Verizon Wireless announced a new service available for the blind and visually impaired customers. The application is Talk and it will help you convert text into speech so you can take advantage of a variety of features like phone numbers, caller ID, SMS messages, emails and notes. Using voice only, Talk users will be able to do the following:

• Dial a number from the phone’s Contacts directory
• Add and edit entries in the Contacts directory
• Write text messages and e-mail
• Write documents using Mobile Office
• Access and compose multimedia message service (MMS) messages
• Use Mobile Internet Explorer to access the Internet
• Control speech volume and rate of speech

Talk will be available at first on Motorola Q9c handsets. The phone will be available starting tomorrow, March 15, for $249 with a contract.

via cnet

Tags: application, blind, Mobile News, Motorola, Motorola, Q9c, Talk, Verizon, Verizon Wireless, Visually Impaired

In these modern times we should definitely be able to communicate no matter what. That’s why this Silicon Touch iPhone case comes in handy. The visually impaired can now use an iPhone. The case has a selection of bas-relief buttons which cover the touchscreen thus making various buttons accessible to the blind. The concept is really smart and it should enter production.

via Yanko

Tags: Apple, blind, case, iPhone, Mobile News, Other Brands

Apple plans to work together with the state of Massachusetts to use the VoiceOver technology from Mac OS X in iTunes and iPod in order to make them usable by the blind.

Apple’s new iPod nano already has some features which are blind-friendly. The shake to shuffle function and the optional spoken interface to help with audio navigation, the tactile control on the new headphones which also have an integrated microphone for voice commands.

Apple will also be donating $250,000 to the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind and by the end of the year will transform iTunes 8 and iTunes U in order to make it 100% accessible for the blind.

Tags: Apple, Apple, blind, ipod, iTunes 8, Mobile News, Mobile Software, Other Brands