The device lets usrs surf the Internet, send and receive email, and manage data. In addition, PAC Mate syncs up with other PDAs and PAC Mates and features CompactFlash support. Some of the options for PAC Mate include a 56K or Ethernet modem. An optional Global Positioning System is slated to be available early next year.

David Engebretson, who has been gradually losing his vision over the past 10 years, says devices like the PAC Mate are beginning to close the technology gap for people with disabilities, and expanding their career and lifestyle options. "The PAC Mate gives people who are blind exactly the same level of functionality and interoperability that sighted users have with their Pocket PC devices," he says. "As a newly blind person, I'm starting to discover all of the assistive technology that's available for people with disabilities, and I'm really excited about it."

Pricing for the BNS and the TNS PAC Mates are $2,595. A modem option is an additional $119. Freedom Scientific said users can offset the cost by trading in an older model Freedom Scientific notetaker. As a special introductory offer, people who purchases three PAC Mate's on the same Purchase Order receives a 10-percent discount. This discount is available for U.S. customers only through the end of next March.