Research In Motion Launches BlackBerry Screen Reader!

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We received some exciting news at RNIB earlier this week after hearing about Research In Motion's (RIM) release of the BlackBerry ® Screen Reader! Great news for blind and partially sighted people who may have previously thought the devices were inaccessible. The BlackBerry handsets can be a great alternative to touch screen phones.

Download

The screen reader application can be downloaded onto your BlackBerry and used to verbally describe written content which is being displayed on the screen in English, French, Italian, German and Spanish.

You can download the BlackBerry Screen Reader directly to a supported BlackBerry smartphone model from www.blackberry.com/screenreader.

Compatibility

The software is compatible with the following current BlackBerry ® Curve™ models: 9350, 9360 and 9370. RIM has committed to supporting new devices, including the BlackBerry Curve 9320 smartphones announced this week.

It is our knowledge that the BlackBerry Curve 9360 and the new BlackBerry Curve 9320 smartphones are models supported by the BlackBerry Screen Reader and are available to purchase in the UK from many high street mobile shops.

Comments

On behalf of RIM:

"We are excited to introduce the BlackBerry Screen Reader for customers with visual impairments," said Greg Fields, Senior Product Manager at RIM, the maker of BlackBerry smartphones "We are sincerely committed to continue our collaborative efforts with friends and partners like the RNIB, understand customer needs and help continually improve the accessibility of BlackBerry products."

Robin Spinks speaks on behalf of the RNIB about this exciting new application:

"Accessible mobile technology can be life changing for blind and partially sighted people. RNIB is working across the mobile industry to bring about a greater range of accessible mobile devices and we warmly welcome RIM's announcement of Blackberry Screen Reader."

Features

The BlackBerry Screen Reader includes many features which enable you to customize your phone so it works in a way that suits your visual requirements. Some of these features include:

  • Independent Volume control for the speech output.
  • Support to work with core applications.
  • Short cut commands.
  • Add more secure options for displaying and entering passwords.
  • In call settings for text to speech output.
  • The ability to customize Audio and output controls.

Want to know more?

Find out more about BlackBerry Accessibility at www.blackberry.com/accessibility.

View the BlackBerry Screen Reader press release at http://press.rim.com/release.jsp?id=5898.

View an Inside BlackBerry Blog article about the Screen Reader including lots of tips, tricks and useful information about the new application at http://blogs.blackberry.com/2012/05/blackberry-screen-reader/.

Got a suggestion?

We want to hear from you, our users. Which apps and websites should we be writing about on the TechKnowMore blog? Is there an app you can no longer live without? What website is at the top of your favourites list? Drop us an email on DigitalAccess@rnib.org.uk to let us know, and your favourite service could be featured in the very near future!



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Tag: Technology news

Posted at: 14/05/2012 7:30 PM by Moderator

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