[Ohio-talk] new smart watch

[Marianne Denning]

James, there were a couple of things I took exception to but I thought
the message was important.  Maybe we should email the author.

On 7/27/15, James Fetter via Ohio-talk <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Here it is. By the way, I think that we should all take issue with the
> first sentence, but notwithstanding that, it is very informative.
>
> This Korean startup is making wearables for the blind, but its ambition
> is much bigger
> Colin Moreshead
> Colin Moreshead
> 17 hours ago
>
> I need to begin with a disclaimer: if you’re reading this sentence right
> now, you don’t need the product featured in this article. But trust me,
> it’s worth
> a look all the same.
>
> Dot1
>
> The smartwatch market has exploded over the past few years. In fact,
> reports show that smartwatch sales have
> increased an astronomical 457 percent
>   in the last year alone, a figure that can be attributed to the Apple
> Watch. Since its release in April,
> Apple’s flagship wearable has captured a full three-quarters of the market,
> reaching about 4 million units sold to date. One thing you could safely
> assume about nearly every one of those customers, though – they can all see.
>
> The World Health Organization estimates that there are
> 285 million people with severe visual impairment around the world,
> of whom 39 million are completely blind. Among them, literacy is a
> serious issue because access to Braille education and materials is
> limited. Even for
> the literate blind, reading is laborious – one Braille Bible comes in 40
> volumes, for example – and remains largely limited to the printed word.
> Active
> Braille technology, which displays changing Braille text in real time,
> typically cost upward of US$3,000 and haven’t changed much over the past
> decade.
>
> Dot
>   is a South Korean startup that believes the active Braille market is
> ripe for disruption. It has produced an active Braille smartwatch that’s
> a low-cost
> education and communication tool for the blind. With it, Dot hopes to
> return equal information access to a demographic that has been left
> behind in the
> age of real-time digital text.
>
> A tactile experience
>
> Dot2
>
> The Dot smartwatch appears, at first glance, like one of the many
> screenless wearables on the market already. You might mistake it for a
> white
> Fitbit
>   from its telltale bulge where the hardware module rests atop the
> wearer’s wrist. That module houses four “cells” of six active dots each
> – enough for
> four Braille characters to be displayed at once. The device can be
> calibrated to display new characters at speeds ranging from a glacial 1
> hertz to a breakneck
> 100 hertz; development has yielded a battery life of 10 hours, which
> will give average users five days between charges, Dot says.
>
> The device is based on haptic technology, which provides feedback or
> information in real time through touch. By linking to any Bluetooth
> device, the Dot
> smartwatch can pull text from applications like iMessage using voice
> commands. Co-founder and CEO Eric Ju Yoon Kim says that Dot gives users
> the chance
> to read text their own way.
>
> “Until now, if you got a message on iOS from your girlfriend, for
> example, you had to listen to Siri read it to you in that voice, which
> is impersonal,”
> Kim explains. “Wouldn’t you rather read it yourself and hear your
> girlfriend’s voice saying it in your head?”
>
> As a wearable, Dot is still without competition. Current industry
> leaders produce hardware in the form of keyboards with active Braille
> cells that connect
> to computers via USB, with price tags in the thousands of dollars. Kim
> tells Tech in Asia that when the Dot smartwatch goes on sale in the
> United States
> this December, it will retail for less than US$300.
>
> Going global
> Part of the Dot team: lead designer Mason Joo, CEO Eric Kim, CTO Ki
> Sung, and software engineer Juhwan Lim.
>
> (L-R): Lead designer Mason Joo, CEO Eric Kim, CTO Ki Sung, and software
> engineer Juhwan Lim.
>
> Kim founded Dot with Titus Cheng, a classmate from the University of
> Washington. The team they built in Seoul includes specialists in
> hardware, software,
> and design. In its first round of seed funding, Dot raised US$100,000
> from the
> ActnerLab
> accelerator and an additional $500,000 from the South Korean government’s
> Tech Incubator Program for Startup
>   (TIPS). The company will begin its second round of seed funding in
> August with a goal of raising US$1 million, and it’s hoping for
> international investors
> to help promote the company’s products overseas.
>
> Though the smartwatch will go on sale in the US and Canada first, Dot is
> trying out other applications for its active Braille modules in South
> Korea. In
> a push that Kim is calling “public Braille,” the company has installed
> modules at ATMs and in train stations. Like the smartwatch, these
> modules can be
> programmed to display information updated in real time, such as account
> balance information or a subway schedule.
