[Electronics-Talk] [EXTERNAL] Re: Android-based braille notetakers

Wed Apr 6 19:17:29 UTC 2016

Tracy,
It is not my desire to change your mind on any of the three strikes, but
perhaps there is information that will help you make the purchase decision.
If you become comfortable with the touch braille process, you would only
need to carry the tablet that includes the refreshable braille display, and
that part probably weighs no more than one pound. The unit is rather heavy
when in the case which includes the keyboard that lays overtop of the touch
tablet with display. The question is whether or not any one of us could in
fact become comfortable using the touch braille process. I do not know how
many of us will get to work with a touch for a sufficient amount of time to
become comfortable with that process. Those who do will have a light weight
device and those who do not but have a BrailleNote Touch will need to carry
the entire heavy unit. Some will find that a fine thing as the world of
accessible android apps will be open to them through a familiar notetaker
interface. This unit is much bulkier and heavier than the Apex that it
replaces.

Listers feel free to correct me on this next paragraph. By main stream
formats, the meaning is rtf, txt, doc and the like. For braille, that would
be brf and it seems there may be another braille format. The KWB format will
be no more, Tracy, as you note. If you create documents and have your own
contractions, that will not matter. What you save is what you have. If you
ever want to translate that document into a print format, there will be
problems if your code has other translations in Braille. If the documents
are for your own use, they will save as you write them and you will
understand. I think this to be the case.

Now for your final point about importing your kwb braille files from keysoft
land. If you buy any note taker that is not apex or older, from any maker,
you will have this issue to confront. No device can open KWB files so far as
I know. You will need to save any braille files you will put to your new
notetaker to brf, or if you want as text based, txt, rtf doc or the like. I
have an apex that had more files than I care to recall. I have begun using a
Vario Ultra, from Baum USA. Most of those files are not moved to the ultra
because I have not yet saved them to a thumb drive as brf files. If you want
a highly portable device and do not need the device to speak, I really would
suggest, by the way, that you look at the vario ultra. There is some bit of
a learning curve or has been for me and some of the use is not, in my
opinion, that intuitive. Now that I have been using it for a while, much of
that is becoming pretty second nature and I do think that the Baum USA
support is very good! The 20 cell is very portable and I use the 40 cell
fining it still quite light weight and easily portable also.
Jim McCarthy 

-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Tracy Carcione via Electronics-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2016 2:21 PM
To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances
Cc: Tracy Carcione
Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] [EXTERNAL] Re: Android-based braille
notetakers

I'm not sure I'd like touch braille much, either.  I found specs, and they
say the unit weighs 3 pounds, with case.  This is way more than I want to
schlep, so I've pretty much dropped the BrailleNote from my list of
contenders.  My days of dragging around 2 or 3 pounds of equipment are over.
And, the specs say every doc has to be in a mainstream format, implying it
expects the braille to be written in a standard way, no more of my personal
contractions.  And it can't import any of my old .kwb files, either.  Guess
that makes 3 strikes, at least while I'm umpiring.
Tracy

> I was unable to get the hang of entering Braille on the touch screen.
> Thank God that they offer a case that has the regular Perkins style 
> keys and this top can be brought down to cover the touch screen.
>
> Andy
>
>
> -----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 6:51 AM
> To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances
> Cc: Brad Hodges
> Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [Electronics-Talk] Android-based braille 
> notetakers
>
> 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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