From the 1980s until 2005 (where it was superseded by the MEID format),
mobile electronic devices were assigned a 32-bit number known as an
Electronic Serial Number. This number was initially used with early cell
phones and, later, predominantly with CDMA phones (such as those deployed by
Sprint and Verizon). The ESN is usually represented by either an 11 digit
decimal number or an 8 digit hexadecimal string.
Talking digital magnifiers
Submitted by cvangerven on Mon, 08/19/2013 – 09:50
Blog Date:
Monday, August 19, 2013
By Clara Van Gerven
Talking digital magnifiers have been around for some time now. As the
novelty wears off, the question is whether they are worth the price tag, and
where they sit in the low vision landscape. At this stage, there doesn’t
seem to be enough sales data to see which way the experiment is going. This
much is certain: the talking digital magnifier has come a ways since I first
saw the machine from Koba, which stood out as a great idea somewhat
imperfectly executed. Tracking text in the magnified view and full page
recognition are now available, both in my opinion major (and intuitive)
improvements to the original concept. Traditionally, tabletop digital
magnifiers have been a type of lowest common denominator of access
technology – easy to use single purpose devices designed to serve to most
tech-wary. There have been forays into more complex uses such as fine craft
work and classroom use, the former setup requiring a moveable arm for the
camera, the latter often using a laptop as a display, and neither typically
using and XY table. Some models (especially some of the classroom ones) have
introduced long distance viewing. These modifications represent, however,
fairly simple and to some extent niche uses compared to the most common use.
To put it in the simple terms, standard operation of a digital magnifier
really only takes about three buttons – on/off, magnification, and color
sets. Other uses add maybe another 3-4 functions. What makes the talking
digital magnifiers potentially a game changer is that it shifts what an
average user can do with it. Dressed up to look like any other CCTV, it is
really something else altogether, a hybrid of the familiar desktop behemoth
and stand-alone bookreaders like the SARA from Freedom Scientific or the
ClearReader from Opetelec.
With the addition of speech to the digital magnifier comes another major
change in the way people use them – with the introduction of more complex
controls, including touchscreens. Much of the speech on these hybrids is
inevitably driven by different kinds of controls – be it a control pad, a
touch interface, or simply more buttons. It may scare of some of the more
tech-phobic folks, but as more and more seniors especially get talked into
using iPads by their grandchildren, there may be fewer protestations than
before. What is more, the much talked-about aging baby boomers may be the
first adopters of this new style of interface. Schools may also find a use
for these dual media devices, and I’ve certainly seen some interest in using
these as a way to give low vision students the option to switch easily
between magnification and speech when fatigue sets in. The limiting factor
there is the bulk of the thing – these “talkers” have the power of a full
computer behind them, and you can tell when trying to lift one. In all
scenarios, moreover, price is a big factor – adding the speech adds a
minimum of about $500, and more typically closer to $1,000 to the cost.
General features aside, what is out there right now, and what are the
differentiating features that anyone looking to buy one should keep in mind?
The usual questions about brightness, contrast, screen size, color settings
and the like obviously still apply. Here are some additional questions worth
asking if you’re looking to buy one of these shiny new devices. I’ve not
represented every model, but if you’re looking at another vendor or model,
the questions still apply.
Talking magnifiers – features
Optelec ClearView Speech
Enhanced Vision Da Vinci
Merlin Elite HD
Abisee Eye-Pal Ace
GW Micro Vocatex Plus
Does it recognize part/whole page?
Whole
Part
Part
Whole
Part
Screen size?
24″
24″
24″
10″
26″-37″
X-Y tray?
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Touch screen?
Yes
No – keypad
No – keypad
No – controls on the device
No – controls on the device
Portable?
No
No
No
Yes – 3.5 lbs
No
Document/photo storage
Yes
No
Yes (saves as image)
Yes
No
Price
$3,695 (True color), $3895 (HD)
$2,995
$3,295
$2,445
$7,345-$7,595
I’d love to hear from any of you who are already using one of these. It’s
early in the game yet, and it’ll be fascinating to see how this plays out,
and how much – and what – use different people get out of this new version
of the same old magnifier.
If you have any comments please email us.
Note from Dan: I looked for an emailing address.. However, I could only
find the information below. If you go to the link provided next, there is a
link to email “Unknown / Not Sure
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