>
> “The Braille at ATMs currently tells you, ‘This is an ATM,’ which isn’t
> super helpful,” says Kim. “I think these sorts of public places, and the
> public
> sector in particular, could become our largest market in the future.”
>
> That means expanding to other countries like Japan and China. Japan has
> a strong history of updating infrastructure to reflect the needs of its
> disabled
> citizens, as evidenced by the country’s ubiquitous tactile paving. China
> accounts for nearly one-fifth of the world’s blind population and boasts
> a rapidly
> evolving public infrastructure. Kim sees huge growth potential in both
> markets and says Dot’s next few hires later this year will likely
> reflect that.
>
> Educating a clientele
>
> Kim admits that part of the challenge that lies before his company is
> creating a broader demand for the product. Unlike Apple or Samsung, Dot
> has an immediate,
> vested interest in promoting literacy as a means of increasing its
> number of potential customers. By many accounts, Braille literacy has
> actually fallen
> over the past half-century; Kim attributes that to the lack of effective
> educational tools.
>
> “90 percent of blind people become blind after birth, and there’s
> nothing for them right now – they lose their access to information so
> suddenly,” says
> Kim. “Dot can be their lifeline, so they can learn Braille and access
> everyday information through their fingers, which is the goal of Braille
> literacy.”
>
> Everyday language has some existing haptic support in the form of
> single-line active Braille devices, but Dot is concerned that education
> requiring complex
> text and diagrams, like mathematics, is still off-limits to the blind.
> To solve that, the company is also developing a tablet device to display
> multi-line
> text, graphs, and shapes. Native educational apps could be part of Dot’s
> next developmental phase.
>
> Making waves
>
> Dot3
>
> Dot is starting with only 10,000 smartwatches for its release this
> December, but the company is poised to take advantage of an
> underdeveloped market. The
> Dot team has just welcomed Dr. Dong-Soo Kwon of
> KAIST,
> South Korea’s top science and engineering university. He adds 54 patents
> in haptic technology to Dot’s existing five, providing a strong head
> start over
> potential competitors for the company, founded only one year ago.
>
> Those patents might also be a ticket to deals with larger companies.
> Smart device makers like Apple and Samsung have experimented with
> haptics to improve
> the way their models vibrate, and Kim says that Dot hopes to innovate
> products meant for the sighted as well.
>
> Dot’s primary mission remains information accessibility for the blind.
> Kim has plenty of ideas for how their four-cell module can grant the
> blind access
> to things that have gone digital, like microwaves or rice cookers. He
> wants to bring the blind up to speed on the same advances the rest of us
> enjoy.
>
> “Every time technology moves forward we see more real-time information,
> but for the blind, that’s a widening discrimination gap,” explains Kim.
> “We are
> solving that information discrimination with the equal accessibility the
> Dot smartwatch provides.”
>
> Editing by Terence Lee and J.T. Quigley
> (And yes, we're serious about ethics and transparency. More information
> here.
> )
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> fb:like Facebook Social Plugin frame
> Like
> Like
> 389 people like this. Be the first of your friends.
> fb:like Facebook Social Plugin frame end
> list of 16 items
> BLIND
> BLUETOOTH
> DOT
> GADGET
> KOREA
> KOREAN STARTUPS
> SEED FUNDING
> SEOUL
> SMARTWATCH
> SMARTWATCHES
> STARTUPS IN KOREA
> TIPS
> WEARABLE
> WEARABLE DEVICES
> WEARABLE TECH
> WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY
> list end
> REPLIES
> Disqus frame
> banner
> navigation region
> list of 4 items
> 15 Comments
> Tech in Asia
> Login
> 
> list end
> navigation region end
> banner end
> list of 3 items
>  Recommend
> ⤤ Share
> Sort by Best
> list end
> Avatar
> Join the discussion…
> Join the discussion…
>
> list of 5 items
> techinasia-8ad2f16f1cfd0d6443a089c0624042b4
> Leslie
> 16 hours ago
> This is definitely more useful than apple watch or pebble. This is what
> I call real innovation. Kudos
>
> 2
> ▽
> Reply
> Share ›
> list of 3 items nesting level 1
> techinasia-ed08ffe048c32cd55986623fd0aac732
> Colin Moreshead
>   Leslie
> 12 hours ago
> And it uses the same module they plan to use for public Braille, meaning
> that large public sector orders mean lower average cost for private
> customers!
