Frequently Asked Questions

Oratio for BlackBerry ® Smartphones

 

What is Oratio for BlackBerry?

Oratio for BlackBerry smartphones is a screen reader software solution from HumanWare (www.humanware.com), and powered by Code Factory (www.codefactory.es) technology. It enables blind customers to access and operate new BlackBerry smartphones.

 

What does it do?

Oratio for BlackBerry smartphones is a screen reader software solution from HumanWare that provides blind and visually impaired customers with an audible output of information displayed visually on the screen of BlackBerry smartphones.

 

Who sells and supports this product?

Oratio for BlackBerry is marketed, sold and supported by HumanWare, the leader in technology for the print disabled.  For more information about Oratio, including how to purchase a license today, please visit www.humanware.com/oratio.

 

When will Oratio be available for purchase?

Oratio will be available for sale in US English from HumanWare as of February 1st, 2010. For more information about buying Oratio for BlackBerry smartphones, please visit www.humanware.com/oratio.

 

Where can I Purchase Oratio?

Oratio is available for purchase directly from HumanWare at www.humanware.com/oratio

 

How much does Oratio cost?

Oratio for BlackBerry retails for $449 US for a single user license. Volume discount opportunity will be available for 50 licenses or more. For more information about buying Oratio for BlackBerry smartphones, please visit www.humanware.com/oratio.

 

Is it the same as Mobile Speak?

Oratio for BlackBerry is designed specifically to support BlackBerry smartphones. While Oratio is developed in partnership with CodeFactory, the maker of the award-winning Mobile Speak screen reader, these are different applications for different smartphone environments.

 

Is it compatible with Windows Mobile or Symbian based phones?

Oratio for BlackBerry is a screen reader solution designed to enable blind and visually impaired customers to access and operate BlackBerry smartphones. As such, Oratio does not support any other device or platform other than BlackBerry.

Mobile Speak from Code Factory is an award-winning screen reader software solution that does support Windows Mobile and Symbian based phones. For more information about Code Factory Mobile Speak, please visit www.codefactory.es.

Is it like TALKS?

Oratio for BlackBerry differs from other screen readers as it is the first screen reader software application designed specifically to support BlackBerry smartphones, and provide blind and visually impaired customers with access to the popular line of BlackBerry smartphone.

 

What TTS does it use?

Oratio for BlackBerry implements a familiar and high quality TTS engine like that found on the HumanWare VictorReader Stream.

 

What languages are supported?

Oratio for BlackBerry will first be release in North America English with upcoming support for multiple languages, including UK English, French, Italian, German and Spanish languages soon thereafter.

 

Each language includes a voice similar to those found on the HumanWare VictorReader Stream products.

 

Does it support speech recognition?

Oratio for BlackBerry is screen reader application that leverages text-to-speech output for blind users. As is the case with all other screen readers on mobile phones, Oratio for BlackBerry smartphones does not provide speech to text functionality.

 

 

Which BlackBerry smartphone models are supported?

Oratio for BlackBerry will initially support use on the BlackBerry Curve 8520 smartphone running BlackBerry device software version 4.6.1.297, in US English. At this time, the wireless carrier selling this device with this software version is AT&T. For more information about the BlackBerry Curve 8520 smartphone from AT&T Wireless, visit http://www.wireless.att.com/businesscenter/blackberry-curve-8520/index.jsp?skuId=sku7757100023. Other BlackBerry Curve 8520 smartphone models with previous device software versions will not be supported by Oratio.

 

HumanWare's strategy is to provide support for new BlackBerry smartphones with QWERTY keyboards, which will provide customers with multiple device and carrier options. As new BlackBerry devices are supported they will be announced on the Oratio web page under supported devices section. You can view all supported devices at anytime at www.humanware.com/oratio.

 

Does it support the BlackBerry Storm smartphone?

Oratio for BlackBerry will support new BlackBerry smartphones with full QWERTY keyboards.  Other form factors of BlackBerry smartphones, including the mini QWERTY keyboard found on the BlackBerry Pearl smartphone and the touch screen interface found on the BlackBerry Storm2 smartphone, are not supported.

 

Can I load it on my existing BlackBerry smartphone model?

Oratio for BlackBerry will support new BlackBerry smartphones with full QWERTY keyboards. Due to the requirement for TTS support, BlackBerry smartphones already available for sale in market are not supported at this time.

 

Does it come preloaded on the BlackBerry smartphone?

Oratio is sold and supported by HumanWare as a third party software application for BlackBerry smartphones. For more information about the availability of Oratio, visit www.humanware.com/oratio.

 

Does Oratio support all applications on BlackBerry?

Oratio for BlackBerry enables blind and visually impaired customers to access and operate BlackBerry smartphones and their core applications. While Research In Motion (RIM), the maker of the BlackBerry portfolio of products, HumanWare and Code Factory have collaborated to ensure that Oratio for BlackBerry smartphones is a feature rich product, some applications from third party software vendors may or may not be accessible by persons with disabilities at this time.

To facilitate the development of accessible third party applications, RIM has developed the BlackBerry Accessibility Application Programming Interface (API), and the BlackBerry Accessibility Development Guide.

HumanWare and RIM will continue to work with third party application developers to create applications that implement Universal Design principles, and that are accessible by persons with disabilities.

 

Does it support the web browser application?

At time of launch, Oratio for BlackBerry will only offer partial support to the web browser application given selected web content offers mobile devices support and is accessible. HumanWare, Code Factory and RIM will focus on the development of this application for the first upgrade and provide it free of charge to Oratio for Blackberry users.

 

Will updates be free?

Oratio for BlackBerry updates will be offered in 2 distinct formats:

 

Minor updates: minor improvements and corrections on an already existing version of Oratio will be provided free of charge. These updates will be available from the HumanWare website for free download. You will not need to re-register these updated versions and it will not affect your license registration.

 

Major Updates: new application functionality will be provided through new software versions at a given cost. These major updates will be available from the HumanWare website for download and installation and will require a new product registration.

 

Will I be able to transfer the software to an updated BlackBerry?

Oratio for BlackBerry smartphones is a dedicated software license that can only be activated for and through a specific BlackBerry device product number. Upgrading to a new supported device will require the purchase of a new license.

 

Can I get a demo/trial copy?

Oratio for BlackBerry was designed with the feedback of the blind community, and benefits from Code Factory's experience and expertise in building mobile screen reader applications for blind users. This means that the application is well positioned to meet the needs of our customer's right out of the box.

 

No trial or demo copy is available at this time.

 

Where can I get more information?

For more information about Oratio for BlackBerry smartphones, please visit www.humanware.com/oratio.