> PR Newswire
 > Monday, November 29, 2004
 > New Features Help Customers with Visual Disabilities Use Wireless
 > Phones BEDMINSTER, N.J., Nov. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless,
 > operator of
 > the nation's most reliable wireless network, announced today
 > that the LG
 > VX4500 phone has been upgraded to make it even easier for people
 > with
 > visual
 > disabilities to stay connected. Available in Verizon Wireless
 > Communications
 > Stores today, the advanced speech output features of the
 > upgraded LG
 > VX4500 -
 > such as the latest in voice recognition commands and two-way
 > speakerphone
 > technology - make it easier for low vision and blind customers
 > to make
 > calls,
 > identify incoming calls, check the phone status and follow menu
 > options.
 > The upgraded VX4500 phone features the following enhancements
 > for blind or
 > low vision customers:
 > * Digit dialing - speak the digits and the phone dials them.
 > * Dial by name - speak a name that has been programmed in the
 > phone book
 > and the phone will call that person.
 > * Voicemail indicator with speech - hear an announcement that
 > there is a
 > voicemail when a call is missed and a voicemail has been left.
 > * Caller ID with speech - hear either the name from the contact
 > list or
 > digits of the caller.
 > * Speech command list - set a prompt for a command upon flipping
 > the
 > phone open or only when the side key is pressed.
 > * Battery and signal notification - hear the status of the
 > battery and
 > signal strength, including updates on roaming status, service
 > mode and
 > GPS support information.
 > The upgraded LG VX4500 also offers a slight change to the
 > phone's Command
 > List, allowing vision-impaired customers to more easily navigate
 > the
 > phone's
 > commands. Customers with an upgraded or new VX4500 phone can
 > either say the
 > following commands out loud, or scroll down the list to have the
 > options
 > read
 > to them:
 > * Call Someone
 > * Voicemail
 > * Dial Digits
 > * Service Announcements
 > * Missed Calls
 > * Contact
 > * Driving
 > * Announce
 > * Time and Date
 > * Phone Status
 > "Verizon Wireless is proud to offer the visually impaired
 > community
 > another product to help them communicate," said John Comisky,
 > vice
 > president
 > marketing -- national operations for Verizon Wireless. "With the
 > LG VX4500,
 > our visually impaired customers can take advantage of the latest
 > advancements
 > in voice command and text-to-speech technology. To help meet
 > customers'
 > needs, we also offer Braille, large font or 3.5 diskette
 > versions of the
 > users
 > manual as well as the option of receiving monthly billing
 > statements,
 > confirmation letters and collateral in Braille and large font
 > formats."
 > Verizon Wireless customers who purchased an LG VX4500 prior to
 > November
 > 29, 2004 may take advantage of the new features by going to
 > their local
 > Verizon Wireless Communications Store and requesting a free
 > software
 > upgrade
 > beginning today. Customers wishing to upgrade their software
 > should expect
 > the process to take approximately one hour. New customers should
 > request
 > the
 > LG VX4500 with upgraded software when making their purchase.
 > Originally launched in January 2004, the LG VX4500 offers
 > Verizon Wireless
 > customers a sleek twist on LG's trademark clamshell design. The
 > two-way
 > speakerphone allows customers to speak hands-free with one push
 > of a
 > button.
 > The LG VX4500 also functions as a personal organizer with a
 > phone book that
 > stores up to 499 names with five numbers and three email address
 > per
 > contact,
 > a calendar with scheduler, built-in alarm clock, CMX MIDI sound,
 > 36
 > standard
 > ring tones and speed dialing. In addition, the LG VX4500
 > features English
 > and
 > Spanish language options, T9 text input, five-way navigation
 > key, TTY/TDD,
 > SMS
 > capabilities and is E911 capable.
 > Through January 30, 2005, buy one LG VX4500 at $29.99 after a
 > $50 mail-in
 > rebate with a two-year customer agreement and receive up to
 > three free.
 > Verizon Wireless products and services are available in over
 > 1,200 Verizon
 > Wireless Communications Stores, at participating Best Buy,
 > Circuit City and
 > RadioShack locations and on the Web at
 > <http://www.verizonwireless.com>http://www.verizonwireless.com
 > .
 > About Verizon Wireless
 > Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable
 > wireless
 > network, serving 42.1 million voice and data customers.
 > Headquartered in
 > Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon
 > Communications
 > (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more
 > information on the
 > Web
 > at
 > <http://www.verizonwireless.com>http://www.verizonwireless.com
 > . To receive broadcast-quality video
 > footage
 > of Verizon Wireless operations, log onto
 >
<http://www.thenewsmarket.com/verizonwireless>http://www.thenewsmarket.com/verizonwireless


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