Babel's Text-to-Speech Integrated into ALVA Mobile Phone Organizer

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - Babel-Infovox AB, a provider of speech and language technology, has announced that ALVA, a developer and producer of Braille displays and software that make complicated graphic computer screens accessible for the blind and visually impaired, has successfully integrated and deployed Babel's PocketBabil Text-to-Speech (TTS) engine into its new Mobile Phone Organizer 5500 (MPO 5500). Combining a GSM cell phone, organizer, and essential notetaker functionality, the Mobile Phone Organizer (MPO) is a wireless device for visually impaired individuals. The MPO can be used to make phone calls, send SMS messages, look up information and take notes. All functions including menus, contact information, SMS messages, services, and system information are made accessible in Braille and with speech. "We have selected Babel's PocketBabil for the MPO 5500 because of a its good quality-performance record," said Dr. R.G.F. Erens, manager R&D of ALVA. "Thereby a complete development toolkit and professional support is essential for a smooth integration of PocketBabil in our application. The state of the art technology used in the MPO, Microsoft Windows CE 4.1 and Intel Xscale processor was challenging for both ALVA R&D and Babel-Infovox R&D. Working closely together, the integration and optimalisation of PocketBabil for our application was achieved according to planning." "Babel-Infovox has been a key provider of speech technology for PC-based assistive technology applications for years," said Lars-Erik Larsson, CEO of Babel-Infovox. "Taking this knowledge and expertise to mobile applications has added essential functionality to products like the Alva MPO. Moving our technology to mobile platforms has increased the accessibility and mobility of the handicapped community. With the acceptance test done, it is evident that we can apply this proficiency to other multi-functional and demanding applications like those in the industrial environment."