Ars Technica has an interesting story about a new technique for processing digital TV signals. It involves changing the contrast of a picture in a way specifically designed to cater to viewers with Macular Degeneration. More info is on the Ars web page.

Optelec, the manufacturers of the popular Clearview Magnifiers now have a youtube channel featuring video demonstrations of products and some interesting videos on Avastin and lutein treatmentments for Macular Degeneration. Optelec Youtube channel.

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.

Vision Australia have launched their i-Access online service which allows DAISY books and magazines to be downloaded to a compatible player or a home computer. More information can be obtained by calling Vision Australia on 1800 00 59 65. Tasmanian Living Technology can assist with the purchase of a DAISY player and the client software to play books on a computer. For those willing to dive straight in, free DAISY software can be found at the AMIS site.

The service promises to be a huge leap forward in the way blind and low vision people can access information.

Freedom Scientific has released the first public beta version of JAWS 9. You can download JAWS from their site. You can run the program in 40 minute demo mode or as a full version if you have a SMA remaining. The Freedom scientific page lists over 20 new features. Many improve compatibility with Windows Vista and Office 2007. Wayne's blog has a pages detailing his initial experiences with JAWS 9.