ZoomText Magnifier Reader 9.1 for Mac: A Review
If you are looking for a screen magnification and reading software for your Mac computer, you might want to consider ZoomText Magnifier Reader 9.1. This software is designed to help users with low vision access and use their computer applications with ease and comfort. In this article, we will review the features, benefits, and drawbacks of ZoomText Magnifier Reader 9.1 for Mac.
What is ZoomText Magnifier Reader 9.1?
ZoomText Magnifier Reader 9.1 is a software product from Ai Squared, a company that specializes in assistive technology for people with vision impairments. ZoomText Magnifier Reader 9.1 is a fully integrated magnification and reading program that enlarges and enhances everything on your computer screen, echoes your typing and essential program activity, and automatically reads documents, web pages, email, and more.
What are the features of ZoomText Magnifier Reader 9.1?
ZoomText Magnifier Reader 9.1 offers a range of features to suit different needs and preferences of users with low vision. Some of the main features are:
- Magnification: You can choose from a full range of magnification levels up to 36x. You can zoom in and out using all zoom levels, favorite zoom levels only, or whole power levels only. You can also adjust the size and color of the mouse pointer, cursor, and focus rectangle to make them easier to see.
- xFont Technology: This is a revolutionary feature that displays crystal clear text at all magnification levels. Unlike other screen magnifiers that stretch the text as you zoom in, xFont preserves the original font shape and clarity. This makes the text more readable and reduces eye strain.
- Screen Reading: ZoomText Magnifier Reader 9.1 can read aloud any text on your screen using natural-sounding voices. You can choose from a variety of voice options, including gender, language, speed, pitch, and volume. You can also customize the speech settings to suit your preferences, such as how much punctuation and capitalization to announce, how to pronounce numbers and dates, and how to handle acronyms and abbreviations.
- AppReader: This is a feature that reads documents, web pages, email, and other applications from within the parent application. You can use AppReader in different modes, such as automatic reading, manual reading, or skim reading. You can also pause, resume, navigate, and adjust the reading speed using keyboard commands or mouse clicks.
- Echoing: ZoomText Magnifier Reader 9.1 can echo your typing, mouse clicks, menu selections, and program events as they occur. This helps you confirm your actions and monitor your progress. You can also adjust the echoing settings to control what and how much information is spoken by ZoomText.
What are the benefits of ZoomText Magnifier Reader 9.1?
ZoomText Magnifier Reader 9.1 can provide many benefits for users with low vision who want to use their Mac computer more effectively and comfortably. Some of the benefits are:
- Accessibility: ZoomText Magnifier Reader 9.1 can make any application on your Mac accessible by enlarging and enhancing the screen display and providing speech output. You can use ZoomText with popular applications such as Safari, Mail, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, iPhoto, iTunes, iChat, Skype, and more. You can also use ZoomText with web-based applications such as Google Docs, Gmail, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and more.
- Productivity: ZoomText Magnifier Reader 9.1 can help you perform tasks faster and easier by reducing eye fatigue and errors. You can work with documents, spreadsheets, presentations, photos, music, videos, chat messages, and more with clarity and confidence. You can also use ZoomText's hotkeys, toolbars, and menus to access and control ZoomText's features quickly and conveniently.
- Independence: ZoomText Magnifier Reader 9.1 can help you enjoy your Mac computer without relying on others for assistance. You can browse the web, read email, shop online, watch videos, listen to music, play games, and more with ZoomText's magnification and reading features. You can also customize ZoomText to suit your personal preferences and needs.
What are the drawbacks of ZoomText Magnifier Reader 9.1?
ZoomText Magnifier Reader 9.1 is not a perfect software and it may have some drawbacks for some users. Some of the possible drawbacks are:
- Compatibility: ZoomText Magnifier Reader 9.1 is compatible with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard or later. However, it may not work well with some applications or websites that are not designed for accessibility or that use complex graphics or animations. You may need to adjust the zoom level, color scheme, or speech settings to optimize your experience with ZoomText.
- Cost: ZoomText Magnifier Reader 9.1 is not a cheap software and it may be out of reach for some users who have a limited budget. The single-user license for ZoomText Magnifier Reader 9.1 costs $800. You can also purchase a magnifier-only version for $575 or a 90-day timed license for $290. You may need to check with your insurance company, employer, school, or local agency to see if they can cover or subsidize the cost of ZoomText.
- Learning Curve: ZoomText Magnifier Reader 9.1 is a powerful and complex software that has many features and options to explore and master. You may need to spend some time and effort to learn how to use ZoomText effectively and efficiently. You can use the built-in tutorials, help files, user guides, and online resources to get started with ZoomText. You can also contact Ai Squared's technical support team for assistance if you encounter any problems or questions with ZoomText.
Conclusion
ZoomText Magnifier Reader 9.1 is a screen magnification and reading software that can help users with low vision access and use their Mac computer with ease and comfort. It offers a range of features such as magnification, xFont technology, screen reading, AppReader, and echoing. It also provides many benefits such as accessibility, productivity, and independence. However, it also has some drawbacks such as compatibility, cost, and learning curve. Therefore, you should weigh the pros and cons of ZoomText Magnifier Reader 9.1 before deciding whether it is the right software for you.
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