[Electronics-Talk] Android-based braille notetakers

Sharon Klug sharonklug9304 at gmail.com
Tue Apr 5 15:45:48 UTC 2016 

The braillenote touch has either 18 or 32 cells.


-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Jim Barbour via Electronics-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2016 10:12 AM
To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances
Cc: Jim Barbour
Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Android-based braille notetakers

Without the case, I would say that it is the size of a 10 inch tablet,
although the touch screen itself is a 7 inch tablet.  If you put it inside
the case, I would say it is roughly the size of an existing braillenote
Apex. I'm pretty sure there are specs, other people have quoted them to me.
I do not remember how many south, but there are more than 14.

Jim



Written While on the Move

> On Apr 5, 2016, at 8:06 AM, Tracy Carcione via Electronics-Talk
<electronics-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Jim or Brad, do you know where I can find specs for the Braillenote Touch?
> Is it the size of a big tablet?  How many braille cells?
> Perhaps Humanware hasn't put out specs yet, since it's not quite ready 
> for sale?
> Thanks to both of you for your descriptions.
> Tracy
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
> Behalf Of Brad Hodges via Electronics-Talk
> Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2016 10:44 AM
> To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances
> Cc: Brad Hodges
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Android-based braille notetakers
> 
> Tracy:
> 
> If I may, there are two pieces of hardware and a textile cover. The 
> first piece is the "case" which is   rectangular and felt just a bit 
> longer and taller than an Apex. The case is comprised of a top piece, 
> containing a keyboard which felt identical to that of the Apex, and is 
> hinged at the back and connected to a tray-like section in which a 
> tablet is connected.
> 
> The second hardware piece is the tablet. It felt very much like a 
> conventional Android or iPad tablet with a row of braille cells 
> running across it's front and  along it's long edge. Spring latches on 
> the bottom of the lower section of the case release the tablet. The 
> batteries are contained in the tablet/braille unit.
> 
> A wrapper with magnetic edges is attached to the back of the case and 
> covers the braille keyboard and edges of the Touch.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>> On 4/5/2016 10:25 AM, Tracy Carcione via Electronics-Talk wrote:
>> I have looked at the Humanware site for the Braillenote Touch, but 
>> it's light on actual specs.
>> Is it 3 pieces--braille display, touch tablet, and case?  It seems 
>> rather confusing to me.
>> Tracy
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] 
>> On Behalf Of Jim Barbour via Electronics-Talk
>> Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2016 10:12 AM
>> To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances
>> Cc: Jim Barbour
>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Android-based braille notetakers
>> 
>> I am assuming that you two are talking about the Braille note touch, 
>> I've not heard of the apex touch.
>> 
>> It definitely has a one line Braille display.
>> 
>> It also comes with a touchscreen tablet that you can Braille into 
>> much
> like
>> the iPhone's braille input utility. It also comes with a case that 
>> has traditional braille keys on it.
>> 
>> Another android-based note taker that was introduced is the low cost
> Braille
>> display that the NFB has been involved in.  It definitely has 
>> drawbacks,
> but
>> will cost under $500 which will be interesting to some.
>> 
>> Hope this helps,
>> 
>> Jim
>> 
>> Written While on the Move
>> 
>>>> On Apr 5, 2016, at 6:51 AM, Brad Hodges via Electronics-Talk
>>> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> Greetings:
>>> 
>>> I have had a brief audition of the Touch, and it includes a braille 
>>> display. If it is a consideration, I'm sure if you contact humanware 
>>> you can arrange an in-person audition. I don't know what plans the 
>>> other manufacturers have for demonstrations.
>>> 
>>> My direct e-mail is brad.hodges at outlook.com, if you would like to 
>>> communicate directly.
>>> 
>>> Brad
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> On 4/5/2016 9:26 AM, Tracy Carcione via Electronics-Talk wrote:
>>>> Thanks Brad.
>>>> I looked at the ad for the Humanware Touch, but it does not appear 
>>>> to have a braille display, which for me is a deal-breaker.
>>>> Looking at the FS ad, it appears that the ElBraille will not be 
>>>> available until at least convention.  Since my current notetaker 
>>>> died suddenly and I'm now using my good old slate for notes, I'm 
>>>> not sure I'm willing to wait that long.
>>>> Your questions are certainly things worth thinking about.
>>>> Both the NeoBraille and B2G say they can have cellular 
>>>> connectivity, but don't specifically say one could use them for phone
calls.
>>>> Tracy
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>>>> On Behalf Of Brad Hodges via Electronics-Talk
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2016 9:02 AM
>>>> To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances
