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Media Contact:
Jeff Collins
(St. Petersburg, Florida — March 18, 2003) — Freedom Scientific today announced it began shipping the PAC Mate TNS. PAC Mate is the world’s first and only accessible Pocket PC device for those who are blind. This definitive hand-held computer provides access to everyday Windows-based desktop data and software applications via Pocket PC including Word, Excel, Outlook and Internet Explorer. In addition to this QWERTY-style keyboard version, Freedom Scientific also offers the PAC Mate BNS, with its eight-dot Braille keyboard. Both units are available for purchase and are being shipped. The TNS and BNS offer the same great functionality utilizing JAWS® for Pocket PC technology. Those who ordered this revolutionary device are now surfing the Internet, sending and receiving email, and managing data with unsurpassed convenience. PAC Mate allows you to sync up with other PDAs and PAC Mates and it features CompactFlash™ cards for unlimited storage. "It has a lot of potential to do a lot of things," said Derek Lane, who has used a PAC Mate for school and recreation in Morganton, N.C. during the past few months. "You've got the standard suite of Pocket PC programs that run well and some third-party programs that work real well too. Obviously, PAC Mate has it over the competition in that there is no barrier to Windows CE." Oleg Shevkun, a pastor and teacher in Moscow, said he likes being able to accomplish a wide variety of tasks on his PAC Mate. "I am absolutely amazed by PAC Mate's flexibility," Shevkun said. "I can work with email, create a complex document or a spreadsheet, plan appointments, and calculate math problems. But then, I just feel like taking a break and listening to some music or to a radio broadcast on the Internet, all with that same little device! And, speaking about the Internet, I can connect by synchronizing with my PC, or by directly plugging a network card into the PAC Mate, or even by using PAC Mate with my mobile phone. The possibilities are enormous. I am really glad the developers were so thoughtful in providing compatibility with a broad range of off-the-shelf software and hardware products, so that we users can choose what fits us best." Some of the options for PAC Mate include a 56K or Ethernet modem. Either modem option is an additional $155. Those wanting a spare battery can order one for $179. Later this year, 20- and 40-cell refreshable Braille models will be available. Pricing for the TNS and the BNS is $2,595. You can offset the cost by trading in an older model Freedom Scientific notetaker. Depending on the trade, you can save up to $800. As a special introductory offer, a customer who purchases three PAC Mates on the same purchase order receives a 10 percent discount. This discount is available for U.S. customers only through March 31, 2003. Your PAC Mate comes with a limited one-year warranty on the hardware* and one year of free updates for Freedom Scientific manufactured software. A Product Maintenance Agreement and Annual Software Maintenance Agreement can be purchased for your PAC Mate. Discounts are applied when these are ordered during initial product purchase. Contact your local dealer, or call Freedom Scientific at 1-800-444-4443 or 1-727-803-8000. For more information, please access the following PAC Mate. The PAC Mate BNS was
featured in a two-part, four-hour review on ACB's Main Menu program February
26 and March 5, 2003. Access this link for the Jonathan
Mosen PAC Mate review. * Or, as required
by warranty laws in specific countries.
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