(Click to enlarge)Voice Sense is powered by a 540 MHz PXA 270 and is equipped with 192 MB of RAM and a gigabyte of flash memory. Additional storage is available via both CompactFlash and SD card slots. Audio output is provided via built-in stereo speakers as well as a headphone jack. Audio input makes use of either the unit's built-in condenser mic or via a microphone jack.
A USB 2.0 port supports connection to devices such as the company's
SyncBraille portable Braille display. Built-in wireless networking includes both 802.11b/g WiFi and Bluetooth 1.1. An FM receiver is also included. The company says it plans to incorporate GPS in the near future.
According to GW Micro, Voice Sense includes the following software applications:
- Email client
- Web browser
- Media player
- Address book
- Calender and schedule manager
- Word processor
- Calculator
- FM tuner
- Daisy talking book player
- Context sensitive help
Perkins-style keyboardAlso known as a Perkins Brailler, the Perkins-style keyboard is described as a "braille typewriter" with six keys representing the six dots of the Braille code. Text is entered by simultaneously pressing combinations of the six keys. Three additional keys represent space, line space, and backspace.
The original Perkins Brailler was developed in 1951 at the Perkins School for the Blind and is still being manufactured by Howe Press. It is a complex mechanical device conceptually similar to a manual typewriter. In recent years the Perkins keyboard layout has been adapted to PCs and other electronic devices.
Voice Sense availabilityVoice Sense is shipping now in North America, priced at $1,895, according to GW Micro.
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