>>>> Cc: Brad Hodges
>>>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Android-based braille notetakers
>>>> 
>>>> Tracy:
>>>> 
>>>> While I was not at CSUN, I have had an opportunity to follow the 
>>>> arrival of Android-based notetakers. In addition to the 2 you 
>>>> mention, the Apex Touch, from Humanware is also available. Of the 
>>>> 3, I would say that the Touch is the most available for immediate
purchase.
>>>> 
>>>> That having been said, in my opinion there are some very important 
>>>> considerations created by the switch to the Android operating 
>>>> system for our notetaker technology. Your questions illuminate 
>>>> several of these. I also believe there is more that we don't know 
>>>> yet which we should know in order to evaluate Android as a 
>>>> notetaker operating
> system.
>>>> 
>>>> Rather than relating my understanding of the 2 you mention, and 
>>>> relate my very brief experience with the Touch, last week-end, I 
>>>> would encourage you to formulate a comprehensive set of evaluation 
>>>> criteria to use as you have the opportunity to audition each of the 
>>>> 3
>> candidates.
>>>> Additionally, don't discount Freedom Scientific's L-Braille, which 
>>>> is based on Windows 10 and integrates one of the companies existing 
>>>> braille displays with a module containing the processor.
>>>> 
>>>> I strongly suggest that those interested in a new notetaker hold 
>>>> off until the candidates have made their actual arrival and are 
>>>> ready for
>> purchase.
>>>> This question might also be something which we may want to address 
>>>> at Convention. Perhaps a panel organized by one of our De visions.
>>>> 
>>>> Here are a few of the questions which come to my mind so far.
>>>> 
>>>> Since they are using an operating system which is intended to 
>>>> support a mobile device does the notetaker include the ability to 
>>>> use cellular
>> data?
>>>> Will it support phone calls? How important is this to you?
>>>> 
>>>> Which is more important, the availability of phone-like 
>>>> connectivity and other exclusive features provided by Android, or 
>>>> an updated experience with a familiar menu structure and existing  set
of features?
>>>> 
>>>> We are accustom to a very fast and responsive interface on legacy 
>>>> devices, is the notetaker equally as responsive?
>>>> 
>>>> How quickly can the notetaker be activated for immediate input, 
>>>> such as capturing a note or appointment? Is there both a sleep mode 
>>>> and power down mode? If so what is the difference?
>>>> 
>>>> Is the interface logical and easy to follow?
>>>> 
>>>> Since this is an Android device, what is the relationship between 
>>>> the interface and apps provided by the manufacturer and those apps 
>>>> available through the Play Store?
>>>> 
>>>> Can Talkback, the Android screen reader be used? If so how does 
>>>> that experience contrast with built in menus etc?
>>>> 
>>>> How does the notetaker feel while in use? Is the form factor
convenient?
>>>> Are keys convenient and responsive? If a touch screen is used how 
>>>> do your hands feel after an extended period of use?
>>>> 
>>>> How do the braille cells feel? Do they meet your expectations if 
>>>> you are experienced with notetaker or refreshable braille?
>>>> 
>>>>   How important is the ability of the notetaker to become part of 
>>>> your personal echo system, allowing contacts, calendars, documents 
>>>> and such to be shared across all your devices and phone? Does the 
>>>> notetaker facilitate this if it is of importance?
>>>> 
>>>> At the time of product announcements, in mid-March, 3 different 
>>>> versions of Android were used, 1 each on the 3 devices. What is the 
>>>> significance, if any, of the version of Android used in the 
>>>> notetaker
>> when purchased?
>>>> What is the impact of update availability, and who controls update
>> releases?
>>>> Those are just a few quick thoughts which have been running around 
>>>> in my mind. I hope that they may be of some use. It has been my 
>>>> experience that careful planning and a consistent record of your 
>>>> experience can help you make a choice with which you will be very
>> pleased.
>>>> Brad
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>> On 4/5/2016 7:16 AM, Tracy Carcione via Electronics-Talk wrote:
>>>>> 2 new braille notetakers were announced at CSUN, the NeoBraille 
>>>>> and the Braille2Go.  Both are based on android phones.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Did anyone happen to go to CSUN and actually use one of these new 
>>>>> notetakers?
>>>>> 
>>>>> I'm in the market for a new braille notetaker, and I'd like to 
>>>>> know what the interface for either of these is like.  Does one 
>>>>> have to swipe around, or does one enter a command from the 
>>>>> keyboard to bring up an app?  If I need to quickly scribble a 
>>>>> note, does the device come on quickly, or do I have to mess around 
>>>>> with unlocking it, then starting
>>>> some app?
>>>>> I know it's a long shot, but I'd love to hear from anyone who's 
>>>>> actually had hands on one of these new devices.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Tracy
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
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