[NFBCS] Access On: The BrailleNote Evolve from HumanWare

Buddy Brannan buddy at brannan.name
Thu Jun 25 18:26:21 UTC 2026 

Don’t worry Amanda, it’s just Pete being Pete. 


--
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV, WRVB670 - Erie, PA
Email: buddy at brannan.name
Mobile: (814) 431-0962



> On Jun 25, 2026, at 1:51 PM, Amanda Lacy via NFBCS <nfbcs at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> I'm confused by this message. I don't think a 25x40 display is likely to save any marriages.
> 
>> On Jun 25, 2026, at 12:46 PM, Peter via NFBCS <nfbcs at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Good afternoon everyone,
>>  
>> Where are the big thinkers and dream builders here? These limitations are only limitations if we allow them to be so. Obviously a large Braille display capable of producing 25 lines of Braille and 40 cells per line isn’t going to fit in your pocket or your purse.Theres no way a Monarch will fit in my wife’s purse. If you want a device with those kinds of capabilities its application must be considered. Such devices are needed along with ways to cover the cost of putting them into blind consumers hands. Think big everyone. An example of how our living by this philosophy will take place this Sunday for a young teen whose parents marriage is on the rocks. Leila will never forget her Grand Quincen~era!All the best.
>>  
>> Peter Donahue
>>  
>>  
>> From: NFBCS <nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org>> On Behalf Of dandrews920--- via NFBCS
>> Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2026 10:22 AM
>> To: 'NFB in Computer Science Mailing List' <nfbcs at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs at nfbnet.org>>
>> Cc: dandrews920 at comcast.net <mailto:dandrews920 at comcast.net>
>> Subject: Re: [NFBCS] Access On: The BrailleNote Evolve from HumanWare
>>  
>> There is not currently a 25 line by 40 cell display on the market. It would be huge, and expensive, and unless some very inexpensive technology is developed, we will probably never see one!
>>  
>> Dave
>>  
>> From: NFBCS <nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org>> On Behalf Of Peter via NFBCS
>> Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2026 7:02 PM
>> To: 'NFB in Computer Science Mailing List' <nfbcs at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs at nfbnet.org>>
>> Cc: Peter <pdonahue2 at satx.rr.com <mailto:pdonahue2 at satx.rr.com>>
>> Subject: Re: [NFBCS] Access On: The BrailleNote Evolve from HumanWare
>>  
>> Hello David and everyone,
>>  
>> It’s designed for a very specific purpose displaying graphics. Even the Monarch isn’t something you would want to carry around wherever you go. We had the chance to see the Monarch last April. The lack of 25 lines of Braille with 40 cells per line makes it a non-starter with us.
>>  
>> Peter Donahue
>>  
>>  
>>  
>> From: NFBCS <nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org>> On Behalf Of dandrews920--- via NFBCS
>> Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2026 3:40 PM
>> To: 'NFB sin Computer Science Mailing List' <nfbcs at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs at nfbnet.org>>
>> Cc: dandrews920 at comcast.net <mailto:dandrews920 at comcast.net>
>> Subject: Re: [NFBCS] Access On: The BrailleNote Evolve from HumanWare
>>  
>> I do not remember, off the top of my head how many lines it will display, but it certainly isn’t sixty.  That would be massive, several feet tall, at least.
>>  
>> Dave
>>  
>>  
>>  
>> From: NFBCS <nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org>> On Behalf Of Peter via NFBCS
>> Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 10:36 PM
>> To: 'NFB in Computer Science Mailing List' <nfbcs at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs at nfbnet.org>>
>> Cc: Peter <pdonahue2 at satx.rr.com <mailto:pdonahue2 at satx.rr.com>>
>> Subject: Re: [NFBCS] Access On: The BrailleNote Evolve from HumanWare
>>  
>> Good evening everyone,
>>  
>> The Graphiti has 60 lines and a massive fundraising challenge for anyone wanting to buy one free and clear.
