The visually impaired now have access to speech option on PDA device

Developed by Dolphin Computer access and localized into Arabic with the help of Nattiq Technologies, Pocket Hal turns your PDA into a talking device instantly. Pocket Hal reads everything displayed on a PDA's screen with a synthesized voice. It was initially developed for blind and visually impaired users to enable them access PDA devices. A visually impaired user may walk into any electronic store and select a standard PDA, install Pocket Hal on it and enjoy many standard applications.

Such applications range from word processing to city maps with GPS support useful for obtaining street and address directions via synthesized speech. 'With Pocket Hal, the gap continues to close for blind people. They too may enjoy using standard PDA devices as their sighted counter parts do.', said Auda Hazeem, Nattiq's CEO. While it is a necessary tool for visually impaired users Pocket Hal is convenient for sighted users who may also rely on synthesized speech in using their PDAs.

Nattiq Technologies announced earlier the availability of e-learning content delivered on PDA devices. Studying becomes much easier with speech built into PDAs with Pocket Hal for both visually impaired as well as sighted users. Installed on an I-Mate Jam, Pocket Hall will be demonstrated during GITEX 2005 at Nattiq's stand number 809 in Hall 8.