Access on Main Street

Hooking up a usable world, one mainstream product at a time.

She deafened me with science

Posted by Jane Berliss-Vincent 30 April 2008

Toshiba is introducing Dolby Volume, which automatically adjusts TV volume that’s too loud–or, presumably, too soft–to a level of the user’s preference. Also works with stereo equipment, for the listening pleasure of the ever-growing Bjork/Metallica fan base.

Dolby: Dolby Volume FAQ

PC or not PC

Posted by Jane Berliss-Vincent 5 November 2007

The long-awaited trend is already happening in Japan: far fewer people are using “old-fashioned” computers, preferring instead to use products that combine some or all aspects of computer use with other functions, such as smart phones. Will there be concerted, consistent thought given to accessible peripherals? Best case, there could be design revolutions spurred by confluence between the needs of people with disabilities who, say, can’t use teensy or virtual buttons…and the needs of people “without” disabilities who can’t use them either.

SFGate: PCs being pushed aside in Japan

I can hear everyone now

Posted by Jim Tobias 24 October 2007

Skype-to-Skype calls have been known for high quality audio for years. Now conference calls can provide the same experience. “HD Voice” is a new feature of HighSpeedConferencing, an audioconferencing service that lets Skype and regular phone callers participate; the “HD” is only evident to the Skype users, though.

Skype Journal: High Definition Voice: Bringing Skype’s High Bandwidth Audio to Conference Calls

NTT DoCoMo handset

Posted by Jim Tobias 25 August 2007

NTT DoCoMo’s simplified “Raku-Raku” handset, aimed at elders, has several great features: it can speak SMS and other text; it adjusts its microphone input based on ambient noise for better outbound audio quality, and it can slow down incoming voice to make it easier to understand, with no frequency distortion. That’s right, Grandma hears your phony excuses for not calling more often in lingering clarity.

BTW, does “NTT” stand for “Not Traveling Transpacific?” Why don’t we see this phone in the rest of the world?

NTT DoCoMo handset “slows down” cellphone voices for the elderly - Engadget Mobile

Everybody wants a HAC

Posted by Jim Tobias 13 August 2007

Looking for a new mobile that’s hearing aid compatible? Go to the site below (PhoneScoop), and click on “Show all options”. Scroll down and you’ll see all the compatibility ratings. Finally — a mainstream e-commerce site that knows “hard of hearing ain’t hard”.

Phone Finder

Earphone innovation

Posted by Jane Berliss-Vincent 9 August 2007

The AirDrive is a new type of earphone that sits outside the ear, theoretically reducing the likelihood of damage from music played at one setting louder, and increasing the ability to simultaneously hear external noises. We particularly like that it has adjustable ear grips, and comes in both full and kiddie/small ear sizes–could it be a breakthrough for hard of hearing people?

Mad Catz: AirDrives™ New Hybrid Earphones with InAir™ Technology

MP3 player that makes a splash

Posted by Jane Berliss-Vincent 7 June 2007

Another entry in the bone conduction files: Finis, Inc. has come up with an MP3 player that uses bone conduction to solve the music listening needs of swimmers. No earplugs to fall out, and friendlier to hard-of-hearing people–sounds like a winner to us.

Finis, Inc.: SwiMp3

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