[nfb-talk] KeySoft 8.0 to be Released

[Maurice Sloane]

Unveiling KeySoft 8.0



Longueuil, January 29, 2009 - HumanWare is pleased to announce 
KeySoft version 8.0, the latest upgrade to the KeySoft software 
suite. Version 8.0 will be available for mPower and PK platforms in 
March. KeySoft 8.0 requires one count of a Software Maintenance 
Agreement (SMA).




What's new in KeySoft 8.0?



Experience new ways to communicate in real time and enrich your book 
reading experience with this new KeySoft version. Are you interested 
in learning more about GPS navigation? You now have the opportunity 
to try for a period of 90 days the acclaimed Sendero GPS. Version 8.0 
is packed with a wide range of features to enhance the way you work and learn.




1.1           KeyChat

Communicate in real time with colleagues, friends and family using 
state of the art instant messaging (IM) services. Designed using the 
newest open instant messaging standards, KeyChat can communicate 
through Google Talk, iChat and other chatting services. Google Talk 
is an innovative and free IM service. It offers an efficient, 
clutter-free, and easy way to chat. Google Talk smoothly integrates 
with the popular Gmail system, allowing you to chat in real time with 
your email contacts as well. Read and write messages in your 
preferred grade of Braille, manage conversations and follow chat 
history with familiar KeySoft commands. Receive an Audio or Braille 
notice when a message arrives. Add new friends or select from your 
KeyList contacts, or simply go online and enjoy!




1.2           Reading Audible.com books

KeySoft 8.0 will support Audible.com books. Audible.com offers a wide 
audio book collection for general and specialized audiences, 
including the latest best sellers. Teachers and parents can also join 
their new Audible Kids service to access fun and educational content 
for school age kids or get tips and ideas on how to help children get 
the most out of their listening experience. Fully integrated into 
KeyBook, you can listen to Audible books and customize various 
settings such as narration speed and audio tone. Set bookmarks, 
create text notes, and jump to any place in the book. To obtain 
Audible books, you will need to become a member of the Audible 
service and use the Audible manager to authorize your BrailleNote to 
play the protected Audible books. HumanWare customers can enjoy the 
complete Audible collection for a free 14 day period




1.3           Direct access to the new Bookshare site

The existing support for unpacking electronic books from 
Bookshare.org is enhanced to include the new .zip or bks2 formats 
adopted by Bookshare. KeySoft provides everything necessary to 
wirelessly access the Bookshare.org web site, download the text, 
Braille or DAISY electronic book and unpack and read the book, 
without having to use a PC.




1.4           Support for NIMAS books

KeySoft will now play NIMAS books. NIMAS books are text files with a 
structure that is similar to that of DAISY books. KeyBook's rich 
navigation used with DAISY files is also available for NIMAS files. 
NIMAS books are instantly translated into your preferred Braille 
grade. Choose to read in Braille or let Eloquence speech read to you. 
Move through DAISY elements or use the familiar KeySoft sentence and 
paragraph navigation commands. NIMAS (National Instructional 
Materials Accessibility Standard) is the format for educational 
textbooks in the United States. NIMAS guides the production and 
electronic distribution of digital versions of textbooks and other 
instructional materials so they can be more easily converted into 
accessible formats. For more information, please visit: 
<http://nimas.cast.org/>http://nimas.cast.org/.




1.5           Get a taste of GPS

KeySoft version 8.0 represents a great opportunity to get familiar 
with GPS. It includes the latest version of Sendero GPS and users can 
take advantage of a 90-day free trial period to browse their 
preferred map or navigate outdoors. After this trial period, users 
can continue to enjoy their system at a preferred price. Users are 
required to download the desired maps from the Sendero site. For real 
time navigation, you will need a GPS receiver.




1.6           More printers available to students

Students and teachers can now select from a wide range of Hewlett 
Packard printers. Most new models from the Deskjet, Officejet, Laser 
jet and Photosmart product lines are supported. Printers supported 
via the KeySoft generic printing engine must have a USB port. This 
functionality is only available to mPower users.

The new printing engine can create images of documents in JPEG 
format. As JPEG files are compatible formats, users can transfer 
documents to the PC or to non-BrailleNote users without losing the 
rich formatting available in Keyword.




1.7           Eloquence speech is now supported in the PK

Use the highly responsive and accurate KeyNote Gold speech that has 
been one of KeySoft's strongest features or switch to the familiar 
Eloquence speech that is now widely available on access technology products.


1.8           French Version

KeySoft 8.0 will be released simultaneously in English and French. 
The same functions are available on both versions.


Recent mPower & PK Purchases

Customers that have purchased a new mPower or PK units after January 
1st 2009 are eligible to receive a free KeySoft 8 upgrade.


Compatibility

KeySoft 8.0 is not supported by the Classic models of the BrailleNote 
and VoiceNote. As previously stated, KeySoft 7.5 was the last release 
for these Classic devices.


Contact

Please contact your regional HumanWare office in the USA, Canada, the 
UK, New Zealand and Australia for regional pricing and orders.



USA: 1 800 722-3393 or 925 680-7100

UK/Europe: +44 1933 415 800

Canada: 1 888 723-7273 or +1 450 463 1717

Australia/Asia: +61 2 9686 2600

New Zealand:  +64 3 384 4555





Posted by:



Maurice Sloane

HumanWare NZ