally ready to make the jump to North America. While there's still no firm word on pricing or availability, Prestige International has confirmed that it will be bringing the device to both the US and Canada, where it will be available at Best Buy, Walmart and other major retailers. As you can probably surmise, the device itself is quite literally a combination pen / mouse (the two pieces remain attached), which the company says provides a "relaxed working position and advanced precision." As in Europe, the device will be available in both wired and wireless versions, and it's Mac and PC compatible. Check out the gallery below for a closer look.

Gallery: Penclic Mouse

Continue reading Penclic Mouse pointing device set to roll out in US and Canada

Penclic Mouse pointing device set to roll out in US and Canada originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amazon reveals $79 Kindle, ships today!

2011-09-28T10:09:00.000-05:00

Amazon reveals $79 Kindle, ships today!:

As if a $199 Kindle Fire wasn't enough, Amazon's also launching a Kindle e-reader that'll dip below triple-digits for the first time. You heard right -- a $79 Kindle. According to Bloomberg Businessweek, the company's Kindle line will "start" at the aforesaid price as of today, a marked decrease from the $114 being charged for its lowest end unit earlier in the week. If anything, that's a huge blow for Barnes & Noble, and we're surmising that a reactionary drop will be coming soon in the Nook family if it hopes to keep pace. We've also learned that this guy has ads built right in -- not a shocker given the price, but notable for those who aren't keen on buying a device that continually serves up commercials to justify the lower up-front tally.

Keep up with the unveiling at our liveblog of the Amazon event.

Update: We've added the first commercial video after the break.

Continue reading Amazon reveals $79 Kindle, ships today!

Amazon reveals $79 Kindle, ships today! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 10:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amazon launches Kindle Touch and Touch 3G: starts at $99, ships November 21st

2011-09-28T10:08:00.001-05:00

Amazon launches Kindle Touch and Touch 3G: starts at $99, ships November 21st:

Oddly enough, the Kindle Fire already feels like yesterday's news. Why? Because Amazon won't stop launching new products. Jeff Bezos just revealed the Kindle Touch here in New York City, noting that this guy's using an IR touch system, similar to the latest Nook and Kobo, and there's no keyboard (physical, anyway) to speak of. It's slimmer, smaller and lighter than the existing Kindle, with a muted silver chassis that looks almost nothing like the Kindles of today. The entire user interface has been re-thought out, with "taps" being used in place of buttons. Need another reason to buy? We're told that it's using the company's "most advanced" E Ink display yet, and while no specifics were doled out, "extra long" was the term used to describe battery life. A 3G-enabled model ($149 with free global roaming!) will also be available, with the duo up for pre-order later today and shipments going out on November 21st.

Keep up with the unveiling at our liveblog of the Amazon event.

Gallery: Amazon launches Kindle Touch e-reader in NYC!

Continue reading Amazon launches Kindle Touch and Touch 3G: starts at $99, ships November 21st

Amazon launches Kindle Touch and Touch 3G: starts at $99, ships November 21st originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 10:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amazon Kindle Fire tablet unveiled: Android-based, 7-inch display, $199 price tag

2011-09-28T10:08:00.000-05:00

Amazon Kindle Fire tablet unveiled: Android-based, 7-inch display, $199 price tag:

Okay, so it wasn't much of a surprise, but Amazon finally has a tablet, and as expected its name picks up where the Kindle left off: Fire. Of course, rumors of an Amazon tablet date back to this time last year (if not before), but it seems that Jeff and co. have wisely chosen to get this thing out on the open market before having yet another wild and wacky holiday quarter. Bloomberg has curiously reported on some of the details before the event itself kicks off, noting that the 7-inch device will run a version of Android while acting much like a "souped-up Kindle." The real kicker, however, is the price -- at just $199, it's bound to turn heads, regardless of whether you were interested in a slate before. Naturally, that bargain-bin sticker explains the lack of an embedded camera and microphone, though consumers will find WiFi (no 3G, sadly) and a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. It's also quite clear that Amazon's hoping to make a bigger splash on the content side of things than has been made already by Apple, and with the deals flowing like wine, we wouldn't be shocked if it does just that.

Update: Itching for specs? How's about a 7-inch IPS (!) panel, Gorilla Glass coating, a dual-core CPU and a chassis that weighs 14.6 ounces. There's also access to things you'd expect to have access to: Android Appstore, Kindle books, magazines, etc. -- all stored for free via Amazon Cloud Storage. Per Jeff: "Delete it and get it back when you want." Oh, and Whispersync now works with movies and TV shows! "When you get home, switch to your big screen TV. Your movie will be right where you left it."

While it's clearly Android underneath, the actual UI looks effectively nothing like it -- considering TechCrunch's intel that Amazon went and did its own thing without Google's blessing, we guess that makes some level of sense. Oh, and pre-orders are set to start today, with shipments heading out on November 15th.

Update 2: We've added the first commercial video after the break.

Keep up with the unveiling at our liveblog of the Amazon event.

Gallery: Amazon launches Kindle Fire tablet in NYC!

Continue reading Amazon Kindle Fire tablet unveiled: Android-based, 7-inch display, $199 price tag

Amazon Kindle Fire tablet unveiled: Android-based, 7-inch display, $199 price tag originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 09:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LookTel Products – Money Reader for iPhone

2011-09-27T08:15:00.000-05:00

LookTel Products – Money Reader for iPhone:

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Converse Aims To Break The Language Barrier

2011-09-26T15:01:00.000-05:00

Converse Aims To Break The Language Barrier:

Converse ($4.99) by Riot converts text from one language to another.

The app uses an Internet connection to translate between: English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portugese, and Dutch. The interface is about as simple as it gets. After the loading screen there is a single screen with two keyboards, each having a screen.

Select a language for each side. Typing a message on one side will translate it into the other side’s language. The field allows 60 characters for translation.

The ideal situation for using this app would be two monolingual people sitting across from each other at a table, with the iPad between them.

Life, however, is far from ideal, and the opportunities for using this app seem limited.

A better setup that I can see would be for those trying to learn a new language. The app could be a way to look up words or phrases in the other language, or as a quiz.

Added to the limited usefulness is the lack of user-friendliness.

Since the screen remains in portrait mode, the keyboards for both sides are smaller than if they were in landscape. A bluetooth keyboard isn’t a workaround, either.

Perhaps the biggest keyboard issue, though, is the functionality of the shift button. Don’t get me wrong, you can capitalize or select different punctuation; you just have to hold down the key each time you do it.

Obviously, physical keyboards require the shift button to be held, but this is iOS. Having the shift arrow turn blue is expected. At least you can hold down a letter to see variations for it.

This app could use some additional features, such as keeping a transcript, cut and paste functionality, and allowing for more than 60 characters. Oh, and a proper iOS shift key would be nice, too.

Converse

Converse Aims To Break The Language Barrier is a story by AppAdvice.com

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Everything You Need To Know About “Assistant” – For The iPhone 5

2011-09-26T13:56:00.000-05:00

Everything You Need To Know About “Assistant” – For The iPhone 5:

It has been a couple of months since 9to5Mac began teasing us with information on an unreleased “Assistant” feature for iOS that Apple is keeping warm for the launch of the iPhone 5. Born from Apple’s acquisition of Siri, the personal assistant app, and an alliance with Nuance, the new Assistant feature is rumored to be very similar, but built right into iOS and with more options. Today, in a well-timed post, 9to5Mac details what they claim is everything they know about it.

Essentially, the new assistant feature will be your own portable version of HAL. It will allow you to interact with your iPhone using your voice and some fancy waveforms on your screen. That is, similarly to Voice Control right now, you’ll be able to use a whole array of keywords and commands to interact with the core features of iOS. The exciting part about it is that your iPhone should be able to respond, and in a way, interact with you like an actual assistant. They point out the system’s ability to find GPS locations, and take you places (which might suggest a built-in GPS navigation app), as well as setting up appointments and reminders. It’s pretty much everything they have already said.

The complexity of the feature will require an iPhone 5 to take advantage of it. The device, they report, will feature Apple’s new dual-core A5 processor as well as, an entire 1GB of RAM. This will further allow for a much better experience with games, and browsing (your tabs will stay open longer).

Whether 9to5Mac is presenting us with actual insider information is questionable. Yet, the picture they paint looks credible enough, and sounds like an obvious evolution of the iPhone hardware, mixed with a couple of months of exciting discoveries from Apple’s developer tools. The hardware improvements, and especially an extended 1GB of RAM will be very beneficial, and really make your iPhone fly. As for “Assistant,” while I’m ready to believe it exists, it sounds very gimmicky at this stage. Without a doubt, it will take a lot of Apple magic to make it a compelling feature, especially knowing the current state of voice recognition engines.

Siri Assistant

Everything You Need To Know About “Assistant” – For The iPhone 5 is a story by AppAdvice.com

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Intellipad iPad app focuses on special education needs

2011-09-26T12:35:00.000-05:00

Intellipad iPad app focuses on special education needs: Intellipad’s new Intellipad 1.0 iPad app is aimed at making Apple’s tablet more useful for special education students learning to read, write, and communicate.

2011-09-26T12:21:00.000-05:00

Engineer hacks a Kindle, creates easy to use prototype for sister with cerebral palsy

2011-08-24T12:10:00.000-05:00

Engineer hacks a Kindle, creates easy to use prototype for sister with cerebral palsy:

This may not be Amazon's next version of the Kindle, but this rad mod does fill a very unique purpose. Glenn, an electrical engineer, created what he's calling the Frankenkindle for his sister, who has cerebral palsy. This e-reader features controls that are much easier for her to use than the stock buttons on the factory offering. Using the keypad from a children's reader and Amazon's pride and joy, the fully functional device is only lacking a permanent mount for the hacked digital library and some wire organization. In between the buttons and the Kindle, he's customized a Teensy USB microcontroller to interpret and pass along the proper input commands. While fully aware the device will need some user testing, Glenn intends to tailor this bad boy to his sister's specific needs -- and if that wasn't enough he's got more tricks up his sleeve that will help others with physical disabilities. If you're wanting a quick walk through, check out the video after the break.

Continue reading Engineer hacks a Kindle, creates easy to use prototype for sister with cerebral palsy

Engineer hacks a Kindle, creates easy to use prototype for sister with cerebral palsy originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Aug 2011 07:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tacit sonar gauntlet gives the blind ultrasonic eyes (video)

2011-08-22T08:25:00.000-05:00

Tacit sonar gauntlet gives the blind ultrasonic eyes (video):

Sure, your Arduino project can make a stuffed monkey dance, but is it really doing anything for the greater benefit of mankind? Okay, maybe -- but not to the same degree as Grathio Labs' Tacit glove, an Arduino powered sonar device that can help the vision impaired navigate foreign environments. This wrist-mounted gauntlet is comprised of an Arduino microcontroller, a few ultrasonic sensors, and a pair of servomotors to apply variable pressure to the user's wrist to indicate their distance from an object or obstacle. Best of all, the gizmo's circuit and software are registered under Creative Commons, which means you're free to snag the plans from the source link below, and build your own. Go on, build one. Sure, it's a lot of work, but would you rather rock a wrist-mounted sonar gun, or don an ear-tugging bicycle helmet? Your choice.

Tacit sonar gauntlet gives the blind ultrasonic eyes (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 07:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bionic leg anticipates wearer's movements for more natural motion

2011-08-18T11:50:00.000-05:00

Bionic leg anticipates wearer's movements for more natural motion:

Vanderbilt University researchers have debuted a new prosthetic leg that promises a more natural walking experience. Built-in sensors monitor the wearer's movement, data which is sent to a microprocessor, in order anticipate motion. The knee and ankle joints, meanwhile, work in unison, considerably cutting down on the sort of lag this is customary with more traditional prosthetic devices, a fact confirmed by tester Craig Hutto. The bionic limb, which took some seven years to develop, can increase the walking speed of its wearer by up to 25 percent, thanks to its need for considerably less energy from the user than passive prosthetic limbs. Check out a video of the leg in action at the source link below.

Bionic leg anticipates wearer's movements for more natural motion originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 12:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink PhysOrg | Vanderbilt | Email this | Comments

Accessibility For Lion

2011-08-17T09:33:00.000-05:00

Accessibility For Lion: "

Today Mac OS X 10.7, named Lion, became available to users. You can download Lion for just US$29 and Lion will run on most Intel-based Mac computers.

