Mobile Speak
Encyclopedia
Mobile Speak software are full-fledged screen readers and Braille
interfaces that let the blind and visually impaired access their mobile phone.
s consists of software applications installed on a mobile phone or personal digital assistant
(PDA), which allow blind persons to use the device even if they cannot read the visual screen. Information displayed on the screen is rendered in synthesized speech output generated using text-to-speech (TTS) technology and routed through the device’s speaker or a headset. Screen contents can also be presented in Braille
if the mobile phone or PDA is connected to a Braille device with a refreshable Braille display
. Speech and Braille output can be used at the same time, or independently, to do the following:
Mobile Speak does not take over the software interface of the mobile device, so users can access all its built-in functions and applications and install compatible 3rd-party programs to do more with their mobile phone or PDA. External hardware such as Bluetooth keyboards and headsets are likewise supported.
Braille
The Braille system is a method that is widely used by blind people to read and write, and was the first digital form of writing.Braille was devised in 1825 by Louis Braille, a blind Frenchman. Each Braille character, or cell, is made up of six dot positions, arranged in a rectangle containing two...
interfaces that let the blind and visually impaired access their mobile phone.
General description
Mobile Speak product line of screen readerScreen reader
A screen reader is a software application that attempts to identify and interpret what is being displayed on the screen . This interpretation is then re-presented to the user with text-to-speech, sound icons, or a Braille output device...
s consists of software applications installed on a mobile phone or personal digital assistant
Personal digital assistant
A personal digital assistant , also known as a palmtop computer, or personal data assistant, is a mobile device that functions as a personal information manager. Current PDAs often have the ability to connect to the Internet...
(PDA), which allow blind persons to use the device even if they cannot read the visual screen. Information displayed on the screen is rendered in synthesized speech output generated using text-to-speech (TTS) technology and routed through the device’s speaker or a headset. Screen contents can also be presented in Braille
Braille
The Braille system is a method that is widely used by blind people to read and write, and was the first digital form of writing.Braille was devised in 1825 by Louis Braille, a blind Frenchman. Each Braille character, or cell, is made up of six dot positions, arranged in a rectangle containing two...
if the mobile phone or PDA is connected to a Braille device with a refreshable Braille display
Refreshable Braille display
A refreshable Braille display or Braille terminal is an electro-mechanical device for displaying Braille characters, usually by means of raising dots through holes in a flat surface. Blind computer users, who cannot use a normal computer monitor, use it to read text output...
. Speech and Braille output can be used at the same time, or independently, to do the following:
- Make and receive calls, manage contacts and call lists.
- Review the numbers entered in the dialer screen, and check the caller ID on incoming calls.
- Compose and read text messages (SMS), multimedia messages (MMS), and e-mail.
- Browse the internet.
- Create and read different types of files.
- Schedule appointments and tasks, and keep track of them using alarms and reminders.
- Listen to locally saved media files or internet audio streams.
- Configure phone settings, profiles and ringtones, speed dial keys and voice tags.
- Use other programs such as the Notes application, calculator, instant messenger, and file system browser.
- Share data with other mobile phones and computers.
Mobile Speak does not take over the software interface of the mobile device, so users can access all its built-in functions and applications and install compatible 3rd-party programs to do more with their mobile phone or PDA. External hardware such as Bluetooth keyboards and headsets are likewise supported.
Types of screen readers
- Mobile Speak for Symbian Series 60S60 (software platform)The S60 Platform is a software platform for mobile phones that runs on Symbian OS. It was created by Nokia, who made the platform open source and contributed it to the Symbian Foundation. S60 has been used by mobile device manufacturers including Siemens mobile, Lenovo, LG Electronics, Panasonic...
9/8/7 Phones. - Mobile Speak for Windows MobileWindows MobileWindows Mobile is a mobile operating system developed by Microsoft that was used in smartphones and Pocket PCs, but by 2011 was rarely supplied on new phones. The last version is "Windows Mobile 6.5.5"; it is superseded by Windows Phone, which does not run Windows Mobile software.Windows Mobile is...
6.0/ 5.0 Smartphones - Mobile Speak for Pocket PCPocket PCA Pocket PC is also known by Microsoft as a 'Windows Mobile Classic device'. It is a hardware specification for a handheld-sized computer, personal digital assistant , that runs the Microsoft 'Windows Mobile Classic' operating system...
s (Windows Mobile 6.0/ 5.0/2003 2nd Ed.)
See also
- List of screen readers
- Screen magnifierScreen magnifierA screen magnifier is software that interfaces with a computer's graphical output to present enlarged screen content. It is a type of assistive technology suitable for visually impaired people with some functional vision; visually impaired people with little or no functional vision usually use a...
- Speech recognitionSpeech recognitionSpeech recognition converts spoken words to text. The term "voice recognition" is sometimes used to refer to recognition systems that must be trained to a particular speaker—as is the case for most desktop recognition software...
- Text to speech