What is RealSAM Pocket?

RealSAM Pocket is a service which allows you to listen to books from the RNIB Library, Talking Book service, newspapers, magazines from RNIB Newsagent and BBC podcasts.

These are all available on a mobile device that you control with your voice.

When you purchase RealSAM Pocket, you will receive a Samsung media player handset, a subscription to RNIB Newsagent and Talking Books and the software package that makes it all work. The handset also acts as a mobile phone, so you can make and receive calls and send text messages.

The special built in RealSAM software guides you through the menus in order to listen to your books, newspapers and BBC podcasts, or to check the weather, time and your current location.

You speak all of the commands to RealSAM Pocket, including telling it what book to pick, hearing the sports section of your newspaper or when you want to text your friend.

Features and benefits

RealSAM Pocket is specially designed to be accessible for blind and partially sighted people. It is fully navigable by using voice commands. You can receive books just by speaking their title, making it a very simple way to gain access to a library, as well as being able to request a magazine or newspaper and navigating through them quickly and easily.

It is also a very useful phone handset. You can programme in your contacts simply by using voice commands, which then makes it quick and easy to make calls or send texts by using speech.

The device also comes with a range of assistance features including video access to Be My Eyes volunteers, a magnifier, reminders, navigation assistance and an emergency support function.

Anything else?

At the time of writing (July 2021), RealSAM Pocket can be purchased for £619 as a single payment or £25.99 per month on a two-year contract. This includes unlimited phone calls, 3GB of data and access to books, newspapers and magazines. After this time, you can choose to pay month to month so that you keep having access to the library and newsagent.

The device can roam on the mobile network within Europe, this is included in the contract, and can connect to Wi-Fi anywhere internationally.

You can also choose to buy RealSAM Pocket without a mobile phone plan. This option allows you to use Pocket with your choice of Sim card and gives lifetime access to all other services including books, newspapers and unlimited customer support. RealSAM Pocket Sim Free costs £719.

All RealSAM Products come with a One Year Warranty and 60-Day no obligation Returns Period.

How to use RealSAM Pocket

You must use particular commands to navigate RealSAM Pocket which can take a while to get used to, but once you do become familiar with them, you’ll be able to operate it easily. A quick reference guide is available from the RealSAM Pocket website.

• Press the talk button once, wait for the tone, and then ask for what you would like. To get started say “Go to Help” or “User Guide” which provides top-level help and information.

• You can also request context sensitive help at any time by saying “Help”.

• To select from a list, say, “number one”, “the last one”, “the third one” and so on. You can then interrupt the listing at the item you want, by pressing the talk button and saying “that one” or “yes”.

Find out more about RealSAM Pocket.