Mobile handset maker, Intex Technologies, on Tuesday launched a dual SIM handset, designed for the visually impaired, priced at Rs 2,600.
The dual SIM (GSM—GSM) handset has a Braile keypad (along with large—sized digits) to facilitate recognition of digits as well as a ‘Talking Keypad’ feature, which speaks out in English the number pressed.
“India has the largest number of blind people in the world and we thought it was a category that needed to be catered. The phone is our small way to bring connectivity to the visually impaired,” Intex Technologies Director General Manager, Mr Shailendra Jha, told reporters here.
According to the National Association for the Blind (NAB), there are more than 12 million visually impaired people in the country.
The handset is also equipped with an SOS button, which allows the user to save four emergency numbers. By pressing the SOS button, the call gets automatically directed to the first emergency number.
“We are not just targeting the visually impaired with this handset, but also the elderly, who have difficulty handling the smaller keypads,” Mr Jha said.
The phone has facilities like MP3 and wireless FM radio to make this a feature—rich phone, he added.
“Blindness is a disability which could be overcome with training and guidance. Devices like these can play a very useful role in their integrated development,” NAB President, Mr Mohinder Kapur, said.
Intex is aiming to sell more than 5,000 units in the first three months of the launch, which it expects will grow once the handset becomes more popular.
The company will promote the handset through associations like NAB and other old age homes, Mr Jha said.