Optelec Launches Improved Range of LED Magnifiers

Provider of assistive technologies for the visually impaired and blind, Optelec US, has announced the availability of its new PowerMag+ series of LED magnifiers. The PowerMag+ line allows effective and easy magnification reading by using advanced Schweizer-brand optics, durable materials and better illumination.

PowerMag+ Line

The PowerMag+ series has SMD LED lighting in the stand and hand magnifiers. The devices make user experience simpler with the use of ergonomic switches. There is a new battery compartment to offer convenient replacement.

The magnifiers comprise five diverse illumination colors and nine powers. The PowerMag+ enables users to customize their low vision requirements, and offers bright and uniform light distribution. The magnifications include 15X, 13X, 10.75X, 8X, 7X, 6X, 5X, 4X and 3.5X with illuminations of contrast yellow, bright white and HaloBright white. The PowerMag+ line comes with stand and hand-held models.

Optelec US’ President, Andre Hardy stated that the enhancements done to the PowerMag+ line will allow the LED magnifiers to be easily used by the users. The new design and the cost-effectiveness of the PowerMag+ line makes it a useful solution for customers, Hardy said.

Source: Optlec

Freedom Scientific Releases JAWS 12

Freedom Scientific today announced the release of JAWS® for Windows version 12, including JAWS BrailleIn™, a powerful new feature that enables users who prefer typing in Braille to use contracted Braille in common Microsoft applications such as Internet Explorer and Word. JAWS 12 includes a new Virtual Ribbon feature which provides a fast way to navigate the Ribbon Menus that Microsoft uses in Office 2007 and Windows 7. JAWS 12 also replaces the Configuration Manager with a new Settings Center. The Settings Center allows easy access to all JAWS settings and includes a search box to instantly locate and adjust the desired settings.

“This release represents a huge step in productivity for Braille users,” says Eric Damery, Vice President of Software Product Management for Freedom Scientific. “Many expert Braille readers are much faster and more accurate typing on a Perkins-style keyboard than on a QWERTY keyboard, and they will be more efficient using JAWS 12 with applications like Word, Outlook, Internet Explorer, Notepad, and WordPad. The BrailleIn feature instantly back translates the Braille input, displaying text on the PC screen, so parents and teachers can follow along as their students type in Braille. The new Virtual Ribbon Menu has also been very well received by our customers during the beta phase of this release and will greatly reduce the learning curve for users upgrading to new versions of Office and Windows 7.”

The upgrade is an SMA release and can be downloaded as either 32-bit or 64-bit versions from the JAWS downloads page . DVD shipments to SMA holders and new product customers will commence on Nov. 2, 2010.

Click here for more information about Jaws 12

Google Launches Two New Android Apps To Help The Blind Navigate Around Town

Google has launched two new Android apps for visually impaired users, although they could be useful to just about anybody looking for more information from their mobile navigation devices. The first is called WalkyTalky, and like the latest version of Google Maps Navigation app for Android, it can provide you with walking directions from point A to point B. But instead of simply speaking up to tell you when to turn right or left, WalkyTalky will talk to you along the way, pointing out intersections, names of streets you pass, and even street addresses. This can help you keep track of where you are on your journey — especially if you can’t read the addresses or street signs yourself.

The other app is called Intersection Explorer, and it lets users explore locations without taking a step outside. Just fire up the app and the program will detect your current location (or allow you to enter a new address). You can tap the phone to hear the street name and nearest intersection, and you can move your finger north, south, east, or west to hear the names of nearby streets. This way you can discover how to get from one place to another by interacting with a map much the same way a person with perfect eyesight would do by looking at it.

Source: TechCrunch