> > Cingular Makes Phone for Vision-Impaired
> > Updated: Thursday, Sep. 16, 2004 - 1:47 PM
> >
> > By BRUCE MEYERSON
> > AP Business Writer
> >
> > NEW YORK (AP) - A new cellular application promises to help
> > vision-impaired people who can't read the screen of a mobile phone. It
> > responds to spoken commands
> > with voice recognition technology and reads back menu options, text
> > messages, and other information to the user.
> >
> > The new "TALKS" application being introduced by Cingular Wireless
> > Thursday is initially available for use on one handset, the Nokia
> 6620.
> > The software was
> > created in partnership with ScanSoft Inc.
> >
> > "This is the first advanced cell phone released in the U.S. that
> allows
> > users to access all of its many features through speech output," Paul
> > Schroeder,
> > an official with the American Foundation for the Blind, said in a
> > statement. According to the foundation, there are about 10 million
> > people who are blind
> > or have low vision in the United States.
> >
> > Basic cell phone features that are generally inaccessible to the
> vision
> > impaired include caller ID, phone settings, call logs, battery
> warnings,
> > and calendar
> > appointments, as well as creating, maintaining and dialing from a
> > personal contact list.
> >
> > The TALKS service is designed to handle those tasks, as well text
> > messaging and e-mail, by responding to spoken commands and then
> > responding with a computer-generated
> > voice. The software also can announce when email or text messages
> > arrive, or when calls are missed.
> >
> > In addition to the vision-impaired, TALKS could be attractive to
> people
> > who desire hands-free calling while driving.
> >
> > One possible drawback, however, is the cost.
> >
> > While special deals enable most cell phone users to get a high-end
> > handset for less than $200 or even free, the Nokia 6620 will cost $299
> > after a $100 rebate
> > from Nokia with any two-year Cingular service contract.
> >
> > That doesn't include the TALKS application. The software is $199,
> though
> > an introductory offer from Cingular will count all or half that amount
> > as a credit
> > against against the monthly service fee, depending on whether the
> > customer signs a one- or two-year contract.
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