New Add-On for OneNote Benefits Students with Dyslexia

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5kETXk4C15R3wOjSTXNimvXIgaTOKqC9OWGvb2LHPKdS_KG_yALNk39bVMAEbEV5a6A5_bLSpEz3Vz5W5iIqj4w0rHaonQL7Ba5hhaEysqettuXQMqT3kuIaIBswA-d6RBmEdEz6Yec/s1600/CZwGP8QWEAAXk6h.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5kETXk4C15R3wOjSTXNimvXIgaTOKqC9OWGvb2LHPKdS_KG_yALNk39bVMAEbEV5a6A5_bLSpEz3Vz5W5iIqj4w0rHaonQL7Ba5hhaEysqettuXQMqT3kuIaIBswA-d6RBmEdEz6Yec/s400/CZwGP8QWEAAXk6h.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_YrAFY4SwN94sB7lnxUUAB-C3efgg3A-UUEwBsxTBjwaz4O0tjCzFpNLAlqY5Wm1ffshQ11G2-CAhSDLeYUSOPtY4f42VAL6HymO83yG_kuKVMv1bSC4FtJWodBylRx4XKs_IJxD-zU/s1600/Microsoft_OneNote_2013_logo.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Microsoft OneNote Icon" border="0" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_YrAFY4SwN94sB7lnxUUAB-C3efgg3A-UUEwBsxTBjwaz4O0tjCzFpNLAlqY5Wm1ffshQ11G2-CAhSDLeYUSOPtY4f42VAL6HymO83yG_kuKVMv1bSC4FtJWodBylRx4XKs_IJxD-zU/s320/Microsoft_OneNote_2013_logo.svg.png" title="" width="75" /></a><br />Microsoft recently made a new add-on available for its <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2011/09/voice-recording-in-office-2010-2007.html">OneNote</a> software which aims to help students with dyslexia. The add-on works within Microsoft's note taking software and is currently available to download as a beta. Once installed, a new tab appears which gives users the option to read content using text-to-speech or dictate using speech-to-text. While both of the features have been available before it is nice to have a free option that can be used directly within OneNote: an application that many schools and parents already have installed as part of the Microsoft Office suite.<br /><br /><br />The <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2011/12/add-quick-text-to-speech-button-to.html">text-to-speech</a> reader mode is called "immersive reading mode" and includes some handy features. When activated the reader fills the entire screen with text from your OneNote notebook. While reading text is highlighted as it is read aloud. Users have the option to change the background color and text size in order to create a more comfortable reading experience. The add-on also includes the ability to highlight nouns, verbs, and adjectives in different colors; a feature that could be helpful for younger students. Microsoft even includes the ability for users to break words up into syllables.<br /><br />It is exciting to see the fruits of Microsoft's enhanced accessibility initiatives. While the new features are not novel they seem easy to learn. Since the "Learning Tools" are free for OneNote users and easy to learn they may prove to be a great starting point for people new to assistive technology. Microsoft seems to be increasing their focus on accessibility. Recently, the company announced a new Chief Accessibility Officer and a reorganization of accessibility teams. Hopefully, with the new reorganization, "Learning Tools" is just the beginning of Microsoft's accessibility improvements.<br /><br />The "Learning Tools" add-on available as a free download for Windows. <a href="https://www.onenote.com/learningtools">Click here</a> to learn more and download the add-on.

Diposting oleh Abdullah Syafii

New in iOS 8: Hands-Free Siri and Improved Dictation

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://wpuploads.appadvice.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Featured24.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://wpuploads.appadvice.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Featured24.png" title="Screen shot of Siri" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.amazadesign.com/uploads/3/2/8/1/3281636/2492075_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="75" src="http://www.amazadesign.com/uploads/3/2/8/1/3281636/2492075_orig.jpg" title="Siri icon" width="75" /></a><a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2014/06/ios-8-more-accessible-than-ever.html">Apple's</a> voice activated features have received some new features as part of <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2014/06/ios-8-more-accessible-than-ever.html">iOS 8</a>. <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2013/09/new-in-ios-7-ask-siri-to-turn-on.html">Siri</a> is a virtual voice activated personal assistant that can answer your questions, call your friends, check the weather, and much more.  Now it can  be activated hands free by saying, "Hey, Siri." Previously, users would have to press and hold the home button to activate Siri. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The new feature will allow people with physical disabilities to easily activate Siri. The hands-free activation feature does have one major caveat: the device must be plugged in and charging. Users who need or want to access this feature on- the- go can purchase a battery case to utilize this feature. It is possible that future <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2013/09/new-in-ios-7-ask-siri-to-turn-on.html">iOS</a> devices will not require a power source to use the "Hey, Siri" feature.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In addition, when dictating a question to Siri or dictating text into an app the recognized words appear almost instantly after being spoken. To use dictation bring up the keyboard and then press the microphone icon next to the space key. With words appearing as you speak it is easier to identify mistakes which makes the dictation process faster. <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2013/10/os-x-mavericks-enhanced-dictation.html">Dictation</a> can be a useful feature for people who struggle with spelling and people who have difficulty using a keyboard. These features are available for devices running iOS 8.</div>

