[NFBF-L] New braille laptop coming soon
Elijah Grant
egrant0254 at gmail.com
Wed Mar 15 11:30:19 UTC 2023
Good morning,
Woah, this sounds like an amazing piece of assistive technology! Will this
change the game how blind people stay productive? I completely agree!
Thanks for sharing this!
Elijah Grant
Treasurer, Greater Broward Chapter, National Federation of the Blind of
Florida
The time is always right to do what is right --Martin Luther King Jr
On Wed, Mar 15, 2023, 7:23 AM Peggy Fleischer via NFBF-L <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
wrote:
> Hello,
>
> We’re excited to announce the launch of the Optima[image: ™] Braille
> Laptop Computer at the 38th Annual CSUN Assistive Technology Conference!
> This revolutionary product pioneers an entirely new class of assistive
> technology products, providing all the capabilities of a state-of-the-art
> laptop computer in a braille device and adding complete modularity and
> flexibility in hardware and software.
>
> The Optima changes the assistive technology game forever by offering all
> the power, features, functionality, configurability and upgradability that
> people have come to expect from common desktop computers, in a sleek and
> compact handheld form-factor. It is the only product that puts users in
> complete control, offering them complete configurability before they
> purchase it and full upgradability after.
>
> The Optima Braille Laptop features the latest generation of Intel Core i5
> and i7 laptop processors, memory options from 8GB to 64GB, onboard storage
> from 256GB to a massive 2 terabytes and beyond. It also includes the latest
> WiFi 6E standard, Bluetooth 5.2 technology, high-quality stereo speakers,
> beam-forming microphones, and a fingerprint sensor, as well as haptic
> (vibration) feedback and is the first Thunderbolt 4 certified Braille
> device.
>
> The Optima comes pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 11 operating
> system, the best mainstream computing platform for accessibility and
> productivity. It also includes support for NVDA, JAWS, Narrator, and
> Supernova screen readers, as well as AccessMind’s specially developed
> BrailleUI software for users who prefer a simplified note-taker-like user
> interface.
>
> Weighing just over 3 lb. and measuring 11.7 x 7.5 x 1.3 inches, the Optima
> is compact and lightweight but rugged and durable. The Optima Braille
> Laptop will begin shipping in the first quarter of 2024.
>
> The full text of the press release is available at [
> https://www.orbitresearch.com/news/]. Plain text versions of the press
> release and product brochure are included below for convenience. Please
> visit [http://www.orbitresearch.com/product/optima/] for more
> information.
>
> *Press Release*
>
> Anaheim, California – March 14, 2023 –
>
> AccessMind and Orbit Research announced the launch of the Optima[image: ™] Braille
> Laptop Computer today at the 38th Annual CSUN Assistive Technology
> Conference. Providing all the capabilities of a state-of-the-art laptop
> computer and adding complete modularity and flexibility in hardware and
> software, the Optima Braille Laptop pioneers an entirely new class of
> products.
>
> Traditional braille notetakers are extremely expensive, have very limited
> hardware capabilities, lock users into a closed system that is obsolete the
> day it is released and offer software upgrades that are few and far
> between. These notetakers require both students and teachers to learn
> specialized proprietary user-interfaces and then have to re-learn the use
> of mainstream computing platforms such as Windows or Mac computers as they
> enter the workplace.
>
> The Optima changes this forever by offering all the power, features,
> functionality, configurability and upgradability that people have come to
> expect from common desktop computers. It is an optimal combination of a
> full-featured mainstream computer with braille and speech output and a
> QWERTY keyboard in a sleek and compact handheld form-factor; a
> high-performance Windows-based machine that can accomplish any task from
> word-processing and internet-surfing to highly demanding professional
> workloads such as video editing and software development. It is the only
> product that puts users in complete control by offering them complete
> configurability before they purchase it and full upgradability after.
>
> The modular platform allows users to configure every aspect of the
> hardware and software. Built upon state-of-the-art hardware, the Optima
> offers the latest generation of Intel Core i5 and i7 laptop processors,
> memory options from 8GB to 64GB, onboard storage from 256GB to a massive 2
> terabytes and beyond. A choice of braille technology options is also
> available – Orbit’s signage-quality and affordable TrueBraille[image: ™] or
> traditional piezo cells.
>
> With the latest WiFi 6E standard and Bluetooth 5.2 technology, Optima
> allows fast and reliable wireless network speeds. The product is also the
> first Thunderbolt 4 certified Braille device, offering industry-leading
> data transfer capabilities with speeds of up to 40 GBPS. It also includes
> the peripherals expected in a high-performance mainstream laptop, such as
> high-quality stereo speakers, beam-forming microphones, and a fingerprint
> sensor and adds accessibility enhancements such as haptic (vibration)
> feedback.
>
> Optima’s hardware flexibility extends to its ports, allowing users to pick
> any four from a wide range of popular ports including, USB Type C, USB A,
> HDMI, SD cards and storage expansion modules. The modular ports offer
> plug-and-play interchangeability and can even be swapped on the fly.
> Optima also provides a Braille Terminal mode and can be connected to any
> smartphone or computer and used as a braille display and keyboard.
>
> The software on the Optima Braille Laptop is equally flexible. The unit
> comes pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 11 operating system, the
> best mainstream computing platform for accessibility and productivity. With
> Optima, users no longer have to use out-of-date versions of operating
> systems or wait for the device vendor to push updates to them. They can
> always stay secure and up-to-date through Microsoft’s upgrade facilities.
