[Blindtlk] Note takers

Sat Oct 23 20:16:38 UTC 2010

This Braille Wizzard sounds fantastic.  Android operating system I believe 
is a wave of the future.

Judy

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gloria Whipple" <fairyfoot at webband.com>
To: "'Blind Talk Mailing List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, October 23, 2010 9:23 AM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Note takers

> Sounds very nice!
>
>
> Gloria Whipple
>
> cell number: 509-475-4993
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Danielle Montour
> Sent: Saturday, October 23, 2010 8:03 AM
> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
> 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
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