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Known as MAD's Maddest Writer, co-host of The Giz Wiz with OMGchad at www.GizWiz.TV, The Giz Wiz on ABC's World News Now, and on Tech Guy Labs with Leo Laporte on www.TWiT.TV

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    Friday
    Apr152011

    Here’s a gadget unique in the world of gadgets!

    From Dick’s Gadget Warehouse!

    I found the Franklin LM6000SE Speaking Language Master Special Edition Speaking Dictionaryin the warehouse and wondered if I would be able to find anything about it on the web. I knew it was about 20 years old and who would care about an electronic device that ancient? The Franklin device can speak every word, letter, and definition. It was designed especially for the visually or speech impaired or learning disabled. I was afraid it wouldn't say a word for me because I could tell from the white ooze around the battery compartment that the batteries had corroded badly. I was able to pry the battery door off, insert new batteries -- and wow, it still speaks! Here’s a bit more about the device from the web: The Franklin LANGUAGE MASTER Special Edition is widely used in Braille institutes, for vocational rehabilitation and for speech therapy. It’s designed to make it easy for these learners to find definitions of words, to differentiate between words that can be confused with each other, and to distinguish between words that are spelled in the same way but Sound different and have different meanings. By speaking every letter, word and definition, it offers the visually impaired learners access to a comprehensive dictionary from Merriam-Webster, the most trusted name in the field of dictionaries. It can also helps expand written and spoken vocabulary; assist with reading and comprehension; improve spelling and grammar skills and aid in producing better-written compositions. It uses 4 AA Batteries or an AC Adapter. Now here’s the amazing part. Not only did I find it on the web. It’s still the same unit from years gone by! The only change I can see in 20 years of production is that the instructions are now included on a CD rather than on a cassette. The price is still way up there at about $450.00. Imagine a gadget holding its value and it same features for all those years! I haven’t bought anything here, but this place sells it today for $349.95: 

    http://www.amazon.com/Franklin-Special-Speaking-Language-Master/dp/B00013KO7A 

    See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1309

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