It is quite difficult, if not impossible, for those with visual and hearing impairments to use the fashionable messaging services on cell phones. That they are left behind as others merrily go on texting is quite sad. A new device called the B&D messenger sees a way through. It enables the challenged to send and receive SMS as normal users do. B&D messenger is connected to the internet and translates Braille to text and vice versa. Thus, for the visually impaired messaging is made easier as the same can be received as Braille or read out loud. Similarly, for the hearing impaired, the device can be used as a normal cell phone for text messages. Designed by a trio of designers – Jaeyoon, Kang and Noriaki Okada – the B&D messenger wants to beat similar other products in the market. It does precisely that, thanks to its small size and comparative cost effectiveness. The designers are hoping to endow it with wireless functionality in future so that it need not remain connected to a computer as it is presently. Using open source platform and lightweight materials, B&D messenger is quite a nice solution for a segment of consumers that often goes neglected.
Cellphonebeat via Tuvie