Sorry Tunecollector , I don't know your real name or maybe I forgot it. There are quite a number of suitable cell phones for the purpose most made by Nokia. They must be Symbion based which is the operating system for the computer in the phone. I think they must be the series 60 phones and the most recent are known as third generation. many of the older second generation phones will also work. There are probably two dozen models out there. You will also have to buy the talking software so you can access all of the features of the phone. There are two primary software authors, Talks and MobileSpeak. This is analogous to Jaws and WindowEyes I suppose although the functionality is probably closer. MobileSpeak also runs on some Windows Mobile phones but Wayfinder does not.
You can spend between probably a hundred and fifty bucks maybe a little more for a phone up to probably a thousand bucks for something with a really sophisticated camera in it. I just forget what the Talks software costs. The principle I really like is the use of mainstream essentially off the shelf hardware and software. I have never agreed with the proprietary approach like Daisy players you have to return to the vendor to have batteries changed. I freely admit this is a personal prejudice. I dislike those braille notetakers and things like PacMate for similar reasons, in many ways they turn out to be expensive and isolating technologies. I can't think of any good reason why a GPS my neighbour buys for a couple of hundred bucks at the local Canadian Tire or Wal-mart store needs to cost me sixteen hundred bucks for similar functionality. They both use the same receiver which costs between 60 and a hundred bucks depending on the model.. Dale Leavens, Cochrane Ontario Canada [EMAIL PROTECTED] Skype DaleLeavens Come and meet Aurora, Nakita and Nanook at our polar bear habitat. ----- Original Message ----- From: tunecollector To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 12:24 AM Subject: RE: [BlindHandyMan] Wayfinder information. I think I am getting smaller. To use Wayfarer, it appears I must first get an accessible mobile phone. I am probably the only person outside of a Bantu tribe who doesn't have a cell phone. I think my grandchildren were born holding cell phones. So now, any ideas on an accessible cell phone? -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dale Leavens Sent: Monday, October 29, 2007 6:40 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Wayfinder information. Below is what I have lifted from the talknav Web site. Wayfinder Access Wayfinder Access A navigator that facilitates the everyday life of the visually impaired. When using Wayfinder Access navigation software, a wireless GPS receiver and a symbian enabled mobile phone we can bring you full freedom without the expense of a bulky package. PDA's are a very good business tool, however whilst walking or traveling you need something much more convenient that can be carried in your pocket. The mobile phone has become something we have all built our lives around and is the one item you would never leave home without, so why not leave your note taker behind and appear more natural, but at the same time be able to plan routes and know exactly where you are? Wayfinder, one of the Worlds most prominent satellite navigation software solution providers have partnered with the visually impaired community to produce Wayfinder Access. The worlds first bespoke navigation solution built specifically with the user group in mind, but importantly that works on a mobile phone and not a PDA. It boasts many impressive features primarily though the fact that it has been designed for the community user group in mind is though by far its biggest asset. Wayfinder Access comprises all the features that you would expect from a leading GPS software package, with a North American or European version currently available. The price stated on this site entitles the user to one license for either version. For those who travel frequently between both license regions, for a smaller fee a user can purchase additional map access to enable them to travel even further with just one license. Wayfinder Access Features: A where am I feature: At the press of a button whether you are in route mode or simply walking about Wayfinder Access can give you specific information about the local environment. This is as with other products such as Trekker 3. The types of information that you can receive is dependant on the vicinity view that you are using, see below for more details on the various vicinity views available. In general though you’ll be able to find out what street you are on and other such useful details. Viewing routes in advance: With Wayfinder Access as with Wayfinder Navigator users can plan, prepare and view a route in advance prior to taking that journey. This is very useful to get an idea of where you are going and the various places of interest on that given journey. 20,000,000 points of interest (POI): Wayfinder Access has an expanded database of points of interest, increased from Navigators 3,000,000 to 20,000,000; this means that you have a much greater chance of finding just what you are looking for without having to know the specific address. The point of interest feature is also highly useful when in an unfamiliar location, for example find out your nearest restaurant, or find a museum or hotel when you are away from home. So many more useful and diverse applications exist for this feature we cant possibly list them all. A What is in my vicinity option, telling you local Pois and other useful information: This option is perfect for when you are out and about for example travelling on a train, no route needs to be planned in advance and you can simply have your phone announce to you points of interest as they come into a given range. See below for more details on the vicinity views available when using Wayfinder Access. A pedestrian and vehicle navigation option: Wayfinder Access can be used in both pedestrian mode for when you wish to walk about with your phone in your pocket, but can also be transferred back into vehicle mode for when a friend takes you out in their car etc., a major plus if the person doing the driving doesn’t know where they are going and doesn’t have a satellite navigation system. Or of course make sure that your taxi driver is genuinely taking you the quickest route! An increased benefit with Wayfinder Access is that when passenger car is selected as the method of transportation, Access reverts back automatically to Wayfinder Navigator. Whilst it works still fully with Talks this gives the added benefit of speed camera warnings updated free of charge and that the traditional Wayfinder classic female voice for