NEW BRAILLENOTE TOUCH MARCH 23 2016
the BrailleNote Touch, a device which is based on Android 4.4, but runs the Keysoft suite of products. Think modern support for mail and other applications, but with the familiarity of Keysoft. The best way to picture the device is that it has an iPad mini sized screen which a user can perform standard Android gestures on, or a new braille input method described below. There is a Perkins-style braille keyboard which comes down over the screen if the user desires to use that instead. The keyboard overlay attaches to the device and can be removed if the user prefers to use the touch screen and braille display exclusively. The unit also features support for SDHC cards, 2 GB RAM for fast and seamless multi-tasking, 16GB of built-in memory, a HDMI port for connectivity with external monitors or TV's, an 8 megapixel camera with LED lighting, a USB 3.0 host port, and Micro USB charging .
There are 3 buttons on the front of the unit which correspond to Back, Home, and Menu, which doubles as a context-sensitive help key for KeySoft apps. Menu can be held down for Android's Recent Apps screen.
Screen input is done through a process Humanware is calling Touch Braille mode, but there is also a mode that is very similar to what one would find with braille screen input on iOS, or with one of the supported braille keyboards on Android. Touch Braille mode, according to Humanware, allows you to lay all of your fingers on the touch screen in such a way that you would want to use the screen for braille input. The device will then recognize each of your fingers and then it will calibrate which fingers correspond to which dots. And while most touch screen braille keyboards do this to a certain degree, there are no gestures required for the user to learn to use this method. Instead of doing a gesture to backspace, for example, the user would just hit dot 7 on the screen with their left pinky. This technology also differs in that it's not only for text input, but also for standard Keysoft commands and first letter navigation within apps and the standard keysoft applications. SO, for example, space with O will still take you to the Options menu of the BrailleNote.
There are new versions for many of the most popular KeySoft apps. The new KeyWord includes expanded document formatting commands and reads and writes .DOC, .DOCX, and .RTF among other formats. KeyWeb is now built over top of the Firefox web browser. KeyBRF reads braille-formatted files while a Victor Reader app handles other audio and DAISY formats.
What is perhaps most interesting about this device is that Humanware says it will have Google Play support, but has its own screen reader unlike other Android devices which run a version of TalkBack. The BrailleNote Touch will also have an onboard camera as written above, which means that one could purchase and use the KNFB Reader app for OCR. HumanWare is currently working with the NFB to ensure the BrailleNote Touch is listed as a supported device for the KNFB Reader on Google Play. This could also potentially bring object recognition to the notetaker. It is also expected that one can use many other apps offered in the Google Play store.
18 and 32 cell models will be available, with pricing the same as what it has been for the Apex: $3,995 for the 18 cell model and $5,495 for the 32-cell version. Humanware expects it to be on the market in May 2016. No QWERTY keyboard version is available, though one could use a Bluetooth or USB keyboard with the device.
Current BrailleNote users can get $1,500 toward the purchase price when trading in a 32-cell device or $800 for an 18-cell model. Users of other notetakers will receive $1,000 for devices of over 20 cells or $500 for devices of 20 cells or less.
More info will be posted when it is made available, and we'll have an in-depth podcast to follow.
Category:
CUSTOMIZABLE TO FIT YOUR UNIQUE NEEDS AND GOALS
KeySoft is the driving force behind the BrailleNote Touch, completely rewritten from the ground up to maximize the entire experience of modern users.
Customize configuration on any BrailleNote Touch
Revolutionary removable internal system storage
Allows users to transfer their own settings and data to second Touch
Users can use any Touch like it was their own
photo of a school boy at school carrying his BrailleNote Touch
Smart design, cutting edge keyboard cover
Photo showing in three steps how the keyboard can be flipped on the screen
The BrailleNote Touch keyboard is designed for those who don’t yet have the dexterity to type on the TouchBraille, or those who want to write long documents or papers. Completely removable, it fits directly over the touchscreen to provide a familiar user experience with no learning curve.
A familiar physical keyboard that feels exactly
like a BrailleNote Apex
Offers a traditional note taker feel
No learning curve so it’s great for young students
Perfect for extended writing and long editing sessions
Braille keyboard can be completely removed
Built into the rugged carrying case for
maximum protection
TOUCH HARDWARE
18 or 32 braille cells with cursor routers
Speed of a modern tablet
2 GB RAM for fast and seamless multi-tasking
16 GB internal storage, more than enough
for documents and files
Stereo speakers
Internal microphone
Modern connectivity – WiFi, Bluetooth and internal GPS
Visual touch surface and screen
Image showing hands typing on the touch screen of the BrailleNote Touch with a cloud made of app icons.
News
Introducing BrailleNote Touch, the note taker of the future More than ever, students and professionals who are blind require an intelligent device that combines the simplicity and accessibility of a note taker with the power and efficiency of a modern smartphone or tablet. Our latest solution is the groundbreaking BrailleNote Touch, the first certified braille tablet providing Play Store access.
Photo of the BrailleNote Touch showing the Google page on its screen
Raising the bar for today’s digital landscape
The BrailleNote Touch interface is easy to learn for both students and teachers, combining the benefits of KeySoft and braille literacy of a traditional note taker with the efficiency and power of a modern tablet.