To check whether your computer will run Lion click on the Apple shaped icon at the top left of your screen, then choosing “About This Mac” from the menu. The information you need is in the line labelled “Processors”, and your Mac must have an Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, or Xeon processor to run Lion.

Remember to check the compatibility of ALL essential hardware and software before you decide to upgrade to Lion. Some programs and devices may not be compatible yet.

Lion is the first version of OS X which can be downloaded by users from the Mac App Store, which should save you a trip to the store or a shipping charge if your internet connection is good enough to cope. The download is about four gigabytes which could take several hours even on a fairly fast broadband connection. But if you can’t afford the time or money it would cost for you to download the upgrade, you can download Lion at Apple retail stores. Later this August, Lion will also be made available on a USB thumb drive through the Apple Stores.

So what’s new in Lion from an accessibility perspective? Apple’s web page listing new features in OS X Lion seems to list a lot of things which have actually been available to Snow Leopard users for a while now, but I’ll try to let you know which is which.

Note: I haven’t upgraded to Lion yet so I’m going by what’s on Apple’s web pages and documentation writing this article. I’d appreciate comments and feedback, especially if I’ve got things wrong!

OS X More Like iOS

This isn’t specifically listed on Apple’s page but it’s been observed my many people: OS X Lion on your Mac now behaves more like iOS does on the iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch. The two are far from identical but OS X now has more features that iOS has including: more multi-touch gestures, full screen apps, the app store, and ‘suspend’ for apps.

I think having the two systems becoming more similar is an overall win for accessibility because many of us use a Mac and an iPhone or iPad and the more similar they are the easier it is to learn and remember how to use them.

More Multi-Touch Gestures

Some multi-touch gestures, such as 2-finger scrolling, have been available for a while to Snow Leopard users with a laptop, Magic Trackpad or Magic Mouse. New gestures mimicing iOS gestures include tap-to-zoom (as in iOS’s Safari) and swipe-to-navigate (like how you turn pages in iBooks). OS X also has some new gestures not found in iOS including ways to switch between apps using just gestures.

The support page OS X Lion: About Multi-Touch Gestures lists the gestures with descriptions and pictures, or if you’ve already upgraded to Lion you can open the Trackpad and Mouse panes of System Preferences to see videos of each gesture.

Multi-touch gestures can be great for some people with limited movement but awful for others, depending on each person’s specific limitations. At the moment it looks like all of these functions can be triggered via the keyboard as well as via multi-touch so they can be also be customised to be triggered via on-screen keyboard, switch, etc. – that’s something that I’m sure accessibility teams will keep an eye on in the future!

Mac App Store

I believe that the Mac App store is definitely a win for accessibility – it makes it easy to search for access-related programs and takes the fiddlyness out of buying them. Not all Mac programs can be found via the Mac App store though which makes it significantly less useful than the iTunes App Store for iOS, but this should change over time

Versions and Auto Save

Auto Save is just what it sounds like – there’s no need to remember to “press save”, the Mac will do it for you. And Versions, a bit like Time Machine, will automatically save old versions of your documents and help you compare the old and new versions.

These will be an especial help to those with memory or attention problems, as well as saving all of us when our memory or attention spans fail.

VoiceOver and Braille Languages

OS X now comes with voices in many languages for VoiceOver users and braille tables for a wide variety of languages too. Previously OS X only shipped with text-to-speech voices in English and other languages had to be purchased at additional cost – it’s great to see this accessibility more widely available.

High Resolution Cursor

Previous OS X users who increased the cursor magnification, such as myself, will have been frustrated at how pixelated and “blocky” the cursor looked when its size was enlarged. Lion’s cursor finally fixes this problem!

Picture-In-Picture Zoom

Getting “lost” at high levels of zoom has always been a problem – it’s not always easy to keep track of which bit of the zoomed screen you’re viewing. The screen zoom feature in Lion offers a picture-in-picture view, allowing you to see the zoomed area in a separate window while keeping the rest of the screen at its native size. Choose to have the window follow the cursor, or keep the window in one place to show only areas you navigate.

Improved Auto-Correction

Another area where OS X and iOS are converging, auto-correction in Lion displays suggested spellings below the word. Press Return to accept the change or click the X to keep the current spelling.

There are lots more new features – you can check out Apple’s What’s New In OS X Lion page yourself.

A smoother cursor is a small thing but I think it’s the accessibility feature I’m looking forward to the most – that blocky cursor really has driven me crazy! The Picture-In-Picture zoom also has exciting potential because it’s something I could use a lot. What are you most looking forward to in OS X Lion?

- Ricky Buchanan

Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means that if you purchase the products that I've linked to I'll get a commission - a small percentage of the sale price. It won't cost you anything and it will help to support me and ATMac.

Back To The Accessible Mac: Accessibility Implications From Apple’s 20 October Event’

WWDC '10 Announcements: Accessibility Implications

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This article was originally published at Accessibility For Lion and is copyright (C) Ricky Buchanan 2010. May be forwarded but do not republish without permission.

New Case Could Make It Easier For Visually Impaired To Use iPad

2011-08-17T09:32:00.000-05:00

New Case Could Make It Easier For Visually Impaired To Use iPad: "

For the blind and those who are visually impaired, Jayson D’Alessandro has created the Omnifer iPad cover. Still only a concept, the case transforms the iPad’s flat surface into Braille, reflecting the contents of the page you are surfing.

According to a posting at Yanko Design, the Omnifer uses gas pockets filled with a chemical that reacts by expanding when exposed to light. This allows braille dots to rise, as necessary.

Omnifer Case For iPad

Naturally, in order for this to be successful, apps must be developed that interact with the case. In doing so, the app would automatically stream text into braille format to the user’s fingertips. As of now, the supporting technology is not yet available.

This is a brilliant concept. It would be terrific to see it implemented sometime in the future.

New Case Could Make It Easier For Visually Impaired To Use iPad is a story by AppAdvice.com

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Paralyzed student uses robotic exoskeleton to walk at college graduation (video)

2011-05-16T08:49:00.001-05:00

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Chipotle Ordered To Improve Accessibility

2011-04-19T15:03:00.001-05:00

A California man who uses a wheelchair appears to have succeeded in his effort to force Chipotle to alter the height of its counters in order to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA.

Maurizio Antoninetti sued Chipotle Mexican Grill arguing that the fast-casual restaurant chain’s nearly 4-foot counters were too high for people using wheelchairs.

Typically, customers at Chipotle select the food they want and watch as their tacos and burritos are assembled. But Antoninetti said the counter height prevented individuals with disabilities from participating in the restaurant experience.

Chipotle said that it met the needs of customers with disabilities by bringing portions of each food to them to select from.

However, a federal appeals court decision last year found in favor of Antoninetti saying that the counter “significantly reduced Antoninetti’s ability to enjoy the ‘Chipotle experience.’”

Chipotle appealed the decision, but this week, the U.S. Supreme Court said it would not hear the case, allowing the lower court’s ruling to stand.

via disabilityscoop.com

Getting An iPad/iPhone/iTouch For Communication

2011-04-08T11:56:00.001-05:00

Getting An iPad/iPhone/iTouch For Communication
By Ricky Buchanan on April 8, 2011

I frequently get emails from people who ask for an iPad, iPhone, or an iPod Touch for their family member who has a communication disorder. Having to say “no” to these worthy families really sucks and I haven’t had any decent list to point them at until now. So here’s a comprehensive list of groups that I know of who are currently accepting applications as of April 2011. Please read the notes at the bottom of the list, and use your common sense when contacting anybody or giving them your details.

This list is for groups specifically distributing iPads, iPhones and iPod touches for communication purposes.

Also please remember, iPads and iPhones and iTouches are great but they are not the right solution for everybody. If you are not already working with a speech pathologist (SLP) and perhaps an occupational therapist as well then the first thing you need to do is consult these people (if your child is at school then ask your special education department about this). A speech therapist can evaluate your child’s abilities and needs and can often organise trials of different devices for your child. Blindly spending a lot of money on an iPad – which might not be usable or helpful to your child – is a gamble which might backfire badly, so I definitely recommend that you consult the experts on this one.

All information on this list comes from the program websites. I have not personally verified any of this information.

iPads can be wonderful communication tool

The blog Apps 4 Children With Special Needs is giving an iPad away to a family in need every time $500 is raised.
Who can apply: No information specified
Program’s history: One iPad distributed (March 2011), published waiting list lists 50+ people.
Program location: Location unknown
Further information: iPads 4U

Babies with iPads is granting iPads as funds allow.
Who can apply: Applicants must be residents of western virginia, USA, with a child under 60 months old. Further details on website.
Program’s history: One iPad distributed
Program location: Western Virginia, USA
Further information: Babies with iPads grant application eligibility requirements

The Conover Company is a software development company, focussing on assessment and training software for both companies and the educational area. One of their product areas is iPhone and iPad apps for special education, including life skills, literacy skills, social skills and work skills. The company has established the Conover Mobile Technology Grant to promote the use of mobile technology and Conover Company apps to improve individuals’ ability to function independently in their homes, schools, workplaces and communities
Who can apply: Website specifies “Individuals, parents, caretakers, teachers, counselors, religious leaders, private organizations and public organizations.” Application form implies but doesn’t specify that applicants are USA-based.
Program’s history: No history known
Program location: Wisconsin, USA
Further information: Conover Mobile Technology Grant

Danny’s Wish is committed to providing life enhancing resources and experiences for children and families dealing with autism and autism spectrum disorders. Their goal for this campaign is to raise $50,000 to supply approximately 100 iPads to those children affected and in need the most.
Who can apply: Recipient must be a USA resident with an official autism spectrum diagnosis and be nonverbal or minimally verbal. Gross income of family below US$100k.
Program’s history: No history known
Program location: New York, USA
Further information: Danny’s Wish

The HollyRod Foundation introduced the “Give the Gift of Voice” campaign in 2010 to provide iPads to give a voice to those without. To date, HollyRod has given away more iPads for communication for Autism than any other organization. Over 100 individuals ranging in age from 3 to 32 across 27 states can now make their voice heard. It is our commitment to continue this program so that every individual with Autism has a voice.
Who can apply: Not currently accepting applications
Program location: USA
Program’s history: Over 100 iPads distributed
Further information: The HollyRod Foundation

iHelp for Special Needs is dedicated to help raise funds for children with special needs to receive iPads and relevant apps to assist with communication, life skills, and social skills. The group helps parents and groups to raise funds for themselves, and supplements these funds.
Who can apply: No information specified
Program location: Texas, USA
Program’s history: One iPad distributed (December 2010)
Further information: iHelp for Special Needs

iPads4irishautism (previously “I Want My iPhone For Autism”) refurbish and redistribute used iPads, iPhones and iPod Touches. This program is run by Lisa Domican, who also develops the Grace AAC app.
Who can apply: No information specified
Program’s history: No history known
Program location: Ireland
Further information: iPads4irishautism

The iTaalk Autism Foundation refurbishes used iPhones and similar devices and distributes these to children with Autism.
Who can apply: No information specified
Program’s history: No history known
Program location: Ohio, USA
Further information: iTaalk Autism Foundation

The Puzzling Piece are running an iPad challenge. You sell 60 pieces of their puzzle-piece autism jewellery (at US$20 each) and they will send you a brand new iPad. The Puzzling Piece is run by a couple who have an autistic son.
Who can apply: Site implies parents and teachers, but no limits specified
Program’s history: No history known
Program location: Florida, USA
Further information: The Puzzling Piece iPad Challenge

Small Steps In Speech has a mission to help children with speech and/or language disorders take the steps needed to be better communicators. This is achieved through grants and donations to service providers and qualifying charitable organisations.
Who can apply: Applicant must be USA based and under 22 years of age.
Program’s history: No history known
Program location: New Jersey, USA
Further information: Small Steps In Speech Grant Application

All information on this list comes from the program websites. I have not personally verified any of this information – that’s up to you.

Note that Apple themselves do not donate devices to anybody, to the best of my knowledge, and are very unlikely to start doing so.

I think that if you need a device for somebody and can’t afford it, your best bet is probably not to apply to these sites – their waiting lists are already very long. In my opinion, you’re most likely to have luck with raising money on your own – suggestions on Squidilicious’ How To Get Your Kid With Autism That Wonderful iPad and On A Tight Budget: 7 Ways To Get An iPad For Your Child With Special Needs.

