The
PAC Mate series incorporates JAWS, the world’s most popular screen
reading software, and Microsoft Windows Mobile to create the world’s
first accessible Pocket PC device for the blind.
The new PAC Mate Omni is a combination of enhanced hardware with expanded functionality and powerful new software that features the latest advances from Freedom Scientific and Microsoft.
The PAC Mate Omni is powered by Windows Mobile 6.0, the very latest Microsoft operating system. With Windows Mobile 6.0, the PAC Mate Omni will provide users with a host of innovative features and tools that enable the blind to access virtually every application that sighted users of mainstream PDAs now enjoy.
Windows Mobile 6.0 is the most keyboard-friendly version of this operating system. With full support for soft keys in Windows Mobile products, the PAC Mate Omni enables users to install and easily operate a huge variety of off-the-shelf third-party applications that offer keyboard support.
The new PAC Mate Omni features expanded flash memory of 128 MB. While a portion of this expanded memory is used for the PAC Mate Omni 6.0 software and the operating system, users will have approximately six times more available flash memory than before. All data is now stored in flash memory. This means that all user files and applications are retained, even if the unit is reset or the battery is fully discharged.
The PAC Mate currently outperforms all competitors in regard to battery life, and the PAC Mate Omni extends the performance even longer.
Other new features include:
- Access to the mobile version of Windows PowerPoint.
- Microsoft’s Direct Push Technology for real time synchronisation of e-mail, calendar, contacts, and tasks.
- Smart filtering for rapid location of e-mail messages.
- Easy information searches via Windows Live Search.
- Support for the Windows Live Messenger voice clip feature providing users with "push-to-talk" functionality in instant messaging.
- Plug and Play support for popular WiFi and Bluetooth cards.
Upgrading
For customers wishing to upgrade their PAC Mate to a PAC Mate Omni, the cost is AU$1,195 plus shipping.
Customers who purchased a PAC mate on or after July 1st 2007, are entitled to a free update to the Omni. A notice will be sent to those customers, advising of this. Feel free to contact Quantum Technology should you wish to proceed with the upgrade.
Customers who wish to upgrade to an Omni will have their unit exchanged, so they are not without a PAC Mate for an extended period. Units are not required to be returned to Quantum before receiving the new Omni.
The Freedom Scientific Site has more PacMate omni information.
