JAWS 8 Update with Windows Vista Support is Now Available

JAWS screen reading software update version 8.0.2173 is now available for download from the Web. This is an official release for Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Vista. If you are an existing JAWS 8.0 user, go to the JAWS Help menu and choose Check for Updates to get the latest version downloaded and installed. You may also visit the JAWS downloads page and get the full version download from there.

Enhancements in JAWS Version 8.0.2173 (21 June 2007) include:

JAWS

• Freedom Scientific is proud to announce that JAWS 8.0 has officially completed its public beta test cycle with Windows Vista. The feedback the public provided was extremely helpful, and, as a result of the reports provided, we addressed many issues ensuring that JAWS 8 is working smoothly and seamlessly with Vista. While not every comment and suggestion could be addressed at this time, we have incorporated many changes already for JAWS 9, coming out in September 2007.
• Resolved an issue reported by the public where two versions of JAWS for Windows were active when a UAC dialog box opened in Windows Vista.
• In Windows Vista, the WINDOWS Key+SPACEBAR keystroke brings the Sidebar and all gadgets to the foreground. If the Sidebar is not running when you issue this keystroke, JAWS explains how to launch it. For example, JAWS says that you have to type the word "sidebar" in the Run dialog box.
• When focus is on the Clock gadget of the Windows Vista Sidebar, JAWS correctly updates the time automatically. This allows JAWS to provide the proper time without having to move away from the gadget and back again.
• Through a collaboration between Freedom Scientific and IBM, JAWS now successfully works with Host on Demand (HOD), a JAVA-based terminal emulation application that many companies are now deploying in place of PCOMM. JAWS is the only screen reader that works with HOD.
• JAWS does not crash when the text string "c a e s u r e" is spoken.
• JAWS now speaks messages associated with the JAWS clipboard, the CTRL+C command, and the WINDOWS Key+C command when a User Access Control (UAC) dialog appears.
• The updated Papenmeier braille driver is included in this release.
• The latest Handy Tech driver, version 3.0.1.13, is included in this release.
• Fixed reported issues where JAWS, running in Windows Vista, would not automatically read certain static text when using the INSERT+B keystroke.
• The GetRegistryEntryDWord script works correctly when JAWS is run as a service.
• The MAGic 6.2 keyboard layout option has been removed from JAWS.

Internet Explorer

• Resolved an issue for the Social Security Administration where JAWS was not speaking hidden text that appeared on some of their HTML pages.

Lotus Notes

• JAWS, when running as a service, can successfully read Lotus Notes e-mail messages.

Microsoft Excel 2007

• When ESC is pressed to exit a comment, JAWS confirms that focus is back on the worksheet by announcing and displaying the active cell in braille.
• JAWS correctly speaks and shows in braille split buttons that appear in the Microsoft Excel ribbon.
• JAWS correctly announces cell comment information when moving from the beginning or end of the comment.
• When using the LEFT ARROW and RIGHT ARROW keys to navigate by character, JAWS now reads text as expected in the Parameters dialog of Microsoft Excel 2007.
• Fixed an Excel 2007 issue reported by Microsoft where JAWS would read extra information when navigating Context menus.

Microsoft Office 2007

• When screen-sensitive help (INSERT+F1) is issued for split buttons, JAWS now announces the correct help message for the selected control type.
• JAWS speaks as expected when it encounters a spelling error related to capitalization in Word 2007 and Outlook 2007. Previously, JAWS would say "blank" twice.
• JAWS correctly reads the Context menu when the Applications key is pressed in an Office 2007 application.

Microsoft Outlook 2007

• When in the header of an e-mail message, pressing ALT+GRAVE moves the cursor to the message body field.
• JAWS speaks the e-mail message that is highlighted in the Inbox as you move up and down the message list using the UP ARROW and DOWN ARROW keys.
• JAWS correctly reads text when you run the Spelling and Grammar function after pasting text from a Word 2007 document into a new e-mail message.
• JAWS functions correctly when using the Previous Message command (CTRL+COMMA) or the Next Message command (CTRL+PERIOD) in Outlook 2007.
• When using TAB or SHIFT+TAB to navigate through the Spelling and Grammar dialog box, JAWS correctly speaks and shows in braille the buttons, check boxes, and list boxes that appear in this dialog box.
• As you use the UP ARROW and DOWN ARROW keys to navigate through the Folder list in Outlook 2007, JAWS correctly says the name of the folders.
• JAWS correctly reads RSS feeds messages that are opened using Outlook 2007.

Microsoft Outlook 2003

• JAWS correctly speaks e-mail rules that appear in the Rules Wizard for Microsoft Outlook 2003.
• When using the Say Line command (INSERT+UP ARROW), JAWS now reads the correct information when the auto-complete function inserts an e-mail address in the To edit field.
• First letter navigation works for Folder List view in Outlook 2003.

Microsoft Word 2007

• By default, when you open the Ribbon toolbar, the cursor is placed on the Home tab. The letter H in the word Home now appears in braille.
• JAWS correctly handles repeated words that appear as misspelled words when running spell check in a Microsoft Word 2007 document.
• When a document is protected from unintentional editing, the context-sensitive help (INSERT+F1) associated with the read-only status is now correctly reported.
• When the Verbosity Spelling and Grammar function is turned on, JAWS correctly reports misspelled words as you navigate forward and backward using the INSERT+LEFT ARROW and INSERT+RIGHT ARROW keystrokes.
• JAWS speaks the title bar when the Spell Checker function is launched in Microsoft Word.
• When Hot key Help (INSERT+H) is turned on for the Spelling and Grammar dialog box, the UP ARROW and DOWN ARROW keys now allow you to navigate up and down in the Virtual Viewer.

Windows Mail

• JAWS recognizes graphics associated with attachments when using Windows Mail, which is available in Windows Vista.

Windows Update

• JAWS can now use the JAWS cursor to read text in areas of Windows Vista where previously it could not.

JAWS Keystrokes Web Page Updated

The JAWS Keystrokes Web page has been updated to include some typical keyboard commands for Internet Explorer 7 and table reading keystrokes for laptop JAWS users. Visit the JAWS Keystrokes Web page to get the latest. Look for the additions in the following sections:

• General Commands for HTML
• Other Commands for HTML
• Table Reading Commands for Laptop Layout

Surf's Up, Surfing the Web with JAWS, Revised and Updated

Surf's Up! - Surfing the Internet with JAWS teaches you to use JAWS to read and work with all types of HTML pages, such as Web sites, Help systems, Web-based applications, and more. You'll learn how to use the powerful features of JAWS to get the most out of surfing the Web. Over a dozen pages have been updated to include the latest features of JAWS. Visit the Surf's Up Web site to review the latest and most up-to-date version! For times when Internet access is not available, visit the Surf's Up download link for a self-extracting ZIP file to install on the local hard drive of your computer. This is great for training when no Internet access is available!

To learn more about JAWS for Windows or to purchase JAWS today, check out the JAWS Product Page.