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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Hi Jonathan,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I thought your review was comprehensive and you raised some issues I hadn\u2019t thought of. I won\u2019t 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\u2019t 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>When my Braille Sense U2 Mini became obsolete and stopped working I bought a Brailliant 20. I didn\u2019t 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\u2019s latest update. I think the processor and amount of RAM might not be sufficient. The user can\u2019t 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\u2019t 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>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\u2019t 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\u2019s 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Dan<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> NFBCS <nfbcs-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Mosen, Jonathan via NFBCS<br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, June 19, 2026 10:15 AM<br><b>To:</b> NFB in Computer Science Mailing List <nfbcs@nfbnet.org><br><b>Cc:</b> Mosen, Jonathan <jmosen@nfb.org><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [NFBCS] FW: Access On: The BrailleNote Evolve from HumanWare<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Hello Joe, yes, I have two months\u2019 hands-on experience with BrailleNote Evolve. I will not restate the findings of the review, which is comprehensive.</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>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.</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>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.</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>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.</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ>Jonathan Mosen<br>Executive Director for Accessibility Excellence<br>National Federation of the Blind <br>410-659-9314 ex 2233 <br><a href="mailto:jmosen@nfb.org"><span style='color:#467886'>jmosen@nfb.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ><br>Reminder: Attend <a href="https://nfb.org/convention" target="_blank"><span style='color:#467886'>National Convention</span></a>, July 3-8, 2026, in Austin, Texas.<br>\u201cIt\u2019s the time of year where blind people are the majority.\u201d<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/"><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:14.0pt;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=298 height=133 style='width:3.1083in;height:1.3833in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.jpg@01DCFFEC.120CDD70" alt="National Federation of the Blind logo, Live the life you want tagline, nfb.org"></span></a><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> NFBCS <<a href="mailto:nfbcs-bounces@nfbnet.org">nfbcs-bounces@nfbnet.org</a>> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Joe Orozco via NFBCS<br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, June 19, 2026 10:37 AM<br><b>To:</b> 'NFB in Computer Science Mailing List' <<a href="mailto:nfbcs@nfbnet.org">nfbcs@nfbnet.org</a>><br><b>Cc:</b> Joe Orozco <<a href="mailto:jsorozco@gmail.com">jsorozco@gmail.com</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [NFBCS] FW: Access On: The BrailleNote Evolve from HumanWare</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>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\u2019d really like to reduce the number of devices I carry around.<span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal> <span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>Anyway, just some questions for anyone with firsthand experience.<span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal> <span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>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.<span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal> <span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>Joe<span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal> <span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> NFBCS <<a href="mailto:nfbcs-bounces@nfbnet.org">nfbcs-bounces@nfbnet.org</a>> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Steve Jacobson via NFBCS<br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, June 19, 2026 9:33 AM<br><b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:nfbcs@nfbnet.org">nfbcs@nfbnet.org</a><br><b>Cc:</b> Steve Jacobson <<a href="mailto:steve.jacobson@outlook.com">steve.jacobson@outlook.com</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> [NFBCS] FW: Access On: The BrailleNote Evolve from HumanWare</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal> <span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>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 <span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p>Listen on Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/access-on/id1777481188?i=1000773156189">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/access-on/id1777481188?i=1000773156189</a><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p> <span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p> <span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></body></html>