>>  
>> Peter Donahue
>>  
>>  
>>  
>> From: NFBCS <nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org>> On Behalf Of Elijah Massey via NFBCS
>> Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 7:07 PM
>> To: nfbcs at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Elijah Massey <emassey0135 at gmail.com <mailto:emassey0135 at gmail.com>>
>> Subject: Re: [NFBCS] Access On: The BrailleNote Evolve from HumanWare
>>  
>> I think the biggest Braille display you can buy is the Canute, which has 9 lines of 40 cells (360 cells total). The Monarch has 10 lines of 32 cells (320 cells). The Monarch is more expensive, but refreshes much faster and also does tactile graphics which the Canute does not.
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>  
>> 
>>> On Jun 23, 2026, at 18:55, Amanda Lacy via NFBCS <nfbcs at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs at nfbnet.org>> wrote:
>>> 
>>> The Graphiti has terrible Braille! The pins are spaced way too far apart. It also doesn't come with protective membranes or even so much as a case, and the pins frequently get stuck so you can expect to send it to Orbit for repairs frequently. It works okay for displaying graphics but if you want a Braille display it's a waste of money.
>>>  
>>>  on it.
>>>  
>>> 
>>>> On Jun 23, 2026, at 6:39 PM, Peter via NFBCS <nfbcs at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs at nfbnet.org>> wrote:
>>>>  
>>>> Good evening everyone,
>>>>  
>>>> Nothing but a 40-cell Braille display with at least 25 lines of Braille will do for us. This alone makes the Braille Note Evolve a non-starter for consideration. It’s a 40-cell line with at least 25 lines of Braille or we go elseware. The Graphiti from Orbit Research meets these criteria and more. Now to raise the funds to buy one without involving rehab.
>>>>  
>>>> Peter Donahue
>>>>  
>>>>  
>>>> From: NFBCS <nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org>> On Behalf Of Elijah Massey via NFBCS
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 3:48 PM
>>>> To: snfbcs at nfbnet.org <mailto:snfbcs at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Cc: Elijah Massey <emassey0135 at gmail.com <mailto:emassey0135 at gmail.com>>
>>>> Subject: Re: [NFBCS] FW: Access On: The BrailleNote Evolve from HumanWare
>>>>  
>>>> I listened to the review, and I still think the Evolve is a good device even with the trade-offs. Maybe the best thing to say about it is what Jonathan Mosen said, that the Evolve doesn't really fit the BrailleNote brand. KeySoft on the Evolve is a collection of things trying to make Windows more efficient to use rather than a standalone application suite, and I agree that this means that there are some groups of users, like young children or people new to computers, that this makes the Evolve less good for.
>>>>  
>>>>  
>>>> However, if I got the Evolve, I wouldn't get it for KeySoft, because I can just install JAWS and Leasey and get the virtual ribbons in Office, a main menu for launching applications, and everything else that KeySoft has and far more, such as a simple word processor, notes manager, and media center designed to be efficient to use by the blind.
>>>>  
>>>>  
>>>> I would get it because it combines a full Windows computer and a Braille display into a small form factor, with a Perkins keyboard instead of QWERTY allowing it to be smaller, and it has things like the modifier keys and the Braille IME that make Windows easier to use and more seamless with Braille input. For things like small class desks, or if you want a Windows computer with Braille that you can quickly set up and easily carry around, or if you want to use it on a bus or plane, I think it is much more convenient than a Windows laptop plus a Braille display, especially since on laptops the trackpad in between makes it less efficient to switch between typing on the QWERTY keyboard and reading from the Braille display. Performing Windows and screen reader commands are also the main thing preventing me from just using the Perkins keyboard alone to control Windows.
