[Electronics-Talk] [EXTERNAL] Re: b2g description

Baracco, Andrew W Andrew.Baracco at va.gov
Fri Apr 8 14:35:17 UTC 2016 

In the 1990s Dean Blazie said that refreshable Braille costs about $100
per cell, and this price point seems to be valid today. Perhaps actually
more when you are talking about a note taker because of the computer
functionality.

Andy


-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of James Aldrich via Electronics-Talk
Sent: Friday, April 08, 2016 4:33 AM
To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances
Cc: James Aldrich
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [Electronics-Talk] b2g description

Hi Sharon,

Thanks for this good information!  I believe Dean Blazy has his hands in
the design of this product!  I for one will never pay over $5000 for a
notetaker ever again!  I have done this twice and have products which
are obsolete and can't go online.  One shouldn't have to pay much over
$2500 for any braille product!  The jury is still out on the 300 to five
hundred dollar braille display but I hope we see the end of the $5000
and more notetakers.  I'm writing these companies expressing this
thought!  Imagine what might happen if everyone wrote this thought and
avoided buying over $5000 notetakers!  I believe this year will bring
about some refreshing changes for braille products!

Jim

Sent from my iPod

> On Apr 5, 2016, at 9:49 AM, Sharon Klug via Electronics-Talk
<electronics-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hello. My friend just got the b2g and it sort of looks like the old 
> braille lites but the keys or more erogonomic. The display is a little

> lower in the front. It has 20 cells. It is a little smaller than the 
> apex. The braille is very nice on it and easy to type on.
> 
> Hope that helps.
> Sharon
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On

> Behalf Of Lauren Merryfield via Electronics-Talk
> Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2016 10:11 AM
> To: 'Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances'
> Cc: Lauren Merryfield
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Android-based braille notetakers
> 
> Hi,
> What does the Braille To Go look like?
> Thanks,
> Lauren
> 
> Blessings in Jesus' name! John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as He 
> is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of

> Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin. ... My digital evangelism
blog is at:
> w w w . ask in jesus name . org (remove the spaces). 
> Advice from my cats:"meow when you feel like it." 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On

> Behalf Of Jim McCarthy via Electronics-Talk
> Sent: Tuesday, April 5, 2016 7:36 AM
> To: 'Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances'
> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Jim McCarthy <jmccarthy at mdtap.org>
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Android-based braille notetakers
> 
> Tracy,
> The touch tablet has the Braille display at the bottom so if one 
> places it in the conventional way, the display will be closest to you,

> below the touch screen. It fits in a case and the keyboard is hinged 
> into the case and lays on top of the touch tablet when one wants to 
> use it. I can't recall if the keyboard can be removed from the case, 
> though the expectation, I think, is that if one does not need the 
> keyboard for braille, one would carry the touch pad in a neoprene
sleeve that comes with all of this at purchase.
> Jim McCarthy
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On

> Behalf Of Tracy Carcione via Electronics-Talk
> Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2016 10:25 AM
> To: 'Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances'
> Cc: Tracy Carcione
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Android-based braille notetakers
> 
> 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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