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        Device profile: PAC Mate PDA for visually impaired

        jill | Date: Oct 24, 2002 | Comments: 1


        The PAC Mate handheld from Freedom Scientific is billed as an essential handheld tool for the visually impaired. Based on mainstream PDA and Pocket PC technology, it features a traditional QWERTY-style keyboard or braille keyboard that eliminates the need to use a stylus.

        The device uses JAWS, a screen reader that works with the user's PC to provide access to software applications and to the Internet. The keyboard recognizes JAWS commands and provides speech feedback at a rate of up to 300 words per minute. Multiple languages, including English, German, Italian, Spanish, and French, are available. Output to a braille display is also an option.

        The PAC Mate measures approximately 10 x 6 inches with the braille keyboard and 12 x 6 inches with the QWERTY keyboard, and weighs under 2 lbs. including battery (3 lbs. with an integrated 20 cell braille display and 4 lbs. with an integrated 40 cell braille display).

        JAWS software, an established standard in computing access for the blind, outputs to refreshable braille displays. Refreshable braille displays are devices used to "read" text that a computer sends to the monitor. They connect to the computer by a serial or USB cable and produce braille output on the display, one text line at a time. Braille displays generally include directional keys which allow the user to navigate through a document.

        According to the company, modular design allows for the integrated braille display to be detached from the PAC Mate and to be used as a stand alone USB display with a desktop computer running JAWS. The PAC Mate can also be purchased separately from the display, and the display can be added at a later time.

        Summary of specifications:
        • Microsoft Windows Pocket PC 2003, Windows CE
        • 400MHz Intel Xscale processor
        • 64MB of SDRAM and 32MB of Flash
        • Four models:
          • BX400 (eight-dot braille keyboard with cursor cross for navigation and eight function keys for accessing commonly used functions.
          • BX420/440, same as BX400 but features an integrated 20- or 40-cell braille display.
          • QX400 model for users familiar with QWERTY-style keyboards.
          • QX420/440, same as QX400 but features an integrated 20- or 40-cell braille display.
        • Lithium Polymer rechargeable battery.
        • One 2.0 compliant on-the-go mini A/B USB port.
        • Two Type II CompactFlash ports.
        • One infrared port.
        • Internal mic for voice recording.
        • Headphone and microphone jacks.
        • Enhanced, multi-lingual software speech synthesizer, Eloquence for JAWS.
        • JAWS for Pocket PC screen reader software.
        • Compatible with Pocket PC 2003 applications.
        Additional accessories are available such as a CF 56K modem, Ethernet card, and bar code scanner. A GPS receiver and a utility for reading books in the Daisy format will soon be available.

        The PAC Mate BX400 and QX400 are priced at $2,395. The PAC Mate BX420 and QX420 are priced at $3,795. The PAC Mate BX440 and QX440 are priced at $5,795.