>
> 1
> ▽
> Reply
> Share ›
> list of 1 items nesting level 2
> techinasia-4908abf01ae104097641c7984131e9dd
> Eric Ju Yoon Kim
>   Colin Moreshead
> 7 hours ago
> Thanks you Colin, here is an example of ATM dot module!
>
> list of 1 items nesting level 3
> ⛺⛺
> list end nesting level 3
> Vote up
> ▽
> Reply
> Share ›
> list end nesting level 2
> techinasia-3295c76acbf4caaed33c36b1b5fc2cb1
> Willis Wee
>   Leslie
> 15 hours ago
> Agree. I hope the market is big enough that it attracts investments from
> investors. great cause and business :)
>
> 1
> ▽
> Reply
> Share ›
> techinasia-4908abf01ae104097641c7984131e9dd
> Eric Ju Yoon Kim
>   Leslie
> 8 hours ago
> Hello Leslie, I'm Eric from the team dot. Thanks for your compliment, we
> will do our best!
>
> Vote up
> ▽
> Reply
> Share ›
> list end nesting level 1
> kristiankolby
> Kristian Kolby
> 6 hours ago
> Took the liberty to advice the blind communitiy in Denmark!
> I think they were exited, please make this avaliable in Europe/Scandinavia
>
> 1
> ▽
> Reply
> Share ›
> list of 1 items nesting level 1
> techinasia-4908abf01ae104097641c7984131e9dd
> Eric Ju Yoon Kim
>   Kristian Kolby
> 6 hours ago
> Thank you, Kristian! I'm really glad that they were excited! :)
> Of course we will make this available in Europe/Scandinavia!
> For the Scandinavia, we have talked with communities in Sweden so far.
> If you don't mind, would you please connect us to your connections?
> Here's my mail! eric at dotincorp.com
>
> Vote up
> ▽
> Reply
> Share ›
> list end nesting level 1
> kristiankolby
> Kristian Kolby
> 8 hours ago
> Works with Android?
>
> 1
> ▽
> Reply
> Share ›
> list of 1 items nesting level 1
> techinasia-ed08ffe048c32cd55986623fd0aac732
> Colin Moreshead
>   Kristian Kolby
> 8 hours ago
> Yes! Any device that can be connected via Bluetooth. Android and iOS are
> both supported.
>
> 1
> ▽
> Reply
> Share ›
> list of 1 items nesting level 2
> techinasia-4908abf01ae104097641c7984131e9dd
> Eric Ju Yoon Kim
>   Colin Moreshead
> 7 hours ago
> Yes! Both Android and iOS :) Thanks for your kind explanation Colin!
>
> Vote up
> ▽
> Reply
> Share ›
> list end nesting level 2
> list end nesting level 1
> techinasia-ce80993289bf0e45c95ed6c95bfdd07d
> David Corbin
> 14 hours ago
> Very cool idea! I want to try it, haha. They should come to Tech in Asia
> Tokyo and exhibit!
>
> 1
> ▽
> Reply
> Share ›
> list of 1 items nesting level 1
> techinasia-4908abf01ae104097641c7984131e9dd
> Eric Ju Yoon Kim
>   David Corbin
> 7 hours ago
> Thank you, David! We will let you know when our first product released!
> And as you said, we are applying startup booth at Bootstrap Alley, and
> Arena now!
>
> 1
> ▽
> Reply
> Share ›
> list of 1 items nesting level 2
> techinasia-ce80993289bf0e45c95ed6c95bfdd07d
> David Corbin
>   Eric Ju Yoon Kim
> 4 hours ago
> Awesome! Thanks for considering us :-)
>
> Vote up
> ▽
> Reply
> Share ›
> list end nesting level 2
> list end nesting level 1
> techinasia-63dc7ed1010d3c3b8269faf0ba7491d4
> Terence Lee
> 16 hours ago
> A rare startup that has potential to make a huge impact while making money.
>
> 1
> ▽
> Reply
> Share ›
> list of 1 items nesting level 1
> techinasia-4908abf01ae104097641c7984131e9dd
> Eric Ju Yoon Kim
>   Terence Lee
> 6 hours ago
> Thank you, Terence! We will do our best to impact the world.
