Editor's Page
AccessWorld 2014 Holiday Issue
2014 Holiday Shopping and Gift Giving
AccessWorld 2014 Holiday Gift Guide: Great High- and Low-Tech Ideas Under $100
by Deborah Kendrick
While there are no guarantees that every gift in this particular round-up will please everyone, we think they're all pretty cool. This article describes high- and low-tech gifts that are completely accessible to people who are blind or who have low vision—all priced under $100.
AccessWorld's 2014 Online Holiday Shopping Guide
by Janet Ingber
2014 is coming to a close and the holidays are just around the corner, so it's time for AccessWorld's online shopping guide. This year's guide walks you through using Amazon's accessible website, Zappos, Wine.com, and L'OCCITANE en Provence.
Product Evaluations and Guides
KNFB Reader for iOS: Does This App Live up to All the Hype?
by Bill Holton
One hundred dollars is a lot to pay for an app these days, and many may be put off by the price. But price is relative. Once you try this app, I suspect you will wonder how you ever managed without it.
TactileView: Leveling the Playing Field With Raised Images
by Deborah Kendrick
This is a fabulous suite of products that can bring images to the fingertips of a blind child or adult. It will require a bit of a learning curve, but IRIE-AT has dedicated, capable tech support staff as well as some excellent tutorials on the company website. It's a bit pricey, but then, equality is rarely cheap.
A Comparative Review of the SmartLux Digital and Pebble HD Handheld Video Magnifiers
by John Rempel
The SmartLux Digital by Eschenbach, and the Pebble HD by Enhanced Vision, are both priced at $595, but differ significantly in their features and design. In this comparative review, I'll be taking a closer look at these video magnifiers. I'll also be addressing the question many people are asking these days: is it possible for smartphones to provide a level of access similar to that of designated handheld video magnifiers?
Mobile Connected Health Devices: The Future of Health Technology?
by Aaron Preece and William Reuschel
In this article, we review six different health devices that connect and share data with mobile apps. We will describe the form and function of each device and its companion app (on both iOS and Android, if available), and provide an overview of the accessibility of each.
Making Music with the Beamz: A Tool for Fun and Education
by Ike Presley
The Beamz is a computer/tablet-based interactive music system that uses lasers to trigger musical instruments, sound effects, songs, and more. It enables people of all ages and skill levels to have fun creating and playing music.