[Electronics-Talk] note takers

Thu Aug 27 13:39:01 UTC 2026

Hello everyone, I would encourage people with an interest in this subject to listen to the Access On review of BrailleNote Evolve.
While HumanWare is marketing the product as offering KeySoft, I personally think it is a stretch to say that that is what is onboard the unit. And the experience will differ significantly depending on the screen reader you choose to use on the device. That is not to say that the device won't be a good choice for some people, but there are caveats people should understand.
The last ETA I had for Optima is sometime in 2027, but it is worth keeping in mind that this product was first announced in 2023. We hope to see it come to market because the Framework-based architecture should give users considerable choice. For example, BrailleNote Evolve is only claiming around 5 hours of battery life and the processor they are using is not Copilot Plus compatible. The framework architecture of Optima, should it ever come to market, would allow you to choose an ARM processor if battery life is your primary concern. While we have yet to see precise specs, it is not inconceivable that you might get 15 hours of battery life on a full Windows device, which would be compelling.
We will also be producing a review for Access On of the Insight Supra, another Windows-based Braille device, and intend reviewing BrailleSense 7 and BT Braille in due course.

Jonathan Mosen
Executive Director for Accessibility Excellence
National Federation of the Blind 
410-659-9314 ex 2233   
jmosen at nfb.org

-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of David Waybright via Electronics-Talk
Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2026 8:33 AM
To: electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: David Waybright <link at pt-solutions.org>
Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] note takers

Hello, first, the BRaillenote Touch Plus is the newest version of the Braillenote Touch and is for a lack of better terms discontinued and people should not be seeking purchasing a new one. Updates have stopped and most programs are being prevented from being insttaled due to the old version of android.

The Braillenote evolve is in essence a laptop with a braille display and no screen a small portable windows 11 laptop that's not bulky. It will have the latest intel ultra laptop processors and can run either JAWS or NVDA and has a version of keysoft to help migrate you from a more notetaker experience to a more windows experience. currently you can get the perkins keyboard version and later this year or early next year will be the QWERTY keyboard version.

Optima is coming out with an Optimus notetaker that is built on the Framework comapny's Framework Laptop motherboard. Their goal is the same as Framework's that you or anyone you chose who has the skills to open and fix your notetaker can do it without sending it into the manufacturer. They have the option to use their version of braille cells or the industry standard cells. This will also be similar to the braillenote evolve where it's a full windows 11 laptop without a screen but with a braille display.

I know if you reach out to humanware they will come out to demo the evolve for you. as for optima, I'm not sure but assume they would do a similar thing.

Thanks,

David Eugene Waybright
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Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2026 15:39:25 +0000
From: "Andrews, David B (DEED)" <david.b.andrews at state.mn.us>
To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances
        <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] note takers
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Well, I think there are the:

Braillenote Touch Plus from Humanware, android-based, they have a newer model Braillenote Evolve from Humanware, Windows-based, can use NVDA or JAWS, Jonathan Mosen did an extensive review on AccessOn a month or two back, QWERTY model coming BrailleSense 7 from Selvas, Android-based.
BT Braille from Blazie Technologies, Linux-based, Braille and speech versions.

Dave

 David Andrews | Chief Technology Officer State Services for the Blind Department of Employment and Economic Development
2200 University Avenue West, Suite #240, St. Paul MN 55114
Direct: 651-539-2294
My telework schedule: I will be in the office on Mondays, Wednesdays and every other Friday Web | Twitter | Facebook

-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Drew Hunthausen via Electronics-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2026 10:33 AM
To: electronics list <Electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Drew Hunthausen <dhunthausen at gmail.com>
Subject: [Electronics-Talk] note takers

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Hi List,
I know there are other lists specifically for Braille note takers, but not sure what they are and just wanted to make this one post. Wondering what the newest Braille note takers are on the market and what people like? Thanks so much

Drew
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