[gui-talk] JAWS and Window Eyes Now Owned By the Same Company

[Gerald Levy]

For those of you who may have missed this bombshell, VFO, the parent company of Freedom Scientific, which markets JAWS, has acquired AI Squared, which markets the rival screen reader, Window Eyes.  This development does not bode well for Window Eyes users, because such mergers invaribly lead to consolidation of products and services to reduce costs and eliminate competition, and Window Eyes, having the smaller market share than JAWS is likely to be phased out and its users transitioned to JAWS, although this is just speculation on my part.  But it would make no economic sense for VFO to continue marketing and supporting two essentially similar screen readers.  .  And with System Access already on life support and its future uncertain, the demise of Window Eyes would leave JAWS with a virtual monopoly in the commercial screen reader market,  which could lead to even higher prices.  On the other hand, JAWS might eventually incorporate features from Window Eyes that it does not already offer, making it more attractive.  For more details:

http://www.blindbargains.com/rss/latest.xml

Gerald