Comcast Readying a Cable TV Guide For The Blind
By tech editor Ian Bush
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- On-screen television program guides make channel surfing a breeze -- unless you can't see them.
Comcast Corp. says that's why it is rolling out a new feature before the end of the year for the blind and visually impaired.
It's called Talking Guide, which the cable giant says is the first in the industry.
(Guide:) "Press OK to watch."
(Guide:) "SportsCenter. 36 minutes remaining."
"I can navigate the TV listings just like you'd be able to," says Tom Wlodkowski, Comcast's vice president of audience.
He's also blind.
"I can schedule and play back DVR recordings independently, without requiring my wife or son -- both of whom are sighted -- to help navigate," he explains.
Talking Guide, available soon to Comcast customers using the company's X1 platform, doesn't skimp on details.
Say you want to buy an on-demand movie:
(Guide:) "'X Men: Days of Future Past,' 132 minutes, from $4.99."
It gives the Rotten Tomatoes rating, and a description.
(Wlodkowski:) "It just said 'trailer.' If I wanted to watch the trailer, I'd press OK."
The biggest challenge? Having a very visual guide make sense to the ears.
The result, says Wlodkowski, is positive:
"It's really about discoverability. Who knew 'The Brady Bunch' was still in syndication? I did -- when I found it through the TV guide. I can't say I watched it, but I knew it was there."
