Dial “M” for Memory
A new free-for-now service called reQall lets you dial a toll-free number and leave a to-do message for yourself (such as “Investigate why we’re running out of letter ‘u’ to follow ‘q’”). Their technology transcribes the message and send it to you by email SMS, RSS, NASS (Native American Smoke Signal), either one at a time or as part of a daily agenda. Fast, flexible, and mostly accurate. Great for people who need reminders, and those who can’t use visual to-do lists.
Talking e-book reader
An inventor in Iran has come up with a laptop-sized talking e-book reader–point to any word in the e-book using the included stylus to get a pronunciation and definition, similar to the Readingpen. It’s also supposed to describe graphics, although this specifics of this capabilities aren’t clear, and the use of a stylus makes this unit blind-unfriendly anyway. Useful for people with learning disabilities and beginning readers, though. Available somewhere 2008.
Tweet talk
The avian market has long been demanding its own toy resembling a cell phone, and human developers have finally responded. The Talk ‘N Play Bird Toy holds four MP3 phrases, and the buttons light up when pressed. Not clear if the MP3s can be changed; if they can, this could be a super-simple, super-cheap, lightweight augmentative communication aid–and since it has a mirror, it might be used for basic speech therapy as well.
It’s in the cards
Earth Trek has designed a memory card reader that rotates, so you can plug in two cards at a time. Has a lot of promise for mediaphiles with a range of dexterity limitations. Oh, and it’ll recharge your cell phone, too.
Akihabara News: The 2 in 1 Rotary Multi card reader from Earth Trek
When poor design is very good design
Interesting article that covers an aspect of universal design we don’t usually discuss: developing products specifically for people in the most impoverished areas of the world. On the other hand, there is a proven correlation between rates of poverty and disability, and several of the designs mentioned–foot-operated water pumps, text-free training devices–would be right at home in AOMS any ol’ day.
One-handed unplugging
This new powerstrip concept lets you unplug any regular power cord (*not* a wall wart, unfortunately) with only one hand. Great design (from a firm called “Yanko”) for people with only one hand, or one free hand, or one “good” hand, or any other monodextrous factors. We hope some manufacturer picks it up with both hands.
Gizmodo: Raise Me Up Powerstrip Provides Ease of Use For the One Handed
Cell phone for winter gloves, fat fingers, …
This prototype mobile phone has only two columns of keys, making it easier to hit the right button. It was designed for glove wearers, but might be useful for people with impaired dexterity. We hope the surface is easy to grip, too.