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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings everyone:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I am pleased to report that I now have in my hand the new digital talking book machine from the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS). This is the newest generation of the NLS digital talking book machine. I first touched this machine while in the exhibit hall at the National Federation of the Blind convention. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The DA2 has new features including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and 28 GB of internal storage. This means DA2 users will be able to connect to BARD (the NLS Braille and Audio Reading Download website) and download audiobooks and magazines, store them on the player, and listen to them over Bluetooth-enabled speakers or headphones. The traditional digital cartridge will still work on this new machine, meaning that folks without access to the Internet will still be able to read digital talking books the way they always could on the original digital talking book machine.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I am still working to familiarize myself with the intricacies of the DA2. However, I did want to applaud the NLS for enabling support for external keyboards to simplify the task of entering user names and passwords.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you want to learn more about the DA2, you can <a href="https://www.loc.gov/nls/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/March-2025-Many-Faces-of-Bard-Introducing-the-DA2.mp3">listen to the March edition of Many Faces of BARD</a>, which introduces the DA2. You can also read the <a href="https://www.loc.gov/nls/services-and-resources/equipment-for-nls-materials/da2-user-guide/">DA2 User Guide</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I am happy to entertain questions from anyone who wants to learn more about the DA2 before deciding whether or not to request the machine from the Colorado Talking Book Library. I can be reached by phone at 515-306-1654 or by email at <a href="mailto:chong.curtis@gmail.com">chong.curtis@gmail.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Kind regards,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Curtis Chong<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>