External Magnifier

Glass or optical grade Perspex magnifying glasses are one means to magnify the screen. A magnifying glass held in the hand could be used to magnify (enlarge) the GUI of the PDA. Though this means that the PDA could only be effectively operated when resting on a desk.

Magnifico PDA Magnifier

This is a clip-on magnifier designed for use with any PDA; it has a U shaped bracket in which an optical grade Perspex lens is attached like an easel by two side plugs. The PDA is held to the base of the bracket by two adjustable rolling stoppers. When held upright the weight of the lens causes enough friction to keep the magnifier in place. Most PDAs fix firmly though narrower PDAs take a little manipulation to get in place. The Magnifier can be simply unclipped and folded away. When folded flat the magnifier is about the size of a folded Stowaway keyboard. The magnifier is available also with a bracket allowing the PDA to support itself. The magnifier has a magnification level of approximately 1.5-2.0 times allowing

The magnifier can be most successfully used when used in conjunction with a peripheral keyboard. Using the magnifier while typing means that the user does not have to learn into the PDA to see the screen, allowing a more ergonomic typing posture.

The magnifier could also be used by those with a visual impairment, to enlarge the display slightly. Though the magnification level may not be sufficient to allow those with severe impairment to view the screen clearly.

 

JISC TechDis Accessibility Rating's

Application	Pocket PC (PPC) or Palm OS.	JISC TechDis Accessibility Rating (0-5)
Native Graphical User Interface	Palm	1
TealLens	Palm	4
ZoomThis	Palm	2
Butterfly	Palm	5
Theme Change	Palm	3
BackDrop	Palm	2
Lefty	Palm	2
LeftHack	Palm	3
Pointer Hack	Palm	4
FontHack 123	Palm	4
Font Bucket	Palm	3
Native Alarm sounds	Palm	1
Geeksnd2	Palm	3
Native Graphical User Interface	PPC	3
Nyditot	PPC	4
Landscape	PPC	3
Theme Changer	PPC	3
Pocket Tweak	PPC	4
Native Alarm sounds	PPC	5
Magnifico Magnifier	PPC / Palm	4

 

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Links within the section

Changes to the User Interface (Palm OS)
Changes to the User Interface (PocketPC 2002)
JISC TechDis Accessibility Ratings Explained