This month at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Center saw the Vision 2005 show. The aim of the four days was to give companies the opportunity to showcase their latest gadgets which could aid blind and sight impaired people. They even brought the gadgets along and spent spent of bit of case making their stands look impressive to draw attention to the punters which seems a bit pointless if you think about it, but there we go! Anyway even though we didn't bother to go a reporter from the BBC website did. He compiled a really interesting report, we've nicked it, spruced up the stuff he wrote, made it a bit funnier and can now bring you our review of Vision 2005, even though we weren't there! By the way, if anyone is reviewing the McFly tour later this year can we nick your review as well to save us going!
THE MOBI-CLICK
Even though this gadget looks like something out of the new Doctor Who series it is actually a mobile handset. The good side to this little gem is that you can programme three telephone numbers into the contraction, but just three is pretty crap isn't it? Imagine you are Stevie Wonder trying to promote your new album and you only have three numbers programmed in your phone. Another fault is that the Mobi-Click, other known as the 'Silverphone' is that can be used as a tracking device taking away freedom for the users if they are young adults with over protective parents. And it runs on batteries which are fidelity to put in, even if you can see! The Mobi-Click was designed and produced in Switzerland, which explains why it's pretty rubbish. Expect to waste £140 on the piece of junk!
THE SONUS 1XT
When digital radios first appeared on the market the main criticism was just how ugly they actually looked. Unfortuantely, this radio looks exactly the same! The only variations on this one is that the keyboard functions are 'auto described' and if you touch the handle it activates a speaking voice. This is all well and good, but the minor hitch with this radio is the voice readout of the scrolling text which is provided from most radio stations. The voice sympathizer doesn't only sound like Stephen Hawking after a heavy night on the town, it also spells out the display letter by letter. So if you are a dyslexic blind person you have a very slim chance finding that new Britney Spears track! If you are still interested and enjoy a daily spelling test and hearing the time every time you pick the thing up you can shed out £120 for one.
THE PAN OPTICUS
The Pan Opticus isn't something you will find swimming in your nearest public aquarium, it's a box which sits between your digital satellite receiver and the TV. The device works with a SKY remote controller and will read out the titles of the programmes being aired and also indicates if a show has subtitles or sign language. Perfect for the adult channels which incidentally include the three new 'Climax' channels which can be found on channels 972,973 and 974! The device will set you back about £150.
THE MONOMOUSE
Most Internet sites still don't cater for sight impaired readers, so trying to read the standard sized print can be quite awkward. This is where the MonoMouse steps in. Launched back in November the MonoMouse magnifiers text on screen. There are two versions of magnification the gizmo uses, the first is for users who have 'relatively' bad eye sight and enlarges the print 13 times those who have really screwed up sight can use the second option which will enlarge the print 24 times. Another bonus is that the thing is pretty easy to use, you just plug it into the Scart socket and away you go. All this for £99. We are completely against websites who don't cater for people who can't see properly and think its a fucking disgrace that cunts who even think of discriminating the poor sight readers should be given the sack. What do you think? If you have difficulty with your site you can win one of these MonoMouses just email us telling us the color of the device!!
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