[Electronics-Talk] Orbit reader question

Tue Feb 28 09:19:49 UTC 2017

Sharon, 
No, the orbit reader is not out yet. APH is really doing rigorous testing,
so, when it is released it will be a very impressive product! There is an
orbit reader e-mail list, that APH has run for some time now, that is
keeping us up with developments.  All they will say is some time  soon.

-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Sharon Klug via Electronics-Talk
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2017 10:57 PM
To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances
<electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Sharon Klug <sharonklug9304 at gmail.com>
Subject: [Electronics-Talk] Orbit reader question

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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>> 
> 
> 
> --
> 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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