FaceToFace works much like a Minicom without a phone line. The two parties communicate wirelessly at up to 30 feet apart virtually anywhere in the same room.

The deaf-blind party uses the PAC Mate's QWERTY or Perkins-style keyboard to write messages and the sighted party types on an iPAQ Pocket PC. If you make a typing error, just backspace and retype.

The entire conversation displays on both devices visually on the iPAQ and in braille on the PAC Mate. Each party is individually identified, so it's easy to keep contextual track of conversations.

Conversations can be saved to text files and text can be pasted right into a conversation for increased speed and accuracy.

FaceToFace works with other PAC Mate users as well. Conversations can be held with deaf-blind or sighted partners.

FaceToFace at a Glance

• Initiate one-on-one conversations with sighted parties in the same room
• Send messages with the PAC Mate's QWERTY or Perkins-style keyboard
• Read responses through the braille display
• Save conversations to a text file
• Copy from text files and paste into FaceToFace conversations
• Paste text from Address and Contact files into FaceToFace conversations
• Battery level displays on the iPAQ and shows on the Braille display
• Portable and wireless goes almost anywhere!

A Sample FaceToFace Conversation:

A deaf-blind student turns on the PAC Mate and iPAQ, launches FaceToFace from the PAC Mate menu and hands the iPAQ to a new instructor on the first day of class. On the iPAQ screen is a pre-written message:

Michael: I am deaf and blind. I will communicate with you through this device. When I type GA, that means go ahead, and you can respond. GA

Instructor: I understand. This is a cool way to communicate! I've never seen anything like this. GA

Michael: It's new. I want to ask about your policy for makeup work. I expect to be out for medical reasons for several days every few months. GA

Instructor: I think we can work something out. Can you be in touch by email so I can give you the assignments? GA

Michael: Yes. That would be good. Can I also send finished assignments to you by email or have someone deliver them? GA

You also can pre-type routine messages (for instance, your greeting and introduction) and quickly copy and paste this information to initiate a conversation when you meet a new acquaintance.

Paste text from your addresses and contacts files right into your conversation great for taking taxis to the doctors, school or friend's homes!

For those times when you don't need a portable solution, there's even a copy of the program that runs on your Bluetooth enabled desktop or laptop PC.

FaceToFace includes the application, an iPAQ with thumb keyboard and a Compact Flash Bluetooth card. It can be run on a PAC Mate BX or QX accessible Pocket PC, available with either a 20-cell or 40-cell refreshable braille display.