Since its first introduction, Research In Motion has been actively working to improve their innovative BlackBerry Screen Reader app for visually impaired and blind users. At launch, the app was limited to the Curve 9350, 9360 and 9370 but a new update now available expands support to the BlackBerry Curve 9320 and 9220 as well. In addition to the newly supported devices, RIM has added some new features to the app.

This includes:

• Basic Browser Support – BlackBerry Screen Reader is now revised adding the ability to have a loaded webpage read to you.
• Help Menu – Through BlackBerry Screen Reader settings, you can now access an English help menu to provide you with additional assistance.
• Additional Shortcut Features – Previously, the application shortcut (Right Convenience Key + Send) only supported email messaging. The updated shortcut is now designed to allow you to re-read a loaded webpage without refreshing your browser; it also allows you to easily read SMS and BBM messages, from the most recent to least recent message.
• Additional Caller ID Screen Support – The first version of the BlackBerry Screen Reader would only read the number that was calling. The functionality has now been extended to the caller ID screen to also identify the contact’s name (if available).
• Unified Inbox improvements – The unified inbox feature has been updated and now identifies Facebook® and Twitter® messages. You can now differentiate between your e-mail and social media messages.

 

That’s a fairly interesting update for the app and with new devices now being supported, it opens up to many more potential users. The update is available via here, should you need to download it or are just interested in learning more.