Victor Reader Wave Joins the Compact DAISY Player Market

At the recent CSUN Conference on Technology and Persons with Disabilities in Los Angeles, HumanWare (VisuAide and Pulse Data International) officially launched the Victor Reader Wave. This latest model of the Victor Reader DAISY CD Digital Talking Book Players is based on the Victor Reader Vibe, but with more enhanced features.

The clamshell style lid of the Vibe remains, but has been modified to use the telephone style keypad of the Victor Reader Classic+ player. With the enhanced navigation features of the Classic+, the Victor Reader Wave is equipped with time jump and accelerated fast forward. Other added features for the Victor Reader Wave are:

• Enlarged file system to play very complex DAISY books.
• Expanded memory to store hundreds of bookmarks.
• Save playback position for DAISY, MP3 and music CDs.
• Audio prompts have been added for MP3 CD playback.
• A larger screen with text feedback for commands and display of book title and current section heading.
• Learning disabled users will benefit from the screen display of graphical command icons as well as graphical display of volume/battery level, speed setting, and book position.

Gerry Chevalier, product manager for the Victor Reader line says: “Victor Reader Wave is a portable CD player that offers the navigation and advanced features found in the most powerful DAISY players. It is designed for students and professionals. With its tactile keyboard, audio feedback, and large display screen, Victor Reader Wave is an exceptionally accessible device for both the visually impaired and the learning disabled. Users can navigate faster and far more efficiently through reference works and complex audio textbooks. They can move forward or backward by chapter or section, go to a specific page, and even insert bookmarks. The Victor Reader Wave includes earphones, a power adapter, a carrying case and rechargeable batteries. Users can recharge their batteries directly in the unit. Victor Reader Wave’s compact size and rechargeable batteries allow users to take and use it anywhere.” This new player will be available in June 2005.

Source: HumanWare