If you have further information please leave me a comment.

- Ricky Buchanan

Posted in AAC, Autism/Aspergers/ASD, iDevices, Information, Supporters | Leave a response

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Getting An iPad/iPhone/iTouch For Communication

2011-04-08T11:54:00.001-05:00

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Khan Academy

2011-03-21T14:17:00.001-05:00

Watch. Practice. Learn almost anything—for free.

What started out as Sal making a few algebra videos for his cousins has grown to over 2,100 videos and 100 self-paced exercises and assessments covering everything from arithmetic to physics, finance, and history.

A free world-class education for anyone anywhere.

The Khan Academy is an organization on a mission. We're a not-for-profit with the goal of changing education for the better by providing a free world-class education to anyone anywhere.

All of the site's resources are available to anyone. It doesn't matter if you are a student, teacher, home-schooler, principal, adult returning to the classroom after 20 years, or a friendly alien just trying to get a leg up in earthly biology. The Khan Academy's materials and resources are available to you completely free of charge.

TotallyADD.com: A complete guide to ADD, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in adulthood and the documentary ADD & Loving It?!

2011-03-10T16:18:00.001-05:00

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Created for adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) and those affected by it (family, employers, health professionals, etc.), Totally ADD liberates people from the fear, shame, and stigma that can accompany this often misunderstood and misdiagnosed disorder. Through education, humour, and social interaction Totally ADD provides the tools and support people need to create a life they love.

The Hand-e-holder for IOS Devices

2010-12-10T10:51:00.000-05:00

The Hand-e-holder for IOS Devices: "

Recently I’ve stumbled upon a new holder for the iPad that I hoped would end up being the missing link I’ve been looking for in my quest to find a way to make the iPad work for me. It’s called the “Hand-e-holder” and it’s unlike any holder I’ve seen thus far.

The Hand-e-holder was developed by Burns Computer Services. The intent was to make an easy–to–use, versatile holder for the iPad and other similar devices. The description from the website is as follows:

“The Hand-e-holder allows you to hold and view your iPad/tablet device comfortably in your hand, while providing a 360° rotation”.

I’ve been using an iPod Touch for over two years but I’ve always been restricted to using it in portrait mode because that’s how it’s mounted on my wheelchair armrest. While this has worked out fairly well for me I’ve always hoped to find a method that would allow me to easily rotate my iPod Touch to either portrait or landscape mode without assistance from anybody else. Having the ability to do this would seem to be of greater importance with an iPad, which has been one of the obstacles preventing me from getting one.

When I first saw the Hand-e-holder I immediately noticed the “adapter plate” portion of the device. It’s like a miniature turntable attached to the holder itself which allows the 360° rotation. I figured if I could somehow mount the adapter plate on my armrest that I might have the solution I’ve been looking for. I spoke to Mike Burns, the founder of the company, and he was gracious enough to send me a slightly modified Hand-e-holder to see if it would work for me and my iPod Touch. As it turned out the straps on the Hand-e-holder were long enough that I could fasten it to my armrest by just wrapping them around the armrest securely with the adapter plate portion sitting squarely on top of my armrest. Then it was only a matter of attaching the “Dual Lock Ring” to the back of my Ipod Touch. The adhesive on the ring is quite strong but can be removed without damaging your device. Once the Dual Lock Ring was attached i was able to mount my Ipod Touch to the Hand-e-holder (which is attached to my armrest as in the picture) as often as i like. In other words, the Ipod Touch can be removed from the Hand-e-holder as often as needed. This is useful because there are times when friends or family want to use it, which would be kind of difficult if it were permanently stuck to my armrest. At first it was hard to believe how secure the Ipod Touch was sitting on my armrest like this but as long as you press hard enough when remounting it the Dual Lock Ring really does “lock” it back in place. If you check out the video on their website you’ll see this clearly demonstrated with an iPad. I must note however that i had to place the Dual Lock Ring directly onto the back of my iPod Touch for it to function correctly. At first I had tried attaching it to the back of the cheap rubber case my iPod Touch had been encased in but it didn’t stick well at all. Once the rubber case was out of the equation that’s no longer an issue. In fact, it sticks so well that I really don’t see a need to find a case that would work with it. However, if you feel more comfortable using a case there is a video on their website that shows you how to modify your case to work with the Hand-e-holder.

The Hand-e-holder wrapped around my armrest (left) with the adapter plate directly under the iPod Touch (right)

So now the big question. Does this allow me to independently rotate my iPod Touch? I’m happy to say the answer is most definitely YES. I can’t do it as easily as somebody with a fully functional hand, which isn’t a surprise, but the important thing is I can now do it all by myself. So now if I want to do something on my iPod Touch that works better in landscape mode, like watch a YouTube video or play a game, I can put it that way. If it’s not something that’s already in landscape mode I only need to tilt my wheelchair back a little bit to get the iPod Touch’s accelerometer to do it’s thing and change the orientation. It’s pretty awesome and after only a few days it’s demonstrated how much I’ve been missing by not having this capability. I can even leave my dock connector plugged in constantly as before (my iPod Touch receives a constant charge from my wheelchair battery) no matter what orientation it’s in.

Independently rotating the iPod Touch from portrait to landscape orientation

These encouraging results gave me some hope where the iPad is concerned. However in my case there was also the question of whether there’s enough space for me to mount it in the same location as my iPod Touch. They also offer various stands and clamps that are compatible with the Hand-e-holder and further improve its accessibility and usefulness. My hope was the clamps could take care of the space problem, if there ended up being one. Fortunately I ended up getting a golden opportunity to answer all these questions regarding the iPad as Mike Burns was gracious enough to offer to send me some of the clamps and a loaner iPad to test things out! So I got to see first-hand if there’s some way this can work out for me.

The iPad mounted on my armrest using one of the C-Clamps attached to the Hand-e-holder

Portrait (left) and landscape (right) orientation on my armrest

Upon receiving the iPad I immediately discovered, as expected, that it is much too large to mount directly on my armrest in the same fashion that my iPod Touch is. So that left me with the clamps. I tried several positions and locations to no avail. No matter where I placed the iPad with the clamps it either prevented me from using my wheelchair controls, or messed with the width of my wheelchair for doorways and such, or both. However it became readily apparent that the clamps he sent me are incredibly versatile. They can be placed just about anywhere and at any angle. The problem for me though is that my limited arm movement just doesn’t allow for many potential locations on my wheelchair. In all honesty the perfect location would be right where my wheelchair hand controls are and they obviously can’t be moved. To Mike Burn’s credit he’s determined to make this work for me so as of this writing the book isn’t yet completely closed on the iPad and my wheelchair. So if they come up with another solution that works I will be sure to update this article.

But despite the inability (thus far) to get this to work for me it occurred to me that this COULD work very well for other physically disabled individuals. It perhaps could even be the difference between getting an iPad and not getting an iPad. I mentioned above how versatile the clamps and stands they offer are. So versatile that I really believe that others would be able to successfully mount an iPad on their wheelchair in an accessible position. You can get a good idea about this versatility with the pictures below. You’ll notice this versatility extends beyond the wheelchair as well. I was able to easily mount the iPad to my kitchen counter and the side rail on my bed, both of which made the iPad easily accessible to me at those locations. And even when attached to one of the clamps it’s still possible to easily rotate the iPad between landscape and portrait orientation. The possibilities are really endless here. Being able to use the iPad in bed so easily, especially with a mouthstick, was a surprising revelation for me. My iMac can’t really be moved around very easily so whenever I lay down in bed, to watch TV or take it easy, I’m pretty much cut off from the Internet and anything computer related. I have tried to use my iPod Touch in that position but the screen is just too small to make it practical. The iPad, however, works extremely well in that position. And since the iPad can do so many of the same things that a computer can (and as I learned in some cases can do certain things a little better) it was like my computer was right there with me! It’s so useful and convenient to have that capability that I’m now seriously considering getting an iPad of my own. It would certainly be a lifesaver whenever I get sick or have some other type of medical problem that keeps me bedridden for any length of time.

The iPad mounted on my kitchen counter (left) enables easy drive-up to access (right)

Using the iPad in landscape orientation (left) then independently rotating it for use in portrait orientation (right)

The iPad mounted on the kitchen counter (left) and on my bed rail (right)

The iPad mounted on my bed rail from behind

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention another important discovery I stumbled upon during this process. I previously wrote an article for ATMac entitled “Accessing the IPad: Mouthsticks, Head Pointers, and Styluses”. In it I explained how it’s possible to use the combination of aluminum foil and copper wiring with a mouthstick to make the mouthstick a fully functioning hands-free stylus for capacitive touchscreen devices, like the iPad. While this solution does work it could be much better. The aluminum foil isn’t as sensitive as I would like, sometimes forcing me to actually push with the mouthstick to get it to register, and it wears out rather quickly. I found a replacement for aluminum foil that works MUCH better – Scotch Bright Heavy Duty Scrub Sponges. In the same article I talked about how I use a Pogo Stylus attached to my hand splint to operate my iPod Touch. The Pogo Stylus makes use of conductive foam at its tip to make it function. Unfortunately the conductive foam wears out quicker than I would like, probably because my limited arm control causes me to press with the stylus instead of just touching on occasion. While the styluses aren’t really that expensive it still became somewhat of a pain being forced to constantly have to buy a new one. I thought maybe I could just get some conductive foam on my own and replace it whenever needed. However, unfortunately conductive foam isn’t exactly easy to come by. After doing some more Google detective work I discovered that the spongy material on Scotch Bright Heavy Duty Scrub Sponges transmits the electrical impulses of the skin just as well as conductive foam does. I already had some in my kitchen so I tore a small piece off and stuffed it into the end of the Pogo Stylus and amazingly it worked! And surprisingly it actually seems to work better than conductive foam! So it then occurred to me that I should try replacing the aluminum foil at the end of my modified mouthstick with this material to see if it would work. Well it does work and it does so extremely well! Now the mouthstick stylus is extremely sensitive and accurate. It also can be used at odd angles. With the aluminum foil the iPad (or iPod Touch) had to be straight in front of me and almost at a 90° angle for it to work. I consider this to be a pretty significant development and since these sponges are really cheap I now essentially have an endless supply of conductive foam that cost me just a few bucks!

Scotch Bright Heavy Duty Scrub Sponge mouthstick tip

So if you have some way to interact with an iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch (like with the Pogo Stylus or the mouthstick solution I spoke of) but are unable to actually hold the device the Hand-e-holder may be the solution you’re looking for. There are actually other potential solutions out there, like the ones from RJ Cooper, but none are as simple and inexpensive as the Hand-e-holder solution. I can really see the Hand-e-holder potentially making a huge difference for physically disabled people such as myself. So if you think this may be of any benefit to you I encourage you to check out the Hand-e-holder. You could even contact them and they will help you choose the best solution for your needs.

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This article was originally published at The Hand-e-holder for IOS Devices and is copyright (C) Ricky Buchanan 2010. May be forwarded but do not republish without permission.

New iPad App Is Helping Cerebral Palsy Patients

2010-12-10T10:50:00.000-05:00

New iPad App Is Helping Cerebral Palsy Patients: "

Too often, we forget that technology products are not just for playing games or to help us do our daily work. This week, the University of Michigan published a report on how its engineering and computer science students have developed a special app to help cerebral palsy patients. It’s a wonderful read.

Students were looking for a project to tackle and decided to focus on helping people with impaired motor skills. Soon, they brought in rehabilitation engineers from the University’s C.S. Mott Hospital.

The end result is pretty neat, as this YouTube video shows.

Stories like this aren’t surprising. The iPad’s relatively inexpensive price (compared to laptops) and size make it ideal for those in need. I invite our visitors to read the entire article here. You’ll be happy you did!

New iPad App Is Helping Cerebral Palsy Patients is a story by AppAdvice.com

AppAdvice - iPhone, iPad, iPod, App Reviews + News

The University Of Michigan Thinks The iPhone Is A Music Instrument

iPad a Popular Tool Among Therapists Helping The Disabled

2010-11-02T12:45:00.000-05:00

The holiday season is upon us, and so are stories that warm your heart. Courtesy of Apple; people with disabilities are able to do tasks that the rest of us take for granted. The New York Times has compiled videos and various stories about how the disabled are being helped by the iPad. Individuals with disabilities can now handle tasks such as: turning the pages of a book or choosing a video to watch.

