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NEWS
Nokia and Prentke Romich Company
Demonstrate Use of Adaptive Technology over Wireless
(August 16, 2001)
Nokia and Pathfinder enable speech-impaired users to
communicate over a wireless network
IRVING, Texas (August 16, 2001) As part of its continuing commitment to develop
innovative products and services for all of its customers, Nokia (NYSE:NOK)
announced the company has joined forces with Prentke Romich Company (PRC) to
demonstrate Pathfinder compatibility with the Nokia 8290 mobile phone.
Pathfinder is a powerful communications tool equipped with a color touch screen,
a static keyboard, and a built in dictionary that enables people, who are
otherwise unable to speak, to build and synthesize sentences.
The cooperation between PRC and Nokia results in a solution that enables people
using Pathfinder to make phone calls using an "off-the-shelf" cellular
phone such as the Nokia 8290 wireless phone.
By pressing a combination of keys that are synthesized into speech, Pathfinder
controls the Nokia 8290 mobile phone via an infrared link, allowing Pathfinder
to dial a number as well as to place and terminate a phone call. The system
converts the Nokia 8290 to a handsfree phone by using a microphone to transmit
synthesized speech and a separate speaker used for broadcasting the voice, or
other sounds, being sent by the other party on the line.
"Nokia continues to deliver on its strong commitment to improving
communication for all of its customers by working with Prentke Romich Company
allowing us to provide even more advanced functionality." said Maini
Williams, Research and Technology Access Unit Manager at Nokia.
The system made its public debut with a live demonstration at the annual Closing
The Gap Conference and Expo in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
About Prentke Romich Company
Prentke Romich Company (PRC) (www.prentrom.com) is a company developing and
manufacturing augmentative communication devices, computer access products and
other assistive technology for people with severe disabilities. PRC is located
in Wooster, Ohio and has representatives in the United States and throughout the
world providing customer support.
About Nokia
Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Backed by its experience,
innovation, user-friendliness and secure solutions, the company has become the
leading supplier of mobile phones and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed and IP
networks. By adding mobility to the Internet Nokia creates new opportunities for
companies and further enriches the daily lives of people. Nokia is a broadly
held company with listings on six major exchanges