Building on its tradition of innovation, Wynd Communications today announced the first public demonstration of its new wireless relay service, designed to connect people who are deaf or hard of hearing with others via Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS). The debut version of the service, which will be demonstrated at the Deaf Expo West 2003 tradeshow at the Long Beach Convention Center (Long Beach, CA), will provide wireless relay access on RIM 850, 857, and 950 handheld devices, as well as T-Mobile Sidekick, Fido hiptop, and SunCom hiptop devices running on Danger Inc.'s hiptop platform.
"We introduced WyndTell six years ago with the goal of expanding communications accessibility for people who are deaf or hard of hearing," said Joe Karp, director of marketing for Wynd. "Wynd's new service will broaden that access with a wireless connection to TRS -- a service used daily by people throughout the U.S."
"Wynd's upcoming wireless relay service will add a new dimension to how hiptop devices are used by people who are deaf or hard of hearing," said Mark Fisher, senior vice president of marketing and business development for Danger, Inc., developer of the hiptop platform. "We're pleased to work with a company like Wynd that is applying its unique understanding of the community to the development of important new services for hiptop devices."
"Deaf Expo is fast becoming the event of choice to launch new and innovative technology," added Karp. "It's been great to participate in Deaf Expo for the last six years, and we're honored to have been an event sponsor since 1998."
Wynd will be demonstrating two technology innovations at this year's Deaf Expo West event: a prototype of the Wireless Relay service and new video support kiosks.
Operating on a T-Mobile Sidekick for the show, Wynd's wireless relay service will be demonstrated in the Deafwireless Superstore booth every two hours throughout the two day show, beginning at 10am on Friday, November 7th. Wynd expects to offer the new service commercially in the first quarter of 2004, representing the company's first step in broadening its focus on offering a wider range of communications services for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, including Internet relay services.
As a part of its on-site Mobile Support Center, Wynd will also be offering live customer support via video kiosks operating over broadband networks. Wynd's Mobile Support Center will be located downstairs at the Long Beach Convention Center, and open during show hours on both Friday, November 7th and Saturday, November 8th.
Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) enable standard voice telephone users to talk to people who have difficulty hearing or speaking on the telephone. Under Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act, all telephone companies must provide free relay services either directly or through state programs throughout the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and all of the other U.S. territories. Businesses, government agencies, family, friends, and employers of persons with hearing and speech disabilities make and receive relay calls everyday.