[nabs-l] Braille Displays and Notetakers

Wed May 10 17:24:19 UTC 2017

By far, I would recommend the newer device coming out from HIMS, the
Polaris.  The first ones are due to ship either the end of this month or in
June, and orders are being taken.

The best thing is that this device is running  a later full version of
Android, and will be updatable by the user, with all the functionality of
being able to download the apps you want for the uses you want.  By the time
it ships, it will be a fully certified Google device and totally Google
compatible with Google Sheets, Google Docs, and Google Drive.  Polaris
Office is mentioned, and this office suite is found on many Android phones.
Also, since one will be able to download from the play store, Kindle books
should be accessible now on this note taker as well.  From my experience,
the Android Kindle app is fully accessible on my phone, along with
Microsoft's Outlook and Word, just to namea couple.

Here is a description:

HIMS+BrailleSense+Polaris+Data+Sheet.pdf
The New Standard in Braille Notetaker
HIMS Logo
BrailleSense Polaris
Seamless efficiency tool for school, work, and play
BrailleSense Polaris offers a new standard in blind-friendly 
applications with the latest in cutting edge technology. BrailleSense 
Polaris levels the playing field with specialized applications built 
around Polaris Office Suite, while providing comprehensive 
access to popular Google Apps such as Docs, Slides, Sheets, 
and Classroom. Surf the Web with Google Chrome just like our 
traditional web browser. Use Polaris Word to write a report and 
other documents with the same feel as Word Processor. Sync 
your calendar to Google Calendar while using our Organizer. You 
can even enjoy a book from BookShare, BARD, or other sources 
in our DAISY reader, word processor, or via countless blindness 
and mainstream services.
BrailleSense intuitive interface with a touch of mastery 
We’ve kept the traditional computer interface that has contributed 
to the popularity of other BrailleSense models. BrailleSense 
Polaris has a Perkins-style keyboard, a 32-cell braille display with 
cursor routing buttons, and touch sensors above the display for 
enhanced navigation. There are also touch sensors on the media 
buttons making them user definable.
Blind-friendly Notetaker Features Standard Programs
Use our optional thesaurus and multilingual dictionaries to broaden 
your vocabulary or find an equivalent app in the Google Play Store. 
BrailleSense Polaris, lets YOU decide! Analyze spreadsheets with 
our popular Excel Viewer, or read and edit spreadsheets in Google 
Sheets. Read or give a presentation using our PowerPoint Viewer, 
or create your own presentation from scratch in Slides.
Tools for Today’s Students
BrailleSense Polaris supports Google Apps, making it easy 
to utilize Google services like Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides 
as millions of other students do everyday. But, there’s more! 
BrailleSense Polaris provides unparalleled access to Google 
Classroom for blind students and teachers alike. Collaboration 
among students and teachers has NEVER been this easy. There’s 
support for Nemeth and UEB Math, too. BrailleSense Polaris 
allows for display on the built-in LCD display, tablets via Miracast, 
or an external monitor via the HDMI port.
Polaris at School
Polaris at Work
Polaris On the Go
888-520-4467 | www.hims-inc.com
BrailleSense Polaris
Easy Connectivity with Your Favorite Devices
Connect BrailleSense Polaris via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, 
or USB3 to your computer, iOS device, Android device, 
tablet, or phone. Enjoy your own MP3 while listening 
through the Stereo Speakers, or use headphones with 
the audio jack for your private listening. Want to pay 
for something, COOL! Use the built-in NFC feature. 
BrailleSense Polaris is even equipped with an on-
board “Flippable” LCD display. Allowing for more 
effective interactions between blind students, visual 
teachers, parents, co-workers, and friends. Don’t use 
BrailleSense Polaris just for work. Use it for play with 
the built-in IrDA as a remote, or you can even relax 
while using Chromecast on your TV. 
Polaris at Home

table with 2 columns and 17 rows
Specifications
BrailleSense Polaris

Model #
H532B

Braille Display
Multi-touch enabled 32-Cells

Keyboard Type
Perkins-style

Platform
Android OS 5.1.1 (Lollipop), 2.1GHz Octa-core (CPU), 3GB (RAM)

Flash Memory
64 GB

Video Display
HDMI output, built-in LCD

Interface
USB 3.0 micro OTG, USB 2.0, HDMI, SD Card slot, Touch-enabled Multi Function
Buttons

Network
WLAN: 
802.11 b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct 
Bluetooth: 
Bluetooth 4.2, IrDA, NFC (only in 
internal Apps) 
Ethernet: 
USB to Ethernet (Optional) 

Navigation
Voice Trigger (“Hey Polaris”), Built-in GPS, RTC, Accelerometer, Compass,
Gyroscope

Media
13MP AF Camera, Alert (Vibration, Buzzer, Proprietary ringtones), Stereo
speaker, Stereo MEMS and ANC 
microphone

Applications
App Store:
Google Play Store 
Preinstalled Apps:
Polaris Office (Word, Slides, Sheets, Email), Web Browser, 
Terminal for Screen Reader, DAISY, File Manager, Schedule Manager, Address
Manager, Calculator, Calendar, 
Media Player, Time & Date, Alarm, Stopwatch, FM Radio 
Optimized Apps:
Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, 
Classroom, APH Nearby Explorer

Supported File 
Formats
Documents:
HBL, DOC, DOCX, XLS, XLSX, CSV, PPT, PPTX, RTF, TXT, BRL, BRF, EPUB, PDF,
HTML/XML (in Web browser). 
Media: 
YouTube, MP3, MP4, WAV, ASF, OGG, WMA, M4A, M3U, PLS, Audible (with
appropriate app), WMV, FLAC, MID, 
ACC. 
DAISY:
DAISY 2.0/2.02/3.0, NIMAS 1.1, BookShare.org, Open Library, NLS, Learning
Ally (with appropriate apps)

Battery
18 hours, 5 hours to charge(AC adapter and USB), Wireless charging(Qi
compatible)

Size & Weight
9.66” x 5.66” x 0.39” (W x D x H), 1.65 lbs

Security & Safety 
Kensington Lock, Braille Cell Cover, TPU Carrying Case

Warranty
One-year limited parts and labor warranty
table end

HIMS Logo
888-520-4467
| www.hims-inc.com
4616 W. Howard Lane, Suite 960, Austin, Texas 78728
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-----Original Message-----
From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bobbi Pompey
via NABS-L
Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2017 9:19 AM
To: Karl Martin Adam via Nabs-L
Cc: Bobbi Pompey
Subject: [nabs-l] Braille Displays and Notetakers

Hello all, 

I am in the market for a braille device. I would love to know what devices
you all own or have owned. It would be especially helpful if you would share
why you selected the device you own instead of others. 

Thank you in advance and I look forwar to hearing your responses! 

Bobbi A. L. Pompey
(336) 988-6375
bobbipompey at gmail.com

"Not everything faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is
faced" James Baldwin 

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