Diposting oleh Abdullah Syafii

OS X Mavericks Enhanced Dictation

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/zUrofOZVS-4?rel=0" width="420"></iframe><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://images.apple.com/osx/whats-new/images/features/dictation_icon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://images.apple.com/osx/whats-new/images/features/dictation_icon.jpg" title="dictation icon" /></a>Apple's newly released and free OS X Mavericks includes a cool new feature called enhanced dictation. <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/06/apple-announces-dictation-for-mac.html">Dictation</a> allows users to speak to their computer and have their words converted to text. <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/06/apple-announces-dictation-for-mac.html">Dictation</a> can be beneficial to poor spellers and people with dyslexia. The new feature allows users to dictate without an internet connection by downloading the speech recognition engine onto their <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2011/07/mac-os-x-lion-includes-new.html">Mac</a>. In previous versions of OS X users could dictate to their Macs, but an internet connection was required. With the new enhanced dictation words also appear as you speak instead of having to wait for your words to appear. Watch the above video to learn more. <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/os-x-mavericks/id675248567?mt=12">Click here</a> to download Mavericks from the Mac App Store.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.apple.com/accessibility/osx/images/vison_dictation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="121" src="http://images.apple.com/accessibility/osx/images/vison_dictation.jpg" title="dictation icon with text "this is me talking"" width="320" /></a></div></div>

Diposting oleh Abdullah Syafii

PaperPort Notes App Adds OCR Functionality

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6Yu1Fg4xu9E?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Nuance's PaperPort Notes app for <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/10/apple-announces-ipad-mini.html">iPad</a> received a major update. The highlight of the update is the ability to take a picture of text to add the text to your notes. The <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/08/prizmo-vs-textdetective-ocr-iphone-app.html">Optical Charactor Recongition (OCR)</a> feature is slower than other competing apps but is accurate. The improved cameras on the newest iPads allow OCR to work well. To learn about the other features of the free PaperPort Notes app <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/03/paperport-notes-app-for-ipad-notetaking.html">click here.</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/paperport-notes/id476134017?mt=8">Click here</a> to download the app.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Click read more below to view screenshots of PaperPort Notes.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a941.phobos.apple.com/us/r1000/093/Purple/v4/6a/f7/fb/6af7fb8d-81c6-fdf9-5d7e-0ceeb067ae33/mzl.ztchqmbr.480x480-75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a941.phobos.apple.com/us/r1000/093/Purple/v4/6a/f7/fb/6af7fb8d-81c6-fdf9-5d7e-0ceeb067ae33/mzl.ztchqmbr.480x480-75.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a92.phobos.apple.com/us/r1000/118/Purple/v4/d6/60/bd/d660bdbf-3eec-ed1a-47e0-e5be50a735e0/mzl.kphobvph.480x480-75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a92.phobos.apple.com/us/r1000/118/Purple/v4/d6/60/bd/d660bdbf-3eec-ed1a-47e0-e5be50a735e0/mzl.kphobvph.480x480-75.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a115.phobos.apple.com/us/r1000/108/Purple/v4/69/0f/89/690f89d0-a0f7-f30b-a417-999d2d394627/mzl.unictval.480x480-75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a115.phobos.apple.com/us/r1000/108/Purple/v4/69/0f/89/690f89d0-a0f7-f30b-a417-999d2d394627/mzl.unictval.480x480-75.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a439.phobos.apple.com/us/r1000/111/Purple/v4/3f/e7/33/3fe733af-d12b-eb4b-a125-603fe7ca08eb/mzl.kunoehbf.480x480-75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a439.phobos.apple.com/us/r1000/111/Purple/v4/3f/e7/33/3fe733af-d12b-eb4b-a125-603fe7ca08eb/mzl.kunoehbf.480x480-75.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a27.phobos.apple.com/us/r1000/101/Purple/v4/49/7e/89/497e8910-238b-0f43-28dc-4db0814eb7b5/mzl.cjimyxxg.480x480-75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a27.phobos.apple.com/us/r1000/101/Purple/v4/49/7e/89/497e8910-238b-0f43-28dc-4db0814eb7b5/mzl.cjimyxxg.480x480-75.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div>

Diposting oleh Abdullah Syafii