HumanWare Launches Maestro 2.0, the New Generation of PDA for Blind People
HumanWare is proud to announce the release of Maestro 2.0, an enhanced version of the mainstream PDA for the visually impaired. Maestro offers the unparalleled benefits of portability and mobility found in PDAs for sighted people. Version 2.0 has a multitude of new functions, including a Wi-Fi e-mail manager, a media player for music and audio books, and a task manager. And everything is done from the palm of your hand and is 100% accessible to visually impaired people.
Maestro consists of a standard Dell PDA with a tactile overlay allowing people to use commands and enter data intuitively by touch. The information is sent to the user in audio form using integrated voice synthesis. Maestro users can therefore organize their appointments and address books, consult and edit text documents, record voice notes, read books, organize e-mail, listen to music… all in the palm of their hand.
“With Version 2.0, Maestro is the most comprehensive and most accessible solution on the market as a standard PDA adapted for the blind.” says Lucia Gomez, Product Manager at HumanWare. “Maestro can be compared to the famous Swiss pocket knife and all their tools that fit in your pocket.”
Main Features of Maestro 2.0:
Full E-mailing Capability
The user can now read, forward, reply, transfer and create e-mail messages, and attach files, using either ActiveSync or a Wi-Fi network.
Enhanced Media PlayerThe Media Player can read MP3 and WMA books. It also offers the capability of reading audio files in shuffle or repeat mode, mark a place, resume, set a sleep timer and fast positioning (incremental or one minute forward and rewind). It also supports play lists.
Task ManagementIt is now possible to create and manage tasks, and synchronize them with Outlook on your PC.
Calendar, Victor Reader, Text Notes and Many Other Enhancements Maestro 2.0 includes a Today’s page, improvements in popular applications, such as variable speed in Victor Reader, choice of views in the Calendar, better support of scanned documents in the Text Notes, formatting tool for the memory cards, support of a second language, and many others.
Available Options
With Maestro, the user can Braille (in computer Braille, Grade 1 or Grade 2) or text their data directly using the PDA, or use the optional ergonomic KeyMaestro Braille Bluetooth keyboard, or a QWERTY keyboard for longer documents. Maestro users can also benefit from the optional powerful Trekker talking GPS system. Maestro is available right now from all HumanWare subsidiaries and affiliated distributors. For current Maestro users, a free upgrade will be available here for download in August.
About HumanWare
HumanWare designs and manufactures innovative technology for people who are blind, deaf-blind, visually impaired and learning disabled. Formed in 1988, HumanWare exports approximately 98% of its products worldwide to more than 30 countries. Sales offices have been established in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, The Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand and the company supports a strong distribution network throughout North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
For more information:
Nicolas Lagacé
HumanWare Canada
Phone: (450) 463-1717 ext. 341
Email: nicolas.lagace@humanware.com