The PAC Mate is a Pocket PC solution that makes the benefits of a mainstream Pocket PC accessible to blind and low vision users. In 2003, Freedom Scientific released the first PAC Mate, based on the Windows™ Mobile operating system. In 2004, Freedom Scientific released the next generation in the PAC Mate's evolution, the QX and BX series.
Because the PAC Mate is so lightweight and portable, it can go almost anywhere, extending to the user on-the-go access to notetaking, working or studying remotely, reading e-books, and many other uses. It also is easy to learn and use. It comes with a typewriter-style (QWERTY) keyboard or a braille keyboard. The keyboard replaces the traditional PDA stylus that is used to select items from a mainstream Pocket PC screen. The PAC Mate also is integrated with JAWS® for Windows, the world’s most popular screen reader for the blind. JAWS “reads” aloud screen information, dialog boxes, and documents via a speech synthesizer, eliminating the need for the screen. JAWS users find that working with the PAC Mate is very similar to using a desktop computer.
Because it is based on mainstream Windows Mobile technology, many off-the-shelf applications are available to add on to the PAC Mate. Some of these include accessible e-book reading programs and GPS solutions. Pac Mate users even design and share their own applications all the time!
The PAC Mate also is affordable and easy to upgrade. Its modular design makes it possible to purchase a PAC Mate unit, complete with a 20-cell or 40-cell PAC Mate Braille Display, or to purchase the PAC Mate unit only, and later add a braille display, without having to purchase a whole new unit. The PAC Mate is the perfect choice for an accessible, powerful, on-the-go computer for the visually impaired.
Visit The Freedom Scientific PAC Mate Page Return To The Notetaker CenterCreated on ... June 27, 2007