This suggests that this group will find a transition to a new screen reader challenging. In fact, a 2015 survey of screen reader users showed that most Window-Eyes users surveyed were less technologically proficient and were more likely to have Window-Eyes as the sole text-to-speech engine on their machine. Window-Eyes users, in general, are not the most advanced technologically. Which brings us to the biggest challenge. Some decry the fact that there are now fewer choices available others are angry that a low-cost option is gone and there are those who suggest that any unhappy Window-Eyes user should have already had more than one screen reader on their system and that they need to "get over it." This latter point is unfair, as only more advanced users would think to use more than one piece of software to achieve similar tasks. The response to the discontinuation of Window-Eyes has been mixed. Nonetheless, it is unfortunate that end-users lose out on a low-cost, text-to-speech engine. And while there is criticism that adaptive technology pricing reflects the prices governments and large agencies will pay rather than individual consumers, it is not a discussion for this post. They are also free to add products that they believe will be successful and discontinue those that aren't performing to expectations. It is their prerogative to charge the price that the market will bear. Though this software (and any other versions of Window-Eyes) will continue to work, they may not be compatible with newer operating systems or versions of third-party applications.Īs with any business, adaptive technology companies are, as the economists would say, profit-maximizing entities. Unfortunately, this offer does not extend to the free version of Window-Eyes acquired with Microsoft Office. As well, all existing upgrade agreements are being honoured. To its credit, the company has extended an offer to those who purchased Window-Eyes that enables them to receive either free or discounted access to JAWS. The most popular screen reader, JAWS, and the most popular screen magnification program, Zoom Text, have already been combined into a fusion product for low-vision users who wish both access to magnification and text-to-speech. This parent company now also owns two competing screen magnification products, so I would not be surprised if one of these also becomes defunct. Through a series of mergers and acquisitions, the software eventually became owned by the same company as JAWS. ![]() Unfortunately this free offer did little for Window-Eyes' profitability. Though I still consider myself a Window-Eyes novice, I found that the training tutorials were excellent and I applauded its availability to purchasers of popular mainstream software. I took advantage of this offer, as it allowed me to evaluate Echidna creations and third-party websites with a third screen reader. In 2014, Window-Eyes’ popularity increased as it was offered for free to any purchaser of Microsoft Office 2010 or newer. While Window-Eyes never dominated the market like its primary competitor, Job Access with Speech (JAWS), it kept a pretty loyal user base and its manufacturer, GW Micro, was known for decent technical support. More than two decades after its creation, this commercial screen reader will no longer be sold in the United States and Canada. Last week marked the end of a long-standing text-to-speech engine, Window-Eyes.
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