audio direction prompting will be heard. Additional services include traffic avoidance features from Traffic Master Etc. NOTE: - If Access is used in pedestrian mode the classic Wayfinder female voice is not heard for directional guidance, and instead your screen reading application takes over this functionality, promoting a more streamlined and seamless approach to the delivery of audible information whilst on route. Routes dictated in metric or imperial: As with most satellite navigation systems, and with Wayfinder Navigator, Access can be set to dictate route information in either imperial or metric measurements. NOTE: - when in pedestrian mode routes are audible narrated by your screen reader application, whilst in passenger car this function is carried out by the classic Wayfinder female voice. Route planning options including fastest by speed or distance and the option to avoid motorways etc: As with other satellite navigation systems and Wayfinder Navigator, Access can be set to take you on the quickest route by either speed it should take to make that journey or quickest by distance, i.e. the shortest physical route. Obviously for pedestrian mode we would recommend fastest by distance as the alternative option, fastest by speed is really only relevant for vehicle mode. Save favourite locations and even share them with your friends: Wayfinder Access as with Navigator can store your favourite locations, these can be uploaded to Wayfinders server, enabling a safe backup of your favourites to be kept, and you can also send your stored locations via SMS to friends who use Wayfinder. Additionally, when using the `myWayfinder` service you can use and se your favourites online. This feature can also be useful as for example if you and a second party are travelling to a location but the second party cant quite find it. You can send your physical location to them at the press of a button. They can then instantly plot a route to your position. This is also useful if you need to direct somebody to where you are in the event that you are lost for example. Plan routes online and then have them sent to your phone: Using the `myWayfinder` service you can plan routes online and then have them sent to your phone, rather than using the handset software to find and plan journeys. Full postal code finder: Wayfinder Access can find full UK postal codes using its search facility, so you don’t have to type the full address information in. Traffic avoidance services including Traffic Master, Safety camera warnings updated free of charge, 27 European countries supported within the European version, Complete USA and Canada coverage for the North American version, 17 language choices available, If you have used Wayfinder Navigator then some of the key distinctive differences between Navigator and Access are; Seamless integration with Nuance Accessibility software including Talks and Code Factories mobile speech software. Where am I function: - by pressing the `talks` key and then the up arrow key the road that is currently on as well as the next turning information is announced, i.e. Smith Street, 25 meters turn left onto Duncan Street. This option as with products such as Trekker 3 is not route specific, i.e. you can use it anytime without planning a route. Visually accessible: - Maintains all the visual familiarity of Wayfinder Navigator, so that sighted people can still use the product and assist where necessary. Also existing Wayfinder navigator users will find the product easy to use and familiar. Four new additional vicinity views Crossing View: - This view tells the user how far they are to the next turning point and at what direction they will be making that maneuver i.e. 25 meters turn left 90 degrees etc. This information is presented within a list style of view. Points of Interest POI: - Now with 20,000,000 Pois Wayfinder Access is more like a mobile directory as well as a navigation aid. Within the POI view the user can be told of Pois that are on their route within a set radius of their position. The types of Pois mentioned is discretionary allowing the user to choose which type of Pois they are informed of. The information is presented in a list format and again the direction is stated as a degree of angle. Note that Wayfinder Navigator only has 3,000,000 Pois. So whilst the user is on route to a given destination or simply walking around not in route mode, they will be notified of specific Pois on route within a set radius of their location and told which direction it is within. This view is one of the most impressive new features, and can be used to aid the user whilst they are on the train for example, as stations that are passed through can be announced. Favourites: - This view is the same as the POI view but shows any favourites that are stored, along with their direction shown as a degree of angle. Mixed Vicinity View: - Pois, Favourites and crossing information is all given to the user simultaneously within a list view. Other operational benefits include that Wayfinder Access can tell you your altitude, position as a longitudinal and latitudinal measurement, direction you are travelling in degrees, speed worked out constantly, number of satellites locked at any given time, is highly intuitive to use and there are many more features. Licensing: TalkNav is proud to offer a life time licence to all its customers for use with Wayfinder Access, the life time licence is a licence that gives the user unlimited access and use of the software. They can change their phone handset whenever they wish as often as they wish. NOTE: - The life time licence is a licence for the specific version of software that is on public release at the time of purchase. Thus in the future a client may need to upgrade their licence to continue to be able to use the software on a new phone handset that they purchase. This will only happen when for example the licence that they hold for a given version is not compatible with their latest new phone handset. Additional information about how Wayfinder Access works can be found by visiting the pages covering Wayfinder Navigator on our web-site, as Access is based on its operation. For Wayfinder Access Europe: £259.99, €379.99, $509.99USD. For Wayfinder Access USA and Canada: £194.99, €289.99, $379.99USD. To find out more or to place an order please click here. To join the Wayfinder Access e-mail discussion list click here. To read more from the manufacturer's website click here. Copyright 2007 TalkNav f Dale Leavens, Cochrane Ontario Canada [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:DLeavens%40puc.net> Skype DaleLeavens Come and meet Aurora, Nakita and Nanook at our polar bear habitat. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
