HumanWare Launch SmartView Xtend, Our Most Upgradeable Video Magnifier Yet

HumanWare today launched the new SmartView Xtend, an outstanding new video magnifier for people with severe low vision.

The SmartView Xtend has been carefully designed to offer people with macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, or other eye conditions, increased flexibility and additional functionality. By magnifying and enlarging text, objects, and actions, the SmartView Xtend makes everyday activities like viewing photos, reading labels, browsing through a magazine, writing cheques, and doing a crossword, easy once again.

Unlike most other video magnifiers, where customers have to choose between different models, there is only one SmartView Xtend base model, but it can be upgraded, at any time, using one of three Xtend modules. An Xtend module is an upgrade pack that adds more functionality to the base unit. Each module includes a range of different features - lines and blinds, an enhanced page-locator, precise zoom control, user-preset magnification, and more - all designed to meet the specific requirements of our customers, as they need them.

Being completely upgradeable means that the SmartView Xtend protects your investment, and is always the video magnifier customers want and need it to be. A basic black and white model can be upgraded into a full colour model and, if required, can even be upgraded to connect with a PC, a feature our more advanced users require.

Each SmartView Xtend module has been designed to fit specific customer needs, identified through extensive research undertaken using people with low vision, and with a variety of video magnifiers. Studying users’ backgrounds and their daily routines, and closely monitoring how they use video magnifiers, we have been able to develop a new product that is truly unique.

For our research, 30 participants from New Zealand and the United States, ranging in age from sixteen to eighty five, were interviewed and observed. All participants used low vision assistive technologies of some kind at work, at home, or at school.

Many design and functional aspects of the SmartView Xtend were a direct result of the usability testing. One example is the newly designed remote control. Users can position the remote where it is most comfortable for them and easily perform tasks such as increasing or lowering the magnification of their text, without having to reach out to find buttons on the front panel of their video magnifier.

This research reflects our commitment to understanding our customers’ requirements, and ultimately being able to develop products that are not only innovative and intuitive, but also designed to best meet customers’ needs.

About HumanWare

HumanWare specialises in the design and manufacture of innovative technology products for people who are blind, deaf-blind, visually impaired and learning disabled. Our products empower customers and allow them to live independently and compete effectively in a sighted world.

Milestones to date include the launch of myReader, the world’s first low vision auto-reader, and the launch of the highly successful BrailleNote portable notetaker.

Today HumanWare has offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, The Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand as well as distribution channels throughout North America, Europe, Asia, South Africa and the Middle East.

For more information:

Russell Watson
Product Manager - Low Vision
Phone: +64 3 940 2221
Email: russell.watson@humanware.com