>>>>  
>>>> Its true that the battery life is a big disadvantage though. I wonder if anything can be done to make that longer or what's causing that. The Braille editor not having a find feature is definitely a serious and strange omission, especially since it should be easy to add. I'm not that bothered about there being no Braille terminal yet though, because they plan to add it soon after release. I am not that bothered by the processor either, although I do wish it was a newer generation and could be upgraded. The lack of upgradability is probably the main concern, but I think the Intel Ultra 5 125U will perform most tasks I would want to do on it very responsively. I did notice the long response times when launching the main menu and sometimes other KeySoft applications, but honestly I doubt that this is because of the processor. I think its probably because these applications were either poorly designed or not optimized well. This processor has very similar Geekbench scores to a MacBook Neo, and many people have reported that the MacBook Neo is very responsive and can do almost everything people want to do on it very well. I have a MacBook Neo myself, and while I wouldn't use it for heavy tasks like compilation or gaming inside a virtual machine or things like that, I have been able to do all the productivity tasks I've tried with high responsiveness, like editing documents, browsing the web, email, etc. I can even run a Windows VM and multi-task between Windows and Mac programs and everything still runs well, and when it doesn't, I think the main issue is RAM, not CPU, and the Evolve has 32 GB of RAM. The BT Speak and BT Braille also do not have a Braille terminal, although they should be getting one soon as well, and its a feature that makes a Braille device like this significantly more useful but its not its main purpose or the main thing I would get it for.
>>>>  
>>>> I agree the BT Braille is a very good device though. I have one and I really like both the Blazie mode programs like the editor and the ability to use Linux desktop programs and the Linux terminal. But if I get the Evolve I would use them both for different things, because they're good at different things. For example, while the BT Braille has Libre Office, its not very good for reviewing PowerPoint presentations or editing complex documents with tables and math and things like that, but the BT Braille is much better for editing text or Braille documents very efficiently and quickly, with no lag or issues to work around like I sometimes encounter in Microsoft Office. What they can do overlap a lot but I think there's still a lot that each does the best.
>>>>  
>>>> But most of all I'm glad that we're finally getting notetakers that run full mainstream operating systems and don't restrict the apps you can install. At least we don't have to choose between either a laptop plus a Braille display, or something much more portable and convenient but that you can't customize or install anything on. And at least we finally have an alternative to Android for this, hopefully meaning it won't stop getting updates and get really slow and pretty much useless like my BrailleNote Touch did. And we have two, the BT Braille for Linux, and the BrailleNote Evolve for Windows, each with their own advantages. The BrailleSense 7 might be good to try out too because it runs a very modern version of Android and has the longest battery life out of all three, so I'm going to try it out during convention and see what I think of it. But I already know that there are a lot of things I couldn't do on it that I could do with the BT Braille or BrailleNote Evolve.
>>>>  
>>>>  
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>  
>>>> 
>>>>> On Jun 23, 2026, at 14:50, dan TeVelde via NFBCS <nfbcs at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs at nfbnet.org>> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> This sounds harsh but I was underwhelmed by this product. It’s expensive and yet one more example of adding a proprietary interface onto a device which is supposed to be what a vendor calls a mainstream device. I couldn’t believe that the Braille editor doesn’t have a find command. I’m more excited about the BT Braille. It’s cheaper. I know there is a learning curve with Linux but the device has the familiar Blazie interface which I have missed since the demise of the Braille Lite.
>>>>>  
>>>>> Dan
>>>>>  
>>>>>  
>>>>>  
>>>>> From: Joe Orozco <jsorozco at gmail.com <mailto:jsorozco at gmail.com>> 
>>>>> Sent: Monday, June 22, 2026 12:07 PM
>>>>> To: NFB in Computer Science Mailing List <nfbcs at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs at nfbnet.org>>
>>>>> Cc: dan.tevelde at comcast.net <mailto:dan.tevelde at comcast.net>
>>>>> Subject: Re: [NFBCS] FW: Access On: The BrailleNote Evolve from HumanWare
>>>>>  
>>>>> I was finally able to listen to Jonathan’s review in its entirety. Sadly, or fortunately, it discouraged me from making the purchase.
>>>>> 
>>>>>  
>>>>> 
>>>>> I’m glad Jonathan did the math for us. Too often I have felt as though consumer groups have given companies a pass because the market is too small, the research and development is too expensive, and so on. Yet, if the company’s market really is the educational sector, this should be fleshed out in their marketing. The $6,000 plus price tag feels a little startling even for the educational sector, but I understand this is the way of the world.
>>>>> 
>>>>>  
>>>>> 
>>>>> I thought I might wait for the QWERTY model. Yet, changing the keyboard doesn’t seem like it will have a profound change on the core experience.
