Accessible Mobile Phones

Vodafone Speaking Phone

The Vodafone Speaking Phone enables you to navigate your mobile phone menus and access information via an audio display. The TALKS software from Nuance, (www.nuance.com), the worlds leading provider of speech and imaging solutions for business and consumers, is pre-loaded onto the phone by Vodafone free of charge.

At the moment, it is available on the popular Nokia E51 and Nokia E65 handsets. These handsets were chosen after close consultation with both Vodafone customers and trial users.

The Vodafone Speaking phone allows you to undertake a wide range of actions including:

• Hear caller ID information and check logs of incoming and outgoing calls
• Compose and listen to emails, text messages and notes
• Manage contact information and voice dial phone numbers from the directory
• Hear practical information about the battery level, network and signal strength
• Use the appointment calendar
• Edit and add contacts, settings and profiles according to your personal preferences
• Use calculator, alarm clock and other important tools

To find out more about the Vodafone Speaking Phone please call Vodafone on 1800 22 55 88 (Postpay) and 1850 20 87 87 (Prepay) or drop into your local Vodafone retail store which are located throughout the country. The Speaking Phone is available at most Vodafone stores. Handsets can be ordered from www.vodafone.ie and will be delivered directly to your door within 48 hours.

If you are a Vodafone customer and you wish to purchase the E51 or E65, the software can be installed free of charge on request.

If you are not a Vodafone customer, or you do not have the E51 or E65 and you still wish to purchase TALKS then you can contact Laura Hegarty at NCBI for more information on Locall 1850 33 43 53 or email: laura.hegarty@ncbi.ie

The estimated cost is €199 for the software to be installed on the handset. Once you have purchased TALKS software you are entitled to an upgrade for €70. If for some reason TALKS is not functioning correctly and it needs to be re-installed or replaced then this can be done free of charge as the software is tied with the IMEI number of the handset.

Installation of TALKS

There are 2 files that are used to install TALKS on a handset. There is the TALKS software itself and then the voice software. The TALKS software is usually installed first by connecting the handset via USB cable or Bluetooth and using the Nokia PC Suite software to transfer the files onto the handset. Once the TALKS is installed, then the Voice software is installed. This can be an English or American speaking voice. There is a code that is then generated by a database in Germany that matches the IMEI number of the handset to the TALKS software. This is known as the license key that is unique.

Audio Samples
You can listen to the voice of TALKS at www.nuance.com/talks/demos/download sample files that explain more about TALKS and why you might want to use it.

‘Zooms’ Magnification on Mobile Handset

The company that produce the ‘Talks’ speech software also have a screen magnification software called ‘Zooms’. This allows the display to be magnified. However, one of the draw backs of this is that if text is made bigger then less of it will be displayed at any time.

Free Trial

Nuance offers a free trial demo package that you can download at www.nuance.com/talks/downloads.asp and install on your supported mobile phone.

The Free trial contains both Nuance TALKS and Nuance ZOOMS. The free demo speaks for 10 minutes after installing or turning on the phone.

The Zooms cost €70 and is available through NCBI only on Locall 1850 33 43 53.

Doro Handle Easy (non-speaking)

Doro Handle Easy is an easy to use mobile phone for when you simply want to make and receive calls. Direct memory buttons labelled A to D and a large keypad and display make dialling easier, while a vibrating ringer alerts you of incoming calls.

The soft touch surface provides better grip, and there is an easily activated speaker phone for added convenience. It has a white on black screen for better clarity when reading the display and contrasting colours to enable the buttons to be more clearly defined.

The Handle Easy is also available with hands free ear hook. This is a headset for hearing aid users. Instead of a receiver the hook is placed close to the hearing aid and includes a magnetic coil that transfers the sound to the aid.

It has had all the non essential unnecessary regular mobile phone functions stripped out to ensure the phone is as simple as possible to use. The Doro Handle Easy 326gsm, with its distinctive big buttons, is a scaled-down mobile phone that’s easy to grip and designed for ease of use. It is a very simple, but high quality basic mobile phone. Find out more at www.doro-mobile.com

Doro features:

• Unlocked to work on any GSM service supplier
• Slim Design
• Soft touch coating
• Large Buttons
• 4 Direct Memories
• Large, easy to read display (white on a black background)
• User-friendly keypad large, clear rubberized buttons
• Built-in speakerphone
• Headset included
• 15 Position combined caller ID/redial log
• 9 Polyphonic ring tones
• Vibrating alert
• Backlit keypad and display
• Adjustable handset and speakerphone volume
• Memory for up to 50 numbers
• Keylock
• Call timer
• Ear hook compatible

The Doro Handle Easy handsets can be bought from NCBI resource centres of aids and appliances on locall 1850 33 43 53.

The Doro Handle Easy costs €120.