Intel Reader brings text to life
The issue of dyslexia has come to the forefront of people’s thoughts increasingly over the last decade and now a gadget has been devised to help sufferers be able to enjoy books and newspapers without any fuss.
Intel has launched its mobile handheld device called the Intel Reader, which has been developed to help people with reading-based disabilities including those with dyslexia, low-vision or vision-impairment – which is around 55 million people in the US alone.
The gadget is only the size of a regular paperback book, weighs just over a pound and is able to quickly convert printed text to a digital version, which it reads aloud to the user.
According to the developers, it is a simple process of pointing and shooting to capture any printed text. It is gathered using a high-resolution camera built into the gadget’s design and powered by an Atom processor that gives the Intel Reader all the power of a PC and scanner in the palm of your hand.
For bulkier jobs, the Intel Reader can be used in combination with the firm’s portable capture station to scan in books or newspaper. Using the devices, the user is able to store large amounts of text, including full chapters or even an entire book, to be enjoyed at a later date.
Users are offered various options for playback of the converted text, as the data can be converted into MP3 or WAV files which can be played on the majority of common computers or personal music players. Data is transferred from gadget to PC using a simple USB connection.
The Intel Reader has a 4.3-inch LCD display with simple and easy-to-locate buttons, complete with a 4GB SSD hard drive which can hold up to 600 pages of processed text and images or 500,000 of text-only pages.
Its rechargeable six-cell lithium battery is expected to offer around 4 hours playback of text-to-speech MP3 audio and also capture of around 85 images of text when fully charged.
Intel appear to be very confident with their new device and company chief Paul Otellini has gone as far as to issue a challenge to famous dyslexic Richard Branson, that if the multi-millionaire businessman is not impressed by the Intel Reader that he will wash a Virgin plane.
Otellini has stipulated that this deal stands until January 1st 2010, but he must hold some degree of confidence that he will not be getting his hands dirty as the Intel Reader has been endorsed by the International Dyslexia Association.
Louis Burns, vice-president and general manager of Intel’s digital health group, said upon revealing the produce: “We are proud to offer the Intel Reader as a tool for people who have trouble reading standard print so they can more easily access the information many of us take for granted every day, such as reading a job offer letter or even the menu at a restaurant.”
The Intel Reader looks a very promising device that could offer vital help to people who are reading-impaired. Its specifications stand out on paper as more than capable of providing a huge helping hand to those who would benefit from such a device and its official backing gives it a huge boost upon entry into the market.
