Alva MPO 5500 - A PDA for the Visually Impaired

[Brad Isaac]

Having struggled most of my life with terribly poor eyesight (until LASIK eye surgery came along) I always have an interest in devices for visually impaired or blind users. Along those lines, our friends at Boston Pocket PC have a neat story about a new PDA for the visually impaired. The Alva MPO 5500 is a Windows CE based device, that unlike other we've seen in the past, actually uses Braille as the main input and output -- audio too!
"The MPO is an integrated Windows CE all-in-one device for personal information management, mobility support and communication, anytime, anywhere. Combining an accessible GSM cell phone with SMS, organizer, and essential notetaker functionality, the MPO is the first personal wireless device of its kind for visually impaired individuals. The unique, interoperable features of the MPO can help manage one's active lifestyle with confidence and control, especially when you are on the move via 20 8-dot braille cells and speech prompts.
The MPO 5500 provides hands-on information when the user is away from home, or out on the street - like directions, notes, public transport data, addresses, agenda, or any other data the user feels comfortable with and has entered into his or her unit. This information and the possiblity to communicate at any time gives confidence, and puts the user in control of what he or she is doing."