[Blindtlk] Note takers

Sat Oct 23 15:41:35 UTC 2010

This product sounds nice, but my braille 'n speak just went Caput! So I've 
got to have to have something now, do to the fact I'm a licensed minister. 
RJs
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Danielle Montour" <hypoplexer at gmail.com>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, October 23, 2010 11:03 AM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Note takers


> Hi,
> I'm not sure if you saw my post about the upcoming Braille Wizard, but 
> here it is again:
> The Wizard is a braille Personal Digital Assistant, PDA, designed 
> specifically for blind people.  Most of us use PDA's in our personal lives 
> and know them as smart phones, iPad's, laptop computers, and even desktop 
> computers.   The Wizard is a similar device that is tailored for blind 
> people.  Instead of a screen, the Wizard features a 20-character braille 
> display with synthetic speech output and a standard braille keyboard for 
> data entry.  Packaged to keep it small and portable, the Wizard is about 
> half the size of a sheet of paper and less than one inch thick, so users 
> can take it everywhere they would take a cell phone.
>
> Why Create Another Braille PDA for Blind People?
>
> Braille PDA's for the blind are not a new concept.  The technology has 
> been available for almost three decades, but since blindness is a low 
> incidence disability in the UddS,.  the size of this market does not 
> encourage the same innovation that drives mainstream technology.  As a 
> result, current braille PDA's are expensive--in the $5,000-10,000 range--  
> and often lack the same features as sighted people have come to expect in 
> a PDA.   What makes the Wizard different is that it is being produced by a 
> Boston-based non-profit, National Braille Press, that is dedicated to 
> literacy for blind people through braille.  NBP is committed to creating a 
> braille PDA that is affordable, with a wide range of features, and uses 
> Android as an open source platform to encourage innovation.
>
> Wizard Features and Functions
>
>  chinin 8 dot braille keyboard with an imbedded cursor pad.
>  chinin 20 cell, 8 dot braille display with cursor routing and forward and 
> back keys.
>  chinin Android Operating system found in many smartphones and notepads.
>  chinin 32GB of internal storage, users can plug SD cards into the back of 
> the Wizard to create data backups or to load data from other sources.
>  chinin Bluetooth wireless connectivity for headsets and other hands free 
> devices.
>  chinin WiFi connectivity to access local networks or other WiFi hotspots.
>  chinin Two USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports for users to connect to other 
> computer devices.
>  chinin Accelerometer -- the same chip that is used in games is also used 
> to detect the orientation of the Wizard and allows it to adjust when it is 
> tapped or rotated.
>  chinin Speech input and output for users who want to listen instead of 
> read braille, the Wizard has synthetic speech output.  It also has speech 
> input so users can perform voice searches, dial by voice, and create voice 
> short cuts.
>  chinin Cellular connection for data and voice, which can be used as a 
> cell phone and smart phone for email, web browsing, and smart 
> applications.
>  chinin Built-in speakers and microphone for users with a cell phone 
> carrier contract to make and receive phone calls.
>  chinin Headphonestheadset jack, a standard jack where users can plug in 
> their favorite headphones.
>  chinin GPS receiver to identify locations, and with the help of smart 
> applications, to provide navigation information.  Android-based navigation 
> applications for blind users are currently being created by other 
> developers.
>  chinin Compass to help users navigate.
>  chinin Built-in music player.  Users can load a music library on the 
> Wizard and listen via speakers or headset.
>  chinin 5Mp camera, for photography and to identify items or surroundings 
> in the user's environment.  Applications are available that can photograph 
> and read a printed page.
>  chinin Video output connector: for users who need a visual display.
>  National Braille Press is currently in the first year of product 
> development and making significant progress.  A working prototype of the 
> Wizard is expected to be completed by 2011 and the device will be 
> available to the public soon after that.  Since Android is a working, 
> usable operating system, we expect to continually upgrade and expand the 
> features of the Wizard.  Applications for the Wizard will be created by 
> third party developers so there is unlimited possibility for the product 
> to evolve based on the user's needs.
>  About National Braille Press The Wizard is a project of the Center for 
> Braille Innovation (CBI) at National Braille Press, which began in the 
> winter of 2009.  In an effort to increase braille literacy, the Wizard was 
> conceived as the first CBI project, one of many projects that NBP's Center 
> plans to initiate to make accessible technology products for blind people 
> so that they can stay connected in the digital world.     NBP is taking a 
> leadership role to research, develop and produce specific affordable 
> accessible technology products that will help promote braille literacy for 
> young readers, and support blind students and adults in school and in the 
> workplace environment.  While paper braille will not disappear in the 
> immediate future, NBP believes that it is equally important for blind 
> people to have accessible technology to access information that the 
> digital age provides
>  Worldwide Collaborations Since the launch of National Braille Press's 
> Center for Braille Innovation, NBP has been joined by the National 
> Federation of the Blind, The China Braille Press, the World Braille 
> Foundation and the American Printing House for the Blind to partner in 
> various affordable technology projects for blind people.  The Wizard 
> project is being funded by the National Braille Press, federal 
> appropriations, the National Federation of the Blind, and the China 
> Braille Press.  As non-profit organizations, these groups are committed to 
> ensuring that blind people have access to technology at affordable prices. 
> If you would like to donate to this project, please go to NBPDDORG to 
> learn more.
>
> Hope this helpps in your decision making.  I have used a BrailleSense, 
> Braille Plus, and am now using a  BrailleNote Apex.  If you have any 
> questions about
> any of those, feel free to contact me.
>
> Danni
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "RJ Sandefur" <joltingjacksandefur at gmail.com
> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org
> Date sent: Sat, 23 Oct 2010 10:11:30 -0400
> Subject: [Blindtlk] Note takers
>
> What type of note takers do you guy's use? I've heard the pack mate isn't 
> worth bying, and the braille note causts to much.  I'm not shure about the 
> braille sence.  Any pointers suggestions? RJ
> _______________________________________________
> blindtlk mailing list
> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> blindtlk:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/hypople
> xer%40gmail.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> blindtlk mailing list
> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> blindtlk:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/joltingjacksandefur%40gmail.com
>