Research in Motion (RIM) launched a free software application that helps blind or visually impaired customers to operate their smartphones.
The Senior Product Manager of RIM, Greg Fields, said that the BlackBerry Screen Reader provides an audible output based on the visual information displayed on the smartphone.
As such, it helps visually impaired customers stay connected with people and get information online and from friends and family that most interests them. This represents the commitment of RIM to support clients with different capabilities despite physical limitations that prevent them from doing what able-bodied people can do without difficulty.
Fields highlighted in a statement that the application allows users to access the main BlackBerry applications like email, calendar, and phone calls.
Users can also customize settings for text to speech (volume, pitch, and speed) and preferences of punctuation, verbs, passwords, and preferences to quickly adjust audio and speech using keyboard shortcuts. This will make it easier for visually-impaired BB users to full customize their phones according to their needs without having to ask a friend or family member for help. In turn, the customizable settings can bring back the independence of one who has not been able to see for some time.
The application is available for free download in English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish.
