An Image of Accessibility: A Review of the Icon
By Leventhal, Jay; Access World, Vol. 8, No. 4Publication Date: July 2007
Article provides a review of the Icon from LevelStar, which is personal digital assistant (PDA) designed for people with visual disabilities. The Icon is Linux-based, with a 40-gigabyte hard drive and wireless capability. The PDA includes an address book, planner, word processor, MP3/DAISY Player, voice recorder, web browser, e-mail program, calculator, and stop watch. The Icon measures 5.09 by .975 inches, and weighs 7.4 ounces. The application is evaluated in terms of the following features and criteria: (1) getting started and getting help, (2) entering data, (3) planner, (4) music player, (5) address list, (6) web browser, (7) library menu, (8) bookshelf, (9) book search, (10) Newsstand, (11) calculator, (12) stopwatch, and (13) voice recorder. The authors contend that the Icon has a wide range of features in a small device. A number of improvements are suggested in terms of the software, as the address book and planner could have more fields for data entry, while the address book could allow the user to select e-mail addresses rather than having to type them in. Overall, the authors were impressed, and are optimistic regarding the future of the Icon and LevelStar.
Assistive Products Discussed: ICON
Published by: AFB Press (Website:http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=46)
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) (Web Site: http://www.afb.org )
Link to text: http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw080405
