Shinano Kenshi has announced the release of new firmware for the company’s PLEXTALK Pocket digital player/recorder. The new Pocket Firmware ver. 2 for the Pocket (PTP1) device is available for free download at the company’s PLEXTALK Web site (www.plextalk.com).

PLEXTALK Pocket Firmware ver. 2 supports new playability for content from RFB&D and the National Library Services (NLS). The new firmware also supports playability of content from Bookshare. With the new firmware’s RFB&D support, users will be able to install UAK in order to decrypt and play back RFB&D content. NLS support allows users to install a key that decrypts and plays back NLS content that is transferred from an NLS cartridge or transferred through the NLS download service via PC. And with PLEXTALK Pocket Firmware ver. 2, Bookshare members can download and read (text-to-speech) content available from Bookshare.

“PLEXTALK Pocket is a high-quality media player/recorder with true crossover capability with a host of new applications and features to support complete accessibility for people with sight problems or learning disabilities," said Deana Valdez, North American sales and marketing manager at Shinano Kenshi. “With PLEXTALK Pocket Firmware ver. 2 downloaded onto their PLEXTALK™ Pocket (PTP1) player/recorders, users will experience more reading freedom and enjoy self-reliance which comes from the ability to access digital talking books in any environment.”

The PLEXTALK Pocket is a lightweight, pocket-sized, DAISY-compliant music, voice, and book player/recorder. The player/recorder supports playable contents in DAISY 2.02, ANSI/NISO Z39.86/DAISY 3.0, and audio files (MP3, AMR-WB+). It will record DAISY 2.02 with a recording capacity of up to 90 hours and support multiple audio playback formats. Text-to-speech features include two language TTS engines and TTS named voice identity. Other features include fast-forward and rewind, quick key response, navigational enhancements that include 10-key direct DAISY title jump, and usability enhancements that include a variable sleep timer from 15-minutes to two hours, and voice volume optimization.

About Shinano Kenshi

Shinano Kenshi is responsible for the development and manufacture of digital talking book players and other products sold under the PLEXTALK name. Shinano and PLEXTALK assistive technology products are created to improve the quality of life, self-reliance and independence of their users.