Therapists are able to integrate the iPad into sessions with their patients, and even legislators see its intrinsic value. Representative Edward J Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat said:

“Apple is an outlier when it comes to devices that are accessible out of the box.”

Can you think of more uses for the iPad that have been overlooked? Please leave a comment.

AppAdvice - iPhone, iPad, iPod, App Reviews + News

Random Posts

Comparing iPads, Netbooks, and Auggies for AAC Use

2010-08-27T09:25:00.000-05:00

Comparing iPads, Netbooks, and Auggies for AAC Use: "

RJ Cooper has put together two very helpful pages for people thinking about purchasing an iPad for use as an AAC device.

The first page compares an iPad with RJ Cooper’s own “Auggie” device, the second compares an iPad and a Netbook.

RJ Cooper's daughter models his iPad case with shoulder strap

I think his comparison pages are great and can certainly very helpful for people deciding what device to purchase, but I do have a few comments about the comparison tables:

Contrary to what RJ wrote, the iPad can be used with a stylus. It needs to be a stylus (such as the Pogo brand) which is designed for use with iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch type devices, but there are many of these on the market now. We have discussed stylus and mouth stick users previously on ATMac.

RJ writes that the menu button (the “Home” button on the iPad’s front) is too accessible. I agree completely, but note that this is easily remedied in many cases by adapting the case you have the iPad in, reversing the iPad in its case (so the home button is not exposed) or covering the button with a piece of plastic. I have a forthcoming video article on this topic which will display these solutions in action.

The keyboard is listed as “On-screen or keyboard dock and Apple keyboard”. The keyboard dock has a built-in Apple keyboard and is one option. An Apple bluetooth (wireless) keyboard is another option, but in fact the iPad will work fine with virtually any standard Bluetooth keyboard (one that doesn’t need a driver loaded on your computer before it works). With the Apple brand bluetooth keyboard there are a few additional functions available via the keyboard’s function keys, but other than that any brand of bluetooth keyboard is fine.

Web page capability is listed as “Standard pages only” which is quite vague. Any web page will work fine except that pages with Flash or Silverlight content won’t load the Flash/Silverlight sections. None of the web sites I regularly visit have any Flash/Silverlight content except for advertisements (and I’m happy the ads don’t load!) so I have never found this a problem, but if there are web pages that you must be able to access through the device it’s worth trying these out on an iPad when you visit your local Apple store just to make sure they’re OK.

RJ Cooper has some other pages you might find useful also:

Making Pointer Work On The iPad has a technique similar to that previously described in our article Accessing the iPad: Mouthsticks and Styluses. The theory behind the two was the same, but Paul’s implementation here was less bulky and having the foil at the end means the end of the pointer was still rounded. If you have access to conductive foam (your local electronics store can probably help), a third option was discussed on LifeKludger’s article DIY Touchscreen Stylus using Conductive foam.

RJ Sells an iPad Carry Case in black and red, it’s a sturdy leather case with a shoulder strap - perfect for AAC users. I’d love to have one of these to carry my own iPad in!

The iPad Bumper Case is perfect for attaching the iPad to mounting devices in a removable fashion, and the Bumper Case provides a little more protection to the device also.

The iPad Speaker is a small battery-powered bluetooth speaker which can easily be attached to the iPad’s back, or to a stand or the outside of a case and significantly boosts the iPad’s volume. Again, perfect for AAC users.

RJ also offers an iPad Stand perfect for positioning the iPad on a table, desk, or wheelchair tray, and an a small mounting arm available in articulating and non-articulating versions and very adaptable for use as an iPad Mount.

If you’re an iPad AAC user, or a parent/supporter/teacher of such, what accessories do you use?

– Ricky Buchanan

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This article was originally published at 'Comparing iPads, Netbooks, and Auggies for AAC Use' and is copyright (C) Ricky Buchanan 2010. Please do not republish without permission.

QuickAdvice: Dragon Search Goes Medical

2010-08-13T09:12:00.000-05:00

QuickAdvice: Dragon Search Goes Medical: "

Dragon Medical Mobile Search (Free) by Nuance Communications is the third in Nuance’s series of iPhone applications, this time aiming strictly at the medical field. Those that are in the medicinal field can appreciate Nuance’s mobile medical search.

When the app is first launch, you’ll have to accept the user agreement (I’ve attached an important part of the terms that you may want to take a look at in the screenshots) before you can do anything. Basically, Nuance can collect and use the Speech Data in this app to help enhance the speech recognition in this service as well as others.

Once you accept the agreement, you can optionally register your copy of the app as well, providing your name and email, and some information about your profession in the field (though these are completely optional and I skipped them, since I’m not in the field).

Now that we’re past these required steps, it’s time to put Nuance’s well-acclaimed dictation service to work. Simply tap and speak a medical term into the app. It will automatically detect when you are done talking, and begin fetching results. This screen will also contain the latest search history at the bottom, with an option to clear.

Dragon Medical Mobile will pull up results from several popular sources for medicinal info: Google, Medscape, IMO, Drugs.mobi, and Medline. You can access stuff like drug-to-drug interaction information, medications, ICD-9 code lookups, and anything else medical related. You can scroll through these sources with the horizonal tool bar at the top. If a search query isn’t correct, you can also tweak it until you get the right results.

Links can be viewed directly on the screen, with more browser-like options when viewing Google results. For Google results, you can also open in Safari or copy the link.

I found that the speech recognition is pretty spot on most of the time, although it seems to have some difficulty with differentiating letter sounds that are similar, such as ‘b’ and ‘p’ and ‘v’. So for terms like that, unless you can get it perfectly, it may take several tries before it will finally recognize what you’re actually looking for. But for everything else, the result should be accurate and instant.

Once again, Nuance Communications has another excellent app on their hands, although this one is much more narrowly tailored. But if you’re working in the medicinal field and want something to aid you on-the-fly with great speech recognition, then this is definitely a great choice. It’s simply a great pocket companion for you while on the job in case you need to reference something or get a refresher on a condition.

This is pretty much the same as Dragon Search, except for medical info. Nuance Communications claims that this app is free for a limited time only, despite their other apps being free since the beginning.

Who knows how long this app will remain free, so if you need it, grab it now!

iPad Assistive Technology/Disability Round-Up

2010-08-13T09:04:00.001-05:00

iPad Assistive Technology/Disability Round-Up: "

There have been a lot of articles on a lot of websites about accessibility and the iPad since the specifications were first released. Now that our USA readers and bloggers have begun to get their hands on the devices there are even more articles being written, and I’m sure more will follow as the 3G enabled devices are released in the USA and both models become available in other countries starting on May 28th. As an assistive technology enthusiast and disabled blogger, it’s fantastic to see so much interest in the non-mainstream uses of these devices!

The iPad And Vision Impaired Users

The “Booked” blog from mainstream Forbes.com has written Apple’s iPad Brings Easy Reading to the Blind which may help explain to able-bodied people who so many blind users are excited about the iPad.

Mac-cessibility has written about the iPad’s use for those who will use its VoiceOver screen reader in a series of articles entitled “A First Look At The iPad”:

A First Look At The iPad: Overview

A First Look At The iPad: Mail

A First Look At The iPad: Safari

A First Look At The iPad: iBooks

AccessWorld, a publication of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), has published a great article by Bradley Hodges about his first 24 Hours with the iPad.

The Mac-cessibility round table podcast special episode #5 discusses the iPad.

UNC’s Brian Payst, in the Stuff blog has written about the iPad for blind users, particularly thinking of students, in The iPad And Accessibility and The iPad And Accessibility, Round 2.

The RNIB in the UK published first impressions of the iPad’s accessibility (curiously, only available as a Word document) by a partially sighted user and a blind user.

The iPad and Deaf Users

The deafmac.org blog (which, by the way, has a new layout and a new editor) has published several posts about the iPad too:

Thoughts on the iPad announcement, about why the iPad is both mind-blowing and disappointing for Deaf users.

The iPad, Reviewed, by new editor Ryan Layton

The iPad And Mobility Impaired Users

Jane Vincent from Access On Main St (I think this is a cool blog name!) has written about the iPad as environmental control unit, and about possible problems with multi-fingure or multi-hand gestures in iPad Gives Users More Than One Finger.

The iPad And Communication Impaired Users

Kati, a frequent commenter here, has just pre-ordered her iPad. She plans to use The iPad As An Affordable AAC Solution for herself, as an adult with Ataxia.

Glenda from Do It Myself Blog has just bought herself an iPad while on a trip to America for a blogging conference. She reported:

My friend Hope was having trouble figuring out what I was saying and she asked, “Where’s your iPad?” In that moment, I felt a sense of normalcy and acceptance. Using an iPad, which could become as commonplace as the Blackberry and iPhone, is not yet another thing that makes me different. I wasn’t using a strange, unfamiliar device to communicate with this group. People were drawn to it because it was a “recognized” or “known” piece of technology rather than being standoff-ish with an unknown communication device.

How fantastic! You can read her excellent review here: The iPad as an Affordable Communicator: Initial Review.

Other iPad Information

Jakob Nielsen’s Alertbox released their First Findings From iPad Usability User Testing. Their findings are preliminary but disappointing:

iPad apps are inconsistent and have low feature discoverability, with frequent user errors due to accidental gestures. An overly strong print metaphor and weird interaction styles cause further usability problems.

Hopefully iPad app developers will take these findings into account when developing future apps.

Glenn Fleischman at TIDBits reported that the iPad Camera Connection Kit’s USB adapter works with USB headphones and headsets. At almost the same time, TUAW noted that at least some USB keyboards work on the iPad via the USB adapter too, although keyboards only work after displaying an error message. Since neither of these functions are officially supported by Apple they may stop working with any iPad upgrade, but for the moment they seem to be fine.

If you’re willing to jailbreak your iPad (and thus void your warranty), you can also enable iPad voice commands and use a Magic Mouse with your iPad which have major accessibility implications. Unfortunately, Jailbreaking has been known to break devices in un-fixable ways though, so any of these things are definitely “at your own risk”.

iPad Assistive Technology Accessories

It’s also worth noting that as well as the huge range of general-audience cases, speakers, mounts, and stands for the iPad there are some specifically chosen for their accessibility potential. RJ Cooper has made available a great set of accessibility-friendly accessibilities for iPad users:

iPad Stand suitable for desks, wheelchair trays, etc.

Several iPad Wheelchair Mounting Solutions

Super protective iPad Bumper Case

Wireless iPad Speaker suitable for AAC users

Apple themselves have a keyboard dock available for the iPad and its keyboard has some keys that interact with the iPad specifically, as described in iLounge’s iPad Keyboard Dock Review, but there is no full keyboard control or anything near it but The Apple Blog has a complete list of known iPad hardware keyboard commands which work with the bluetooth keyboard and are better than nothing.

Other Commentary

Suzanne from Abled Body pointed out the lack of accessibility about the iPad’s keynote announcement and other accessibility deficiencies about the launch which really are inexcusable. If Apple’s going to be promoting accessibility of its devices then accessibility of its web pages really is important too.

Have you read, or written, other articles about the iPad and how it could be used for a person with a disability? Contact me or leave a comment and I’ll add your article to the list!

- Ricky Buchanan

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This article was originally published at 'iPad Assistive Technology/Disability Round-Up' and is copyright (C) Ricky Buchanan 2010. Please do not republish without permission.

ShapeWriter - iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad Typing Without Lifting Your Finger

2010-08-13T09:04:00.000-05:00

ShapeWriter - iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad Typing Without Lifting Your Finger: "

ShapeWriter lets you write on the iPhone and iPod Touch by tracing your finger over the keys you want on the keyboard, and using smart prediction to do the rest. It also features automatic spacing and capitalisation, and the ability to add new words and acronyms just by typing them once. It’s difficult to explain the technique in words, so I suggest you watch this video:

ShapeWriter comes in three versions in the iTunes App Store, all compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad.

