[Electronics-Talk] Orbit reader question

Tue Feb 28 04:56:50 UTC 2017

Is the orbit reader out yet? Sharon,

Sent from my iPhone

> On Feb 27, 2017, at 12:42 PM, Gail the U. S. Male via Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> You ask how you connect these braille displays or notetakers to your iPhone,
> you pair them using Bluetooth technology. The orbit reader has an SD card,
> so, yes, you can store files for reading later.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Danielle Ledet via Electronics-Talk
> Sent: Monday, February 27, 2017 11:18 AM
> To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances
> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Danielle Ledet <singingmywayin at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] All About Braille Displays
> 
> Thank you Evelyn! I know about the discontinuation, but they are still being
> sold so that is why I asked. I have no way to examine the products myself. I
> wasn't sure of their relevance, although thay can still be purchased. Tracy,
> so the Vario Ultra is can be used for both then? I've heard of it, and I
> guess you answered my question about the differences between the two. So how
> do you connect it to you iPhone?
> Though I am not thrilled about typing on a flat piece of glass, I am not
> planning in staying home and doing nothing for the rest of whatever's left
> of my life so I want to make sure the investments are right. This is NOT
> pocket change!
> 
> Annette, I was strongly considering the Orbit for the price. If I can save,
> I can afford that on my own. Thanks Judy for explaining. I'll review the
> Orbit again. If it can store files as well as be portable, that should work.
> I do like the ability to read books and such without being connected to
> anything. That is why I was initially interested in the HumanWare products
> for their versatility. People used to store books and music for later, even
> surf the Web while flying the friendly skies! Lovely! and could fit into a
> purse or carry-on! How is the U2 Mini different from the BrailleNote
> devices?
> Jasmine, this is exactly what I was getting from another guy's post! I don't
> want to be caught unable to access a website I need. So I guess that is why
> it's been discontinured! I've been seeing many of them on a classifieds
> list! TThanks Ashely! And Thanks Jim! I did not know that the Ultra and Edge
> did not speak. Not sure why I thought they all did. We do have a program and
> ironically I used to live right there in the city where it is! I did not
> need them back then and now I do and will likely have to travel back to
> them. *sigh!* to check out the offerings. Geez!
> 
> Finally, how do you all connet your notetakers to the Net?
> 
> On 2/27/17, Jim McCarthy via Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> wrote:
>> Dannielle
>> Assuming that you reside in one of the United States or its 
>> territories, there is an Assistive Technology Act program available to 
>> you. Part of what these programs are challenged to do is to make 
>> available a large collection of devices in a product category. So as 
>> an example, I oversee Maryland's program and we have the majority of
> devices you asked about in this email.
>> I
>> am suggesting check out your state's AT act program first, but it may 
>> not have the selection you really need to see in order to make the 
>> choice. If not getting that information may be a bit more difficult. 
>> These programs also should permit you to borrow displays so you can try
> before you buy.
>> Your email highlights some of the choices for consideration and  
>> suggests you may be making the purchase yourself rather than getting 
>> it funded by a state rehabilitation agency. As you say, these devices 
>> are expensive and one would not wish to make a purchase she will not 
>> be happy with in the long run. Notetakers come with the programs built 
>> in, calculator, calendar, email client, internet browser and perhaps 
>> some more for NLS books and a few more.
>> These devices, of which the Apex definitely is one, have speech in 
>> addition to refreshable braille. There are devices somewhere less in 
>> features like the braille Edge and the Vario Ultra. These have the 
>> ability to take notes perhaps storing on storage media, or in the case 
>> of the vario ultra, on media or internally. Finally, there are devices 
>> like the BraillePen and the Focus, probably also the Smart Beatle, 
>> that have no storage but drive an IOS and Android device with the 
>> keyboard and allow the user to receive braille output. The smart phone 
>> has all the applications, many are accessible, several are not, and 
>> even those that are may not have been tested by blind users or built 
>> with our needs in mind. This class of display, like the vario and the 
>> edge, do not speak. Because one is using the smartphone for speech, 
>> that may not matter. For programs on the vario, word processing, 
>> calculator and so forth, there will be no speech. For me personally, 
>> when I have lots of reading, I manage better by listening than reading 
>> in braille, but there are lots of reading apps for smart phones so I 
>> can manage that fine. Of the products about which I am aware, I think 
>> the Vario Ultra to be my preferred, but it is not the least expensive, 
>> it's note taker functions are relatively complicated to learn and 
>> perhaps a few other things against it if I thought for a while. I 
>> owned an Apex for a long time and still do. During its life, I had 
>> probably 5 instances when I needed to send it for repairs. I am pretty 
>> sure I purchased it in 2010 so that is almost one repair per year. In 
>> my opinion, the email and web browser functions of the device are 
>> antiquated, easy to master for blind people, but very slow and not 
>> efficient. The company will not update that but if one has a smart 
>> phone and pairs the apex to the smart phone, you have the power of 
>> that browser or your choice of browsers and the same for email 
>> programs. It seems the bottom line is to see as many of these as you 
>> can, talk to their users and try to determine how you expect to use 
>> the device. You will have it a rather long time and quite a bit of 
>> money will be paid for it so shop wisely now.
>> Jim
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
>> Behalf Of Danielle Ledet via Electronics-Talk
>> Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2017 8:30 PM
>> To: electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
>> Cc: Danielle Ledet; Blind Talk Mailing List; nabop at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: [Electronics-Talk] All About Braille Displays
>> 
>> Hello Everyone,
>> 
>> This is cross posted. I've always wanted a Braille display and felt I 
>> could benefit from one. Hoever, I am quite overwhelmed by all the 
>> choices and yet my income doesn't mesh with the prices! I notice that 
>> some such as the Braille Pen and Brailleant are noted as portable for use
> with smart phones.
>> Given that, I know folks who utilize a BrailleNote for such purposes. 
>> Which Braille display or notetaker do you all recommend and why? Is 
>> their a major difference between those billed as BD's and others 
>> billed as PDA's/notetakers? Also, what are the drawbacks you notice 
>> with your favorite device?
>> 
>> There is a sale on the Apex, but someone recently postsed that he was 
>> having some incompatibility issues with web surfing with it. I am not 
>> sure this is worth the investment if it is becoming obsolete. I notice 
>> too the PK and mPower are still being sold. Are they still supported 
>> by HumanWare? Lastly, what is recommened for a braille printer for 
>> home use that is still being distributed?
>> 
>> I hope you all made it to the end and can give me some helpful usable 
>> feedback! I just want to make sure that when the dollars are dropped 
>> they are on the correct most relevant choice for myself.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> --
>> How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, 
>> compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and 
>> tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will 
>> have been all of these.
>> George Washington Carver
>> Email: singingmywayin at gmail.com
>> 
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>> 
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>> 
> 
> 
> --
> How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young,
> compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of
> the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of
> these.
> George Washington Carver
> Email: singingmywayin at gmail.com
> 
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