14 DAY TRIAL // Research In Motion (RIM) has just announced the immediate availability of BlackBerry Screen Reader application.
The new application is available for free and enables users who are blind or visually impaired to handle their BlackBerry smartphones much easier.
With BlackBerry Screen Reader software, visually impaired users will be provided with an audible output based on visual information displayed on a BlackBerry smartphone.
The application is based on text-to-speech technology and has been confirmed to be compatible with BlackBerry Curve 9350, Curve 9360 and Curve 9370.
It is also worth mentioning that the application is now available in several languages, such as English, French, Italian, German and Spanish.
BlackBerry Screen Reader features support for core applications, which means blind and visually impaired people will be able to easily access core BlackBerry features such as email, calendar, phone calls and more.
Moreover, there are speech settings that users can customize, including volume, pitch and speech rate, and preferences for punctuation, verbosity and password security. The application also offers keyboard shortcuts so users can set speech and audio preferences much easier.
Other highlights of the application include: Customizable Fonts, Key tone, Audible Click, Reverse Contrast, Greyscale, Event Sounds, Assignable Ringtones, Voice Dialing, Speed dial, Grid Layout Display settings and Browser Zoom.
Last but not least, RIM also offers a Clarity theme for BlackBerry smartphones, which aims to increase users’ productivity with features such as simplified Home screen interface, large text-only icons and high-contrast screen display.
Clarity theme for BlackBerry is now available as a free download via App World and it should be fully compatible with all devices running BlackBerry OS 5.0 and up.
“We are excited to introduce BlackBerry Screen Reader as part of our suite of accessibility solutions for BlackBerry smartphones. BlackBerry Screen Reader helps customers with visual impairments stay connected with the people and information that matter most to them, and is representative of RIM’s continuing commitment to support customers with disabilities,” said Greg Fields, senior product manager.