>>>>> 
>>>>>  
>>>>> 
>>>>> I’m a little bummed. I really was hoping to approach the product as an all-in-one experience. I’ll still check it out on the exhibit floor, and compliments to Humanware for taking a substantial run at blending the notetaker with a mainstream concept. I hope it is the beginning of a new trend.
>>>>> 
>>>>>  
>>>>> 
>>>>> And thanks to Jonathan for the thorough and honest assessment. It’s good to know we have someone at the helm who can recognize the wonderful things that come of our partnership with the corporate sector but still be able to step back and offer an unbiased assessment. This ultimately benefits the end customer who is not relying on government funds to make the investment. At north of 6K, it is indeed a steep investment.
>>>>> 
>>>>>  
>>>>> 
>>>>> Very appreciative,
>>>>> 
>>>>>  
>>>>> 
>>>>> Joe
>>>>> 
>>>>>  
>>>>> 
>>>>>  
>>>>> On Fri, Jun 19, 2026 at 2:05 PM dan TeVelde via NFBCS <nfbcs at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs at nfbnet.org>> wrote:
>>>>>> Hi Jonathan,
>>>>>>  
>>>>>> I thought your review was comprehensive and you raised some issues I hadn’t thought of. I won’t be getting this device. You noted several things which resonated with me. I have a QBraille and agree with you that it was an innovative device. I stopped using it when I ran into issues with windows 11 and needed a Mantis to do programming. My main concern with the QBraille was its unreliable Bluetooth connections. I think Selvas technical support has suffered recently. In one of their webinars I asked them if they were going to keep the QBraille updated and they were dismissive even when I pointed out that its hybrid interface was worth keeping. I explained how I liked to use it and not need to depend on a screenreader. I found the presence of Windows modifier keys helpful except when I needed to execute complicated JAWS and NVDA commands. I tried using the Windows sticky keys feature but that didn’t work. I think these shortcomings could have been addressed in a new product. Instead, Selvas introduced a Braille display with a stupid name and was a basic copy of the Brailliant with some other features.
>>>>>>  
>>>>>> When my Braille Sense U2 Mini became obsolete and stopped working I bought a Brailliant 20. I didn’t want a full-fledged notetaker and thought that the Humanware hybrid approach would be sufficient for my needs. Initially I was very satisfied with the device and found connecting it to iOS devices to be easy. I was disappointed with the Victor Reader app and the fact that there are file size limitations even for BRF files. The latest Humanware software update has made things worse. People complained about an issue where in the Victor Reader app where the process of selecting recently read books was slow. Humanware addressed that issue in one of their software updates but then the issue resurfaced with last year’s latest update. I think the processor and amount of RAM might not be sufficient. The user can’t open multiple files in the same application which I would think would be an important requirement for a device. I was astounded to learn that the BrailleNote Evolve doesn’t have a find function for BRF files. How could Humanware have left such an important feature out of the initial implementation. It boggles my mind.
>>>>>>  
>>>>>> I think we are at a dead end with most notetakers. It seems like Humanware and Sellvas are doing more of the same things with newer generations of hardware and software. I heard a demonstration of the Braille Sense 7 and wasn’t impressed. The only new product which excites me is the BT Braille. I think the Blazie family is listening closely to customers and offering features which have never been available before. Yes, the Linux environment is new to some people but the amount of available hard drive storage is impressive. I will probably buy the BT Braille once the product matures a bit. the Blazie family has worked closely with the National Federation of the Blind and I think the organization deserves a lot of credit for getting the initial notetaker concept off the ground. Jonathan’s product reviews are more useful than just attending a webinar where company representatives tell you about their products. All too often, company representatives tell people what they want them to hear.
>>>>>>  
>>>>>> I know my e-mail is harsh but I think in this day and age consumers need to do their homework and not take products at face value. I have made that mistake before.
>>>>>>  
>>>>>> Dan
>>>>>>  
>>>>>> From: NFBCS <nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org>> On Behalf Of Mosen, Jonathan via NFBCS
>>>>>> Sent: Friday, June 19, 2026 10:15 AM
>>>>>> To: NFB in Computer Science Mailing List <nfbcs at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs at nfbnet.org>>
>>>>>> Cc: Mosen, Jonathan <jmosen at nfb.org <mailto:jmosen at nfb.org>>
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [NFBCS] FW: Access On: The BrailleNote Evolve from HumanWare
>>>>>>  
>>>>>> Hello Joe, yes, I have two months’ hands-on experience with BrailleNote Evolve. I will not restate the findings of the review, which is comprehensive.
