Software Deals, Sales, and News

The GW Micro blog points us to an upcoming resource for the pending Window-Eyes 7.0 called Script Central. It's a website with dozens of scripts which could enhance the next version of the popular screen reader. Scripts range from enhancements for Winamp to a weather applet. You can actually browse the page now, but the scripts will be pretty useless until the public beta is released.

Mobile Speak and Mobile Speak Smartphone are available at our sister site, ATGuys.com, for $249. Plus, delivery is free. This is Code Factory's popular software for Symbian phones like the Nokia N82 and 6682 and Windows Mobile Smartphones like the Motorola Q. Deal ends April 30.

Though no products have been released yet, the promises by upstart software company Beacon Sys, Inc. are certainly intriguing. Among them is a bill identifier using the phone's camera which they say will cost in the tens of dollars. It would certainly be the cheapest such software program available for phones. A bar code reader and navigation software for transit systems are also on the horizon. We'll report more as products are released.

It looks like you didn't have to attend CSUN to get a copy of the free promotional release of Freedom Scientific's MAGic screen magnification product. The download, which gives you free access until August, is available now. MAGic 11 is reported to be better-suited for working in combination with JAWS 9.0, highlighting text when spoken, for example.

Dolphin reminds us that there are more screen access programs that are worthy of our attention. Version 9 of all of their reading and magnification products, such as HAL and Supernova, has been officially released. It boasts better Internet navigation, simplified browsing of page elements in Word and Excel, and the introduction of online quick keys. Thanks to the Ranger Station for the press release.

Serotek, who perhaps produces the screen access program with the most frequent updates, is back at it again with version 2.4 of System Access and System Access to Go. The latest release allows for magnification up to 6X the original size, which can be adjusted in .25x increments. Also, many of the media content features found in the Victor Reader Stream will now also be coming to LevelStar's Icon. This will happen once a firmware update for the Icon is released. Many of these features are available both on System Access and the free online System Access to Go product.

NVAccess, the nonprofit largely responsible for the development of the free NVDA screen reader, will be demonstrating their new speedier support for Firefox version 3 at CSUN. Two members of the development team are attending thanks to a grant from the Mozilla Foundation. Read the complete details by checking the link on this post.

The CSUN pre-press has definitely started to roll. Freedom Scientific is giving a huge push to their low vision products including offering CSUN attendees a free MAGic version 11 trial that will work until August. Other sessions for the Pac-Mate Omni, magnification aids, and a happy hour are also announced in this press release. We're unsure if those not attending the conference can obtain the MAGic trial.

First it was Sendero GPS for the BrailleNote. Then, Sendero reached out to the Voice Sense by GW Micro and hinted of more GPS partnerships to come. Now, Code Factory will become the third technology company to bring Sendero's award-winning GPS products to a new device, this time to the Windows Mobile platform. More details about this and other Code Factory releases wil presumably be available during CSUN next week.

If it's any comfort to the Ranger Station blog, you're not the last place to report on the release of OpenBook 8.0. We figured we probably should mention the latest version of Freedom Scientific's scanning and OCR product sooner rather than later. All kidding aside, this upgrade looks pretty packed with features and includes better OCR engines, new speech synthesizers, better keyboard integration with JAWS and MAGic, better support for currency reading, and a laundry list of other improvements. It's $150 for current users to upgrade or $995 for a new copy.

Gerry Chevalier, Victor Reader Product Manager for HumanWare was featured tonight at AccessibleWorld.org and discussed the upcoming version 1.2 software for the Victor Reader Stream. As announced previously, there is now a built-in SD card format utility, support for NIMAS textbooks and content from the Serotek System Access Mobile Network, improved transfer speeds directly with the stream, increased volume of the built-in speaker, and a pitch control for the Vocalizer voice. Regarding the music bookshelf, there are now separate bass and treble controls, file and folder names are only announced when the player is stopped, and a go-to-time feature has been implemented. Windows Media Audio and BRF support is forthcoming, possibly in two to three months. Version 1.2 of the Victor Reader Stream firmware is expected to be shipped by the 21st of February, however this release has already been pushed back once.

Amazon.com has Nuance's Dragon NaturallySpeaking Professional version 9 for $759.99. Plus, shipping is free. This is Nuance's high-end voice recognition software. It also works with the J-Say script package which enhances functionality with JAWS.

There's some new goodies on the KNFB Reader website. They'll all require you to create an account, which you can do by following the link on this post. Once you've done that, you can get an MP3 tutorial for the KNFB Reader Mobile, manuals and fact sheets in both TXT and PDF format, and a download of the software. Don't get too excited about the download, though, since you'll need to activate it to get any real functionality out of it. But the posting of the software on this site should mean that dealers will be able to activate it very soon.

An EBay seller has listed a copy of Window-Eyes version 5.5 with a current bid of $300. That's $595 off the cost of a new copy of version 6.1, though an upgrade cost is necessary to bring the program to the current version. Auction ends February 10.

Humanware has released some details regarding a new update to the Maestro and Trekkor applications. First, version 3.1 of Trekkor adds support for the Holux m-1000 GPS receiver. Version 2.1 of Maestro adds a web browser, file explorer, and improved power management on the HP hx 2490b PDA. Both updates are expected to ship by the end of this week. In addition to these firmware updates, Humanware is developing a slimmed-down version of their Trekkor. Stay posted to Blind Bargains as details are made available.

If you're wanting to learn more about the future of scripting with Window-Eyes, check out this news release from their website. It gives more details as well as an excerpt from their forthcoming documentation.

The Air Foundation, in partnership with Serotek Corp. today has announced the availability of System Access to Go, free to anyone with access to a computer and an Internet connection. This product is completely free and there is no time limits or restrictions. Of note, a second product announcement from the foundation is expected on Friday.

GW Micro has released some details regarding Window-Eyes 7.0. First, this version will support scripting, allowing any programming

language to be used provided that it can utilize com automation. Second, the program is now written entirely in Unicode, which

will allow for easier translations to Asian languages. GW Micro expects to release a public beta of Window-Eyes 7.0 by CSUN this

March. Stay posted to Blind Bargains for further information.

Mike Calvo, CEO of Serotek Corporation, will be among the presenters at this year's ATIA conference in Orlando this Saturday. Among the themes of his discussion is their initiatives that are creating a more accessible web for both the blind and the deaf. New features of System Access and the System Access Mobile Network will be discussed, such as the ability to use the Napster digital music service and their new pay as you go licensing schemes. We'll be reporting much more from the ATIA conference in the coming days, here in Orlando.

KNFB Reading Technologies has officially announced the release of the KNFB Reader Mobile, a new version of the portable scanning device that will initially run on the Nokia N82 Symbian cell phone. Retailing for $1,595 for the software alone, it includes the same features as the original KNFB Reader, now called KNFB Reader Classic, and boasts improved scanning time and quicker navigation. Using the phone's built-in 5 megapixel camera, a printed page was scanned and recognized in about 15 seconds in a demonstration held Monday. In addition, the phone's screen enables access for large print users by highlighting the text as it is read. While no additional software is required, users can purchase Mobile Speak or Talks to enable complete functionality of the phone. Users of the KNFB Reader Classic will be able to upgrade for "a modest fee" according to Ray Kurzweil, CEO of KNFB Reading Technologies. The software is expected to ship on February 15. We'll have much more coverage on this product including a hands-on review and audio interviews in the coming days.