ShapeWriter is free and features:

Basic note taking using ShapeWrite gesture keyboard

Automatic spacing and capitalisation

Case key for cycling through all possible capitalisation cases

Highlight/selection by double tap or sliding over text

Command strokes (e.g. Cmd-c-o-p for copy)

Automatic correction of common misspellings

Support for English input only

Practice game and competitive scoreboard posting

ShapeWriter Lite costs US$2.99 and also features:

Use ShapeWriter for sending and replying to email

Backup all notes via email

Rearrange notes order manually

ShapeWriter Pro costs US$7.99 and features all of the above plus:

Landscape mode and orientation lock

Sorting notes in any order (by date, title)

Background grid on/off switch

Customisable fonts

Customisable notes colours

Notes password protection

Notes content search

SMS texting support (on iPhone only)

Support for French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Swedish inputs

You can upgrade from one version to another using in-app purchases to save cost, if you already have one of the paid versions.

ShapeWriter is also available for Android, Windows Mobile, and Tablet PC devices.

Website: ShapeWriter

- Ricky Buchanan

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This article was originally published at 'ShapeWriter - iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad Typing Without Lifting Your Finger' and is copyright (C) Ricky Buchanan 2010. Please do not republish without permission.

Japanese researchers develop robotic wheelchair that can follow humans

2010-08-13T09:01:00.000-05:00

Japanese researchers develop robotic wheelchair that can follow humans: "

We've already seen robotic wheelchairs designed to navigate autonomously, but it looks like some researchers at Saitama University's Human-Robot Interaction Center are taking a slightly different approach with their latest project. They've developed a wheelchair equipped with a camera and a laser sensor that instead of tracking its surroundings, simply locks onto a nearby human companion and follows them around. It can even apparently anticipate the direction the person is going to go by using a distance sensor to check which way their shoulders are facing. Still no word on a commercial version, but the wheelchair is already being field-tested in care centers, where the researchers say it could be particularly useful if the facilities are short-staffed. Head on past the break to check it out in action.

Continue reading Japanese researchers develop robotic wheelchair that can follow humans

Japanese researchers develop robotic wheelchair that can follow humans originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Aug 2010 23:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple Announces Magic Trackpad

2010-08-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

Apple Announces Magic Trackpad: "

I’ve had “wireless multi-touch trackpad” at the top of my person Apple wishes for several years now, so I was thrilled at Apple’s announcement announcement of the Magic Trackpad yesterday. The announcement itself was somewhat hidden amongst announcements of updates to the iMac series, which now have faster processors and better graphics capabilities, but the Magic Touchpad is of special interest to users with disabilities.

From Apple’s website:

Desktop users, your time has come. The new Magic Trackpad is the first Multi-Touch trackpad designed to work with your Mac desktop computer. It uses the same Multi-Touch technology you love on the MacBook Pro. And it supports a full set of gestures, giving you a whole new way to control and interact with what’s on your screen.

And by “full set of gestures” they really mean all of them - this device uses the same preference pane as the MacBook touchpads use. This is fantastic news especially for iMac and Mac Pro users who use the VoiceOver screen reader, as the revolutionary “touchpad as screen” where you can control the screen reader using gestures like an iPhone or iPad.

Daniel Rowe, from the MacVisionaries group - a mailing list for blind Mac users, took the plunge yesterday and bought himself a Magic Trackpad. He said:

I’ve only used VO [VoiceOver] with multi-touch trackpads briefly before as I have an iMac. But because I use the iPhone I could see the benefits such an interface would bring to Mac OS.

Having spent nearly two days with the trackpad, I personally thing that it is the best thing to happen in assistive technology recently. To be able to visualise how things are laid out on the screen is just amazing. It’s larger size is also an advantage. It has really changed the way how I use my Mac and I won’t be going back to using the numpad commander unless I have to.Daniel Rowe

He mentions the larger size - I can’t find any specific dimensions on Apple’s website but from looking at their photos of the Magic Trackpad beside a bluetooth keyboard and judicious use of a ruler on my own Apple bluetooth keyboard I think the active area on the Magic Trackpad must be close to 11cm by 11cm, or just under 4 1/2 inches in either direction. That’s a lot larger than the MacBook trackpads, which should also help those who have trouble with fine motor control, or find making small gestures difficult for any reason. Reviewers on the Apple website also mention it makes it possible to use two hands to make gestures needing more that one finger.

You can see the size in this photo with the Magic Trackpad beside an Apple wireless keyboard.

The Magic Trackpad also has a physical click (the entire trackpad depresses if you click it) as well as a tap-to-click, either of which can be enabled or disabled as desired. Many other features can be customised to fit the users needs and preferences too. I’m sure I’ll be writing more about the options and set-up when mine arrives, but until then here’s a peek at the preference pane:

Preference pane for the MacBook and Magic Trackpads.

The Magic Trackpads seem to be available from all Apple stores around the world immediately (including online stores), but those countries served by non-Apple-branded stores will have to wait a few weeks. The Australian online Apple store is shipping these currently and estimating 24hr delivery time, for example, but my local Mac-licensed stores are estimating the end of July as the earliest they’ll have stocks available.

Website: Magic Trackpad

– Ricky Buchanan

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This article was originally published at 'Apple Announces Magic Trackpad' and is copyright (C) Ricky Buchanan 2010. Please do not republish without permission.

ReadHear DAISY Talking Book Player

2010-08-13T08:59:00.000-05:00

ReadHear DAISY Talking Book Player: "

This DAISY player includes text highlighting, not currently available in the free Olearia player and also reads more formats than Olearia can.

The new features come at a steep price though: ReadHear Mac does have a 30 day trial version available, but at US$119 the cost may be more than most users are willing (or able) to pay.

Amplify’d from www.gh-accessibility.com

ReadHear™ Mac

ReadHear™ Mac is the first ever fully-featured Digital Talking Book player for the Mac! The great accessibility features available in the gh PLAYER™ are no longer limited to the PC. ReadHear Mac provides excellent benefits to those who enjoy and appreciate learning and listening to all types of books, articles, and documents.

Support for MathML, NIMAS 1.1., & DAISY/

NISO 2005. ReadHear Mac is the first DAISY DTB

player that supports all updated specifications on

the Macintosh.

Bookshare, RFB&D AudioPlus, Educational

Publishers, e-Pub, & DRM Supported soon!

Keyboard shortcuts can be used for

quicker access to menu items and

functions. Text highlighting is also

used to help the reader follow along

as the book is being read. The Library

feature organizes and stores all of your

books for future use and will even find

books that are already on your Mac.

Use the Sidebar to quickly jump to

parts of a book by selecting Headings,

Pages, Bookmarks, and Search.

Additional audio navigation methods

include: heading, page, sentence,

and word mode. Add a bookmark

whenever you like in the book and

include your own additional notes.

Features of ReadHear™ Mac

ReadHear Mac automatically checks

for updates to ensure you always have

the most up-to-date version. Once a

book is opened, playback automatically

starts. You can then choose to pause,

go forward, go backwards, or repeat

content. ReadHear Mac uses the

voices that come standard with

your Macintosh. Built-in spelling

and dictionary features augment

your reading and comprehension

experience.Additionally, ReadHear

Mac has been well-tested for use with

VoiceOver.

Read more at www.gh-accessibility.com

See this Amp at http://bit.ly/cPvTkY

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This article was originally published at 'ReadHear DAISY Talking Book Player' and is copyright (C) Ricky Buchanan 2010. Please do not republish without permission.

iPad Assistive Technology/Disability Round-Up

2010-05-11T08:21:00.000-05:00

iPad Assistive Technology/Disability Round-Up: "

The iPad And Vision Impaired Users

Mac-cessibility has written about the iPad’s use for those who will use its VoiceOver screen reader in a series of articles entitled “A First Look At The iPad”:

A First Look At The iPad: Overview

A First Look At The iPad: Mail

A First Look At The iPad: Safari

A First Look At The iPad: iBooks

AccessWorld, a publication of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), has published a great article by Bradley Hodges about his first 24 Hours with the iPad.

The Mac-cessibility round table podcast special episode #5 discusses the iPad.

UNC’s Brian Payst, in the Stuff blog has written about the iPad for blind users, particularly thinking of students, in The iPad And Accessibility and The iPad And Accessibility, Round 2.

The RNIB in the UK published first impressions of the iPad’s accessibility (curiously, only available as a Word document) by a partially sighted user and a blind user.

The iPad and Deaf Users

The deafmac.org blog (which, by the way, has a new layout and a new editor) has published several posts about the iPad too:

Thoughts on the iPad announcement, about why the iPad is both mind-blowing and disappointing for Deaf users.

The iPad, Reviewed, by new editor Ryan Layton

The iPad And Mobility Impaired Users

The iPad And Communication Impaired Users

Kati, a frequent commenter here, has just pre-ordered her iPad. She plans to use The iPad As An Affordable AAC Solution for herself, as an adult with Ataxia.

Other iPad Information

If you’re willing to jailbreak your iPad and thus void your warranty, you can also enable iPad voice commands and use a Magic Mouse with your iPad which have major accessibility implications. Unfortunately, Jailbreaking has been known to break devices in un-fixable ways though, so any of these things are definitely “at your own risk”.

Accessories

iPad Stand suitable for desks, wheelchair trays, etc.

Several iPad Wheelchair Mounting Solutions

Super protective iPad Bumper Case

Wireless iPad Speaker suitable for AAC users

Have you read, or written, other articles about the iPad and how it could be used for a person with a disability? Contact me or leave a comment and I’ll add your article to the list!

- Ricky Buchanan

Do you know somebody else who would find this interesting or useful? Please forward it to them.

Did somebody forward this post to you? Visit ATMac and subscribe to receive the posts for free!

Originally published here: iPad Assistive Technology/Disability Round-Up. Copyright Ricky Buchanan 2010.

Temple Grandin: The world needs all kinds of minds | Video on TED.com

2010-03-02T12:38:00.000-05:00

Temple Grandin: The world needs all kinds of minds | Video on TED.com

Intel Reader

2009-11-10T20:23:00.008-05:00

Ben Foss grew up with dyslexia, a learning disability so severe that his mother had to read books to him throughout his school years, all the way through college. Now 36, he is spearheading the launch of a remarkable device from Intel that can read electronic books aloud to the blind or visually impaired.

The Intel Reader is available today for $1,499.That’s a pretty hefty price, considering that devices like the $259 Amazon Kindle can read books aloud in a robotic voice. But the Intel Reader is based on a lot of research and is designed for the visually impaired, first and foremost.
The reader can read digital files of books aloud. It can also capture images from any printed material and use its text-to-speech technology to read aloud the publication at a variety of listening speeds. It also has a four-inch color display that can render the words being read in large font sizes. The device can read millions of books that have been formatted online for visually-impaired readers, and it comes with a high-resolution camera that can convert printed text to digital text. The reader can then read the words aloud to the user. It can even work with web pages if users first capture the text from a site in a plain text file.

“We want people to experience the independence of being able to read on their own in a public place or anywhere they want to,” said Foss (Left), speaking at a press event on Monday. “A metaphor for this are the ramps that make buildings wheelchair accessible. This reader is like a ramp.”

The paperback-sized device is aimed at 55 million people in the U.S. who have eyesight problems and don’t want to be dependent on others for the pleasure of reading a novel, looking at a restaurant menu, or reading web site pages. It comes with a 5-megapixel digital camera that can be used to snap pictures of book pages. Foss said he was able to scan a 262-page book in a half hour and listen to the first chapter of the book while he was doing it. The device can read text in the DAISY format, plain text, as well as MP3 music files.

The product is a result of years of research in Intel’s Digital Health Group, headed by Louis Burns. The aim is to use technology to improve quality of life. That group has devised technologies that allow patients to be monitored remotely so that they can stay home rather than be monitored in an expensive hospital. Intel hasn’t had the best history with consumer products, but Foss says the world’s biggest chip maker is committed to the project and to the digital health market.

There are ways to use personal computers and digital cameras to do the same thing with text-to-speech software. But the Intel Reader attempts to take the hassle out of the process. Other devices have not been designed directly for the visually impaired, said Dorrie Rush, who is visually impaired herself, and works as the marketing director for the nonprofit Lighthouse International, a foundation that helps the visually impaired. However, the KNFB reader, backed by futurist Ray Kurzweil, has been around for a couple of years and is designed to work with Nokia N82 or N86 cell phones.

