** Updated video to include captions. Ed. **
A few months ago, we told you about the BlackBerry® Screen Reader app from RIM®. Well, the Accessibility team at RIM has been busy improving the app and is happy to share some updates they’ve been working on since launch. After listening to your valuable feedback, they’ve made improvements and added new features. The app also now supports two new BlackBerry smartphone models. In addition to the BlackBerry® Curve™ 9350, 9360 and 9370 smartphone models, the application is now available for the new BlackBerry® Curve™ 9320 and 9220 smartphones.
Let’s dive in to some of the changes:
Basic Browser Support
BlackBerry Screen Reader is now revised adding the ability to have a loaded webpage read to you.
Help Menu
Through BlackBerry Screen Reader settings, you can now access an English help menu to provide you with additional assistance.
Additional Shortcut Features
Previously, the application shortcut (Right Convenience Key + Send) only supported email messaging. The updated shortcut is now designed to allow you to re-read a loaded webpage without refreshing your browser; it also allows you to easily read SMS and BBM messages, from the most recent to least recent message.
Additional Caller ID Screen Support
The first version of the BlackBerry Screen Reader would only read the number that was calling. The functionality has now been extended to the caller ID screen to also identify the contact’s name (if available).
Unified Inbox improvements
The unified inbox feature has been updated and now identifies Facebook® and Twitter® messages. You can now differentiate between your e-mail and social media messages.
BlackBerry Screen Reader Demo
If you’ve been wondering what the application is all about before giving it a try yourself, check out the video below, which includes a walkthrough and some tips to help get you started:
[ YouTube link for mobile viewing ]
You can get the latest version of BlackBerry Screen Reader at: www.blackberry.com/screenreader
To learn more about other accessibility features for customers with visual impairments, please visit www.blackberry.com/accessibility
Have you been using the BlackBerry Screen Reader app since it first launched? What other ways would you like to see the app improved?