> Since it is a standard Windows computer, the user also has a choice of
> screen readers, with support for NVDA, JAWS, Narrator, and Supernova screen
> readers. The Optima comes with the NVDA Screen Reader pre-installed,
> configured with speech and braille output and ready to use out of the box.
>
> For users who prefer a dedicated braille-optimized user interface, the
> Optima includes AccessMind’s specially developed BrailleUI software.
> BrailleUI provides a simple notetaker-like custom-designed braille-first
> user experience for a set of common applications such as a book reader,
> braille editor, calculator and file manager to seamlessly bridge the gap
> between a dedicated user interface and the mainstream Windows experience.
> BrailleUI also includes high-quality speech synthesis from Cerence
> (Vocalizer), in addition to the voices built into the Windows operating
> system.
>
> Weighing just over 3 lb. and measuring 11.7 x 7.5 x 1.3 inches, the Optima
> is compact and lightweight but rugged and durable. The Optima Braille
> Laptop will begin shipping in the first quarter of 2024.
>
> After the transformative changes that have been brought about in the
> educational and professional assistive technology field by Orbit’s
> breakthrough products such as the Orbit Reader and the Graphiti, the Optima
> now further levels the playing field by offering a no-compromise solution
> that bridges the gap between mainstream and assistive technology products.
>
>
> Visit www.orbitresearch.com/product/Optima for more information.
>
> *About Orbit Research:*
>
> Orbit Research develops and manufactures innovative and affordable
> products that enable an independent lifestyle for people who are blind or
> visually impaired. Founded with the mission to fulfill the urgent need for
> affordable assistive technology products, the company has introduced
> breakthrough products like the Orion family of accessible scientific and
> graphing calculators, the iBill Talking Banknote Identifier Orbit Reader
> family of refreshable braille displays, the Orbit Slate family of
> multi-line refreshable braille displays, the O and the Graphiti family of
> interactive tactile graphic displays that define the state-of-the-art in
> features, functionality, convenience, and affordability. For more
> information, visit www.orbitresearch.com.
>
> *About AccessMind:*
>
> AccessMind is a new enterprise founded by Orbit Research and a team
> comprising Adi Kushnir and Avi Mann, with a mission to transform the
> Assistive Technology industry by bringing the benefits of mainstream
> technologies to products for people who are blind or visually impaired.
> With decades of experience in the Assistive Technology industry and a
> proven track record in developing world-leading breakthrough products and
> technologies at affordable prices, the AccessMind team brings a unique
> combination of a modern, innovative mindset and tremendous depth of skills
> and experience to usher in a new era in Assistive Technology. For more
> information, visit www.accessmind.net.
>
> *Contact details:*
>
> Carla Morris
>
> Orbit Research LLC
>
> Tel: 1-888-606-7248
>
> Email: morris.carla at orbitresearch.com
>
> www.orbitresearch.com
>
> *The brochure text follows** –*
>
> - *All-in-one Braille laptop*computer
> - 40 braille cells
> - QWERTY Keyboard
>
>
> - *Mainstream*Hardware and Software
> - Latest-generation *Intel Core i5*and *i7* laptop processors
> - Microsoft *Windows 11*and beyond
>
>
> - *Modular design*is fully *configurable*before you buy it and
> *upgradable*after you do
> - *Braille technology options* – Orbit TrueBraille[image: ™]or Piezo
> - *Processors* – Intel Core i*5*or i7
> - *Memory* – 8GB to 64GB
> - *Storage* – 256GB to 2TB
>
>
> - Powerful *Connectivity*
> - Latest *WiFi 6E* standard
> - Bluetooth *5.2*
> - The first *Thunderbolt 4* certified Braille device
>
>
> - Choice of popular ports – *pick any 4 you want*
> - Wide range of *hot-swappable *ports, *Plug-and-Play*
> interchangeability
> - *Thunderbolt/USB C*, USB A
> - HDMI
> - SD Card
>
>
> - *BrailleUI* – Braille-optimized user interface
> - *Simple*notetaker-like *interface*
> - *Built-in apps*: braille editor, calculator, book reader, file
> manager
> - High-quality Cerence (*Vocalizer*) TTS voices
> - *Easily switch*between BrailleUI and standard Windows
>
>
> - Choice of *screen-readers*
> - Pre-installed with *NVDA*
> - Narrator, JAWS, Supernova
>
>
> - *Mainstream peripherals* you expect
> - High-quality *stereo speakers*
> - Microphone
> - *Fingerprint*sensor
> - *Haptic*(vibration) feedback
>
>
> - Braille *Terminal Mode*
> - Connect as a *braille display* and keyboard
> - Operate your smartphone or PC
>
>
> - *Compact, lightweight* and rugged
> - 3.4 lb., 11.7 x 7.5 x 1.3 inches
> - 1.5 kg, 29.6 x 19.0 x 3.3 cm
>
> *Best Regards, *
>
> *Customer Care Team*
>
> *Orbit Research *
>
> *Email: **techsupport at orbitresearch.com* <techsupport at orbitresearch.com>
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>
> Peggy Fleischer
>
> NFb-Florida State Board member
>
> Co-chair NFB-FL Communities Of Faith
>
> Vice President
> NFB-FL Greater Daytona Beach Chapter
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