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Two new handhelds aimed at the blind and visually impaired were announced this week. The first, called BrailleNote PK, is from Pulse Data International. It is the world's smallest handheld Braille device. The second, called Maestro, comes from Hewlett-Packard and VisuAide. It aims to be an affordable handheld option for the blind and is built on the iPAQ h4150 Pocket PC.

According to the Pulse Data, the BrailleNote PK (see top image) aims to give blind business users the same PDA functions that sighted users enjoy. To help with this goal, it includes both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless networking. With Wi-Fi, users can connect to hotspots or a LAN, and with Bluetooth, users can, among other things, exchange data with a PC or connect to another larger BrailleNote device.

The BrailleNote PK weighs less than a pound and has dimensions of 6.8 x 3.6 x 1.3 inches, large for a handheld, but small for a device based on braile. It is the first braille device that can fit into a pocket.

Features include a Microsoft Word compatible word processor, support for all major POP3 E-mail services and Web access. There is also a daily planner that synchronizes with Microsoft Outlook and an address list that can be synchronized with other Bluetooth-enabled devices such as cell phones and PCs.

Other features include a media payer, a scientific calculator and stop watch. The device, which doesn't need to support a power hungry display like most PDAs, gets over 30 hours of battery life. There is a CompactFlash slot for storage and peripheral expansion, a serial port, as well as PS/2, USB and Ethernet ports.

The BrailleNote PK should go on sale during the fourth quarter for a hefty $4,995.

The Maestro from HP and VisualAid features text-to-speech technology and a tactile keyboard membrane over its touch screen so the visually impaired can use essential information-access and communication applications without using a stylus.

Scheduled to begin shipping in September for an undisclosed prince, Maestro takes advantage of wireless communication networks, such as Bluetooth wireless technology, and can be operated with or without an external keyboard (Braille or standard). Also, the device readily integrates other VisuAide or third-party applications.