>
> Vote up
> ▽
> Reply
> Share ›
> list end nesting level 1
> list end
> list of 4 items
> Powered by Disqus
> Subscribe
> Add Disqus to your site
> Privacy
> list end
> Disqus frame end
> READ MORE
> Twist and shout – this foldable battery from Korea can be turned into
> origami
> Battered but not beaten, Kairos has a second crack at building up its
> smartwatch brand
> mymo Can a fitness tracker which rewards users solve the problem of
> wearable tech?
> article end
> Close
>  Read Next
> No, China did not just legalize game consoles
> list of 7 items
> Submit a post
> Do or do not, there is no try
> POPULAR TAGS
> list of 10 items nesting level 1
> CHINA
> ECOMMERCE
> FACEBOOK
> FUNDING
> INDIA
> INDONESIA
> JAPAN
> MOBILE
> SINGAPORE
> SOCIAL MEDIA
> list end nesting level 1
> LEADERBOARD
> TOP 10 CONTRIBUTORS
> 
> LAST 7 DAYS
> LAST 30 DAYS
>
> tab panel start
> table with 3 columns and 11 rows
> RANK
> NAME
> SCORE
> #1 
> Matilda Loofa
> 141
> #2 
> Weijie Ng
> 118
> #3 
> Christopher Quek
> 118
> #4
> Joanna Goh
> 114
> #5
> Hugh Mason
> 104
> #6
> Syed Omar
> 95
> #7
> Huy Long Ha
> 90
> #8
> Hyeonwoo Jung
> 81
> #9
> Thanh Mỹ
> 80
> #10
> JR
> 80
> table end
> tab panel end
>
> FOLLOW US
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>
> wyciwyg://1/https://www.techinasia.com/dot-braille-smartwatch/ frame
> simgad/9881498393132191224
> wyciwyg://1/https://www.techinasia.com/dot-braille-smartwatch/ frame end
> RECENT COMMENTS
> list of 5 items nesting level 1
> Hi TIA! My name is Stefan and I'm the co-founder of Carmudi. AMA!
>
> “ I think it makes alot of sense. There is something about the way
> Companies like Cheki spend. Its impossible to recover that money spent
> on adverts. Th...
> ”Ralph Tee - 15 mins ago
>
> Bangalore is now 15th among the world’s top 20 startup hubs. Here’s what
> makes it hum
>
> “ WOW. Banglore has really awesome figures. It's beating everyone in
> growth index and funding. ”Muhammad Nowkhaiz - 24 mins ago
>
> Hi TIA! My name is Stefan and I'm the co-founder of Carmudi. AMA!
>
> “ Michael Lee, I agree with you fully. I think it makes alot of sense.
> There is something about the way Companies like Cheki spend. Its
> impossible to re...
> ”Ralph Tee - 40 mins ago
>
> Will mobile payments become the new standard?
>
> “ Personally I have experience working with PayPal, Stripe, Square,
> Google Wallet. Each has own pros & cons. I think Apple Pay will get
> attention in Asi...
> ”Oleksiy Kuryliak - 49 mins ago
>
> Chat is eating the world
>
> “ How do you see Snapcash? I find the transition or link weak, kinda
> forcing things down the users throat. Do u think it will work? ”Andrew
> Grossman -
> 56 mins ago
> list end nesting level 1
>
> FEATURED
> podcast-crowd
> TiA podcast: big ecommerce funding, and China’s massive web
> By C. Custer
> nguyen-huu-binh-applancer
> Applancer, a startup at the heart of Vietnam’s mobile explosion
> By Anh-Minh Do
> tamecco yoshinoya
> Tamecco uses artificial intelligence to generate coupons and discounts
> you’ll actually use
> By J.T. Quigley
> roti rotimaker rotimatic zimplistic
> A roti a minute: Zimplistic gets $11.5M to globalize Indian flatbread
> with a robotic Rotimaker
> By Malavika Velayanikal
> coins-ph-teller
> Uber for banking? Coins.ph turns people into ATMs
> By Judith Balea
> list end
> content information
> list of 7 items
> ABOUT US
>   ·
> EVENTS
>   ·
> ETHICS
>   ·
> JOIN US
>   ·
> CULTURE
>   ·
> RSS
>   ·
> CONTACT US
> list end
> COPYRIGHT © 2015 TECH IN ASIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
> 
> catalyst
>
> Mobile Analytics
> content information end
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Ohio-talk mailing list
> Ohio-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/ohio-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Ohio-talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/ohio-talk_nfbnet.org/marianne%40denningweb.com
>


-- 
Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
(513) 607-6053