[real-eyes] Fw: Tribute: A Thank You to Torsten, developer of Talks

From: "Reginald George" <sgeorge@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, 13 Apr 2010 13:50:34 -0500
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jonathan Mosen" <jmosen@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "'The Accessible Phones Discussion List'"
<blindphones@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2010 2:21 PM


> Less than a decade ago, the only way a blind person could send a text
> message was through a website, or by connecting some models of phone to a
> computer. Less than a decade ago, the only way a blind person could
> navigate the menus and change settings on their phone was to memorise the 
> sequences
> of key presses required, or carry around a Braille cheat sheet. And then,
> two brilliant people began collaborating. Marcus Groeber and Torsten Brand
> formed Brand and Groeber communications, and they got our phones talking.
>
> The original Talx, yes it was spelled with an X in those days, worked on
> the Nokia communicator, a PDA device with a qwerty keyboard. Later 
> however,
> Talks was released for S60 phones. In 2003, I purchased a Nokia 6600, and
> I'll never forget the phone starting up after I'd installed Talks. It was
> almost unreal. After 13 years of not being able to use all the features of
> my phone and really set it up the way I wanted, my phone was truly
> accessible. He made this dream a reality for blind people all over the
> world, in numerous languages.
>
> Those very early versions of Talks were somewhat sluggish, and had
> numerous issues. But we stuck with it because we knew it was ground 
> breaking
> technology. Over the years, Marcus and tenacious Torsten kept at it, to
> the point that Talks is now a very robust, reliable, speedy solution.
>
> Talks became so successful that eventually it was acquired by Nuance
> Communications, who thankfully kept Torsten and Marcus on to manage and
> develop the product.
>
> In looking back at the email correspondence I've had with Torsten over the
> years, and the times we've met up to chat or have dinner, a few words come
> to mind. Thoughtful, intelligent, committed, good fun, and great company
> with that distinctive German accent of his, when we'd catch up at CSUN or
> some other conference.
>
> As a blind guy himself, Torsten used the product he managed every day. I
> have always believed this makes a big difference. It is reflected in the
> power, and elegant user interface of Talks. Talks gets an awful lot done,
> very simply, with in many cases only a number pad and a few other keys to
> work with. He took user interface and efficiency extremely seriously,
> sometimes considering esoteric issues like how many syllables a prompt
> contained, because as a speech user himself, he knew all of that stuff
> mattered. Most recently, he and Marcus worked together on a very elegant
> implementation of an accessible interface for the S60 Fifth Edition touch
> phones.
>
> Torsten was in his prime, with many more great ideas on which he and
> Marcus
> would have collaborated. His passing is a tragedy for the blind community.
>
> Let's not also forget, Torsten was a husband, and a dad. There are two
> things I send to Torsten's family. Firstly my sincere condolences. But
> secondly, I send my deep appreciation. The work Torsten did changed lives
> for the better. If you can leave this world a better place than you found
> it, in whatever endeavour you pursue, your life has been worthwhile.
> Torsten
> led a most worthwhile, and worthy life. He has earned his place in the
> history of assistive technology.
>
> Ever since I heard the news of Torsten's death, every time I pick up my
> Nokia handset, so much more powerful than the first one Torsten helped to
> make accessible, I pause, and say a little thank you to him.
>
> You will be missed Torsten.
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[real-eyes] Fw: Tribute: A Thank You to Torsten, developer of Talks

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