Johannesburg, 17 Sep 2004
A "speaking" cellphone launched into the local market has been hailed by the blind and visually impaired.
Loaded with specialised software, the Nokia 6600 mobile phone converts text to speech and "talks" the user through the commands usually displayed on the screen.
Nokia distributor RF Group says the phone, which has been endorsed by the SA National Council for the Blind, allows users to customise volume, speed and pitch to suit their needs.
They also have access to data services including text messaging, multimedia messaging (MMS), cell-to-e-mail functions and phone book entries. The software also allows users to check the battery life and signal strength.
The phone incorporates the Symbian smart-phone operating system, which, as it enables the use of MMS and Java applications and voice recorder applications, the Nokia 6600 can double as a dictaphone.
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