Extra Extra, Read all About it: the NLS Bard Mobile app is on its way!

The national Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) has submitted their app, called BARD Mobile, for approval to the Apple App Store. Neil Bernstein, who works for NLS, estimated that it could take 1 or 2 more weeks for the app to be approved which would get it in to the hands of NLS patrons. The app, as indicated previously, will support the reading of braille files through the Web Braille service when using braille displays. it will also support the playback of the encrypted audio files on iDevices. Eligible readers are those who are US citizens who also qualify for other NLS services. For more information about applying, please see The NLS Application page Once released, be on the look out for a podcast reviewing all of the features and functions of this app. Will the app live up to its anticipation? As someone who was beta testing this app, it is my opinion that it will in many ways. I hope that this will be the springboard to expand other NLS services, but that's another blog post for another day. For now, just be on the lookout for this app and an associated podcast.