AT&T unleashes Real Time IM Relay for the hearing impaired

As our hearing impaired readers are no doubt aware, AT&T has been offering its Instant Messaging Relay service since early this year, allowing folks to use AIM to communicate through an operator over the telephone in a manner similar to TDD devices. Now the company has announced an upgrade to the service that will allow real-time communication between callers. Instead of waiting for the relay operator to input long strings of text, users receive the messages word by word as they’re typed. “To hearing users, this may sound like a trivial enhancement,” said Claude Stout, Executive Director of TDI. “But for many callers with hearing or speech disabilities, this creates a wireless and online communications experience that is much closer to what hearing people encounter when talking with others on the phone.” Except, you know, with more emoticons and LOLs.

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AT&T Premieres Real Time IM Relay for Customers With Hearing and Speech Loss

As Part of its Commitment to Serving Customers with Disabilities, AT&T Is First Provider to Enhance IM Relay Services

DALLAS, Sept. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — For people with hearing and speech loss, communicating with callers who can speak and hear just went real time, thanks to AT&T* and AOL’s AIM(R) instant messaging service. Customers using AT&T IM Relay services now have a new, faster feature at their fingertips: AT&T Real Time IM. AT&T is the first and only provider to offer the new real time feature — offering more than 31 million people with hearing and speech loss, nationwide, a more immediate way to communicate with standard telephone users.

Users log in to a specialized AIM interface that works with an Internet connection on a PC and on many wireless devices. A specially-trained relay operator reads IMs to hearing callers and types IMs which are displayed — in real time — to the end user. The new service is offered at no additional charge to customers who register with AT&T Relay Services.

With the new real time IM feature, instead of waiting for the relay operator to type a full phrase or sentence, IM users can see the text messages they are receiving, word-by-word as they are typed — making conversations feel more like calls experienced by hearing customers.

“To hearing users, this may sound like a trivial enhancement,” said Claude Stout, Executive Director, TDI. “But for many callers with hearing or speech disabilities, this creates a wireless and online communications experience that is much closer to what hearing people encounter when talking with others on the phone. TDI applauds such collaboration between industry players that results in greater functional equivalency for deaf and hard of hearing consumers.”

TDI recently honored AT&T with the 2009 James C. Marsters Promotion Award for providing innovative products and services that address the needs of people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

To access the service, using an Internet connection and an AIM account, AT&T IM Relay users can IM the phone number they’re calling to the screen name “attrelay.” AT&T IM Relay customers are assigned a typical 10-digit phone number, like any other wireless or landline customer, that others can use to contact them.

“It’s great to see AT&T leading the way as the first IM Relay provider to offer real time services,” said Senior Vice President, Global Messaging, David Liu, AOL. “This generates added value for customers who rely on the service to keep them connected with friends, family, and business contacts. And, it means that conversations flow more naturally, and move more quickly for the parties on both sides of the conversation.”

Calling Services for People with Hearing and Speech Loss

Launched in early 2009, AT&T IM Relay is one of three calling services offered to customers who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability.

  • AT&T Video Relay Service (VRS), offered since 2003, uses a high speed Internet connection and a web camera or video phone to connect users via a Video Interpreter. This allows users to experience facial expressions and gestures on both ends of the conversation and provides a natural fit for the use of sign language.
  • AT&T TTY Relay Service, offered since 1987, uses a special device that connects to a standard phone line and includes a keyboard and screen to display messages. It relies on a Communication Assistant to connect calls to standard voice users.
“At AT&T, we know that people with disabilities rely on our services to empower them and help them live independently,” said Susan A. Johnson, senior vice president, customer information services, AT&T. “Going back as far as Alexander Graham Bell, we have focused on this, and we continue to innovate these specialized services as part of that vast legacy. We care about providing a valuable customer experience, and we hope that the customers using this new service — and the many others we offer — know that it’s a big part of who we are and what we do as a communications provider.”

AT&T’s Continued Commitment: Accessible Service to All

The new real time feature is one of a number of AT&T initiatives that address making services available to people with disabilities and senior citizens, for example:

  • AT&T offers wireless solutions for customers with vision disabilities, such as Mobile Speak and Mobile Magnifier, Braille and large print billing, and free voice dial using 8*.
  • AT&T offers data-only plans for customers who don’t need voice services. For qualifying customers calling via landlines, AT&T offers free local directory assistance (dialing 411)*.
  • AT&T operates dedicated customer care centers to assist people with disabilities such as the National Center for Customers with Disabilities for AT&T Mobility and the AT&T Sales and Service Centers for Disability and Aging for AT&T’s landline customers. These centers can arrange for an alternate billing format such as Braille or large print and can advise customers with hearing, vision, mobility and/or speech disabilities about equipment, accessories, features and calling plans.
  • AT&T has launched a comprehensive training program to help employees interact more effectively with customers in these communities. More than 183,000 technicians, retail store and customer care representatives will be trained this year.
  • AT&T has activated the AT&T Advisory Panel on Access and Aging (AAPAA), a panel that works to help AT&T better understand the needs of customers. The panel provides advice and counsel to AT&T’s subsidiaries, affiliates, leadership, and external industry leaders and advocacy groups regarding the products AT&T offers.
For more information on AT&T Real Time IM Relay, go to www.att.com/relay, or visit http://relayservices.att.com for information on any of AT&T’s calling services for customers with disabilities.

