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/
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
