Review: Mobile Speak Pocket 9

Mobile Speak Pocket is screen-access software for a PDA running Windows Mobile or Windows Pocket PC 2003 SE. An additional program is available for Mobile Speak Pocket, called Mobile Magnifier Pocket, that will magnify the screen for low-vision users.

It is possible to get a PDA with a built-in phone. If you do, the phone is also accessible using Mobile Speak Pocket. Before choosing a PDA, it is important to be sure that Mobile Speak Pocket can be installed on it. You can find a list of supported PDAs at Code Factory.

Once you purchase the PDA, you will need to install active sync on your computer. This will allow the PDA and the computer to connect and communicate with one another. After installing active sync, go back to the Code Factory Website and download Mobile Speak Pocket. Connect the PDA to the computer, and install Mobile Speak Pocket. A free thirty-day trial of Mobile Speak Pocket is available from Code Factory.

A PDA has a touch-screen, buttons below the screen, and often buttons on the side of the unit as well. Sighted people use a stylus to tap the screen. The buttons quickly launch programs. Mobile Speak Pocket reassigns the buttons to shift, tab, control, and alt. A blind person taps, double-taps, or taps and holds one of the four corners of the screen to operate the unit. A command turns on stylus mode so that a sighted person can use the PDA while Mobile Speak is running. Mobile Speak allows a blind person to access contacts, appointments, and email. Pocket Excel and Pocket Word are available for creating spreadsheets and documents.

Some PDAs have no built-in keyboard. Mobile Speak offers keyboard entry using a touch virtual keyboard (a keyboard simulator). When the touch virtual keyboard is being used, the user turns the PDA sideways and slides a finger along the screen. The keyboard is arranged like a QWERTY keyboard. Each letter is announced as the finger slides across it. To insert a letter, lift the finger after the desired letter is announced, and the letter will be inserted. The keyboard simulator also uses the arrow keys to reach the desired letter; press enter to insert the letter. Bluetooth keyboards are also supported. Mobile Speak Pocket supports several Bluetooth headsets to route the audio through the Bluetooth headset for private listening.

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