I was pretty excited last week when I covered the VPAD+, a device that allows two-way video communication for the deaf. Unfortunately, I forgot to mention another product that I discovered at CES Unveiled that can aid the hard-of-hearing, the Krown Sign Language Translator.

Krown is a company that has a good reputation for making products for the deaf, and the Sign Language Translator is a definite jewel in their Krown. The Sign Language Translator looks a lot like a Portable Media Player with the large screen, but this screen is designed so the user can enter in a word with the included stylus pen on the keyboard. After the user hits enter, the Sign Language Translator will then show a video of a person signing that word.

As soon as I saw this device, I couldn’t help but wonder why I have never seen a similar device by any other company. However, it really has only been in the past few years that we could even have a device with advanced video capability in the palm of our hand. The Sign Language Translator can be used for up to six hours on a single charge, and weighs in at only 5.9 ounces.

You got to admire how Krown is using modern-day advanced technology to bridge the gap between the hearing and non-hearing. Unfortunately, I don’t have a release date for this fine product, and even Krown’s website does not show it being available. Well, if it is on display at CES 2009, it had better be available some time before CES 2010.