Print
Nokia is looking out for its visually impaired cell phone users. While most blind people have no problem using cell phones—reading text messages presents a challenge. Short of dynamic polymers to magically create bumps on a touch screen to simulate Braille, it takes some ingenuity to try and solve this problem.
Screen reading software has been around for some time and provides an adequate solution to phone navigation and text messaging. However, a silent implementation remained out-of-reach until recently. Nokia Labs developed a solution for its latest touch screen phones that uses a combination of tactile vibration techniques to simulate Braille reading.
You can (ironically) watch a video of the app in action as well as grab the free download.
Links:
[1] http://www.maximumpc.com/user/jcbarry
[2] http://betalabs.nokia.com/apps/nokia-braille-reader
[3] http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/more_specs_emerge_about_nokias_netbook
[4] http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/new_camera_blind_looks_outta_sight
[5] http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/nokias_ovi_joins_its_app_store_brethren
[6] http://www.maximumpc.com/tags/accessibility
[7] http://www.maximumpc.com/tags/mobile
[8] http://www.maximumpc.com/tags/nokia
[9] http://www.maximumpc.com/tags/touch_screen_technology
[10] http://www.maximumpc.com/articles/news
[11] http://www.maximumpc.com/user/login?&commentfragment=comments_top_anchor