For more information on AT&T’s commitment to people with disabilities and seniors at our Disability Resources website.

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AT&T unleashes Real Time IM Relay for the hearing impaired originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Netgear 3G Mobile Broadband Wireless Router unboxing and impressions

Originally announced at CES this year, Netgear’s 3G Mobile Broadband Wireless Router just recently started making its way into stores. Essentially, the MBR624GU enables your USB WWAN stick to become an internet source for multiple computers, handhelds or any other device that understands WiFi. You simply plug your USB WWAN modem into the rear of the unit (or into the bundled USB dongle), fire it up, and connect via WiFi or Ethernet. Sounds good in theory, right? Follow us past the break for a few impressions on how this admittedly promising device performed in the real world.

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Netgear 3G Mobile Broadband Wireless Router unboxing and impressions originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inside CNET Labs 62: The secret to scoring: Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left…

A young Jeff, nerding it out on at least three fronts.

(Credit: Jeff Sparkman)

A very special guest this week, Mr. Jeff Sparkman. Jeff gained gained notoriety previously by being named CNET’s nerdiest employee. Soon after, it was a fast life of drugs, women, comic books. We discuss at …

Originally posted at Inside CNET Labs Podcast

Garmin-Asus nuvifone G60 finally ready for AT&T: $300 on October 4?

Let’s just be brutally honest here: Garmin-Asus’ nuvifone G60 is basically the Duke Nukem of phones. We’ve been following it since before Garmin and ASUS formed their joint venture, since before we had an inkling of what carriers might pick it up, and before other models running other platforms got thrown under the nuvifone branding umbrella. It’s been a heck of a ride — a ride that seemed exciting for the first year or so, but at this point, the phone’s stretched our patience to the breaking point and set expectations so unrealistically high that it seems virtually impossible that a US launch could quench our thirst for awesomeness. The world will never know with certainty what took so long — maybe it was met with a lukewarm response from carriers, maybe the formation of the joint venture set everything back a bunch of months — but whatever the case, it looks like we’ll finally be able to navigate the G60 right into our hands come October 4 on AT&T. With triband HSDPA, a 3.2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, and microSD expansion, the phone really doesn’t scream “high end,” but AT&T must think that the promise of an authentic Garmin nav experience is enough to command a hefty premium because a two-year deal is going to run $299.99 with a required $30 data plan — and that’s after $100 mail-in rebate. Follow the break for a gander at AT&T’s G60 FAQs for salesfolk.

[Thanks, anonymous tipster]

Continue reading Garmin-Asus nuvifone G60 finally ready for AT&T: $300 on October 4?

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Garmin-Asus nuvifone G60 finally ready for AT&T: $300 on October 4? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Archos 9 confirmed for October 22nd with $499 price tag

We heard the Archos 9 tablet was due alongside Windows 7, but just in case you were worried that preposition would be stretched to the limits of its definition, the company made clear at IDF that October 22nd was the target, making it day and date with Microsoft’s latest OS. As for US price, it’s a better-than-expected (at least as far as UK currency conversions go) $499 for the ultra-thin tablet. Mark your calendars accordingly, the diehards in the audience have less than a month to prepare their bank accounts. Now if only Archos would do something about that maladjusted resistive touchscreen

[Thanks, Anthony]

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Archos 9 confirmed for October 22nd with $499 price tag originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iLuv’s $270 i1166 portable multimedia player finally shipping next month

Set in stone for March, eh? Looks like that ship date slipped just a wee bit. iLuv‘s curious i1166 — which plays back an array of multimedia from an array of sources on its 9-inch LCD — is now slated to ship to the US next month. Originally introduced at CES, the $269.99 device can play back content stored on an iPod, DVD, SD / MMC card or USB drive, though the omission of a screen resolution gives us serious pause. Other specs include twin 3.5 millimeter headphone jacks, an “iPod-friendly” user interface and a bundled remote, none of which justify the lofty asking price in our humble eyes. You and your wallet can feel free to disagree in around a fortnight, though.

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iLuv Announces Availability of the i1166 9″ Portable Digital Multimedia Player for your iPod and DVD/DivX

– The Perfect Solution For Travel Entertainment

i1166 Features DivX video playback and a Digital Panel with Enhanced Resolution for Media Viewing for iPod & DVD, SD / MMC / USB Slot, Digital Photo Frame Capability

PORT WASHINGTON, NY – (September 28, 2009) – iLuv, the leader in innovative audio solutions, is proud to announce the availability of their best 2009 invention from a new line of enhanced and creative products, the i1166, 9″ Portable Multimedia Player for iPod and DVDs. The “CES Best of Innovation 2009” award winner in the Portable Multimedia Accessories product category, the i1166 features an iPod-friendly user interface (UI) and brings hours of widescreen personal multimedia entertainment to travelers starting mid October 2009 at www.i-luv.com for the MSRP of $269.99.

