Press Release: Trade in HumanWare Notetakers with Freedom Scientific's Open Plan

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Brad DavisBlind/Low Vision Group800-444-4443 or 727-803-8000http://www.freedomscientific.com/Sales: info@FreedomScientific.com
Trade in HumanWare Notetakers with Freedom Scientific's Open Plan
Trade in any proprietary HumanWare notetaker and get the features you want today with Freedom Scientific’s PAC Mate Omni
(St. Petersburg, Florida — May 13, 2008) Freedom Scientific’s Open Plan, announced today, will help blind users of VoiceNote, BrailleNote, mPower, and BrailleNote PK notetakers upgrade to an open platform that uses the familiar Windows® interface and runs mainstream applications.
Until October 31, 2008, users in the United States and Canada can trade in one of the aforementioned HumanWare products and save more than 50 percent on a PAC Mate Omni™ accessible Pocket PC. Purchase prices after trade-in are:
PAC Mate Omni BX400 and QX400 speech-only units: $995
PAC Mate Omni BX420 and QX420 20-cell braille units: $1,795
PAC Mate Omni BX440 and QX440 40-cell braille units: $2,545
Those taking advantage of the Open Plan will be able to choose from more onboard applications, read from more braille cells, and access mainstream applications and peripherals. Students learn the Windows operating system as they use the PAC Mate Omni, knowledge they will draw from for the rest of their lives.
PAC Mate Omni users can communicate via Windows Live™ messaging, synchronize with their Microsoft Outlook® e-mail inbox, calendar, tasks, and notes, balance their checkbook, and manage spreadsheets. The PAC Mate Omni supports Office 2007, including access to PowerPoint® presentations. BrailleNote owners are still waiting to get in touch with those features. While they wait, PAC Mate Omni users are working with a host of other features BrailleNote doesn’t have. Features like bar code scanners that identify and describe many common household items, support for all Word documents, Skype™ Internet telephony, reference materials like encyclopedias, dictionaries, and recipe databases, virtual private network access, and support for a broad range of network cards and other peripherals.
“Since I became a PAC Mate user, I've used numerous exciting features that the closed nature of the BrailleNote prevented me from being able to deliver to customers when I managed that product,” said Jonathan Mosen, formerly of HumanWare, now Vice President of Blindness Hardware Product Management for Freedom Scientific’s Blind/Low Vision Group. “My PAC Mate Omni has become an essential tool for me. Not only am I more productive on the job because of features like the full synchronization and VPN support, but it's my accessible remote control for all our appliances that use a remote.”
Mosen also said he likes how the PAC Mate Omni gives him such a vast selection of entertainment options and supports all common streaming media formats.
“A closed platform can't possibly keep up with all of the innovation being unleashed by Microsoft and the many third-party developers that write software for Pocket PC devices. I have no doubt that once BrailleNote and VoiceNote users get their hands on a PAC Mate Omni, they'll be amazed at the world of possibilities on offer,” Mosen said. “I can even do high quality audio recordings on it!”
Find out more about the PAC Mate Omni by visiting the Freedom Scientific Web site. If you have questions or wish to take advantage of the Open Plan, Contact Freedom Scientific.
This program applies only in the US and Canada and cannot be combined with any other discounts. The trade-in units must be in good working condition, as determined by Freedom Scientific. Freedom Scientific reserves the right to refuse any trade-in or to change or cancel any aspect of this program at any time at its sole discretion.
About Freedom Scientific
Freedom Scientific is the world's leading manufacturer of assistive technology products for those who are vision impaired and products for the special education and learning disability markets.
Freedom Scientific® and PAC Mate Omni™ are either trademarks or registered trademarks in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

http://www.freedomscientific.com/news/pressroom/2008/PACMate-Open-Plan-Trade-in.asp