Billed as the “home phone that talks back,” the Amplicomms PowerTel 710 is a cordless phone that offers voice prompts for every interaction, making it useful for blind and visually impaired people.
The voice feature means that numbers are spoken when buttons are pressed – as are menu options – with function keys also announcing what they do.
The PowerTel 710 lets users record up to 13 friends’ names that can be announced when they call, and Caller ID numbers are also read out to you.
Simon McLean, Technology Product Manager at the RNIB, was impressed:
Amplicomms has bowled us over with the new PowerTel 710. We’re very excited about selling it because it’s the first of its kind – a cordless home phone where all the features are truly accessible for blind people. It’s easy for everyone to use.
Rounding up the accessible feature, set, the handset also boasts hearing aid compatibility, a flashing ringer alert, loud volumes (earpiece over 40dB, ringer over 90dB) and big easy-to-read buttons.
The PowerTel 710 retails for £99.99 and is available from: www.rnib.org.uk/shop Tel: 030 123 9999
Feature list:
• Talking menus
• Talking buttons
• Talking phonebook with Caller ID
• Very loud, adjustable earpiece volume( > 40dB, less than 1.5% distortion)
• Very loud, adjustable ringtone (over 90dB)
• Boost mode – makes the earpiece even louder at high frequencies
• Tone “equaliser” to tailor the sound to suit your hearing
• Two user profiles – ideal if one user wants a louder volume or different tone
• Hearing Aid Compatible
• Socket for headset or induction neck loop (available separately)
• Flashing alert to incoming calls
• Instruction manual available in Braille from the RNIB
• Backlit LCD display with large, readable text
• Hands-free speakerphone
• Internal calls, conference calls and call transfer between handsets
• Keypad lock
• Call timer
• 3 speed-dial buttons
• 200-number phonebook
• Alarm clock and appointment reminders
• Range: approx 50m indoors, 300m outdoors
• Battery life: 10 hours talk time, 100 hours standby time
• Works with all GAP-compatible DECT digital cordless phones
