Today i found this very intresting news!! a mobile handset which released today is being touted as the smallest text-to-speech device ever created.

K-NFB Reading Technology, a joint venture between the National Federation of the Blind and Kurzweil Technologies, aims to help blind, partially-sighted and people with learning difficulties to ‘read’ text. The software has been designed to work with Nokia’s N82 handset to create the smallest text-to-speech reading device in the world.

The software turns the phone into a pocket-sized reader, enabling users to take a picture of most printed material and have it read back to them.

“Blind users hear the contents of the document read in clear synthetic speech, while users who can see the screen and those with learning disabilities can easily enlarge, read, track and highlight the material.”

“The software makes use of the N82’s large screen and 5-megapixel camera, and combines the best available character-recognition software with text-to-speech conversion technology.”

A communication tool which can enhance life and help to the society, is something which always i am keen to!! rather then just a fashion statement.

Have a look in to the details feature list here.

vivek