>>>>>> If you are going to use it for coding, you may wish to, as you say, either connect a qwerty keyboard, or use computer Braille, which has fewer potential ambiguities.
>>>>>> There is more to this question than writing the code though. The three-year-old processor in the device may have a bearing on whether it will meet your needs. You will find outcomes to be speedier for many use cases if you use something like a Mantis Q40 to connect to a computer with a more powerful CPU.
>>>>>> The Mantis Q40 offers local basic note taking without having to buy anything else, which BrailleNote Evolve does not unless you count the BRF editor which has no find function.
>>>>>> Jonathan Mosen
>>>>>> Executive Director for Accessibility Excellence
>>>>>> National Federation of the Blind 
>>>>>> 410-659-9314 ex 2233   
>>>>>> jmosen at nfb.org <mailto:jmosen at nfb.org>
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Reminder: Attend National Convention <https://nfb.org/convention>, July 3-8, 2026, in Austin, Texas.
>>>>>> “It’s the time of year where blind people are the majority.”
>>>>>> <image001.jpg> <https://nfb.org/>
>>>>>>  
>>>>>>  
>>>>>> From: NFBCS <nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org>> On Behalf Of Joe Orozco via NFBCS
>>>>>> Sent: Friday, June 19, 2026 10:37 AM
>>>>>> To: 'NFB in Computer Science Mailing List' <nfbcs at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs at nfbnet.org>>
>>>>>> Cc: Joe Orozco <jsorozco at gmail.com <mailto:jsorozco at gmail.com>>
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [NFBCS] FW: Access On: The BrailleNote Evolve from HumanWare
>>>>>>  
>>>>>> Does anyone here have hands-on experience with the device? I was tempted by the Perkins model but have hesitated based on unconfirmed reports that things were still buggy. That is, of course, to be expected, not a reflection on the device itself, but for things like coding, I wonder if it makes more sense to wait for the QWERTY model. Yes, you can currently connect a QWERTY keyboard to it now, but I’d really like to reduce the number of devices I carry around.
>>>>>>  
>>>>>> Anyway, just some questions for anyone with firsthand experience.
>>>>>>  
>>>>>> Actually, if anyone can speak to the Mantis Q40 and whether this would be a more viable and more affordable alternative, that would be great information as well.
>>>>>>  
>>>>>> Joe
>>>>>>  
>>>>>> From: NFBCS <nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org>> On Behalf Of Steve Jacobson via NFBCS
>>>>>> Sent: Friday, June 19, 2026 9:33 AM
>>>>>> To: nfbcs at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Cc: Steve Jacobson <steve.jacobson at outlook.com <mailto:steve.jacobson at outlook.com>>
>>>>>> Subject: [NFBCS] FW: Access On: The BrailleNote Evolve from HumanWare
>>>>>>  
>>>>>> This week's Access On features a comprehensive review and demonstration of BrailleNote Evolve, the latest generation of BrailleNote from HumanWare running Windows 11 Pro. here are the segments in the episode, which you can skip to using the chapter feature of your podcast player or app. Looking ahead to our gaming Access On webinar 0:00:00 What is BrailleNote Evolve 0:02:13 The evolution that led to BrailleNote Evolve 0:06:11 BrailleNote Evolve with JAWS 0:12:22 Hardware 0:15:25 Dimensions and portability 0:24:38 The keyboard 0:28:13 Setup 0:33:02 Starting, and the Main Menu 0:34:44 Testing the microphones 0:40:01 Word, BrailleNote Evolve, and NVDA 0:42:47 Options 0:58:18 Braille Editor 1:10:14 Victor Reader 1:11:54 File Manager 1:16:41 No Braille Terminal 1:18:16 Final thoughts 1:19:45 Andrew Flatres and Rachel Ramos from HumanWare 1:31:18 Closing and contact info 2:02:08 
>>>>>> Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/access-on/id1777481188?i=1000773156189
>>>>>>  
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