The Nokia N82 Helps The Blind

In the past few days I've read a few articles about a new breakthrough for the blind and visually impaired that allows the Nokia N82 to read to you when you take a picture of a piece of paper or object. The application is called KNFB Reader. Their are so many ways this application will be useful. Reading menus, bus stops, magazines, receipts, business cards. It can even tell the difference from a $5 dollar bill and a $20 dollar bill. Their are currently a few limits to this application. It can't read hand written text, street signs, round objects like a can of soup. Hopefully they add this functionality in the future. KNFB Reader comes at a hefty price, but I'm sure many would say it's worth it if you can afford it. I got this tip thanks to a reader who also runs a website for the visually impaired called BlindBargains. Click here to check it out.

I also got an email today from a blind N82 user about The N82 Blog and the FlipSilent application working in conjunction with an application called Talks which, reads to you pretty much anything on your N82. You can have it read you texts, emails, websites, the Wayfinder map application, the name of someone calling, names in your address book, etc. The Talks application also supports IM+ to help you keep in touch with your buddies through online chat.

Here is a rundown of what Talks can do:

• Unprecedented Feature/Function Accessibility
  
  • Audio feedback when writing or reading text messages, emails, and notes
  • Automatic or manual Caller ID announcement
  • Network, battery, and other status indicators read out
• Spelling speed setting
  Allows the user to define different speech rates for normal read-out and spelling text.
• Various options for reading numbers
  Numbers longer than four digits can now be read as single digits, double digits, or whole numbers.
• Echo mode
  An independent setting allows the user to turn on a special key echo mode for those who like to use the T9 dictionary when entering text.
• Echo Passwords mode
  Allows the user to hear the letters entered into a password field.
• TALKS Key Timeout and TALKS Mode Timeout
  Allows the user to set a timeout for cases where the TALKS key is pressed accidentally, and allow to repeat a command or even execute different commands without Pressing the TALKS key again.
• Hear caller ID information
  Adds speech output to the original user interface of the cell phone.
• Software only
  No additional hardware is needed.
• Voice Familiarity for Increased User Comfort
  Nuance TALKS leverages ETI-Eloquence TTS software— used in popular desktop screen readers—making many users feel instantly familiar with the voice they hear for speech output.
• Control over volume and speaking rate
• Supports many third-party applications
  Supports IM+ (Instant Messenger) [S60], the Wayfinder GPS application [S60], and the Slovoed dictionary [S60 and S80].
• Full Integration with Wayfinder Access

Learning about these technologies for the blind using the Nokia N82 makes me realize how much I take for granted everyday. I truly give so much credit to the visual impaired for finding ways like these to enhance their lives and stay strong, not letting the lack of eyesight stop them from performing everyday tasks. Making phones, take that back - smartphones - accessible for the blind is something that Nokia and Symbian should both proud of.

For a great review by USA TODAY of the KNFB Mobile Application for the Nokia N82, click here.

Click here to go straight to the KNFB Reader website.

Also, click here to learn more about the Talks by Nuance application for the Nokia N82 and other S60 smartphones.

If you know of any other applications that the Nokia N82 can use for the visually impaired, feel free to leave a comment below.