all categories Deals, Sales, and News

Code Factory has released version 4.01 of their Mobile Speak aplication for symbian phones. This maintenance update adds support for the Nokia x6 and 6700 slide, support for the web browser on touch-screen devices, and more. This is a free upgrade to existing users of Mobile Speak 4.

Guerrilla Technologies, Inc. has announced Visionary, a portable OCR solution for $1500. The system consists of a Dell Mini netbook, capture stand and digital camera. At launch, the product will only be sold with this netbook, although a version without the computer is being considered. This product is expected to be released within the next 30 to 60 days.

GW Micro has announced that the Book Sense audio player will be supporting content from the System Access Mobile network in the near future. This is similar to the feature found on the Plextalk Pocket and the Victor Stream. This will be a free update to existing Book Sense owners and SAMNet subscribers. A release date has not been given.

A Blind Bargains reader has listed a Voice Sense and SyncBraille 32 for sale on Craigslist. Both can be had for $3,000, or they will piece them out separately, a bit more than half the cost of these units new. The Voice Sense is GW Micro's portable notetaking solution while the SyncBraille 32 is a portable, compatible, braille display from the same manufacturer. All original accessories are included.

An EBay seller and Blind Bargains reader has posted a used Victor Reader Stream with a current bid of $105. Even with $30 for shipping (it's coming from Singapore), it's about $200 off the cost of a new unit. Plus, an Executive Products leather case and extended warranty through November of 2010 are included. The unit is advertised as barely used and comes with practically all of the original accessories. Auction ends January 24.

Blind Bargains has obtained presentation information for ATIA Orlando 2010. A handout concerning the new features in OpenBook 9 is available. The new version of Freedom Scientific's OCR software contains improved image acquisition times which claim to provide almost instant access to documents, better support for image files, and additional features for low-vision users such as a virtual X-Y table. In addition, users will be able to restart reading where they left off when reopening a document. Support for the Unified English Braille code is also included as well as other unnamed features, according to the abstract. Freedom Scientific published their complete ATIA presentation schedule in their December 2009 newsletter. Blind Bargains will be in Orlando providing both written and audio coverage for the conference, so stay tuned for more details.

7-128 Software is offering a Holiday discount on their accessible GameBook.
It's a $20 download for 5 games including detective, puzzle, and word games.
Use coupon HOLIDAYS2009 to get the bundle, which runs on Windows 7, Vista, and XP as well as the Mac.. The gamebook has many additional titles which can be added, many of which are accessible.

An EBay seller has listed a SARA Stand-Alone Scanning and Reading Appliance with a starting bid of $900. Or, Buy It Now for $1450. With about $30 for shipping, it's still about half the cost of a new unit. This appliance is ideal for those who want an all-in-one scanning solution. It includes scanning and OCR software as well as a built-in CD drive. Auction ends early on December 15, if not bought sooner.

Today is the last day to purchase the Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar. You may buy it directly from the US Mint for $33.95. Standard shipping costs $4.95, however you must select expedited to guarantee a Christmas delivery. The Louis Braille Commemorative Silver Dollar is the first United States coin to feature tactile, readable braille. All sales must be made before 5:00 PM eastern time.

According to a video news report posted to CNN, the next version of the KNFB Reader Mobile software will include color recognition capabilities. The reader is heard saying "recognizing color" and identifying the color blue in the video. Watch the full report which is linked to this post.

Blastbay Studios is currently offering the Q9 Adventure game for $24.95,. The side-scrolling game offers 12 levels, original music, bonus rounds, four difficulty levels and more. Deal ends January 1.

An EBay seller and Blind Bargains reader has posted an unlocked Nokia N82, with a fully licensed copy of Talks Premium 4.00.3 with a starting bid of $250. With $10 for shipping, it's less than the price of Talks alone. It can be upgraded to the latest version of Talks for free.
This phone is also compatible with the KNFB Reader Mobile software. Auciton ends December 4.

Nuance has just released vrersion 4.11.3 of their Talks and Zooms software package for mobile phones. This version adds support for several new handsets, improves the web browser for the Nokia e52 and N86 and more. Version 4.11 is a free upgrade for all premium licenses generated after November 13, 2007.

Freedom Scientific has filed another lawsuit, this time against Enhanced Vision, makers of magnifying products. In summary, Freedom Scientific aledges that Enhanced Vision has wrongfully used their name to profit from their business, for instance, by buying the Freedom Scientific keywords on advertising platforms and linking to the Enhanced Vision website. Enhanced Vision has also used Freedom Scientific in their metatags, which are often used by search engines.
We've obtained the full text of the complaint, which was converted into a text format. Some minor errors may exist, as we did not proofread the OCR output. Below is the full complaint.

An EBay seller and Blind Bargains reader has posted a copy of JAWS for Windows Professional with a starting bid of $499. Or, Buy It Now for $595. Add about $6 for shipping. Either way, that's about half the cost of this software new. From the description, it sounds like the transfer fee is also included in this price. This is the latest version of Freedom Scientific's screen reading software. Auction ends December 1, if not sold sooner. Update: This item has sold.

In this podcast, featured on the CandleShore Blog, CodeFactory offers a closer look at MobileSpeak 4 in action. Along with cross platform capability, this software upgrade will allow for true portability and migration by allowing users to license their software to an existing telephone number. Please navigate to the link above to learn more!

Shinano Kenshi Corporation and Serotek have announced a partnership which will allow content from the System Access Mobile network to be played on the Plextalk Pocket digital book player. This functionality is similar to that offered by the Humanware Victor Stream.

Today, BrailleNote mPower users and the public at large received their first view of Humanware’s new breed of PDA devices. While many are quick to discount the Apex as overpriced, outdated, and meaningless, we can’t hardly blame Humanware for the new release. And while users are quick to scoff at the price, the machine brings some welcome competition to the blindness-specific PDA market which I’m glad to see.

Here's an editorial piece from Serotek founder Mike Calvo on the Intel Reader, questioning the motives of Intel, Humanware, and others. There's many interesting and valid points here, and it's definitely worth a read. Via Serotek Blog

We have received an annonymous report describing the Intel Reader in detail, and their impressions with The unit. The Intel Reader is being marketed as a stand-alone reading device, able to turn a page of text in to speech. Read on for details.