[Nfbf-l] I-Phone Info For Blind or Visually Impaired

[Alan Dicey]

Dear Friends,
I-Phone Info
Something You might want to see,  in case you missed it first time around.
 Press Release
September 6, 2013,
Sprint Launches Kyocera Kona - Industry First Feature Phone with Verbal 
Translation of Internet Browsing
Available for free, Kona makes it easy for the visually impaired to stay 
connected.
OVERLAND PARK, Kansas - (BUSINESS WIRE) - September 06, 2013 -
For the visually impaired, using a mobile device hasn't always been easy. 
Kyocera Kona from Sprint (NYSE: S) helps to solve that problem by providing 
an easy-to-use compact flip phone that is the first feature phone in the 
industry to offer verbal translation enabling Internet browsing.

Kyocera Kona is available in direct-ship sales channels Web (www.sprint.com)
and Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1) for free after a $50 mail-in rebate via reward
card(1) and with a new two-year service agreement or eligible upgrade. It
will be available in all remaining Sprint retail channels beginning Friday,
Sept.
13. Kyocera Kona is the latest enhancement to Sprint's product portfolio
designed to ensure accessibility for all.

According to the National Federation of the Blind, more than 6.5 million
people reported a visual disability in 2011(2) Kona is also the first
feature phone
to offer a user interface with verbal descriptions of navigation, with which
the device describes what is highlighted on the screen and works with menus,
messaging, contacts, missed calls, notifications, and many other functions.

Other accessibility features include variable-speed text-to-speech service,
which reads texts to users, high-contrast user interface options to
accommodate
a variety of vision ranges, dedicated In Case of Emergency (ICE) and 911
shortcuts, and a tactile keyboard with well-defined buttons. "Sprint has
always
been dedicated to ensuring accessibility - whether it's our award-winning
accessibility Sprint ID application bundles or a device like Kona providing
first-of-its-kind
features for the visually impaired," said David Owens, vice president,
Product Development, Sprint. "We are providing this product free of charge
because
we want anyone who has a unique need to be able to take advantage of this
great new offering."

The new Unlimited, My Way(SM) rate plans for basic phones feature unlimited
talk, text and data while on the Sprint network for only $60 per month
(excluding
taxes and fees). Sprint Kyocera Kona customers can benefit from The Sprint
Unlimited Guarantee that promises customers unlimited talk (calls to any
wireline
or mobile phone), text and data while on the Sprint network, for the life of
the line of service. This guarantee is available to new and existing
customers
who sign up for Sprint's new Unlimited, My Way(SM) plan and will apply to
customers as long as they remain on the plan, meet the terms and conditions
of
the plan and pay their bill in full and on-time.

"Almost half of American cell-phone users have not made the jump to
smartphones, so there is clearly a significant demand and need in the market
for easy-to-use
feature phones that don't require additional data plans," said Eric
Anderson, senior vice president and general manager of global sales and
marketing at
Kyocera Communications. "We addressed that need and went one step further in
adding incredible accessibility features that make Kona a reliable
communication
tool for the visually impaired."

Kyocera Kona is a CDMA2000(R) 1X-Advanced flip phone featuring a 2.4-inch
QVGA TFT LCD internal color display as well as a 1.44-inch TFT LCD color
external
display. Capturing quick snapshots is easy with Kona's 2-megapixel camera
with 2x zoom and dedicated function key. Calls can be safely taken over
Bluetooth(R)
wireless technology (2.1 with Enhanced Data Rate), via the 3.5mm headset
jack or through the speakerphone with dedicated function key. With a strong
870mAh
Li-Ion battery, Kona is a compact 3.94 x 2.05 x 0.68 inches and weighs only
3.7 ounces.

As part of its all-new network buildout, Sprint is bringing an enhanced 3G
experience with better wireless signal strength, in-building coverage, and
fewer
dropped/blocked calls. These 3G improvements are already available to
customers in several cities across the country, such as Baltimore, Boston,
Los Angeles,
New York and Washington, D.C. Sprint 3G customers in these areas, including
the company's prepaid customers on Assurance Wireless, Virgin Mobile and
Boost
Mobile, can expect to see better coverage and improved network reliability
and voice quality once the improvements come to their areas. For more
information
about the Sprint network, visit www.sprint.com/network.

Sprint's corporate responsibility program, Sprint Good Works(SM), is guided
by the principle that doing the right thing is good business. More than a
statement,
it's also a belief: Good does indeed work(SM). That's why Sprint is
committed to anticipating the needs of customers and making award-winning
services
accessible to all. By empowering seniors and people with disabilities
through accessible technology, Sprint is demonstrating how good technology
works
as a positive force in society.

Contacts:

Sprint

Natalie Papaj, 703-592-8412; natalie.lariviere at sprint.com

or

Kyocera Communications Inc.

John Chier, 858-882-3543; john.chier at kyocera.com

Source: Sprint and Kyocera