[NFB-DB] iOS 17 coming out today: message for braille users

Tue Sep 19 05:38:51 UTC 2023

Greetings:
I am using a focus 40, fifth generation with my iPhone 14 and just upgraded to iOS 17. As of this writing, I have had only minor problems with the display, and they did not include connection difficulties. If there continues to be issues, I am hoping they will be identified and addressed by apple in future updates.
Thank you.

-----Original Message-----
From: NFB-DB <nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Scott Davert via NFB-DB
Sent: Monday, September 18, 2023 3:16 PM
To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Scott Davert <scottdavert at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NFB-DB] iOS 17 coming out today: message for braille users

Hi Doula and thanks so much for your reply!
I'm guessing based on your description that you have a Samsung phone? I say that because I know that Samsung put out an update in Feb related to security which broke their version of TalkBack. The only fix is to install Google's version of TalkBack to get the limited access you can have back. What would I do? If I had the time, and I do not, I would file complaints with the FCC. If you can't use your phone because it will not connect to Bluetooth, that would be a violation of the CVAA as far as I know. You may wish to reach out to the Disability Rights Office at the FCC and explain the problem you are having. They will help you lodge a complaint with Samsung. If the process drags out, and no resolution can be made after considerable effort on the part of Samsung and you, it may go on to the enforcement Bureau. The email address for the disability rights office is dro at fcc.gov. Will it be an effective vehicle for advocacy? I'm not sure, but all others have flopped to this point, particularly where Samsung and mostly Google are concerned. Be aware though that Google is a big NFB sponsor, so I'm not sure if you will get much support from them, but I'd hope the NFB would do the right thing. Braille access on your phone does tie heavily into braille literacy.

Just some thoughts,
Scott  
Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 18, 2023, at 15:51, Doula Jarboe via NFB-DB <nfb-db at nfbnet.org> wrote:

Hi Scott and All,

    I don't know if I'm the only Android user here.  I know I'm in the minority as an Android user.  Back in February or March I started having problems getting either my Focus or my Braille Sense Ubleb to connect via Bluetooth to my phone.  It makes the phone completely freeze if I try.  For those of you who heard Jonathan Mosen's presentation at National Convention, one of the issues he mentioned was connectivity between Braille displays and phones.  From a DeafLind perspective I really struggle sometimes just relying on speech.  The question is how do we get the companies like Google and Apple to cooperate with the companies making the Braille displays to fix the issue instead of just pointing accusatory fingers at each other about the problem?
Warmly,
Doula

-----Original Message-----
From: NFB-DB <nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Scott Davert via NFB-DB
Sent: Monday, September 18, 2023 1:03 PM
To: nfb-db at nfbnet.org
Cc: Scott Davert <scottdavert at gmail.com>
Subject: [NFB-DB] iOS 17 coming out today: message for braille users

Hi all.

I wanted to give braille users a bit of a cautionary message about upgrading to iOS 17. Some braille display users, myself included, have had significant issues with the Focus  5th generation displays. The connection was not stable  for me on 2 different phones running iOS 17. I had one instance where the the Focus wouldn't communicate at all and it took several rounds of trouble shooting to get the connection back. When it did come back, it did some randomly, while I was not interacting with it. Testing with another focus on the latest firmware yielded similar results. On the other hand, some users have also reported having no issues with the Focus at all. Some users have also reported challenges with the Braille Sense 6 and Eurobraille displays. I have found, as have others, that the Brailliant BIX series and Mantis have reliable connections. How this will play out I’m unsure. I have no further data about specific braille displays I can share, and it  will be a week before I can investigate further. That said, I’m sure there will be some who upgrade anyway and I hope they will report their findings    as well.    Basically, upgrade at your own risk is the bottom line.

Sent from my iPhone
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