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WirelessDevNet.com Press Release
GPS Orientation Tool and Accessible PDA for Blind People Trekker and Maestro Now in One Package
LOS ANGELES, - At the CSUN Conference on Technology and Persons with Disabilities, HumanWare, the new company created through the recent merger of VisuAide and Pulse Data is pleased to announce the release of the first integration of Trekker and Maestro. Trekker is the leading standalone GPS orientation solution for the blind, and has been available since April 2003. Maestro is the first off-the-shelf accessible PDA. Now both solutions are available in one integrated package providing a complete solution for mobile and active blind users.
Trekker, the GPS localization tool for the visually impaired, can now take advantage of the extended popular features offered by mainstream accessible PDAs. Trekker is a standalone product offering pedestrian and vehicle navigation features as well as routing capability.
Now the visually impaired can enjoy the essential information-access functionality of Maestro: text and vocal note taking, agenda, contact directory and others, combined with their Trekker orientation tool, all in the same ultra-compact size as a true PDA. With its open environment, the system also integrates applications such as Victor Reader, a digital talking-book player. Additional functionalities and accessories such as the Braille Bluetooth keyboard will be also available in 2005.
"As promised over the last year, we are now delivering the extra functionalities of Maestro to our existing and future loyal Trekker users", said Lucia Gomez, Product Manager for Maestro and Trekker. The new solution improves the Trekker user interface dramatically and makes it so much easier to enter data and navigate menus.
"The Maestro tactile keyboard provides improved input capability and quick access to functionalities such as switching navigation modes through button shortcuts. With the PC-like interface and standard commands, a Trekker user can read real time directions and search points of interest more efficiently. Popular Maestro features like a contextual key describer and the possibility of using an external infrared keyboard are also available. Route creation has also been improved.
Existing Trekker users may upgrade to full Maestro functionality or simply upgrade their Trekker application with only the tactile keyboard and new user interface. Maestro users can also purchase the Trekker as an optional package. The new Trekker/Maestro integrated package will be available in May 2005.
About HumanWare
HumanWare (www.humanware.com) combines two of the industry's most innovative companies - VisuAide and Pulse Data International are recognised as world leaders in their respective fields. Products like the SmartView video magnifier and more recently myReader - the world's first low vision auto- reader - are redefining the way people look at low vision while the Victor Reader family of digital talking book players has been at the forefront of the industry since its inception. The BrailleNote is the best-known solution in the notetaker market today, and this market will be expanded with the introduction of Maestro. Finally, the companies produce the world's only commercialised GPS based orientation solutions for the blind - Trekker and BrailleNote GPS.
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