Blackberry’s Accessibility solution app named Screen Reader has been updated with new features to improve use of Blackberry smartphones by customers with visual impairments.
The application known as Screen Reader — available for BlackBerry Curve 9350, 9360 and 9370 smartphones — is free to download and is designed to provide audible output of the visual information displayed on the screen of a BlackBerry smartphone.
Launched in May 2012, the app aims to help customers with visual impairments to better operate and access their smartphones.
The Accessibility team at Research In Motion (RIM) says it had been busy improving the app and is sharing some of the updates they’ve been working on since launch.
The application is now also available for the new BlackBerry® Curve™ 9320 and 9220 smartphones.
Here are some of the new 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.
