Nokia Details Accessibility Features of Its Handsets

Finnish mobile phone maker Nokia is set to connect as many people as possible with its handsets, but it is also making sure that they benefit from increased accessibility on these devices.

Regardless of the type of users, these phones are designed to prove great options for everyone, Nokia’s Accessibility Director, Petteri Alinikula, explains.

“This week we’re holding the ‘Nokia Accessibility Update’, twelve months on from its initial meeting at Nokia World 2011,” Nokia notes in a blog post.

“Petteri explains that the point of the summit is to talk to larger customers and organizations that represent disabled people about what Nokia is doing to make its phones accessible. It’s also a listening opportunity so we can better decide priorities for future development.”

The handset vendor also explains that its Windows Phone 8-based Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 smartphones have been designed to offer ease of usage for partially-sighted people.

Four different text sizes have been made available on these devices, along with a screen magnifier, Nokia explains.

“There’s also a high contrast display mode that makes reading text easier. Voice commands and screen reading options are also available, of course, as they are with current versions of the software (though there is not yet a full-blown screen reader),” the company continues.

For Symbian users, Nokia makes available an improved version of its Screen Reader application, now available for newer devices, as well as in 19 more languages. The app has been designed to read aloud all that appears on the screen. Previously, it was available only for a limited number of Nokia devices.

Additionally, Nokia offers its Nokia Wireless Loopset (LPS-6), designed to make the use of phones easier than before through “coupling audio directly to a T-coil equipped cochlear implant or hearing aid.”

Making use of Bluetooth connectivity, it can receive audio from the phone and direct it to the hearing aid, thus facilitating hands-free operations. The new device comes with better audio fidelity, and can be used both for phone calls, as well as for listening to music.

The Nokia Wireless Loopset (LPS-6) “now also offers USB charging and audio, a better volume and frequency range, and a significantly longer talk time between charges than its predecessors,” the company notes.

“Since the LPS-6 Loopset is Bluetooth compliant, it will work with any Bluetooth compliant phone, including devices from competitors. Additionally, it allows for Near Field Communication (NFC) pairing, so you can just tap your (NFC-enabled) phone and the LPS-6 together to connect them.”

Via: Nokia Details Accessibility Features of Its Handsets