Quick AT Round-Up

Thanks to those of you who stopped by and said “Hello” at the recent New York Metro Abilities Expo. It was great to meet so many of you. We showed off lots of technology and expanded a few horizons, I’m sure. Here are a few articles we’ve seen recently that we thought you’d enjoy.

An article published recently in the New York Times outlines some new audio-enhancing strategies for people who are hard of hearing.

This Technology blog at the Atlantic Monthly details how Apple’s commitment to accessibility coupled with a few ingenious apps have made the iPhone a useful tool for people who are blind or visually impaired.

A couple of college kids in Toronto have designed MyVoice, an app for iProducts which allows users to tag different locations with specific words and phrases and then uses GPS technology to allow users to generate vocabulary based on location. Pretty cool. Here’s the article from the CBCNews site.

APP Attack! New Accessibility Features in iOS5- Custom Gestures!

Coming this fall is an update to the "operating system" of the iPad and iPhone. People don't think about operating systems, but they are essential to accessibility. They define the way we interact with programs, and the way the programs interact with us.

For instance, the famous "gestures" that people use on iPads and iPhones-- think of the "swipe" motion that people make to turn a page or move to the next set of icons. These gestures are defined by the operating system (the new one is called iOS5). But what if someone with a disability has trouble doing that gesture? In the fall, when iOS5 comes out, Apple will allow you to define your own gestures.

We will have to try it out ourselves to see how it really works, but here are some screen shots, and an AppleInsider blog entry.
link to AppleInsider blog entry


Do you want to learn more about APPS? Then sign up for our APP Attack workshop on July 12th at our Ewing NJ office. This is a new date because the first two sessions sold out! We are limiting the registration to the first 20 people, so sign up today!

For more info, click HERE.

APP Attack! E-Reader APPS

Today we will be looking at the FREE APPS available for e-readers - specifically the Kindle and the nook.

Kindle APP - @ Amazon.com









The Kindle is the biggest selling product at Amazon. Did you know that since the beginning of the year, Kindle books have outsold paperbacks! (see article at Business Insider). Did you also know that you don't even need a Kindle to read Kindle books! Amazon has a Kindle app for PC, Mac, BlackBerry, Android and most importantly for us today: an APP for the Apple products!

Some of the features listed on the Amazon website include:

• Amazon's Whispersync technology automatically synchronizes your last page read, bookmarks, notes and highlights with Kindle and Kindle-compatible devices PC, Mac, iPhone, and BlackBerry
• Customers can start reading on one device and, on another, pick up where they left off
• Create bookmarks, notes, and highlights, and view the annotations you created on your Kindle
• Instant word lookup on included dictionary with 250,000 entries and definitions
• Continue downloading books while the app is in the background on iOS 4 devices.
• Access millions of free and out-of-copyright books from Project Gutenberg, Internet Archive, and other online sources. Open supported files from Safari and Mail or use File Sharing in iTunes to transfer files to your Kindle app.
• Improved image zoom
• New book indicator

nook APP - @ Barnes & Noble










OK...so what if you prefer the nook? No problem - just download this APP for your iPad.

Some of the features listed at the BN.com website include:

• Ability to trial ANY nook book before purchasing.
• Access to all your B&N books - books will sync between all your B&N devices
• Control over screen brightness, color, text size and font
• Share your books via Lend Me technology
• Built in dictionary to search words
• Add notes and highlights; also have the ability to search notes by keyword

Have you used the APPS mentioned above? Leave us a comment and share your experience.

Do you have a favorite APP you would like to see highlighted? Let us know - maybe you could even be a guest contributor!

Do you want to learn more about APPS? Then sign up for our APP Attack workshop on March 15th at our Ewing NJ office. For more info, click HERE.

New Feature! APP Attack!

Starting today, we are excited to announce a new weekly feature on our blog! Every Monday, check back for the latest APP Attack! With the iPad being mentioned in every other tech news story, it's no wonder there are so many APPS available.

Our staff will highlight at least one new APP each week and provide you with a quick review. Hopefully, these will help guide you towards a good match between the features of the APP and your needs.

To get us started off right, here are a handful of APPS that we have found helpful when working with students and adults with disabilities.

IEP Checklist


This FREE APP provides guidance to parents and teachers as they develop the student's IEP.







Tap Speak Button


This simple $9.99 APP allows you to mimic the function of the Big Mack Switch. Simply record a message and then press the button to hear your message. Great for cause and effect activities!





Model Me Going Places 2


This FREE APP can be used as a visual teaching tool to assist an individual with a disability as they navigate the community. Simply click on the desired location and step through the pictures of people modeling appropriate behavior for that setting.







Have you used the APPS mentioned above? Leave us a comment and share your experience.

Do you have a favorite APP you would like to see highlighted? Let us know - maybe you could even be a guest contributor!

Do you want to learn more about APPS? Then sign up for our APP Attack workshop on March 15th at our Ewing NJ office. For more info, click HERE.

TLC Spotlight - iPad Defender Series Case

 The Otterbox - iPad Defender Series Case

  A tough case to protect your not so tough ipad. 

Drop-proof your magical, new must-have gadget with the OtterBox Defender Series for Apple® iPad™! This cutting-edge case incorporates three layers of hardcore protection plus some advanced features. Stowing your iPad away for the night or for your commute? Simply remove the back polycarbonate cover and snap it over the face for ultimate touch screen protection.

The built-in stand will come in handy while trying to watch a movie or video, and creates a comfortable browsing experience. When using your iPad on a flat surface, the silicone grip pads on the bottom will hold your device securely in place. We also designed this case to accommodate the optional iPad dock accessory! Take your iPad everywhere you go knowing that it is safe from the occasional drop, bump and/or scratch.

 

What do you think? Do you want to TRY IT before you BUY IT? Then join our Technology Lending Center. Click here to join today!

Best note taking app for your smartphone??

Your smartphone is with you all the time, right? Why not take notes directly onto your phone. But which one is best for the iPhone? how about DROID?

Check out this link from Gizmodo. This "APPBATTLE" looks at the top three note taking apps for each smartphone operating system.

Do you use one of these? Do you have a different app you use? Leave a comment below and share.