December 17, 2007: 09:41 AM EST

 

SAN ANTONIO, Dec. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T Inc. announced today two
new applications that will increase usability for wireless customers who are
blind or have low vision. AT&T is partnering with Code Factory to offer
Mobile Speak and Mobile Magnifier, both for Windows Mobile and Symbian
Series 60 operating system devices.

 

"At AT&T, using technology to increase mobile accessibility for all
individuals is a priority," said Carlton Hill, vice president of Product
Management for AT&T's wireless unit. "We work closely with organizations
that are committed to serving seniors or people with disabilities to help us
better understand the unique needs of our customers. AT&T is excited to
offer more mobile options that make it easier for all individuals to enjoy a
digital lifestyle when they're on the go."

 

"Code Factory strives to create programs that make it possible for visually
impaired consumers to access the most advanced mobile technology," said
Eduard Sanchez, CEO of Code Factory. "We are very pleased to partner with
AT&T to continue to help people with low vision live independent, active
lives."

 

Mobile Speak is a powerful, full-fledged screen reader with an easy-to-learn
command structure, intuitive speech feedback in several languages and
Braille support, which can be used with or without speech. Unlike other
screen readers for mobile phones, Mobile Speak automatically detects
information that the blind user should know, just as a user with sight would
easily find highlighted items or key areas of the screen at a glance.

Supported applications and functions include:

 

    -- Speed dial, call lists and contacts

    -- Text messaging

    -- Calendar, tasks, notes and calculator

    -- Internet browser

    -- Word, Excel and PowerPoint

    -- Voice Recorder, Media Player, voice speed dial and voice command

    -- Phone/device settings, profiles, alarms and ringtones

 

Mobile Speak is offered with a choice of three Text-To-Speech engines,
Fonix, Acapela or Loquendo, allowing the phone to speak English, Spanish or
both.

 

Mobile Magnifier is a flexible, full-screen magnification application that
supports low- and high-resolution screens and can be used with or without
speech feedback. Magnification software is compatible with a wide range of
mobile devices. Unique features include:

 

    -- Magnification levels from 1.25x to 16x

    -- Font-smoothing for easier readability

    -- Three different layouts: a full-screen, split and distributed view

    -- Different color schemes, including inverted color

    -- Automatic panning and cursor-tracking

    -- Automatic zoom function that detects areas of interest on the screen

 

"There is a real need for more wireless options for Individuals who have
vision loss," said Paul Schroeder, vice president of Programs and Policy,
American Foundation for the Blind. "We value AT&T for its leadership in
addressing the needs of this community."

 

These new products are currently supported on five AT&T phones: the Nokia
N75, Nokia E62, Cingular 3125, Samsung BlackJack (Windows Mobile version 5),
and Pantech Duo (Windows Mobile version 6). Additional compatible devices
will be available soon.

 

Mobile Speak and Mobile Magnifier are each available for a one-time charge
of $89, which is billed directly to the customer's credit card. For
additional information or to obtain a 30-day software trial, contact the
National Center for Customers with Disabilities (NCCD) at 1-866-241-6568 or
place a TTY call to 1-866-241-6567. The NCCD is available from 7 a.m. to 9
p.m. ET, Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

 

For more information about wireless product or service offerings for those
with disabilities, visit
http://www.wireless.att.com/about/disability-resources.jsp.

 

Note: This AT&T news release and other announcements are available as part
of an RSS feed at http://www.att.com/rss.

 

About Code Factory

 

Code Factory is a software company committed to the development of products
designed to remove barriers to the accessibility of mobile technology for
the blind and visually impaired. Noted for innovation and responsiveness,
Code Factory is the leading provider of screen readers, screen magnifiers,
and Braille interfaces for the widest range of mainstream mobile devices
including Symbian-based and Windows Mobile-powered Smartphones as well as
Pocket PC phones and PDAs. Further, Code Factory is the only accessible
software provider to support close to two hundred different phone models
working on the GSM, CDMA and WCDMA networks. To learn more about Code
Factory and its mission of bringing complete accessibility to mobile
devices, visit http://www.codefactory.es <http://www.codefactory.es/> .

 

About AT&T

 

AT&T Inc. is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and
affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in
the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the
world's most advanced IP-based business communications services and the
nation's leading wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services. In
domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising
sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and
the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications
equipment. As part of its three-screen integration strategy, AT&T is
expanding its TV entertainment offerings. Additional information about AT&T
Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and
affiliates is available at http://www.att.com <http://www.att.com/> .

 

(C) 2007 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T
logo and all other AT&T marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T
Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks
contained herein are the property of their respective owners. For more
information and detailed disclaimer information, please review this
announcement in the AT&T newsroom at 

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Eric Bridges

Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs

American Council of the Blind 

Phone: (202) 467-5081

Fax: (202) 467-5085

 


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