From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, December 04, 2006 2:55 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Window-Eyes 6.0 is Now Available!
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Dan Weirich
GW Micro, Inc.
Ph. 260-489-3671
FAX 260-489-2608
[log in to unmask]
www.gwmicro.com
Window-Eyes 6.0 Released and Available for Purchase and Download
(FORT WAYNE, IN, December 4, 2006) - GW Micro, a leader in blindness-related
assistive technology, announced the final release of Window-Eyes 6.0, the screen reading software that provides computer access to those who are blind or visually impaired. With the release of the new version of Window-Eyes, blind consumers now have unparalleled access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook in Microsoft Office 2000, XP, 2003 and the new Microsoft Office 2007. GW Micro has also made history by making the Outlook Calendar fully accessible.
“We continue to innovate the latest screen reading technology,” said Doug Geoffray, VP of Product Development and Support. “Window-Eyes has raised the bar yet again, and now provides better support for the Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, over any other screen reader in the world.”
Window-Eyes was the first screen reader to offer support for Microsoft Office 2007 when the first public beta of Window-Eyes 6.0 was released. “When we released the public beta, it unleashed a whole new array of technology that has never before been seen in the screen reading industry,” said Geoffray. “We released full support for Internet Explorer 7, Mozilla Firefox 2, Office 2007, and the Outlook Calendar, among other things. These are crucial applications for any blind person in an employment situation, and Window-Eyes was the first to deliver them.”
GW Micro has proclaimed for years that its Window-Eyes software is the most stable screen reading software on the market, which is why it always enters a public beta cycle before the full release of a new version. “Our philosophy has always been that if your screen reader causes your computer to crash, it’s not just an inconvenience, it’s unacceptable. For this reason, we always have a public beta, unlike some of our competitors,” said Geoffray. “While the public beta cycle delays the final release of Window-Eyes, it is more important to us to have a quality product than to put out software that doesn’t work correctly, which causes large problems for blind consumers.”
“Lots of people ask us how we decide what to include in each version,” said Dan Weirich, VP of Sales and Engineering. “We get lots of feedback from our customers, and then implement those solutions. The largest problem we have found over the last year is that most businesses are using Outlook as the primary way to schedule meetings and other appointments. Since the Outlook Calendar has traditionally been inaccessible to blind consumers, we decided that something must be done as soon as possible to make it accessible.” When asked about Windows Vista, Weirich said, “All customers who purchase 6.0 will be entitled to receive an additional software upgrade that will enable Window-Eyes to work on Windows Vista. In fact, we have been the only screen reader that Microsoft has been demonstrating when they give public demonstrations of Windows Vista, as we continue to raise the bar for screen readers.”
GW Micro introduces the following new features of Window-Eyes 6.0:
Microsoft PowerPoint
Outlook Calendar - Provides user with full access to the Outlook Calendar
Outlook/Outlook Express Email - Hot keys allow the user to read and access all mail fields, including attachments
Internet Explorer 7
Microsoft Office 2007 - Support for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
Window-Eyes Key Describer - Gives user the ability to have all Window-Eyes hot keys described
Tip of the Day
Application Help
Window-Eyes Set File Manager
New hot keys to perform tasks, such as toggling voice off, shutting down Window-Eyes, and read battery level
Mouse pointer announcements
Enhanced Braille features, such as global and local Braille settings
For a complete list of features for Window-Eyes 6.0, please visit http://www.gwmicro.com/window-eyes.
Window-Eyes 6.0 has already shipped to GW Micro dealers. Customers can find their local dealer at www.gwmicro.com/dealers for a demonstration of the new features. For new customers, Window-Eyes retails for $895. GW Micro also offers a Window-Eyes Payment Plan to pay over time. If you are a current Window-Eyes customer, and own an SMA or already purchased an upgrade, your CD is being processed and you will be receiving it soon. If you are currently using Window-Eyes 5.5, and have purchased the upgrade, you may also download the upgrade using either the Window-Eyes Update option from the Window-Eyes Help menu, or by visiting the Window-Eyes upgrade web site, http://www.gwmicro.com/upgrade.
For more information or a Window-Eyes press kit, contact:
Dan Weirich, Ph. 260-489-3671, [log in to unmask], http://www.gwmicro.com
# # #
Sincerely,
Christopher McMillan
Rehabilitation Engineer
[log in to unmask]
203 404 7275 Work Number
203 286 2156 Fax Number
Chrismcmillan Skype Username
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