[Nfbmt] Library

[James Aldrich]

Hi all,

I think we need to sort out any number of things.

I believe Dar was discussing an older KNFB Reader which was a pocket 
device which scanned material from a book, sheet of paper etc.  This 
device was replaced by the KNFB Reader which uses a Simbian Phone which 
is pretty much out of business and is fast being replaced by the IPhone 
and Android phones. The KNFB Reader is a program which can scan 
information on the printed page and read it back in a synthesized voice 
It has been a good program for some years!  Let's hope it can be 
adapted for the IPhone. Since there are so many book apps where one can 
download an E-book or audio book, I see no need to scan something 
unless it is my personal mail, or I'm checking out some other private 
information.

There are any number of apps for the IPhone which one can utilize for 
reading books.  Apple has the IBooks program.  Sometimes one can get a 
good deal on some of their E-Books which must be purchased through the 
ITunes store.

The Bard app is available for the IPhone and one can download and read 
nLS books for free.  One must download an NLS Book to each device used. 
I must download a given book to both my IPhone and IPod if I wish to 
have the book on both devices.  One can Browse books before 
downloading.  One needs to type in the username and password of one's 
individual Bard Account before Bard Books can be downloaded to the phone.

Book Share is another fine source for downloading books. One must 
purchase a membership for this organization.  I believe it is $75 for 
the first year and $50 thereafter as long as you remain a member. 
Students of a school or institution of higher learning can join without cost.

I'm not certain whether Learning Ally has an IPhone app but they work 
well with the Victor Stream and other players from what I understand.

     There is a Kendel App and Nook app for the IPhone as well.  one 
must purchase books through  either app.

Blio is an app for reading E-books which was developed by the NFB.  One 
must purchase books through this app.  I haven't used it fully but one 
has access to a variety of material through Blio.

I may not use all of these since I have plenty of books presently. In 
order for any of these apps to work well, one should connect their 
IPhone to a Wi Fi service as Century Link or Charter Cable.

The latest Victor Reader Stream can download Bookshare and Newsline 
content and not be connected to a PC.  One can set up their new Stream 
to connect to the above mentioned Wi Fi services.  Perhaps the Victor 
Stream might be able to download Bard books directly as well without be 
connected to a PC and only working through Wi Fi.

HTH

Jim