AT&T offering pricey apps for blind and low-vision customers
The largest carrier in the US (that's AT&T now, not Verizon, remember?) is offering a pair of applications from developer Code Factory to help out folks with limited vision in the use of their handsets. Of course, dialing numbers is one thing, and that all can probably be accomplished without the assistance of accessibility software in most cases -- but Code Factory aims to bring full smartphone functionality to the table with its Mobile Speak and Mobile Magnifier packages. The functions of both can pretty much deduced by their names, but the real story here might be the fact that they're being made available through AT&T for both Windows Mobile and S60-based devices; specifically, AT&T's Nokia N75 and E62, Cingular 3125, Samsung BlackJack, and Pantech Duo are currently supported. We're a little shocked at the pricing -- a stiff $89 per app -- but at least they're good enough to offer a 30 day trial.
Filed under: Software, ATT, Symbian, Windows Mobile
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dan H. @ Dec 21st 2007 5:46PM
In the world of assistive technology software this is actually really cheap. Most AT software in the mobile category is in the $300-$500 range believe it or not. And a screen reader for your PC will set you back $1000 or more. I applaud AT&T for trying to make access to this software easier and Code Factory for pricing it relatively competatively.
L3 @ Dec 21st 2007 5:52PM
I would pay that or more if I could only have the Windows Mobile 6 upgrade for Treo 750 before I die!
L3 @ Dec 21st 2007 5:57PM
Oh. Okay. Thanks for the WM6.
Gary L. @ Dec 22nd 2007 1:06PM
At $89, this is a steal. My wife had to pay in the $300 range for her original license from Code Factory for her first Symbian phone. AT&T should be applauded for such a significant reduction in the cost!
wayne m oliver @ Dec 22nd 2007 5:28PM
please make a special note, that this is a user license..not a device license. buying the software directly from the maker in the past has required a license for each new device, regardless of age of prior license purchase. so, someone could buy software then lose phone a month later and have to buy another copy of software with new phone purchase. i love engadget, but this article makes it look like at&t is goughing the disabled.. not the case. this is a great step by at&t to bring the technology to the masses... Congrats consumers!