'Talking' computer opens up web of new world

27 February 2017 - 09:17 By SUTHENTIRA GOVENDER
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NOTED: Chairman of parliament's portfolio committee on communications Humphrey Maxegwana, Siyabonga Mlotshwa, Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services Hlengiwe Mkhize and Deputy Minister of Communications Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.
NOTED: Chairman of parliament's portfolio committee on communications Humphrey Maxegwana, Siyabonga Mlotshwa, Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services Hlengiwe Mkhize and Deputy Minister of Communications Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.
Image: GCIS

Surfing the internet, sending e-mails and posting to social media may seem a menial task to those with 20/20 vision.

But for the visually impaired they can be a feat.

Now thanks to South Africa's first talking computer, life in the cyber world will be a breeze for those with little or no sight.

On Friday, Communications Deputy Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams presented partially sighted community radio presenter Siyabonga Mlotshwa with the first-of-its-kind device, SANote.

So how exactly does the SANote work?

"It looks like a standard keyboard, however this computer provides the user with feedback through synthesised speech. Its user interface is an easy to use menu navigation system that allows you to browse the web, send and receive e-mails, use the scientific calculator and post to Twitter among its applications.

"The system offers braille support.it even has enhanced audio functionality that enables audio recording and playback," said the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.

The computer is available in English, Sepedi, Setswana and Afrikaans. Users can switch between languages with one key stroke and without leaving the running programme.

The SANote was conceptualised in 2003 and developed by the CSIR in partnership with the Disabled Persons' Organisation and the Office of the Status of Disabled Persons in the Presidency.

For Mlotshwa, a Nqubeko FM presenter and programmes manager in Ladysmith, the computer "will make a huge difference".

"I am the first person in South Africa to receive it, so I am very pleased. It will make a big difference in my life. I will be able to access the web easily now. It speaks to me.it is like I am speaking to another person.

"I used to sit very close to the screen because I struggled to see what was on the screen. Now researching material for our programmes will be much easier," said Mlotshwa.

SA National Council of the Blind said the computer's ability to "provide synthesised voices in some of the official languages of South Africa will broaden its impact."

SANote will be distributed by the council at a retail price of R7,500.

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