Wizard PDA to deliver Braille and speech as a low-cost Android device

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Tuesday, 14 September 2010 11:23am

The recently formed National Braille Press is nearing completion on a Braille and speech-based PDA (personal digital assistant) that uses the Android OS, aiming to provide Braille users with a modern, upgradable device that uses mainstream technologies for its software.

The not-for-profit organisation, best known for Braille literacy initiatives, decided to create the prototype due to the rapidly evolving accessibility features of Google Android and the fact that comparable devices are often outdated, highly specialised, sold by corporations and often retail for US$10,000. The prototype, called the Braille Wizard, aims to challenge all of these by blending the specialist needs of Braille users with the same upgradability and functionality of any other Android device.

The Braille Wizard’s specialist features include an 8 dot Braille keyboard and 20 cell refreshable Braille display, and its mainstream components include the Android OS, Wi-Fi, USB ports, accelerometer, speech input and output, 3G mobile broadband support for web browsing and a webcam.

The prototype is expected to be completed in early 2011 with pricing to be announced about the same time. Further information on the Braille Wizard can be found at the Braille Wizard website.


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