Trekker Breeze, the all-in-one talking GPS Now shipping in 5 languages

Longueuil, November 12, 2008 - HumanWare is now shipping Trekker Breeze, a state-of-the-art talking GPS specially designed for the needs of visually impaired users. This simple orientation tool is designed for use when traveling in familiar surroundings or pre-defined routes. The product will also be appealing to people not comfortable with computers and screen readers. The new model is an addition to our popular Trekker and BrailleNote GPS systems, which have thousands of users worldwide. With this innovation, HumanWare will make GPS technology even more accessible to a greater number of people.

The Trekker Breeze is available for purchase at an affordable price of $895.  The product is available in English, French, Dutch, Swedish and Norwegian. Like other GPS products from HumanWare, the Trekker Breeze provides talking GPS directions that help users know where they are, where they are going and what is around them.

Trekker Breeze enhances autonomy and confidence in traveling and makes learning new routes easier.   As walking by, users receive audible information, such as street names, intersections and reference landmarks. In case they are lost, they can retrace their steps. Users can also record routes, and activate them for future use. They can also reach favorite destinations with turn-by-turn instructions. The product provides rich navigational information adapted to pedestrian or in-vehicle travel. It makes it easier to travel alone, and allows people to discover and enjoy their surroundings.

"GPS technology brings great benefits to visually impaired travelers. With this new addition to our product line, Humanware now offers GPS benefits to a larger number of the visually impaired population," says Lucia Gomez, Product Manager.  "Easy and intuitive, Trekker Breeze offers basic orientation functions in an all-in-one hand size device. It is also the most affordable GPS tool specially designed for the needs of users who are blind."

HumanWare offers the most complete line of GPS tools for visually impaired people. The line includes the popular BrailleNote GPS and Trekker.  BrailleNote GPS is a full-featured GPS tool that integrates seamlessly with KeySoft.  It is available with any of the BrailleNote family of products. BrailleNote GPS benefits from the highly efficient and easy-to-learn KeySoft interface. Sleek and discreet, Trekker is a powerful GPS solution running on a mainstream palm-size PDA. Trekker is highly appealing to professionals and students already familiar with computers and screen readers.

"Trekker Breeze will make the potential of GPS technology even more accessible to the blind," says Lucia Gomez.

Since its launch in July, the product is raising deep interest amongst leading orientation and mobility organizations.

Humanware has partnered with Leader Dogs for the Blind, the first dog guide school in the United States to permanently integrate a talking GPS navigational tool into dog guide classes for people who are blind and visually impaired. "Combining the renowned expertise of Leader Dogs for the Blind and the Trekker Breeze will significantly enhance the travelling experience of the students. This program is a new chapter of this success story." - Gilles Pepin, CEO of HumanWare.

The BrailleNote GPS and Trekker are currently available from HumanWare. For more information, please visit http://www.humanware.com/en-usa/products/gps

About HumanWare

HumanWare is the global leader in assistive technologies for the print disabled. HumanWare provides products to people who are blind or have low vision, and persons/or individuals with learning disabilities. HumanWare offers a collection of innovative products, including BrailleNote, the leading productivity device for the blind in education, business, and for personal use; the Victor Reader product line, the world's leading digital audiobook players; myReader2, HumanWare's unique "auto-reader" for people with low vision; and the ClassMate Reader, the only portable book player to offer synchronized text and audio for individuals. 

For more information:

Australia/Asia
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Email: au.sales@humanware.com

Canada
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U.K./Europe
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U.S.A.
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Email: us.info@humanware.com

Media contact:
Nicolas Lagace
Tel.: 450 463-1717
Email: nicolas.lagace@humanware.com