News from the cutting edge of assistive technology
Updated November 1, 2018: Skype 7 is being phased as of November 1, 2018… On July 20th, we wrote a blog post relaying Microsoft’s decision to retire its Skype 7 series software, also known as Skype Classic, on 1 September. We also outlined the steps we’re taking to make Skype 8 as efficient an experience as …
Read More Skype Classic will live on for nowWe were pleased once again to provide a scholarship as part of the National Federation of the Blind’s scholarship program. The award’s recipient this year is Kenia Flores, a JAWS user whose goal is to become a civil rights attorney. Kenia credits NFB for expanding her world-view of what blind people can achieve. She …
Read More Meet Kenia Flores, our 2018 NFB Scholarship winnerAs we’ve blogged previously, we’re always looking for innovative initiatives to ensure that our powerful software is available to all who need it. One such approach is to work with national governments and other entities to establish country-wide licenses. In Colombia and Spain, any blind person can already use JAWS, ZoomText and MAGic at no …
Read More JAWS, ZoomText and MAGic now freely available in HungaryAfter news about the latest software releases and some listener comments, Jonathan Mosen speaks with Isaac Lidsky. You may have heard Isaac’s Ted Talk already, heard him speak recently at the NFB national convention, or read his book, Eyes Wide Open”. Isaac has been an actor, the editor of the Harvard Law Review, and a …
Read More FSCast 155, new software releases, listener comments, and an extended interview with Isaac LidskyOn 1 September, Microsoft will stop supporting Skype 7. This is the version of Skype most of us have been using in recent years, and for which scripts are included with every copy of JAWS. It is our expectation that this withdrawal of support will mean that Skype 7.4 will no longer connect to the …
Read More Microsoft is retiring Skype 7.4. Here’s important information for JAWS usersThere are huge savings to be made when you purchase our products at the NFB and ACB national conventions, and through Sight and Sound as part of their summer special. Learn about what’s on offer, as well as exhibits and presentations. We’ve released the much-anticipated firmware upgrade to our Focus Blue 5th generation Braille displays, …
Read More FSCast154, convention information and specials, Sight Village Central and specials, Focus Blue scratchpad and book reader, and a chat with our partners at NuanceIntroduction Nothing pleases us more than to learn how our technology has assisted our customers to realize their potential on the job, at school or in the community. We also regularly give back to the community by partnering with organizations serving the blind community who make a difference. So, when we had the opportunity to …
Read More Freedom Scientific partners with Computers for the Blind to give the best computing experience to those who need itIntroduction You may have read recently about a new universal standard for Braille displays adopted by the USB Implementers Forum. This is an industry body comprising manufacturers and software developers who wish to move the USB specification forward. Participants include Microsoft, Apple and Google among many others. Freedom Scientific has been a part of the …
Read More Freedom Scientific and the new USB Human Interface Driver Braille StandardWe’re looking ahead to the ACB and NFB national conventions. Mark your calendar for Eric Damery’s presentations at both. Software updates for JAWS, ZoomText and Fusion are coming by the end of May. Listener comments discuss dongle authorization, hearing FSCast on Amazon Echo and more. At the CSUN conference, Jonathan Mosen spoke with Mark Nelson …
Read More FSCast 153 US national conventions, May software updates, listener feedback, Mark Nelson from Digital Apex, Douglas GerryWe’re ready for the next major version of Microsoft Windows, the Spring Creators Update. Eric Damery discusses our plans to ensure you’ll be ready for the update when Microsoft pushes it to your computer, and we look at other changes in the April update of our JAWS ® screen reading software. At the recent CSUN …
Read More FSCast 152, April 2018 JAWS Update, Miguel Abdo