Intel has done its homework on the device, said Rush. That’s why it has support from Rush’s group as well as other charitable instituions including the National Center for Learning Disabilities, the International Dyslexia Association, the Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs, the Council for Exceptional Children, and the National Federation of the Blind. But Foss noted Intel sees the reader as a for-profit business.

Foss noted that the packaging comes with Braille lettering that identifies its manuals. It also has an audio CD that tells users how to use the device. The device does not come with built-in Wi-Fi networking because many school don’t allow web-connected devices in the classroom.
Rush, said that there are 15 million people like herself with impaired eyesight that can’t be corrected with lenses. She held a newspaper four inches from her face and noted she could only
read the name of the paper and nothing else.

Foss said Intel tested its prototypes with more than 400 visually-impaired users, including some with partial eyesight and some who were completely blind. The device can come with an Intel Portable Capture Station (right), which costs extra. The station can be used to capture images of an entire book. It has a plastic guide that holds pages down while the camera can be placed overhead. The button for placing the images is low on the station, since many visually-impaired people are older and don’t have the strength to keep raising their arms to take pictures. ‘The image capture works even if a book is placed upside down.

The device has an Intel Atom microprocessor and two gigabytes of flash memory storage. It runs Linux software and some third-party software for scanning and reading aloud. With a fully charged battery, the device can read aloud for four hours. It can last for days on standby power. It can store about 500,000 pages of text or 600 pages of scanned book pages.
One of the cool features is the ability to change the speed of the voice reading. If you set it to 110 words per minute, it sounds like a normal, if robotic-sounding, voice. At 250 words per minute, it sounds like a chipmunk talking. But Foss said that is the speed he listens at when he is trying to absorb a book quickly. The voice sounds less robotic with headphones, and even less so if it is set to a mode that emphasizes things like exclamation points. In that way, it can be used for informational reading or entertainment.

The Intel Reader will be available through resellers such as CTL, Don Johston, GTSI, Howard Technology Solutions and Human Ware. Foss acknowledged that the price of the device isn’t cheap, but he noted that the device has a lot of custom-designed components, and it is cheaper than devices such as Braille readers,which can cost up to $10,000. Some devices for the blind take a long time to learn, but the Intel Reader takes only a few hours to internalize, Rush said. Since Intel had priced the device fairly high, there is a risk that it will be undercut by eBook readers that can be converted to handle reading aloud.

Foss said there are a variety of sources for the books, including the Gutenberg Project and Book Share. The Internet Archive has 1.6 million books available to be read aloud. That includes out-of-copyright books such as Moby Dick or Alice in Wonderland. He noted that copyright law allows readers to make a copy of a book for their own personal use. On top of that, there is an exception to the law that allows books to be copies for use by disabled people.
The device isn’t perfect at capturing all of the nuances of print. In scanning a newspaper, for instance, it may have trouble with layouts that blend columns of different stories together. It isn’t really made for capturing and translating street signs either.

Over time, the company plans to introduce international versions of the device. Within a week or so, it will launch the device in the United Kingdom where it will use a speaking voice with an English accent. Here’s a video of Foss demonstrating the product.

DesktopZoom 3.5

2009-11-03T10:10:00.002-05:00

DesktopZoom is a zoom/magnify program with lots of options: * Completely portable and doesn't need admin privilege * Zoom an area around the mouse, zoom a fixed window or zoom the entire desktop * Use the mouse inside the zoomed window * Use the mouse wheel or arrow keys to adjust the magnification strength * Translation to Dutch, French, German and Czech * View the entire screen as a thumbnail in the right-bottom corner * Follow the caret & menu items * Change the colors to grey or invers the colors * Show the original screen with a transparency value between 0 en 100% * Show a bigger mouse and/or a crosshair * Use Alt-keys to change the zoomvalue and to enable/disable tracking and the crosshair * Save all the settings to a file for automatic loading * Basic speech support.

Click on the link below:

DesktopZoom 3.5

Embossing Braille Labelmaker Listens and Gives You Something to Touch [Concept]

2009-08-21T11:26:00.000-05:00

Embossing Braille Labelmaker Listens and Gives You Something to Touch [Concept]: "

Designed by Danny Luo, this embossing Braille labelmaker may look like a flashlight, but in reality it's a innovative tool for the sight-impaired: speak into the wide end and the labelmaker will spit out labels with embossed Braille characters

The 25mm x 50mm labels produced by this printer are intended to simplify the identification of similarly shaped or sized objects. Understandably, the designer appears to focus on the potential applications in identifying prescription medication bottles in particular. Being fortunate enough to only require minor vision correction, I can't even imagine how someone could identify medications without sight: the containers are nearly identical and there are plenty of pills that would feel the same. While this concept could save lives by preventing accidental overdoses, the applications seem limitless:

Which socks go together?
What's the color of those pants?
Before you open the bag, are those BBQ-flavored chips or Cheetos?
What's in that box? Ultra-ribbed or Her Pleasure?
Which cat is that? Dizzy or Angel?

We could probably justify a label for everything in the house, inanimate or not. What would be the first thing you'd label? [Coroflot via Core77]

2009-07-15T10:13:00.012-05:00

Click here to Review the Kurzweil Online Tutorial

2009-07-06T08:19:00.005-05:00

The Accessible iPhone 3GS

By Ricky Buchanan

When the iPhone 3GS was announced on the 8th of June there was much excitement in the accessibility world. The new iPhone would sport significant accessibility features, including a built in screen reader, and these features were announced on stage at MacWorld alongside the “regular” features. That’s a great boost for the profile of accessibility in general, which is always a good thing.

Accessibility features for the iPhone 3GS include:

VoiceOver screen reader localised in 21 different languages.
Voice Control offering spoken commands, also in 21 different languages.
Zoom on iPhone lets you magnify the entire screen up to 5 times normal size, and move around to view any portion of the screen close up. All the usual gestures such as pinch, flick, etc. will still work when the screen is zoomed.
White On Black offers a high contrast reverse video screen display.
Mono Audio will route both audio channels into both earbuds, for those with hearing problems.
Speak Auto-text voices the iPhone’s automatic correction and completion options so you don’t have to look away from the keyboard to use them. This can be used with or without VoiceOver and Zoom.
Assignable Ringtones let you use ringtones as an audible form of Caller ID for selected contacts.

There’s also an Accessible HTML User Guide available but it’s limited so you can only view it using the iPhone - any other web browser is automatically re-routed to the download location for the PDF user guide. I can’t see any reason that Apple would make the HTML guide unusable for the rest of us, but it’s a pity.

So the iPhone 3GS has now been in people’s possession for a little while - what are the reactions?

Mozilla guru Marco Zehe wrote My first experience using an accessible touch screen device. He was only trying out the iPhone at his local Apple store so he didn’t have a huge amount of time, but I get the impression he was sad to have to leave it there!
Mike Calvo of Serotek wrote Why is it that Apple always seems to get to the future first? which is more philosophical, but also about his new iPhone.
Josh de Lioncourt has a great article, The Accessible iPhone 3GS, which includes lots of suggestions and tips for other users.
The Mac-cessibility Podcast team have produced a special edition podcast: More Than Meets the iPhone
Shane Jackson of Blind World Blog and Podcast has written three blog posts with accompanying podcasts about his iPhone excitement and adventures:

I can’t find much written on the net yet by people using the Zoom, Voice Control, or other iPhone accessibility functions but what I did find seems realistically positive.

Resources for iPhone VoiceOver users are already appearing at a great rate. Holly Anderson has produced a list of VoiceOver Compatible iPhone Applications, and there’s a Google Group/Mailing list for iPhone VoiceOver users which is very active.

Still wondering if the iPhone is for you? CNet’s iPhone Review includes all the features, even touching on accessibility. They awarded it 4 out of a possible 5 stars, with the comment “Excellent”.

Now I’ve written all that I’m coveting an iPhone 3GS of my own, even though I have my perfectly functional iPod Touch and don’t need a mobile phone. It’s tough writing blog posts, I tell you!

Here is an audio podcast about the new accessibly features of the iPhone 3GS:

iPhone 3GS Accessibility

Combimouse merges keyboard and mouse [Video]

2009-06-05T13:30:00.001-05:00

It may look odd, but this ergonomic keyboard promises to free up your desk from the tyranny of your mouse. Well, from the tyranny of a separate mouse, anyway; the handiwork of an Australian inventor, the Combimouse turns the right-side of the keyboard into the mouse itself, using cleverly placed contacts to figure out when you’re trying to use it to to control your cursor.

Video demos after the cut

In mouse mode, the I, O, J, K, L and <>

According to the inventor, the Combimouse makes spreadsheet data entry, FPS gaming and general computing more straightforward; you can also use just the right-hand mouse portion with a laptop keyboard, as shown in this photo. Unfortunately they’re still looking for hardware and manufacturing partners, so right now the Combimouse isn’t available to buy.

Braille e-reader concept can't be far from reality

2009-04-20T07:47:00.001-05:00

Braille e-reader concept can't be far from reality

by Darren Murph

The technology's already here, we just need a venture capital firm and a determined entrepreneur to make it happen. A foursome of designers -- Seon-Keun Park, Byung-Min Woo, Sun-Hye Woo and Jin-Sun Park -- have banded together to create the above pictured concept, an e-reader for those with limited or no vision. Their Braille E-Book concept theoretically relies on electroactive polymers in order to change the surface's shape as pages are turned, and while we fully expect the battery life to suffer due to all the necessary commotion, it's definitely a start that needs to happen.

$199 Sign Language Translator...OK, Video Dictionary

2009-01-07T14:46:00.001-05:00

By Mark Wilson,

The Sign Language Translator's name may be a tad misleading (it doesn't actually translate anything), but as a pocket ASL video dictionary, it's a neat enough idea.

Featuring a 3,500 word dictionary (more words will be downloadable, we're promised), this seemingly retrofitted PMP is navigated via stylus. You type in the word that you'd like to sign and a video pops up of a guy signing it. Easy enough.

The Sign Language Translator runs for 6 hours before needing a recharge via USB. Slated for a mid-May, the device will be priced at $199. Adam Frucci was quick to point out that an iPhone app could undercut its marketshare pretty quickly. I'd love to see such a world, Adam. I really would.

iSign - Animated ASL dictionary for iPhone and iPod Touch

2008-12-10T09:52:00.001-05:00

iSign is a tutorial and reference program for American Sign Languane (ASL) designed specifically for the iPhone and iPod Touch. The program contains an animated phrase book of 800 signs.

Each of the gestures is modeled with a 3D character and completely animated. The vantage point for each sign was chosen so that the user can see the details of the hand positions. These are the ASL signs, not finger spellings.

The program allows users to organise signs by category or alphabetically, and to mark favourites. There is also a quiz mode which tests recall either of all signs or of signs marked as favourites.

A program like this won’t replace classes with a live instructor. It can teach you individual words but not the grammar and syntax of ASL, which is very different from English grammar and syntax. And, of course, it can’t teach you about Deaf culture and history - which is very important to understand when learning any language. But for those who are taking classes, or wish to augment existing knowledge of ASL, it’s a fantastic resource. I wish there were a program like this for Australian Sign Language (Auslan)!

The program may also be of use to supporters and educators of people who use Makaton, Signed English/Signed Exact English (SEE), Pigeon Signed English (PSE)/Contact sign, Simultaneous Communication (SinCom), and all other communication methods which utilise ASL signs but not other aspects of the ASL language. These modified communication methods are often used by children with developmental delays, people with autism, and those with intellectual impairments as well as deaf and hearing impaired people. Parents teaching approximate ASL gestures for Baby Sign may also be interested in the program.

The iDev2 company also has an app which teaches ASL fingerspeling, ABCSign, and a “lite” version of iSign which is free and contains 25 of iSign’s 800 signs. You can try out iSign Lite before purchasing iSign to make sure it fits your requirements.

At the time of writing, iSign was retailing for US$9.99 in the iTunes Store.

Website: iSign

- Ricky Buchanan

FREE Portable Applications for USB

2008-11-25T16:05:00.003-05:00

Click here to download free portable applications. Now you can carry your favorite computer programs along with all of your bookmarks, settings, email and more with you. Use them on any Windows computer. All without leaving any personal data behind.

