Softeq on Lead Conference panel in Washington D.C.

Come meet Softeq Development Corporations, VP & General Manager, Trey Litel, on Saturday, August 15th at the Lead Conference 2009 in Washington, D.C. Trey will be a panelist during "The Future of Accessible Technology" session discussing how new accessible technologies will change and shape the way we provide accommodations in museums, theaters, stadiums and other public venues.

Houston Chronicle features Durateq ATV

The Houston Chronicle's Technology Business reporter, Purva Patel, spent an afternoon with Softeq Development Corporation's CEO, Chris Howard and Vice President of Sales, Trey Litel, to learn more about the Durateq Assistive Technology solution, a rugged hand-held device created by Softeq which gives visitors with visual or hearing impairments the same experience as others at theme parks, museums and other public entertainment venues.


"It's a really innovative device," said Ronald Milliman, a spokesman for the American Council of the Blind. "The people we know who have used it are very excited about it."


To read the complete article: Device Helps Those With Visual, Hearing Impairments


For more information, visit http://www.durateq.com/atv.asp.

Orlando Sentinel story on DURATEQ ATV at Disney

An article today in the Orlando Sentinel talks about the DURATEQ ATV devices and their success at the Walt Disney World theme park. Heard but not seen at Disney: Device helps blind visualize rides.

Patriots go for extra yards using Durateq ATV

On January 26, The Boston Globe ran a feature article on the Durateq ATV in their technology section. The section announced that the New England Patriots had completed installation of an assistive technology system for visitors with sight and hearing impairments at the Patriots Hall of Fame in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The system, consisting of an IR emitter network, FM transmitters, and DURATEQ ATV (Assistive Technology Version) handheld devices, was provided by Softeq. The DURATEQ ATV is Softeq's ruggedized, HP iPAQ-based device which has been enhanced for assistive applications.

Softeq was involved in the Hall of Fame project from the outset by interfacing with the building architects to specify where equipment would be placed, how power would be supplied, and data delivered to devices. Softeq worked with contractors on-site during installation to ensure proper placement of devices for adequate exhibit coverage and that all power and networking requirements were met.

Softeq also worked closely with WGBH in Boston, the inventors of Closed Captioning, to integrate captioning and audio description content that they developed specifically for The Hall. To read the feature article about the assistive system at the New England Patriots Hall of Fame and how Softeq and WGBH were involved, please see: Pats' hall of fame levels playing field.

Tracking Christmas Trees

How do foresters keep track of their work in the great outdoors? Sweden exports a great number of "Christmas Trees" from their well managed forest system. Organization is key and Swedish foresters rely on rugged handheld technology to keep track of their daily progress. They take notes of location and work performed, forming a geographic outline of where they have worked. Each night they synchronize via the internet to keep their companies abreast of the progress and update their geo-coded databases. They rely on a DURATEQ outfitted with an integrated GPS module and extended battery for day-long performance, and ESRI’s ArcPAD Software for data logging. The DURATEQ is a favorite because it is the thinnest and lightest rugged handheld available.

Whether or not your tree was found with the use of a DURATEQ handheld, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

Meet ALICE: Mobile Software for Assistive Technology

When Alice encounters the Looking Glass in Lewis Carroll's famous story, it unlocks a whole new world of experiences for her. Similarly, the ALICE software from Softeq unlocks a rich world of multimedia experiences for people with disabilities. ALICE (which stands for the Assistive LIstening and Captioning Engine) runs on the Durateq ATV rugged handheld. ALICE was created by the Softeq team to provide an automatic and immersive experience at museums, theme parks, and venues for patrons with low sight, low hearing, or both. Now available at entertainment venues like renowned theme park Walt Disney World, The World of Coca-Cola, and The Hall at Patriot Place, the handheld is offered to guests with visual or auditory impairments. Venues also use ALICE and the DURATEQ ATV as a solution to meet the ADA requirements, because it combines Closed Captioning, Descriptive Narration, and Assistive Listening all in one small and lightweight device.

Softeq and HP extend their mobile partnership

For the fifth consecutive year, Softeq Development has been selected to manage and administer the HP iPAQ Developer Program. Softeq, a ten-year HP partner, serves as the system integrator between HP, the website developer, and the support portal. Additionally, Softeq is an experienced iPAQ software developer itself, specializing in custom solutions such as line of business applications for the iPAQ-powered Durateq.