By: Wendy Edey

Wendy Edey — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:33:04 +0000

After trying the Intel Reader, I’d say there are two main problems. The first is the advertising, which is misleading to say the least, and builds up an expectation, an excitement. The second problem, once you get past the disappointment, is that the focal distance between the camera and the page is far too large to make this a useful product for blind readers. Hearing the advertising for a portable reader that I would point and shoot, I had been imagining a device that would lie in my lap on an airplane. I would take the magazine from the seat pocket and gplace it on the device. Soon I would be reading the magazine. That dream was blown to bits by the reality of the demo. This is how it would actually work. I would take the magazine out of the seat pocket and place it on the seat back table. Then, I would have to hold the camera somewhere above my head and, without shaking, try to steady it directly above the page, shooting the whole page straight on without any focus cues. I suppose I’d learn to focus. But I ask you, just how long can the average blind person read comfortably with a camera held above her head anyway? I look forward to the next generation of point and shoot readers. In the meantime, I’ll stick with the scanner.

Comments on: Blind Readers Blast Intel’s “Ghetto” Text-to-Speech Device

By: Wendy Edey