[gui-talk] FW: HumanWare launches Maestro 2.0, the PDA for blind people

[Steve Pattison]

>From: Bray, Terry Terry.Bray at bmo.com
>To: access-l at access-l.com
>
>HumanWare launches Maestro 2.0,
>the new generation of PDA for Blind people.
>
>
>Longueuil, June 30th, 2006 -- HumanWare is proud to announce the
>release of Maestro 2.0, an enhanced version of the mainstream PDA
>for the visually impaired. Maestro offers the unparalleled benefits
>of portability and mobility found in PDAs for sighted people.
>Version 2.0 has a multitude of new functions, including a Wi-Fi
>e-mail manager, a media player for music and audio books, and a
>task manager. And everything is done from the palm of your hand
>and is 100% accessible to visually impaired people.
>
>Maestro consists of a standard Dell PDA with a tactile overlay
>allowing people to use commands and enter data intuitively by
>touch. The information is sent to the user in audio form using
>integrated voice synthesis. Maestro users can therefore organize
>their appointments and address books, consult and edit text
>documents, record voice notes, read books, organize e-mail,
>listen to music... all in the palm of their hand.
>
>"With Version 2.0, Maestro is the most comprehensive and most
>accessible solution on the market as a standard PDA adapted
>for the blind." says Lucia Gomez, Product Manager at HumanWare.
>"Maestro can be compared to the famous Swiss pocket knife and all
>their tools that fit in your pocket."
>
>
>Main Features of Maestro 2.0:
>
>* Full E-mailing Capability
>The user can now read, forward, reply, transfer and create e-mail
>messages, and attach files, using either ActiveSync or a Wi-Fi network.
>
>* Enhanced Media Player
>The Media Player can read MP3 and WMA books. It also offers the
>capability of reading audio files in shuffle or repeat mode, mark
>a place, resume, set a sleep timer and fast positioning
>(incremental or one minute forward and rewind).
>It also supports play lists.
>
>* Task Management
>It is now possible to create and manage tasks, and synchronize
>them with Outlook on your PC.
>
>* Calendar, Victor Reader, Text Notes and Many Other Enhancements
>Maestro 2.0 includes a Today's page, improvements in popular
>applications, such as variable speed in Victor Reader, choice of
>views in the Calendar, better support of scanned documents in the
>Text Notes, formatting tool for the memory cards, support of a
>second language, and many others.
>
>
>Available Options:
>
>With Maestro, the user can Braille (in computer Braille,
>Grade 1 or Grade 2) or text their data directly using the PDA,
>or use the optional ergonomic KeyMaestro Braille Bluetooth
>keyboard, or a QWERTY keyboard for longer documents.Maestro users
>can also benefit from the optional powerful Trekker talking GPS system.
>
>Maestro is available right now from all HumanWare subsidiaries
>and affiliated distributors. A free upgrade will be available in
>August for the current Maestro users at www.humanware.ca.
>
>
>About HumanWare
>
>HumanWare designs and manufactures innovative technology for people
>who are blind, deaf-blind, visually impaired and learning disabled.
>Formed in 1988, HumanWare exports approximately 98% of its products
>worldwide to more than 30 countries. Sales offices have been
>established in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden,
>The Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand and the company supports
>a strong distribution network throughout North America, Europe,
>Asia and the Middle East.
>
>For more information :
>
>Nicolas Lagacé
>HumanWare Canada
>Phone: (450) 463-1717 ext. 341
>E-mail: nicolas.lagace at humanware.com
>Web: www.humanware.ca

Regards Steve
Email:  srp at internode.on.net
Skype:  steve1963
MSN Messenger:  internetuser383 at hotmail.com