07-02-2004, 07:00 AM
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Magi
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,186
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Not One, but Two PDAs for the Blind Released
Geekzone has the scoop on two new, very different PDAs for the blind. One of them latches onto a HP 4150, while the other unit is a custom-built device that includes a braille "screen":
" Pulse Data International has announced the BrailleNote PK. The new PDA weighs less than a pound and has dimensions of 6.8 inches by 3.6 inches by 1.3 inches. It is the first Braille personal digital assistant (PDA) in the marketplace that can fit into a pocket. Adding Bluetooth technology to Pulse Data International's BrailleNote product line provides new options for the blind user. For example, the BrailleNote PK can connect with any other Bluetooth enabled device without extra software or programming. This includes a wide range of wireless devices such as mobile phones, personal computers, headsets, and keyboards. Pulse Data International expects to ship the BrailleNote PK early in the fourth quarter of 2004. Features include:
� Microsoft Windows CE operating system
� 16MB of non-volatile user storage
� 16MB of RAM
� 32MB ROM for program and OS storage
� Optional PCMCIA and Compact Flast Card slots for additional storage
� Serial, parallel and infrared ports and internal modem
� Ethernet connectivity
� Synchronization with MS Outlook's Planner and Contacts using KeySync
� Supports the 1GB/5GB MicroDrive and ATA Memory cards
"HP and VisuAide today showcased "Maestro", a handheld PC for the blind and visually impaired. Built on the HP iPAQ Pocket PC h4150 platform, Maestro is the most affordable and compact personal digital assistant available to the visually impaired. Maestro features text-to-speech technology and a tactile keyboard membrane over its touch screen so the visually impaired can use essential information-access and communication applications without using a stylus. Scheduled to begin shipping in September, Maestro takes advantage of wireless communication networks, such as Bluetooth wireless technology, and can be operated with or without an external keyboard (Braille or standard)."
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07-02-2004, 01:12 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 279
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If you ask me, that add-on for the h4150 is a great device even for people who can see. Translating PPC data to audio and (possibly) one-hand-only operation means that I can devote my ears to reading news, doing research, or studying a text, and I can give my eyes a rest. This would be fantastic for joggers and (dare I say it) drivers who need to review data without taking their eyes off the road.
EDIT: And you thought sleeves were dead. 
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iPAQ h3635 => Jornada 548 => Jornada 720 => Jornada 568 => iPAQ h1935 => iPAQ h1940 => Axim x50v
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07-02-2004, 08:44 PM
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5000+ Posts? I Should OWN This Site!
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,616
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Hmmm.. Sleeves for the 4000 series? Muwahahahaha! :twisted:
(ya beat me to it!  )
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iPhone 4! ☠☠☠ Mid-2010 15" MacBook Pro! ☠☠☠ Gateway LT2102h! ☠☠☠ Dell XPS M1210!
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07-02-2004, 09:34 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 155
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lol. i believe the second "hardware" addon is nothing more than a keypad faceplate. i doubt there's circuitry running through it.
if it was, there should be some cabling running to either the SD slot or the serial port.
That's the problem with commenting on mockups.
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07-03-2004, 12:11 AM
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Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,878
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Gohtor
lol. i believe the second "hardware" addon is nothing more than a keypad faceplate. i doubt there's circuitry running through it.
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I would imagine that if you removed the "sleeve" you would see custom SW that looks almost identicle to the button layout on the cover. It just allows the visually impaired to be able to feel the buttons instead of trying to use the touchscreen...
Cool idea though!
Steve
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"My eyes are rolling back in my head so far I can see my grey matter bubbling and frothing from reading this thread....bleh." JD
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