Dr. Z followed the events of last week very closely–the web has all kinds of sites keeping track of what happened last week. The best site for this was the CNET website. (ces.cnet.com). Some of the videos on the website are captioned!

Several devices attracted our interest — LG had a TV that came with a webcam. Can you imagine doing a VP call with a large screen TV–how cool would that be, but that would mean giving up what you were watching on TV to do a video call. I am sure we can schedule these times to make video calls that does not happen at the same time as the Super Bowl. But we are seeing a slow trend towards video communication. There were a few other devices that had video communication capability–but these were in the prototype (test model) stage and could take a year or so before we can see them on the market. There were a lot of netbooks with built-in webcams that came with a faster Atom processor (chip) made by Intel. The old processor was a “N270″ and the new ones coming out had a “N450″ processor. This usually means a faster processor which means better video quality for video communication when using a product such as ZVRS’ Z4 (it should be coming out very soon.)

All this is good news–this is a signal that the major players are seeing the potential of video communication which spills over to better technology for us deaf and hard of hearing people to communicate.

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

• Blackberry Desktop Software Update for Mac (link)
• Pogue (NY Times) Addresses Common Complaints About Tech (link)
• Deaf Coach Named ABC Person of the Week (link)
• Gallaudet Football Conference Web Site (link)

An Useful Website

• Ehow.com (link)

• Testing begins in UK on 999 (their 911) SMS text (link)
• Olathe, Kansas Most Deaf-friendly City (link)
• Latest Info on Gallaudet President Search (link)
• CDC H1N1 Flu-Resources for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (link)

An Useful Website

• Refdesk.com (link)

• NAD Advocates for FCC Action (link)
• “Children of a Lesser God” Returns to the Stage-Deaf West Theater (link)
• How to Get Closed Captioning on Hulu.com (link)
• Flip vs iPod Nano for Video: Flip Wins For Now(link)

Weird News – But Interesting…

• World’s Largest Whisky Bottle In Small Scottish Village (link)

In any event, they use video a lot of times and they are adept at holding their cell phones while signing to the other party. The video is very clear and battery life does not seem to be an issue. They have had it for a couple of years now. Why don’t we have it in America yet? The reason is because our networks are not fast enough to carry video yet. I am talking about two-way video, not one-way video where we can communicate back and forth. The carriers in America are working to make it happen, but it is not here yet. I predict it will come to America in a year or so–how sweet life would be when it is here!!!

Towson University, National Public Radio (NPR), WGBH National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM) and the Harris Corporation have worked on such a technology for the past several years with the help of a grant from NIDRR. Some receiver manufacturers have expressed initial interest. At this time, the technology has been in the prototype stage, with all the needed functions identified and working. There have been several demonstrations to show how this works.

At the recent TDI Conference in Washington, DC, Mike Starling of NPR gave a presentation on the status of this project. Due to the recent economic downturn, this project has slowed down but they are working on moving forward when the economy gets better.

Like other deaf and hard of hearing people, I cannot wait for the day when we can enjoy radio programming!

For more information, this website has some documents and presentations: Captioned Radio Documents and Presentations

We have not yet tested this with video with the Z340 yet–but from some indications it seems to work very well. Bear in mind it has a 5 gb limit and using too much video within a month can get you over the limit.

It should be good with wireless devices such as the Z340 and you can use it anywhere where there is no wifi coverage–it is similar to something called Cradlepoint, but is much more flexible.

AT and T and T-Mobile have not yet brought similar products to market.

This is the link to Sprint’s website on MiFi.

This is the link to Verizon’s website on MiFi.

Dr. Z does not specifically endorse products or guarantee their ability to work with your devices. You need to be an informed consumer to check into these further before making a decision to buy.

• Breakfast Can Wait. The Day’s First Stop Is Online. (link)
• Report Sees Major Gaps In Emergency Planning for People with Disabilities (link)
• NAD Says Banks Must Accept Relay Calls (link)
• James Marsters Featured in Wall Street Journal (link)

An Historical Perspective – But Interesting…

• Princess Di and the British Deaf Association (link)

• Getting Your Wireless Network Up to Speed (link)
• Report Sees Major Gaps In Emergency Planning for People with Disabilities (link)
• Info on Deaflympics in Taipei (September 5-15, 2009) (link)
• A Baseball Fan Who Knows His Signs (link)

Not Deaf Related News – But Interesting…

• Camouflaged Creatures: Blending In To Stay Alive (link)

• Tools for Captioning YouTube Videos (link)
• Deaf Actress Deanne Bray Stars in NBC’s Heroes This Fall (link)
• Sen. McCain and Rep. Markey Receive Award from TDI (link)
• Text 9-1-1 Begins in Iowa (link)

Old News – But Interesting…

• Deaf man opens store dedicated to unusual plants (link)