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19
The launch of Brother’s new six-
strong series of inkjet all-in-ones is a
signifcant milestone for the company,
marking the frst time that Brother’s
range includes fewer models with a
fax function than without.
Email superseded fax long ago, but
the ability to send and receive faxes was
still considered to be a useful function in
emergencies (i.e. if your broadband failed)
or for communicating with a very small
minority of companies that still prefer to
receive faxes.
Over time, these arguments have
become less convincing and recent
statistics from Context show that people
are now less willing to pay a premium for
fax. In the last fnancial year (April 2010
to March 2011) sales of three-in-
one devices (print, copy, scan)
increased by 18%, while those
of more expensive four-in-
one devices (print, copy,
scan, fax) declined by
31%.
The addition of
Brother’s six new all-
in-ones for professional
home workers takes
the number of models in
Brother’s A4 inkjet range to 10, of
which just four feature a fax capability.
Search is on for apps that make
a difference
The Vodafone Foundation has launched a new
competition to encourage the development of
smartphone apps that make life easier for pensioners and
people with disabilities.
The EU Smart Accessibility Awards have a total prize fund
of 200,000 euros to be split evenly between winners of the
four awards categories. These are: Social Participation for apps
that help users participate actively in society; Independent
Living for apps that enable users to perform daily tasks
without help; Mobility for apps that let people move around
more freely; andWellbeing for apps that improve users’ sense
of well-being.
The EU Smart Accessibility Awards are supported by AGE
Platform Europe and the European Disability Forum (EDF).
The deadline for entries is 15 October 2011. All entries
should be submitted to
http://developer.vodafone.com/smartaccess2011/.
The second
version of a
touchscreen
computer
designed specially
for technology-
fearing older
people has been
launched by British company SimplicITy Computers. The
Simplicity Envelope has two operating modes, ‘beginner’
and ‘advanced’. The former has a single screen divided into
four large buttons giving one-touch access to the four main
functions demanded by beginners: mail, web, documents
and video tutorials. Once users have mastered these basics,
they can switch to advanced mode, which operates more
like a conventional PC. The new version, which comes with
12 months’ free telephone support, includes a number of
enhancements including a touch-screen for mouse-free
operation and the option of seven different text sizes. It is
available in a number of versions including a laptop, a PC
with built-in TV and DVD functions and a version – ideal
for care homes – that supports personalised settings and
individual mailboxes for up to 15 users.
www.simplicitycomputers.co.uk
New A4 range marks
milestone for Brother
PC foot control for
RSI sufferers
A foot controlled PC/Mac interface
originally developed for use in
the music industry is now being
promoted as a productivity aid
for data entry professionals and
people suffering from RSI and other
disabilities.
Developed by
Keith McMillen
Instruments
(KMI), the
USB-powered SoftStep KeyWorx
multi-touch foot controller features
10 pressure-sensitive keys that can be
programmed with up to 100 sets of
commands for repetitive tasks, such
as opening and closing applications,
accessing the internet, changing
volume levels and controlling the
cursor and mouse.
Being able to operate a PC or
Mac by foot (much like driving a car)
enables the user to keep their hands on
the keyboard at all times for improved
productivity and comfort.
The rugged, lightweight SoftStep
KeyWorx is made from advanced
elastomeric and graphite composites
and features a blue backlight so that it
is visible under a desk.
www.keithmcmillen.com
Brother’s new range of inkjet all-in-ones are designed to give professional home
workers offce-like productivity in a small, compact device suitable for home offces.
Enhancements over previous models include three times faster print speeds, high speed
wireless N technology and a touchscreen LCD display. Other useful features are automatic
two-sided printing and the ability to print directly onto CD, DVD and Blu-ray disks.
Portable
lamp
Daylight Company’s Foldi is a
super sleek portable lamp perfect
for use when travelling or in the offce. Small
enough to ft comfortably in a laptop bag or briefcase,
it fips open to reveal 30 LEDs ideal for illuminating a
keyboard or book. Foldi provides up to 8 hours of ficker-free
light on batteries and unlimited use when connected by
USB to a laptop or computer. It costs £69.99.
www.daylightcompany.com