White Stick for the Blind Gets Sensor Upgrade with "Tactile Wand"

2008-10-24T11:38:00.002-05:00

Designer Jin Woo Han has created the "Tactile Wand" as a 21st-century conceptual white stick for the blind. The rechargeable gadget uses some sort of distance sensor and communicates by buzzing, letting the user know of upcoming obstacles: the stronger the buzz, the nearer the object. Neat design, Jin, but can it detect doggy doo like the old-fashioned stick could? What happens if the batteries die when you're mid-street crossing? We reckon it would take some re-education of cops too: pointing a strange looking stick at people in public these days is probably a big no-no.

B&D Messenger Helps the Blind Read SMS

2008-10-22T11:47:00.000-05:00

The B&D messenger, designed by Okada Noriaki, bills itself as a way for both blind and deaf people to communicate via text message. Though there are several Braille phone products already in the market, Noriaki device is much smaller in size and pretty inexpensive. On one side of the gadget is twelve points that rise and fall in braille lettering; on the other side is a small LCD screen and a regular numerical touch pad. Users must connect the B&D messenger to a computer for it to receive and translate texts.

Noriaki lowered the B&D's cost by building it's chassis out of cardboard (the entire thing can be put together yourself), and by running its braille lettering program off an open source platform. I'm not completely sure how this technology helps deaf people any more regular phones, but it's a cool concept for helping out the visually impaired.

Hands-Free GPS Device for the Blind Could Make You a Superhero

2008-10-21T11:59:00.000-05:00

The Navigation aid for the Blind headset is a GPS device, which not only works through speech recognition, but also uses obstacle detection technology that alerts the blind of any sleeping bums or other obstructions he could trip over as he is being guided to his destination.

In 2003, we reported on a GPS navigation device that led the visually impaired to their impending doom due to an "inaccuracy" of the system.

Although this new GPS device is not as cuddly as a guide dog, it is made up of one earpiece and microphone, which would allow the blind a certain anonymity, kind of like Daredevil, in that he would no longer need a cane or furry pet, which would leave both of his hands free ... to fight crime, perhaps?

Video iPods In Special Education

2008-10-10T10:37:00.003-05:00

This video is about the use of video iPods in a special education classroom which caters for children with intellectual disabilities and language or hearing difficulties such that sign language (ASL) is their primary mode of communication. We hear from the teacher, the classroom’s primary interpreter, and parents and siblings about how useful the iPods have been. At first the teacher was understandably skeptical about how helpful iPods could be for a bunch of non-verbal children, but the range of novel uses for the iPods is fantastic to see.

Some of the things the video iPods were used for:

Sending verbal or video messages between teachers and parents instead of written messages.
Recording the kids’ accomplishments in class to show the teachers.
Recording stories read to the class, showing the book pages and sign interpreter and hearing the audio of the book being read.
Making videos of sign language vocabulary appropriate to the current curriculum so families could learn to talk to the students about what they had done at school.
Making video tutorials for specific signs requested by the family.
I’ve probably forgotten a few in there. I was awed by the special education teacher and interpreter and their willingness to try new things and to make the greatest possible use of technology. Good on you!

Who else is using the audio or video abilities of the iPods in classrooms? I’d love to post more stories about this topic.

Video Link: Introducing iPods into Special Education

- Ricky Buchanan, ATMac

Circus Ponies Notebook 3.0 for Mac users

2008-10-07T13:31:00.005-05:00

Circus Ponies NoteBook 3.0 for Mac users helps you organize your information naturally, using a familiar notebook interface, complete with pages and tabs, sections and subsections. Add notes and
Drag in files and folders. Even "clip" web research, mail messages and other content into your Notebooks without leaving the application you're working in.
Try the free 30-day Trial

Notebook 3.0 comes with the following features:
Take control of your notes
Are you drowning in sticky notes? Boxes of note cards? Do you remember where to find that important web clipping?

Circus Ponies NoteBook is the application that helps Mac users manage all those bits of information that lack a good home

Track your Tasks
Actions Items. Tasks, To dos. Whatever you call them, you probably have quite a few. The challenge is staying on top of them all. NoteBook's built-in tools make managing your to dos a snap.

Manage Your Clips
Use NoteBook "Clipping Services" to copy web pages, e-mails, and other content directly into your Notebooks, without ever leaving the application you're working in.

Organize your personal and professional projects
More than just an outliner or text processor, NoteBook is a management software that supports Mac users at every stage of a project. In addtion, you can export your Notebooks to PDF for easy sharing, or use NoteBook's instant web publishing to convert them to websites for anywhere access.

Click on this link to Play a Video Tutorial

Circus Ponies Website: www.circusponies.com

Hands On: Sony's New PRS-700 Touchscreen Reader

2008-10-06T14:19:00.001-05:00

Sony brought out a new Reader tonight in NYC that adds a six-inch touchscreen to the e-ink e-reader for adding notes and annotations, as well as a redesigned case and built-in frontlight. With the touchscreen readers can enter text with a stylus on a full-screen QWERTY keyboard to add notes and annotations, search for specific phrases or just flip through the page with a stylus or finger swipe. It'll hit at the end of October for around $400. Hit the jump for more impressions.

Text gets entered by tapping an on-screen QWERTY. Highlighting seems easy enough—just drag the stylus over the phrase you want to highlight. You can then easily search for that phrase elsewhere in your book. You can also tap the screen with finger or stylus to zoom in and out of pages. Format support is the same as previous readers, with the same added .epub support.Response on selecting text and zooming around is a little slow, as is the auto text completion when you're typing a note—typing with fingers is very tough, but with the stylus not so bad. Flipping through the pages with your finger is the most natural thing for the touchscreen and for that it's great.

Bottom line—at $100 more over the PRS-505 you get a built-in frontlight (a $70 add-on on its own) and the ability to annotate while you read. Like the other Sony Readers it's not super responsive (which makes touch controls more frustrating as a rule), but it gets the job done. It's worth noting that Kindle has been able to take notes since the beginning, and it adds web connectivity to the mix, of course. But if you're a chronic underliner and margin scribbler like me and you favor Sony for your e-booking, it's probably worth the premium.

Full press release:

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 2, 2008- With the latest edition of Sony’s Reader Digital Book, announced today, readers can truly let their fingers do the walking.

An interactive touch screen display allows for the most intuitive digital reading experience to date. The new model, PRS-700, will join the PRS-505 model in the Reader family to give consumers a choice of how they would like to read electronically.

Svelte and stylish, the newest Reader still sports the dimensions of a slimmed down paperback book. The textured black casing and soft black cover contribute to its envy-inspiring design. And, at about 10 ounces, it’s the perfect way to carry all of your favorite books with you wherever you go.

A sizeable six-inch display with touch screen capability allows booklovers to flip pages with the slide of a finger. In addition, readers can easily search terms within a document or book, create notes using the virtual keyboard and highlight text with the included stylus pen.

Five pre-set text sizes are available so readers can find the one most comfortable for them and for those who need an even closer look, zooming in is as easy as tapping the screen.

The device still features high-resolution, high contrast electronic paper display technology which provides a reading experience very much akin to ink-on-paper. The result is crisp text and graphics that are highly readable, even in bright sunlight. For times when ambient light is not available, Sony is the first to offer a built-in LED reading light.

Expanded memory offers enough capacity to store about 350 average digital books. Using optional removable Memory Stick Duo media or SD memory cards, this Reader can hold literally thousands of books and documents.

“Readers now have another choice in digital books,” said Steve Haber, president of Sony’s Digital Reading Business Division. “This new model has the eye-popping design and intuitive functionality that people have come to expect from Sony.”

Family Resemblance

Like its close relative the PRS-505model, the new 700 model uses minimal power and can sustain up to 7,500 pages of continuous reading on a single battery charge. It supports multiple file formats for eBooks, personal documents and music. With the included eBook Library 2.5 PC software, you can easily transfer Adobe PDF documents with reflow capability, Microsoft Word documents, BBeB files and other text file formats to the Reader. The device can store and display EPUB files and work with Adobe Digital Editions software, opening it up to almost a limitless quantity of content.

Improved Sony eBook Store

Sony’s eBook store will also have a new face. This month, a re-designed page layout with more prominent book cover art will improve the overall visual appeal of the site. A streamlined checkout process along with updated search and discovery make finding and purchasing an eBook a breeze.

Pricing and Availability

The new Reader will be available next month for about $400. It will come complete with a USB cable, eBook Library PC companion software and a color-coordinated, protective soft cover. Both the PRS-505 and the PRS-700 models along with their optional accessories can be purchased direct through www.sonystyle.com, at more than 40 Sony Style® stores nationwide and at authorized retailers across the country.

Speel Check for Ipodtouch and iPhone

2008-10-05T11:00:00.006-05:00

Achoom from iTunes
No internet Connection Required. Loads quickly and answers your query. Just enter a word into the text field and Spell Check will tell you if the word is correct or supply you with a list of possible spellings (see screenshot). The application can be downloaded directly from iTunes or from your iPodTouch

Requirements: Compatible with iPhone 2.0 and iPod Touch
Language: English
Screenshot:

Google Gears: Use Web Applications offline

2008-10-03T14:24:00.000-05:00

Google Gear is a technology that lets Gears-enabled Web sites store information on your hard drive. In that way, you can use the services even when your Internet link has gone down. Currently, Gears works with with Google Docs but not Spreadsheets or Presentations. You can view your Google Reader feeds offline, WordPress blogging system, ZohoWriter word processor, and Remember the Milk info manager.

The first time you visit Google Docs after you install Gears, you see a link labeled Offline in the top-right corner of the screen. Click it to open the Gears warning. After you allow the service to store information on your PC, the sync begins.

Google's Android not an iPhone

2008-10-02T14:00:00.002-05:00

Google's plans for the mobile phone market have caused quite the stir Monday, even though the company's press conference Monday morning didn't add much to what we already knew about Android, a collection of software that could be a catalyst for Linux on mobile phones over the next few years.
(read more)

NaturalReader

2008-10-02T12:16:00.002-05:00

Text-to-speech

software has never sounded so good or been so affordable.


NaturalReader is a Text to Speech software with natural sounding voices. This easy to use software can convert any written text such as MS Word, Webpage, PDF files, and Emails into spoken words. NaturalReader can also convert any written text into audio files such as MP3 or WAV for your CD player or iPod.

•	NaturalReader saves eye strain – relax, sit back and listen
•	NaturalReader saves time - listen while driving, exercising or enjoying nature
•	NaturalReader helps writers – improve by listening to your work
•	NaturalReader teaches second language students – expand your experience and understanding by listening to any text at any speed Click on the link below: www.naturalreaders.com

2008-10-01T09:41:00.000-05:00

Solar-powered hearing aids improve life in developing nations

by Darren Murph

The SolarAid really isn't much different than your average hearing aid in function -- it enables hearing-impaired individuals to get a better listen at the world around them. The difference, however, comes from its source of energy. Through a series of tragic and fortunate events, Howard Weinstein wound up in Africa with a goal in mind: to concoct a hearing aid that even the poorest of citizens could afford. Through a series of grants and help from hordes of deaf individuals that had no qualms holding a soldering iron, some 20,000 folks in 30 countries are currently using the solar-powered devices. Best of all, the mastermind isn't slowing down, as he's looking to expand the nonprofit into the Middle East, China and India in the not-too-distant future.

2008-09-30T13:08:00.002-05:00

Apple to Make iTunes 8 and iPod Completely Accessible to the Blind [Apple]

from Gizmodo by Dan Nosowitz

Apple has committed to work with the state of Massachusetts to use its VoiceOver technology from Mac OS X to make its iTunes and iPod ecosystem fully usable for the blind. Before the agreement, Apple had already been making strides: VoiceOver and Braille support for OS X and closed captioning for iPod and Apple TV have already been implemented to a degree. But Apple's taking it even further.

The 4G iPod nano features an optional spoken interface to help with audio navigation, and the new hardware includes blind-friendly features like the “shake to shuffle” function (we were wondering who that was for!). Apple's new mic-integrated headphones provide tactile controls on the cable, and can also be used to receive vocal commands. But most importantly, Apple has promised in this agreement to flesh out its compatibility and make iTunes 8 and iTunes U 100% accessible for the blind by the end of the year, as well as donating $250,000 to the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind. As much as I rail against Apple, this is a really worthwhile cause and makes me feel pretty warm and fuzzy towards the White Overlords. [AppleInsider]

Knetwit: Share and earn

2008-09-29T12:26:00.001-05:00

Knetwit is a new, exciting social networking and knowledge collaboration site that is available to students and teachers at colleges around the world. Knetwit creates an online academic environment where the college community can share notes, ideas, issues, and content from their educational journey. Knetwit enables the community to share its resources and be more successful in their studying. Students can share notes and gain other perspectives on their classes; teachers can post supplemental study materials.

