-----Original Message-----
From: Freedom Scientific News
[mailto:FreedomScientificNews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: 30 June 2007 23:42
To: tim.culhane@xxxxxx
Subject: Freedom Scientific Announces the PAC Mate Omni
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Brad Davis
Blind/Low Vision Group
800-444-4443 or 727-803-8000
<http://www.freedomscientific.com/> www.FreedomScientific.com
Sales: Info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Freedom Scientific Announces the PAC Mate OmniT,
the Ultimate Mobile Computing Solution for the Blind
New Software and Enhanced Hardware at Special Prices
(St. Petersburg, Florida - June 30, 2007) Freedom Scientific today announced
the next generation of the PAC MateT accessible Pocket PC, the PAC Mate
Omni. The PAC Mate series incorporates JAWSR, the world's most popular
screen reading software, and Microsoft Windows MobileR to create the world's
first accessible Pocket PC device for the blind. The new PAC Mate Omni is a
combination of enhanced hardware with expanded functionality and powerful
new software that features the latest advances from Freedom Scientific and
MicrosoftR.
The PAC Mate Omni is powered by Windows Mobile 6.0, the very latest
Microsoft operating system. With Windows Mobile 6.0, the PAC Mate Omni will
provide users with a host of innovative features and tools that enable the
blind to access virtually every application that sighted users of mainstream
PDAs now enjoy.
"Freedom Scientific is very pleased to bring the power and the many features
of the Windows Mobile 6.0 operating system to users in a form that
recognizes the unique needs of blind people," said Jonathan Mosen, Vice
President of Blindness Hardware Product Management. "Windows Mobile 6.0 is
the most keyboard-friendly version of this operating system ever. With full
support for soft keys in Windows Mobile products, the PAC Mate Omni enables
users to install and easily operate a huge variety of off-the-shelf
third-party applications that offer keyboard support."
When shipped to customers in the fall of 2007, the PAC Mate Omni will be
available in the current PAC Mate models - the BX 400 with a Perkins-style
keyboard and the QX 400 that offers a laptop-style QWERTY keyboard for data
input. The same 20-cell and 40-cell PAC Mate Portable Braille Displays will
also be available with both versions.
The new PAC Mate Omni features expanded flash memory of 128 MB. While a
portion of this expanded memory is used for the PAC Mate Omni 6.0 software
and the operating system, users will have approximately six times more
available flash memory than before. All data is now stored in flash memory.
This means that all user files and applications are retained, even if the
unit is reset or the battery is fully discharged.
The PAC Mate currently outperforms all competitors in regard to battery
life, and the PAC Mate Omni extends the performance even longer.
Other new features of the PAC Mate Omni include:
. Access to the mobile version of Windows PowerPointR
. Microsoft's Direct Push Technology for real time
synchronization of e-mail, calendar, contacts, and tasks
. Smart filtering for rapid location of e-mail messages
. Easy information searches via Windows Live Search
. Support for the Windows Live Messenger voice clip
feature providing users with "push-to-talk" functionality in instant
messaging
. "Plug and Play" support for popular WiFi and BluetoothR
cards
Current PAC Mate users can upgrade to a PAC Mate Omni for just $699. Users
who have a current ASA can upgrade for just $549, and users with a PMA can
upgrade to a PAC Mate Omni for just $449. Users who have both a current ASA
and PMA can upgrade for only $299.
"We are mindful that while many customers are able to receive assistance for
the purchase of blindness hardware, the cost of maintaining that hardware is
often the responsibility of those who use the product," said Lee Hamilton,
President of Freedom Scientific. "We set our PAC Mate Omni update prices at
these unprecedented low levels to ensure that our loyal customers have the
opportunity to take advantage of the very latest in mobile computing
technology. In addition, anyone purchasing a PAC Mate on or after July 1,
2007, will be entitled to a free upgrade to PAC Mate Omni once it is
released."
About Freedom Scientific
Freedom Scientific is the world's leading manufacturer of assistive
technology products for those who are vision impaired and products for the
special education and learning disability market.
Freedom ScientificR, JAWSR, PAC MateT, and PAC Mate OmniT are either
trademarks or registered trademarks in the United States and/or other
countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may
be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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