BlackBerry announces new screen reader app

Text to speech will help BlackBerry owners to listen to emails, texts, and other content.

Rim say the new app will make its phones more accessible to visually impaired users.

BlackBerry makers RIM have released a free software application that helps visually impaired customers operate their BlackBerry smartphone.

Available for the Curve 9350, 9360 and 9370 smartphones, BlackBerry Screen Reader provides an audible output based on visual information displayed on the device.

Key features include:

• Support for core applications – Users can easily access core BlackBerry applications including email, calendar, phone calls and more. • Speech settings – users can customize the text-to-speech settings (volume, pitch and speech rate) and preferences for punctuation, verbosity and password security. • Keyboard shortcuts – Users can set speech and audio preferences quickly and easily through (physical) keyboard shortcuts • Accessible documentation – User Guide available in accessible HTML through a desktop web browser.
 
“We are excited to introduce BlackBerry Screen Reader as part of our suite of accessibility solutions for BlackBerry smartphones,” said Greg Fields, Senior Product Manager.

“BlackBerry Screen Reader helps customers with visual impairments stay connected with the people and information that matter most to them, and is representative of RIM’s continuing commitment to support customers with disabilities.”
 
BlackBerry Screen Reader is available now as a free download from www.blackberry.com/screenreader

google.com |by Staff 

via http://www.speechtechnologygroup.com/speech-blog - Text to speech will help BlackBerry owners to listen to emails, texts, and other content. Rim say the new app will make its phones more accessible to visually impaired users. BlackBerry makers RIM have released a free software application that helps visually impaired customers operate their BlackBer ...