{"id":2047,"date":"2013-09-24T12:31:57","date_gmt":"2013-09-24T16:31:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.equipmentlink.org\/blog\/?p=2047"},"modified":"2013-09-24T12:31:57","modified_gmt":"2013-09-24T16:31:57","slug":"bard-mobile-92413","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.equipmentlink.org\/blog\/?p=2047","title":{"rendered":"BARD Mobile, 9\/24\/13"},"content":{"rendered":"

BARD Mobile Arrives At Long Last<\/strong><\/p>\n

Contributed by Joel Zimba, Special Projects Coordinator, MDTAP<\/em><\/p>\n

Last week, BARD Mobile<\/a>, an iOS app which reads both Braille and audio books from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), appeared in the App Store.\u00a0Exhaustive reviews of BARD Mobile\u2019s features and step-by-step guides for it\u2019s use are already appearing in all of the usual places.\u00a0Blindbargains.com<\/a> has an excellent article, and there is ample discussion on applevis.com<\/a>. As such, an in-depth review of the app itself will not be included here.<\/p>\n

The workings of the app itself is one thing, but what BARD Mobile means for NLS and for the assistive technology community at large is another. Until now, specialized equipment was required in order to listen to audio books from NLS.\u00a0 In the analog days, these were cassette players and record players, which played NLS materials produced in a specialized format.<\/p>\n

Around 2005, NLS moved into the digital age.\u00a0 Digital book players were produced specifically for the playback of NLS materials.\u00a0 At the same time, third party digital players, like those from Humanware, began to proliferate.\u00a0 Rather than sending all materials through the U.S. mail, downloading talking books became an option.<\/p>\n

With the introduction of BARD Mobile, the barrier of specialized hardware has been removed.\u00a0 Library patrons can now listen to audio books on commercially available iOS devices.\u00a0 BARD Mobile may well decimate the market for third party NLS book players.\u00a0 These devices typically cost hundreds of dollars, and the benefits of buying one rather than an iPhone or iPad may only continue for niche markets within an already small consumer group.<\/p>\n

This is part of a larger trend in the assistive technology world.\u00a0 As reflected in this blog, common off-the-shelf (COTS) computing devices are increasingly taking the place of more expensive specialized assistive technology.\u00a0 While this solution may not work for all users, the cost and convenience are highly appealing.\u00a0 Braille Notetakers and augmentative communication devices now have even more company in an increasingly perilous marketplace.<\/p>\n

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The BARD Mobile application for iOS devices, version 1.0, is now available at Apple\u2019s online app store: itunes.apple.com\/us\/app\/bard-mobile\/id705229586<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A video introduction to the BARD Mobile application is available at www.loc.gov\/today\/cyberlc\/feature_wdesc.php?rec=5955<\/a><\/p>\n

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