13/1/2009

Ref: IS020

Dyslexic students keen to grasp the learning opportunities offered by the latest technology can access the newly optimised CapturaTalk (www.capturatalk.com), the UK’s first mobile phone software to convert text to speech from a digital photo taken on the phone. Designed to support students on the move and developed by leading assistive technology specialist iansyst Ltd, the software is now available as a stand-alone download compatible with a range of Windows Mobile 5 & 6 touchscreen devices. Fully integrated with the Concise Oxford English Dictionary, the software now offers many benefits to support literacy skills including reinforced word recognition.

Offering an innovative way for students to keep a record of important information, CapturaTalk Version 2 offers a unique portable solution to recognise text and numbers from a photograph taken on the phone or digital document. Working across a broad range of applications to support learning, the software now enables text-to-speech for Pocket Word, Notes and tasks, SMS, e-mail and Pocket Internet Explorer applications. For educational institutions operating no mobile phone policies, CapturaTalk will run on a mobile phone without a SIM card.

Helping students capture essential information and understand text wherever they are, CapturaTalk is now fully integrated with the Concise Oxford English Dictionary. When students decide to read something back, the software highlights the words as it is reading them helping to reinforce word recognition. If they don’t understand a particular word, they simply pause the program, select the word and the software will read the dictionary definition back to them in high-quality Acapela Lucy voice. If they do not understand part of the terminology in the description, they can also listen to the meaning of other words. CapturaTalk also helps students decode words and enhance phonic learning which has equal benefit to students and individuals where English is their second language.

CapturaTalk runs constantly in the background, always available from the main taskbar for easy access. Improved file management now allows the user to easily rename, group and manage photographs.
CapturaTalk is designed to run on Microsoft Windows Mobile Professional devices (Touchscreen devices) running Windows mobile 5.0 or above. Devices that have been tested and are fully supported are HTC Pro, HTC Touch Diamond, HTC Touch Cruise, HTC TyTN II (Kaiser), HTC TyTN I (Hermes), Samsung Omnia, HP IPAQ 614c and HP IPAQ 914*.

Neil Milliken, Head of Service & Mobile Development at iansyst Ltd, comments: “Developments in mobile technology have been phenomenal over the years and now offer tremendous benefits to education. CapturaTalk provides an easy way for dyslexic students to access information and understand text using technology they are familiar with. As the 14-19 agenda sees the introduction of the new Diploma, it is more important than ever that young people on the move are properly supported, enabling anytime, anywhere learning.”

CapturaTalk Version 2 can now be purchased as a stand-alone software product to be loaded on a Windows mobile phone at just £350.00 + VAT. With compatible phones costing as little as £250.00 + VAT, CapturaTalk is an incredibly cost-effective solution to support dyslexia in education. Find out more at the CapturaTalk website www.capturatalk.com.

For more information about iansyst Ltd, please contact Janine King at iansyst, Tel: 01223 420 101; email janine.king@iansyst.co.uk; or visit the iansyst Ltd website: www.iansyst.co.uk / www.dyslexic.com

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