iMacs and iMates?
There has been a lot of discussion lately in assistive technology and education circles re problems with using IntelliKeys and other assistive technology products with an iMac computer. For those who have missed this discussion or who did not have a chance to read last month’s Spectronics On-line Newsletter, the main points are repeated here.
The main problem experienced by purchasers of the popular iMac computer is that it does not have the ADB port as commonly used by IntelliKeys when plugging into Apple/Mac computers. In its place is a USB port – and an adapter is needed to allow devices such as IntelliKeys to plug into the computer. The USB port is not only found on an iMac computer – so purchasers wishing to use assistive technology peripherals with new computers are best to check which ports are to be supplied as part of the new computer system – and whether these are compatible with existing devices used by people with disabilities. This will continue to be an issue until “USB compatible” versions of the assistive technology peripherals are available – and we have received no firm advice on plans for development of these products to date.
Information on the iMate USB to ADB adapter suitable for IntelliKeys can be found on the IntelliTools website at http://www.intellitools.com/techsupport/ik_06imac.aspx
Information from the Griffin Technology, the manufacturer of the iMate adapter can be found at the Griffin website http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/imate/
 | The iMate USB to ADB port adapter Available from Griffin Technology in the USA or Contact your local Apple Computer Supplier. Visit Apple Computer Australia at www.apple.com.au/buy/ for your nearest Apple Computer Supplier. |
From the IntelliTools Web Page …
Connecting the IntelliKeys to the iMac
The iMac does not have an ADB port for the IntelliKeys to plug into. Griffin Technology has an ADB/USB adapter that will allow the IntelliKeys’ standard overlays to work with the iMac.
In the process of installing these drivers, it is important that you follow the instructions in the various Read Me and About documents and verify version numbers. Also be aware that other USB devices may have you install software that could overwrite your iMac Update or may overwrite your iMac Firmware Update. Also be aware that you may need to update your OS version to 8.5.1
As of May 1999, the iMate driver is version 1.0.4. If you have a previous version, consider updating your iMate driver. This version improves the sending time for custom overlays.
You are also encouraged to update your Overlay Maker and Overlay Sender to at least version 2.2b
From the Griffin Technology Web Page …
Griffin Technology iMac Lineup
Griffin Technology has introduced a number of exciting new products for the iMac. The iMate USB to ADB adapter allows the connection of existing ADB devices to iMacs, Macs with USB, and PCs with USB. The NE Mic audio adapter allows the connection of any microphone to your iMac as well as other Mac models. The iPort includes a number of ports Mac users have come to depend on including video out, serial ports and localtalk file sharing and printing.
Comments from Michael O’Leary (Managing Director of Spectronics) …
Of greatest interest to some customers perhaps is the USB to ADB adapter which enables peripheral devices like IntelliKeys to work with iMACS. I saw the Griffin iMate in action with IntelliKeys, when I visited IntelliTools in the U.S. earlier this year. It worked OK, but it was very noticeably slower to send an overlay, in comparison with the send time for other computers. We have been advised recently however, that the iMate driver version 1.0.4 is now available at Griffin Technology’s web site, and it supports improved sending time for custom IntelliKeys overlays.
I believe that Apple resellers, or Apple themselves, should accept some responsibility for distributing a computer that is not compatible with well known access hardware (I thought there were laws in the USA that prevented manufacturers from doing so), and so they should assist users to ensure the Griffin adapter works for people with special needs. This problem serves to highlight the loss of Apple’s World Wide Disabilities Solution Group, which liaised with special needs third party developers to ensure compatibility.
Re the Discover Series of products from Don Johnston Inc.
We have received advice from Don Johnston Inc. that the Griffin iMate USB to ADB Adapter also is suitable for connecting the following devices to an iMac computer.
- Discover:Kenx for the Macintosh
- Discover:Board for the Macintosh
- Discover:Switch for the Macintosh
- The Macintosh Switch Interface from Don Johnston
For successful operation of Discover products with an iMac, the drivers for the iMate Adapter need to be downloaded from the Griffin Technology website at http://www.griffintechnology.com. The drivers for the iMate Adapter are frequently being updated and refined by Griffin Technology – hence the difficulty of supplying these drivers on CD-ROM at this stage.
To use the Macintosh Switch Interface from Don Johnston on an iMac, the iMate Adapter is required, however it is not necessary to download the drivers if using the Macintosh Switch Interface only.
My best suggestion at present is that if people are wanting to have alternative accessibility options for a computer – they should pick the computer that will work with the access options they require – unfortunately that is not iMAC at present. To me it’s like buying an American Ford Mustang and complaining afterwards that it is left hand drive only!