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HP and VisuAide Launch Maestro -- First Handheld PC for the Blind ATLANTA --(Business Wire)-- June 30, 2004 -- Personal Digital Assistant for the Blind and Visually Impaired Built Using Visuaide Assistive Technology and The HP iPAQ Pocket PC as a PlatformHP (NYSE:HPQ)(Nasdaq:HPQ)and VisuAide today showcased "Maestro" - the first mainstream handheld PC for the blind and visually impaired. Built on the HP iPAQ Pocket PC h4150 platform, Maestro is the most affordable and compact personal digital assistant available to the visually impaired. Maestro features text-to-speech technology and a tactile keyboard membrane over its touch screen so the visually impaired can use essential information-access and communication applications without using a stylus. Scheduled to begin shipping in September, Maestro takes advantage of wireless communication networks, such as Bluetooth(TM) wireless technology, and can be operated with or without an external keyboard (Braille or standard). Also, the device readily integrates other VisuAide or third-party applications offering users the latest innovations in handheld PCs. "Our objective was to have a low-cost, highly portable mobile-computing solution available to a larger number of blind and visually impaired individuals," said Gilles Pepin, president of VisuAide. "HP has demonstrated leadership in making technology accessible, and has provided strong support to VisuAide as we create cutting-edge assistive technology for the visually impaired using the HP iPAQ Pocket PC." Through its Accessibility Program Office, HP builds relationships with assistive technology companies such as VisuAide to meet its goal of designing, producing and marketing products and services that can be used by everyone, including people with disabilities. Using their free membership in the HP Developer and Solution Partner Program (www.hp.com/dspp), assistive technology companies can use HP technologies, platforms and operating systems to create innovative solutions. The program also offers technical, sales and marketing support. "At HP, we believe that accessibility is the result of combined efforts," said Michael Takemura, director, Accessibility Program Office, Personal Systems Group, HP. VisuAide is one of the many leading assistive technology companies that use the HP iPAQ Pocket PC as a platform to create products for people with disabilities. VisuAide chose the iPAQ as their platform for its accessibility, efficient keyboard layout and central navigation key. The iPAQ allows for greater connectivity than the average Pocket PC via USB or serial port, and it uses a flexible, standard platform, Microsoft Windows(R) CE. Maestro follows Trekker as VisuAide's second product using the HP iPAQ Pocket PC. Launched in 2003, Trekker revolutionized travel tools for the blind by using global positioning system (GPS) technology, talking digital maps and talking menus to provide real-time information on surroundings and pinpoint user location. The application can be integrated into the Maestro system. More information about HP and VisuAide's collaboration on Trekker is available at www.hp.com/hpinfo/abouthp/accessibility/partnerships/ visuaide101003.pdf. (Due to the length of this URL, it may be necessary to copy and paste this hyperlink into your Internet browser's URL address field. You may also need to remove an extra space in the URL if one exists.) About VisuAide VisuAide (www.visuaide.com) is the leading innovator in high-tech solutions for the blind and visually impaired. The company employs 80 people in Canada and operates one of the largest R&D departments in the field. VisuAide is the world leader in digital audio book solutions for the print disabled. It develops and manufactures the Victor Reader line of hardware and software audio players. The company also manufactures Trekker, a GPS-based orientation and mobility product for the visually impaired. VisuAide is the largest distributor of computer aids for the visually disabled in Canada. About HP HP is a technology solutions provider to consumers, businesses and institutions globally. The company's offerings span IT infrastructure, personal computing and access devices, global services and imaging and printing. For the four fiscal quarters ended April 30, 2004, HP revenue totaled $76.8 billion. More information about HP is available at www.hp.com. Microsoft and Windows are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that, if they never materialize or prove incorrect, could cause the results of HP and its consolidated subsidiaries to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including any projections of earnings, revenues, or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies, and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning proposed new services or developments; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; statements of belief and any statement of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. The risks, uncertainties and assumptions referred to above include employee management issues; the timely development, production and acceptance of services and their feature sets; the challenge of managing asset levels, including inventory; the difficulty of keeping expense growth at modest levels while increasing revenues; and other risks that are described from time to time in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended Jan. 31, 2004, and other Securities and Exchange Commission reports, filed after the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Oct. 31, 2003. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. |
