Nuance has announced its latest product Nuance TALKS 5.0 for Series 60 5th edition touchscreen phones. The new software converts text displayed on a handset to speech for visually impaired users.
Blind or visually-impaired consumers can now use the features of the Series 60 touchscreen phones, such as the caller ID, the contact directories, text messaging, Web browsing, as well as other applications.

Nuance TALKS 5.0 has a new mode enabling users to slide a finger on the screen and hear menus, applications, etc., thanks to text-to-speech capabilities. In order to access the content, a person can tap or slide their finger across the screen. Consumers can also use the virtual keypad by sliding fingers and tapping across it.

“With Nuance TALKS 5.0, we’re providing blind and visually impaired consumers with access to a variety of applications and services that make today’s touchscreen devices so powerful,” said Michael Thompson, senior vice president and general manager, Nuance Mobile. “We’re continually investing in our mobile assistive software portfolio so all consumers can stay connected with friends, family and colleagues no matter where they are – regardless of the device.”

The new Nuance TALKS 5.0 features a SIM-based licensing which enables users to leverage the solution on different handsets, and also to access the DAISY2Go Audio Book Player to read content from the mobile phone.