[nfbcs] Android-based braille notetakers

[Tracy Carcione]

Thanks guys.
I've been considering the Braille2Go, mainly because it's the lightest of
the new Android notetakers.  Should I be concerned that it has the oldest
OS, Jellybean?
I read a review of the Orbit machine, where the reviewer said the braille
refresh rate was quite slow, around 1 second.  This is a concern for me.
Otherwise, a simple notetaker with 20 cells would be just the ticket.

At present, I'm debating between the Perkins Braille Mini, which is very
simple, with only notetaking and a book reader, 16 cells, and a reasonable
price tag, or the Braille2Go, with 20 cells, more weight, more apps, and a
reasonable price tag.
I really only use my notetaker for notes and reading most of the time, and,
if I can pair the Perkins with my iPhone, I would have access to other apps
that way.
I know there's an idea that one should get the fastest with the mostest one
can afford, but, on the other hand, sometimes simple is a fine thing.
Tracy


-----Original Message-----
From: nfbcs [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Curtis Chong via
nfbcs
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2016 9:22 PM
To: 'NFB in Computer Science Mailing List'; 'Discussion of accessible home
electronics and appliances'
Cc: Curtis Chong
Subject: Re: [nfbcs] Android-based braille notetakers

Hello Tracy:

I was at the CSUN conference, and I observed that three Android-based
Braille note-taking devices were being exhibited: the Braille2Go,
NeoBraille, and the BrailleNote Touch. The first two devices use Android as
their operating system, but there is no touch screen involved with either of
them. As for the BrailleNote Touch, there is a touch screen that you can
swipe through if you want, but the case that comes with it has a real
BrailleNote-style keyboard that makes it feel very much like the original
BrailleNote Apex--and for the same price, too.

Another Braille device at CSUN that was discussed and exhibited at the
American Printing House for the Blind booth was the Orbit Reader 20, which
is a product that has resulted from the work of the Transforming Braille
group. The Orbit Reader 20 is supposed to be available around the September
timeframe, and of all the devices discussed here, it is perhaps the least
expensive and the simplest in terms of its capabilities. What you get with
the Orbit Reader 20 is a 20-cell book reader and a very simple note-taker.
That's it. Nothing else. If it costs $600, that will be terrific, but I am
not in a position to quote a price at this point in time.

Alas, I did not have enough time to really examine the Braille2Go (a product
that has taken years to develop) or the NeoBraille. I just touched these
devices for but a few seconds.

Cordially,

Curtis Chong


-----Original Message-----
From: nfbcs [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tracy Carcione
via nfbcs
Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2016 5:16 AM
To: 'Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances'
<electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Tracy Carcione <carcione at access.net>; 'NFB in Computer Science Mailing
List' <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [nfbcs] Android-based braille notetakers

2 new braille notetakers were announced at CSUN, the NeoBraille and the
Braille2Go.  Both are based on android phones.

Did anyone happen to go to CSUN and actually use one of these new
notetakers?

I'm in the market for a new braille notetaker, and I'd like to know what the
interface for either of these is like.  Does one have to swipe around, or
does one enter a command from the keyboard to bring up an app?  If I need to
quickly scribble a note, does the device come on quickly, or do I have to
mess around with unlocking it, then starting some app?  

I know it's a long shot, but I'd love to hear from anyone who's actually had
hands on one of these new devices.

Tracy

 

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