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

Tracy Carcione carcione at access.net
Thu Apr 7 12:44:53 UTC 2016 

Jim, the BrailleNote Touch FAQ specifically says No, you cannot import your
.kwb files into the Touch.
I to want to know if I can write free-form braille.  I also use my notetaker
a lot for braille music, and, if a translator tries to translate that, it's
a big mess.
Roger, thanks for your feedback.  I don't own an Apex.  It's too heavy for
my taste.  Other people may carry it around happily, but, for me, lightness
is very important. I like to walk as much as I can fit in, and my back isn't
as strong as it used to be, so dragging around heavy objects is something
I'll opt out of whenever I can.
I'd be interested to hear more about the Braille2Go.
Tracy


-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Jim Barbour via Electronics-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2016 4:22 PM
To: Roger Behm via Electronics-Talk
Cc: Jim Barbour
Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] [EXTERNAL] Re: Android-based braille
notetakers

Hey Roger,

Does the new BN Touch allow saving of free form Braille?  i.e. without
translating it to text and then saving it as a docx file?

Also, can the BN touch read kwb files produced by older Braille note
devices?

Thanks,

Jim

On Wed, Apr 06, 2016 at 02:21:04PM -0500, Roger Behm via Electronics-Talk
wrote:
> Hi Tracy,
> 
> You are miss guided and miss informed about the touch.
> 
> I have a unit sitting right here next to me and out of the case it 
> weighs the same as the apex.
> 
> When I lay an apex on top of the touch it is the same size from left 
> to right and about 3/4 inches deeper and the same thickness.
> 
>  2 or 3 pounds is nothing to carry  around  when you see people 
> carrying laptops Braille displays smart phones and such.
> 
> You can very easily import the apex docs in to the touch and your 
> contacts can be imported very easy through syncing your apex to 
> outlook and then attach your touch to the computer and syncing it up 
> and have them transferred.
> 
> The touch creates all documents in docx format by default and you can 
> use contracted Braille, or like in my case I am a 1.5 contracted 
> braille user, since I learned braille later in life.
> 
> Touch Braille typing is a breeze, takes about 20 to 30 minutes to get 
> the hang of it, while blind folks are doing it already on smart phones 
> or tablets!
> 
> Until you see it, don't judge a product on hear say, and with their 
> generous loyalty trade in of old brailleNotes even if they don't work 
> you receive
> $1,500 or $800 on a 32 or 18 cell unit and you get to keep them and 
> use them, unless they were bought after January 1, 2014.
> 
> Remember android is used by over 60% of the people in the world, while 
> Apple is less than 40% an dapple stuff is for the most part 
> entertainment devices only!
> 
> I now can write very professional word docx documents on the touch, 
> you can't do that with apple stuff and it is all in one device, no 
> carrying around two or more devices to do what the touch can do.
> 
> I am having fun right now having the Braille 2 Go right next to the 
> BrailleNote touch.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Roger Behm
> 
> 
> -----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 1:21 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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> >>
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