An office in your Pocket with Windows Mobile 5.
Advanced accessibility for Windows Mobile 5 from Dolphin.
21st Sep, 2006
“Booking appointments, listening to MP3, chatting with friends on MSN, sending and receiving emails, checking train times, recording audio for my blog and so much more. My PDA has enriched my life by allowing me to keep up to speed and in touch without being tied to the office.”
Dave Williams was recently appointed Mobile Product Manager for Dolphin Computer Access but unlike the average PDA user Dave doesn’t use the stylus. Registered blind at birth, Dave is using the new mobile Pocket PC solution developed by Dolphin Computer Access called Pocket Hal.
Pocket Hal is a screen reader developed for the Windows Mobile 5 operating system that is used on handheld devices that until recently have been inaccessible to blind or partially sighted technology users, despite being adopted as the portable PC solution for many industries.
“I use the PDA buttons to manoeuver around the menus and screens, and a folding HP Bluetooth QWERTY keyboard when inputting into Pocket Word or Pocket Excel. Pocket Hal reads the screen; I listen on my Bluetooth headset.”
Dave Williams recently completed a 4 week tour of the US in his role as Product Manager and his PDA acted as his personal assistant. “Four weeks independent traveling meant that it was critical I had full access to my usual office tools, as well as portable entertainment for those long journeys. Pocket Hal offered this unequivocal access.”
Pocket Hal has been developed by British company Dolphin Computer Access, who employ a dedicated team of Pocket PC developers and are ably assisted by Product Manager Dave Williams. Dave and Dolphin share a collective goal with their technology partners Microsoft and HP, to deliver the best possible access solutions for today’s mobile community.
“HP is committed to providing cutting-edge assistive features to help ensure the benefits of technology are available to all people”said Michael Takemura, director of the Accessibility Program Office at HP. “Dolphin’s Pocket Hal running on HP iPAQ Pocket PCs provides visually impaired users enhanced mobile communication freedom."
Bonnie Kearney, Director of Marketing, Accessible Technology Group at Microsoft, comments; “Thanks to accessible technology like Dolphin’s Pocket Hal, low vision and blind computer users are able to take full advantage of the latest range of Microsoft mobile solutions. Dolphin’s latest range of access solutions will ensure that visually impaired computer users are able to access the latest technology in a way that suits them best.”
In a world where more and more people enjoy increased mobility, either at work, study or for leisure, PDA solutions offer a cost effective, portable communications network when on the move. Blind and low vision computer users need no longer be slave to their bulky computers or specialised note takers as Pocket Hal ensures that they too have access to the same mainstream kit as their colleagues. Visually impaired people now have the ability to choose a mobile solution that fits their pocket and their life!