Knetwit also allows users to profit from their posted content. Any users uploaded content earns the user Koin every time it is viewed or downloaded. Koin can be redeemed for cash via PayPal. All you need to begin is a note you would like to upload and be signed in to Knetwit.

Knetwit is free to use; free to upload, free to search and free to download.

Click on the link below:

knetwit.com

Zamzar - Free online file conversion

2008-09-26T08:52:00.005-05:00

Have you ever wanted to convert files without the need
to download software, well now you can! Just select the file you want to convert and Zamzar converts online and emails you the converted file.

Here is a list of what it can convert Conversion Types

Click on the link below:

www.zamzar.com

TokBox

2008-09-24T14:12:00.007-05:00

Absolutely free Super simple video calling. There are two versions: TokBox desktop software and TokBox Firefox Add-on for Facebook. Tokbox is a free service that lets you talk with your friends over live video.

What is TokBox: www.tokbox.com/view/about

Mac OS X Accessibility For Beginners

2008-09-24T13:29:00.001-05:00

You can start to educate yourself about these free accessibility functions by reading the Mac OS X Accessibility for Beginners series.

Speech-to-Text: Dictation software for OS X

2008-09-23T08:41:00.000-05:00

This article is a significantly updated version of the article “Speech-to-Text: Dictation software for OS X“, originally published in November 2007.

Speech-to-text software, sometimes known as dictation software, is something that lets you talk to the computer in some form and have the computer react appropriately to what you are saying. This is totally different to text-to-speech software that can read out text already in the computer, although the two are often confused.

There are two types of speech-to-text software available. One type is called “command and control” and it lets you speak commands to your computer to control it - for example a command that it understands might be, “go to the Apple website” or, “tell me the time”, but you can only speak things the computer is already set up to understand; you can’t use this software to write an email or use iChat.

Command and control software for the Mac - known as “Speakable Items” (or sometimes, confusingly, “spoken commands”) - is already built into every OS X computer, although most people don’t know about it. So you don’t need to download, buy, or install anything to get this software to work. You would probably need a good USB microphone though, and if you don’t have American-accented English then the computer probably won’t understand you very well. Some resources for getting you up and running with Speakable Items include:

MacWorld Article about Speakable Safari Bookmarks and other aspects of OS X Speakable Items
Apple Support Articles about Speakable Items

The other type of speech-to-text software is usually called “dictation” software. This is the type that lets you write an article like this one, type stuff to your friends in iChat, or type an email. There used to be a version of IBM’s ViaVoice for OS X but it hasn’t been updated for several years and is no longer available. There is only one dictation-capable speech-to-text software available for OS X which is being updated and developed and it’s MacSpeech Dictate. Dictate is the successor to a program named iListen which MacSpeech used to produce.

Like all dictation-capable text-to-speech products, MacSpeech Dictate works very well for some people and very badly for others. Whether it will work for you depends on many things including: how much effort you’re willing to put into learning it, how good your microphone is, your age (text to speech usually works less well for children), how much your accent matches what the program expects, and whether your voice changes a lot through the day. MacSpeech Dictate is also very new software - it was only released on the 15th of February, 2008 - and like most new software it’s missing some major features. Ones which will be of significance to users with a disability include:

No way to control the mouse by voice
Can’t be taught new words, such as names or jargon specific to your profession
Correction it doesn’t yet learn from being corrected

MacSpeech have announced that correction and spelling features are currently in private beta testing and will be released in a free upgrade as version 1.2 as soon as possible.

I tried using the old iListen a few years ago and could not get results that were useful, an on-screen keyboard was the best solution at the time. Although MacSpeech Dictate is in its infancy as a program, its recognition of my particular voice is hugely better than iListen’s was. This is not surprising though, as MacSpeech Dictate’s speech recognition engine is based on the same engine used by Windows’ Dragon NaturallySpeaking - widely recognised as the best consumer speech recognition available.

MacSpeech Dictate requires the Tiger or Leopard operating system and a compter with an Intel chipset. It’s currently available for English dialects only - US English, US Teen English, UK English, Australian English, Indian English (as in India, not Native American), South-East Asian English.

- Ricky Buchanan

Just released today! The iRex Digital Reader 1000 series

2008-09-22T08:43:00.005-05:00

Thanks to the electronic paper display, reading iRex Digital Reader's screen is as sharp and natural as reading ink on paper and nothing like the strain and glare of a computer screen.

The 10.2 inch display is ideal for reading almost any digital document, even A4 or letter-sized documents look great on the iRex Digital Reader.

Click on the link below:

iRex Digital Reader

Searchme Visual Search

2008-09-19T07:48:00.006-05:00

Searchme lets you see what you’re searching for. As you start typing, categories appear that relate to your query. Choose a category, and you’ll see pictures of web pages that answer your search. You can review these pages quickly to find just the information you’re looking for, before you click through.

Click on the link below:

Searchme.com

The following external link(s) are provided for supplemental information only and unfortunately are not captioned for the hearing impaired.

2008-09-18T07:33:00.003-05:00

Jott makes sure you stay on top of everything. With a simple phone call to 866-JOTT-123, you can capture notes, set reminders and calendar appointments, stay in touch with friends and family, and interact with your favorite web sites and services...all with your voice!

Click on the link below:

Jott.com

Opera Web Browser Accessibility Features

2008-09-17T10:23:00.001-05:00

Accessibility in Opera

At Opera we strive to offer a better Internet experience for all, regardless of device, platform, or visual or mobile impairment. As a result, the Opera browser is the most accessible browser on the market today. Please go to the separate documents below to learn how you can adapt Opera to your needs.

Visual impairments

Low vision

Zoom and full-screen mode
Change link and text colors, text size, and button size
Disable animations, video, and audio applications
Implement your own style sheet

Blind

Sound alerts
Screen reader compability

Visual impairments

Mobility impairments

Keyboard shortcuts
Mouse gestures
Auto-completion

Mobile impairments

2008-09-16T07:50:00.001-05:00

PDFpen

PDFpen is a PDF editing and form-filling application for Mac OS X. PDFs are important to many people with disabilities because scanned documents are usually converted to PDF format. So for those who can’t handle physical paper, being able to edit or add to a PDF file is important. PDF files are also used frequently for online documents, especially those of a more “official” nature such as bills and bank statements.

PDFpen lets you replace text in original PDF files with editable text blocks. You can move, resize, copy and delete images, overlay text and images onto PDF files, insert and remove pages, reorder them using drag and drop, copy and paste rich text content, select and copy text across multiple columns and more.

Some of these things - copying and deleting sections from a page, and inserting/removing and reordering pages - can now be done by the Preview program in Leopard. The version of Preview included with Tiger did not allow for inserting/removing or reordering pages in a PDF.

There are a helpful screencast tutorials for PDFpen available too. I suggest anybody considering this program watches these to get a clearer idea of what it can do.

Website: PDFpen

- Ricky Buchanan

Plastic Logic Reader

2008-09-12T11:30:00.006-05:00

Differentiated by a stunning form factor (the size of 8.5 x 11-inch paper), the Plastic Logic reader features a big readable display. Yet it's thinner than a pad of paper, lighter than many business periodicals, and offers a high-quality reading experience - better than alternatives of paper or other electronic readers on the market today.

The Plastic Logic reader supports a full range of business document formats, such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint, and Adobe PDFs, as well as newspapers, periodicals and books. It has an easy gesture-based user interface and powerful software tools that will help business users to organize and manage their information. Users can connect to their information either wired or wirelessly and store thousands of documents on the device. The reader incorporates E Ink technology for great readability and features low power consumption and long battery life. The Plastic Logic reader is scheduled to ship in the first half of 2009.

Click on the link below:

Plastic Logic Reader

Apples Universal Access Features

2008-09-11T14:36:00.004-05:00

Apple has built many accessibility solutions directly into its products as standard features. VoiceOver, screen reading technology that’s part of Mac OS X, provides voice description and offers plug-and-play support for Braille displays. For those who find it difficult to use a mouse, Spotlight search technology makes it easy to launch applications and find files, images, calendar events, or Wikipedia entries using a keyboard. And iPod, iPhone, Apple TV, and other products support closed captioning.

Click on the link below:

Universal Access

Acccessing Microsoft Accessibility Features

2008-09-11T10:56:00.005-05:00

This is a great page to find out how you can access the great accessibility features that are built-in the Windows operating system.

Click on the link below:

Windows Accessibility Features

Alerts.com

2008-09-10T10:04:00.004-05:00

Alerts.com is your personal information management destination where you are in control of the information you need.

In today’s hectic world we are all inundated with more information than we can possibly manage. We often have a difficult time sorting out what is relevant, important, or urgent to us. At Alerts.com we believe today’s exciting technologies can be leveraged to be of assistance to you. These technologies can give you the ability to receive just the information you need when you need it. Delivered in the form of alerts, notifications, and/or reminders via email, text message, instant messaging, or even voice, we empower you to better manage your life.

Click on the link below:

Alerts.com

Remember The Milk

2008-09-09T09:11:00.001-05:00

Manage tasks quickly and easily.
An intuitive interface makes managing tasks fun. Set due dates easily with next Friday or in 2 weeks. Extensive keyboard shortcuts make task management quicker than ever.

Click on the link below:

Remember The Milk

Docstoc Sync

2008-09-05T09:13:00.006-05:00

The Easiest Way to Put Your Documents Online

Docstoc Sync is a simple downloadable application that automatically syncs documents from your computer to Docstoc MyDocs. Effortlessly upload your documents and keep them private for easy access anytime, anywhere. Or publish any document or folder of documents publicly on Docstoc by putting it in your "Docstoc Public Documents" folder from your desktop.

Automatically sync your computers My Documents folder with Docstoc MyDocs

Easiest way to publish with drag and drop desktop folder

Fastest way to publish documents online

Access your documents anytime, anywhere

Mirror any folder on your hard drive to MyDocs

Works for both PC and Mac

Evernote

2008-09-03T09:06:00.002-05:00

Why You Should Be Using Evernote

A universal capture application is only as good as its ability to catch information no matter where you are and what you're doing. With support for accessing and adding notes from your cellphone, through any web browser, or through the desktop version, the most popular note-taking application Evernote is perhaps the closest option to a true universal capture tool available next to plain old pen and paper.

StudyRails

2008-09-03T07:30:00.003-05:00

StudyRails helps students overcome procrastination, control online distractions (e.g.: YouTube, Facebook, Instant Messaging), and stay on track with homework assignments. StudyRails creates a step-by-step, personalized study plan, sends email and cell phone reminders when it’s time to study, and blocks distracting websites, software and games during study time to keep students focused on their schoolwork.

Click on the link below:

StudyRails

Google Online Applications and Resources

2008-08-22T10:52:00.002-05:00

LISTEN TO TEXT

These links will help you save time searching the internet for information, save money by not having to purchase an office suite, easily share information with your peers and help you keep organized.

Campus Tour

2008-08-18T08:48:00.016-05:00

See Video: George Brown College, St. James Campus

Click to Play

2008-08-15T15:06:00.013-05:00

See Video: George Brown College, Casa Loma Campus

Click To Play

Firefox Add-ons, Highlighter 0.1.4

2007-04-11T11:35:00.000-05:00

Allows you to highlight text on a webpage by selecting it and clickin. If you hold down the Shift key while opening the popup menu, a sub-menu appears with more advanced options. Here is the link : https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/791

Dragon Naturally Speaking (Voice Commands)

2007-03-20T13:59:00.000-05:00

The following links will take you to the most common voice commands. The first link is a quick start guide and the second link is the entire Dragon Naturally Speaking's manual:

Common Voice Commands (quick start) and User's Guide

Flash Card Exchange

2007-03-02T11:27:00.001-05:00

Flashcards are study tools. Think of a small 3×5 index card with a question on one side and an answer on the other side. This web site is an internet application where you can create, study, print and download flashcards. Visit the website for more details.

www.flashcardexchange.com

ADAPTECHGBC

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