“We are confident that the i1166 will blow away every gadget lover’s expectations with what it can do and get tremendous attention from the holiday gift buyers. There’s virtually nothing it cannot play! We proved that we listen to our customers’ need by upgrading the picture quality, enhancing the playback solutions, and building it user-friendly.” says Howard Kim, iLuv Marketing Manager. “I can proudly say we’re introducing the most advanced portable multimedia player up to date”

————————————————————————————————————

Features for Your iPod

* Play video content of your iPod on the 9″ widescreen digital TFT LCD
* Full control of your iPod with user friendly graphic interface
* Charge your iPod when docked (with AC adapter)
* Compatible with iPod touch 2nd generation, iPod nano 5th generation, iPod nano 4th generation, iPod touch, iPod nano 3rd generation, iPod classic, iPod with video

Features for SD/MMC, USB and DVD Player

* Watch your favorite movie or TV show files on SD/MMC memory card or USB flash drive
* DivX(R) certified
* Play DVD videos on the widescreen digital TFT LCD
* Enhanced user interface with detailed controls
* Convenient OSD (On-Screen Display)
* Multiple subtitle, angle, and audio functions and fast motion playback
* Supports 3 power sources: AC, DC and Built-in Li-Polymer rechargeable battery
* Playable Media: Audio CD / VCD / SVCD / DVD / CD-R / CD-RW / DVD±R / DVD±RW / DivX / MP3 / WMA / JPEG
* Connectivity includes two 3.5mm stereo headphone jacks
* Dimensions (W x H x D) 11″ x 6.1″ x 1.9″
* Remote Control included

————————————————————————————————————
For more information on product specifications as well as pricing and availability please visit www.i-luv.com.

About iLuv:
iLuv is a brand of jWIN Electronics Corp. dedicated to developing IT peripheral products, unique audio video products and accessories for portable media players and other personal entertainment devices. The iLuv i1166, iMM9500, iMM183, iSP200 and i303 were recognized as CES Innovations 2009 Design and Engineering Award Honorees including the “Best of Innovations 2009” for i1166 in the Portable Multimedia Accessories Product category. This follows on iLuv previously winning two CES Innovations awards in 2007 and three in 2008. For more information on iLuv, please visit www.i-luv.com.

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iLuv’s $270 i1166 portable multimedia player finally shipping next month originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Transforming robot kicks butt, carries creator

OmniZero carries Takeshi Maeda at Robo-One.

(Credit: Video screenshot by Tim Hornyak/CNET)

Japanese robot builder Takeshi Maeda is blowing minds with an exciting demo of the latest version of his OmniZero robot.

The ninth generation of OmniZero can transform from bipedal fighting machine into a rolling vehicle as well …

Dyson DC23 Turbinehead impressions

Dyson. Just the mere mention of the name conjures up a litany of emotions, though we suspect the most common feeling associated with it is “eh, too expensive for a vacuum.” For years now, Dyson has managed to make an otherwise drab sector exciting, with its array of vacuums (and hand dryers, to be fair) being amongst the only ones out there that gadget nerds could actually get into. The eldritch designs, promises of never-ending suction and stratospherically high price tags have helped Dyson garner an almost cult-like following, but at long last, it seems the outfit is looking to slide into homes of the somewhat less affluent. Granted, $399 for a vac ain’t exactly cheap, but considering that the DC23 Turbinehead is the outfit’s cheapest canister ever, we couldn’t help but give it a spin. Head on past the break for a few impressions.

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Dyson DC23 Turbinehead impressions originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thermaltake’s brain-melting Level 10 PC chassis gets real, unboxed

Remember that Thermaltake enclosure that blew your mind back in March? Of course — you’re still recovering, after all. Fast forward to today, and that very case — which had a hint of BMW influence, by the way — has morphed into reality, and it’s far and away one of the most fabulous cases we’ve ever seen. Amazingly, the finished product looks awfully similar to the concept, with each compartment boasting its own ventilation. There’s room for pretty much anything you’d ever want (yes, even room for three Blu-ray writers), and of course, enough LEDs are included to light up the average night club. You should also know that the shipping container weighed 66 pounds and the chassis itself is probably larger than your eight year old, so unless you’ve got more square footage than you know what to do with, you’re probably better off viewing the unboxing shots (there in the via link) from afar.

[Via Maximum PC]

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Thermaltake’s brain-melting Level 10 PC chassis gets real, unboxed originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola Sholes Passes FCC Test

Hey guys, it’s the Motorola Sholes! The rumored handset was conspicuously absent from Motorola’s recent GigaOm event, when the company rolled out its first Android handset, the Cliq, for T-Mobile. We heard talk of another handset “coming soon,” but we got the distinct feeling that Verizon users were getting the hardware shaft once again, when the much rumored smartphone never surfaced.

The Sholes A855 is back, albeit in veiled form, by way of the FCC site. The phone passed the organization’s testing, revealing a little bit on the feature side in the process, including EVDO Rev A and include Wi-Fi 802.11b/g. Information beyond that is scarce, though the phone is rumored to be arriving next month carrying the new, cooler “Tao” moniker.