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

Baracco, Andrew W Andrew.Baracco at va.gov
Fri Apr 8 14:38:06 UTC 2016 

Interesting about your reference to the VA. I recently attended the CSUN
conference. I had "U. S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs" on my badge, and all
of the vendors were jumping over each other to talk to me.

Andy
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Jude DaShiell via Electronics-Talk
Sent: Friday, April 08, 2016 5:12 AM
To: James Aldrich via Electronics-Talk
Cc: Jude DaShiell
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [Electronics-Talk] b2g description

You got to start sending @potus twitter messages and stop the Veterans
Administration from doing these kinds of purchases.  That's the only way
to shoot a hole in the blindness industry $$$ baloon.  State agencies
are hopefully getting wise too.

On Fri, 8 Apr 2016, James Aldrich via Electronics-Talk wrote:

> Date: Fri, 8 Apr 2016 07:33:10
> From: James Aldrich via Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances
>     <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: James Aldrich <jajkaldrich at gmail.com>
> Subject: 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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>>>>> od
>>>>> ges%40outlook.com
>>>>
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