SwitchXS™ for Macintosh

Product Information

SwitchXS™ provides virtually complete access to Mac OS X and all standard Mac applications for people who can only use a single switch. It offers full mouse and keyboard emulation by what is known as “scanning”.

The idea of using a single switch and scanning to access a computer may be a little confusing, but it is a simple concept. An image of a keyboard is presented on the computer display. A single adaptive switch is clicked to begin scanning the keyboard and in turn each row of keys is highlighted. Select a row by clicking the switch when that row of keys is highlighted. Then each button in that row is highlighted in sequence. When the button of interest is highlighted click the switch and the function of that button is executed. For example, if a letter button is selected, such as "B" that letter is sent to the active application. If one of the mouse emulation buttons is selected, such as "mouse pointer up" the pointer begins moving up. Click the switch again and the mouse pointer stops.

SwitchXS provides a number of predefined scanning panels for moving the cursor, and clicking and typing in all standard Mac applications. A scanning panel can be thought of as a keyboard with additional buttons for mouse emulation, menu scanning and managing the scanning process. SwitchXS also has adjustable scanning speed and cycling, mouse speed, and keyboard transparency. SmartTransparency™ makes the scanning panel partially or fully transparent when not scanning and makes it possible to see “under” the keyboard between scans.

A very important feature of SwitchXS is that not only can the keyboard be scanned but the application and system menus can be as well.

SwitchXS works with most USB joysticks, game pads, as well as switch interfaces that emulate those devices. In addition, it can be used with a regular keyboard as well as switch interfaces that emulate a keyboard. SwitchXS supports multiple switches and user configurable scanning methods.

SwitchXS is currently localized for English and French. However, it works with most other languages.

Features

• Full mouse and keyboard emulation
• Works seamlessly with all standard Mac OS and Mac OS X applications
• Automatic Menu scanning
• SmartTransparency to hide keyboard when not in use
• Handles command-key and modifier key combinations, and dead-keys
• Multiple resizable keyboard layouts
• Programmable scan speed and cycling, and mouse speed
• Works with a wide range of input devices
• Use with one or more switches

System Requirements

• Mac OS X 10.2 and higher
• Minimal screen resolution of 800 x 600 pixels
• SwitchXS works with any HID compliant USB gamepad, joystick and keyboard, and starting with Mac OS X 10.3 also with any HID compliant USB mouse or trackball.

NOTE: SwitchXS also works with USB switch interfaces emulating any of the above devices