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July 31, 2007
AT&T Launching New Services to Support Customers With Special Needs
(Jul 22, 2007) AT&T Inc. has announced plans to launch new wireless software products this year to increase usability for customers who are blind or visually impaired. AT&T will partner with Code Factory to offer two new products: Mobile Speak and Mobile Magnifier, both for Windows Mobile and Symbian Series 60 operating system devices.
AT&T consults with leaders from the disability community to develop product and service offerings designed to meet the needs of customers with vision loss. "By working closely with organizations that are committed to serving seniors or people with disabilities, AT&T is able to better understand the unique needs of its customers." said Carlton Hill, vice president of Product Management for AT&T's wireless unit. "These new software options will help make it easier for all individuals to enjoy a digital lifestyle wherever they go."
"Code Factory's mission is to make it possible for visually impaired consumers to use the most advanced mobile technology," said Eduard Sánchez, CEO of Code Factory. "AT&T has a long track record of enabling communications for all of its customers, and we are very pleased to partner with them to make even more mobile devices accessible to the visually impaired."
Mobile Speak is a powerful, full-fledged screen reader with an easy-to-learn command structure, intuitive speech feedback in several languages and Braille support that can be used with or without speech. Unlike other screen readers for mobile phones, Mobile Speak automatically detects information that the blind user should know, just as a sighted user would easily find highlighted items or key areas of the screen at a glance. Supported applications and functions include:
Speed dial, call lists and contacts Text messaging Calendar, tasks, notes and calculator Internet browser Word, Excel and PowerPoint Voice Recorder, Media Player, voice speed dial and voice command Phone/device settings, profiles, alarms and ringtones Mobile Magnifier is a flexible, full-screen magnification application that supports low- and high-resolution screens and can be used with or without speech feedback. Magnification software is compatible with a wide range of mobile devices. Unique features include:
Magnification levels from 1.25x to 16x Font-smoothing for easier readability Three different layouts: a full-screen, split and distributed view Different color schemes, including inverted color Automatic panning and cursor-tracking Automatic zoom function that detects areas of interest on the screen
"We have found that individuals who have vision loss want to be able to choose from a range of wireless handsets," said Paul Schroeder, vice president of Programs and Policy, American Foundation for the Blind. "Just like people who can see, customers with disabilities want options. We applaud AT&T for its leadership in investing the effort to understand and address the needs of individuals with vision loss."
Mobile Speak and Mobile Magnifier for Windows Mobile and Symbian Series 60 operating system devices will be available from AT&T in the fall of 2007.
Source: AT&T
Posted by Nancy at July 31, 2007 11:22 AM