News Release from VisuAide
A web version with photos is available at:
http://www.visuaide.com/news_maestro_en.html

VisuAide unveils Maestro: the first mainstream handheld PC for blind and
visually impaired

Atlanta, Georgia, June 30, 2004 -- VisuAide unveiled today Maestro, the
first mainstream hand-held PC accessible to the blind and visually
impaired. The launch coincided with the National Federation of the Blind
convention held in Atlanta this week.

Maestro is an HP iPAQ Pocket PC made accessible by VisuAide using
text-to-speech technology and a tactile keyboard membrane over the PDA
touch screen. Now, the visually impaired can enjoy the ultra-compact
size of a real PDA and essential information-access functionality: text
and vocal note taking, agenda, contact directory, etc. The visually
impaired can benefit from the same applications than sighted users
without handling a stylus.

Maestro takes advantage of wireless communication networks such as
Bluetooth to yield a modular system that can be operated with or without
an external keyboard (Braille or standard), depending on user preference
and the task at hand. For example, Maestro allows Braille input using
either the tactile keyboard on the unit for brief notes, or an external
Braille keyboard for extensive note taking.

With its open environment, the system readily integrates third-party or
other VisuAide applications, such as Trekker, a GPS orientation system,
and Victor Reader, a digital talking-book player.

As a mass-market product, Maestro can evolve in price, power and
connectivity at the same rate as electronics for the sighted. Users can
benefit from the latest innovations in the PDA market much earlier and
at a lower price.


To begin shipping in September 2004, Maestro is the most affordable and
compact personal information-management and communication system
available to the visually impaired. "VisuAide's objective was to provide
users with a low-cost, highly portable mobile-computing solution," said
Gilles Pepin, president of VisuAide. "VisuAide hopes to make
technological aids available to a larger number of blind and visually
impaired individuals."



About VisuAide
VisuAide (www.visuaide.com) is the leading innovator in high-tech
solutions for the blind and visually impaired. The company now employs
80 people in Canada and operates one of the largest R&D departments in
the field. VisuAide is the world leader in digital audio book solutions
for the print disabled. It develops and manufactures the Victor Reader
line of hardware and software audio players. The company also
manufactures Trekker, a GPS-based orientation and mobility product for
the visually impaired. VisuAide is the largest distributor of computer
aids for the visually disabled in Canada.

Media Contact: Nicolas Lagace ([log in to unmask])
Tel: 1-819-471-4818 (for Canada and U.S.A.)
Toll free: 1-888-723-7273


--
   Ann K. Parsons
email:  [log in to unmask]
WEB SITE:  http://home.eznet.net/~akp
"All that is gold does not glitter.
Not all those who wander are lost."  JRRT


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