A powerful combination of accessibility and efficiency
The KeySoft user experience with the power of an Android operating system
Linear, user-friendly menu and interface
Supports perfect braille translation in contracted or uncontracted braille,
including UEB and multiple languages
First certified Braille Tablet providing Play Store access
Supports Google Play store for accessible third party apps
Google Play logo and Android green robot
Driven by KeySoft, designed for the modern user
KeySoft is the driving force behind the BrailleNote Touch, completely rewritten from the ground up to maximize the entire experience of modern users.
Optimized for today’s technology
Frequent automatic updates
Simple menu-driven interface
First letter navigation for
efficiency everywhere
Familiar keyboard shortcuts to efficiently accomplish tasks
Provides general navigation help, speech and braille in all-accessible
third party apps
Offers the efficiency of a note taker to third party apps
Contextual help to provide
assistance anytime
Picture of a man using the BrailleNote Touch while travelling on a plane
Picture of a school girl typing on the BrailleNote Touch at the school library
TouchBraille – the most natural way to type braille on a touchscreen
Our TouchBraille algorithm brings the traditional braille control of a note taker to a modern and user-friendly platform.
Control navigation of the Touch and edit in braille
Instant calibration – virtually as fast as typing with 10 fingers on a keyboard
Virtual Keys find your fingers as you type
Minimal finger movement or strength to enter text Simply move fingers up and down
Familiar keyboard shortcuts to efficiently accomplish tasks
Writing is completely silent and usable anywhere
In the classroom
Teachers want an easy and interactive approach to help their students learn braille, while students need the most efficient tool to accomplish their everyday tasks, from writing documents and sending emails, to downloading and reading books.
The BrailleNote Touch was designed to meet all of these needs and more, to completing class work easier and more efficient than ever.
A 21
ST
CENTURY NOTE TAKER FOR A 21
ST
CENTURY CLASSROOM
Smart keyboard cover provides a perfect ergonomic introduction to braille typing for young children
Students can transition to TouchBraille as their motor skills develop
Teachers can receive instant visual feedback
Teachers and supporting IT staff can quickly disable KeySoft with a triple tap of the Home button to use Braille Touch like a standard tablet
Use familiar KeySoft apps for classroom work
KeyWord to create and edit documents
Victor Reader for reading books
KeyMail to send and receive emails in class
KeyWeb for the most modern web
browsing experience
Quick access to mainstream apps and cloud storage, including Google Docs, DropBox and YouTube
Picture of a school girl typing in a classroom
Picture of a man working with the BrailleNote Touch at a coffee shop
At work
The BrailleNote Touch was designed to make everyday office tasks as simple and seamless as possible for blind users, from creating professional documents and emails to browsing the web.
BRAILLE ANYWHERE IN ANY APP FOR ANYONE
Create professional documents with KeyWord
Include professional formatting such as headers, bullets and numbering
Files created in .doc or .docx (no exporting required)
Use KeyMail with an Exchange server to sync your emails, contacts and calendars
Research using the most current web browsers
Collaborate and share documents using Google Docs or other cloud services
Communicate with colleagues around the world with popular communication apps (Google Hangouts)
Use any accessible third party app with KeySoft
and TouchBraille
What is KeySoft?
On my previous BrailleNotes I was able to use contextual help to quickly understand keystrokes and how to navigate my BrailleNote. Does the Touch have something like this?
What is the contextual menu?
What is TouchBraille?
Is there a recommended way to improve typing with TouchBraille?
How do I edit in an edit box, and what is edit mode?
When I am typing in computer Braille I cannot perform shortcuts that use enter or backspace. Why?
In English computer Braille, how do I type common symbols for email addresses?
How do I charge my BrailleNote Touch?
Is there a BrailleNote Touch QWERTY Version?
Can I install 3rd party apps from the GooglePlay Store?
How do I select text using the BrailleNote Touch?
How do I create a print hard copy for a sighted teacher or colleague?
CloudPrinting from the BrailleNote Touch
Can I emboss from my BrailleNote Touch?
I heard that the older BrailleNotes used a version of Windows CE as their operating system. What is my BrailleNote Touch using
What version of Android is the BrailleNote Touch using as its operating system?
When HumanWare releases an update for my Touch, how do I update the device?
I have a previous BrailleNote version. Do you accept any trade in options?
Do you offer any extended warranty program?
I have downloaded an app and it consistently says “WebView”. I can still navigate with my thumb keys but I don’t receive any braille.
Can the Braille Note Touch open files created as a KWB file on past Braille Note devices?
Can I bring my files from my past BrailleNote’s address list, calendar, or databases to my new Touch?
Q: What is KeySoft?
A: KeySoft is in general the way you experience the BrailleNote Touch. It is both the environment you see when you start your Touch, such as the main menu, various KeySoft apps like KeyWord, etc. But it is also the primary accessibility service which makes apps and your experience with the Touch an accessible one.
For example KeySoft handles all the speech and Braille output you receive. It also controls TouchBraille or keyboard entry when you edit in various apps. In short KeySoft is the interface you experience when using your Touch, ensuring everything is both accessible and efficient when using the device.
Speaking of efficient and simple, KeySoft includes such features as first letter navigation, allowing you to reach various items on the screen more efficiently, just by typing their first letter. This is especially useful if you do not know exactly where a “Next” button is located, just type an N and KeySoft will jump to the first item that starts with N.
Q: On my previous BrailleNotes I was able to use contextual help to quickly understand keystrokes and how to navigate my BrailleNote. Does the Touch have something like this?
A: KeySoft on the Touch also has contextual help. In any situation, press space with H and you will be placed in the contextual help screen. Here you can learn how to navigate your current app or location, identify general commands, and see how to access more shortcuts and keystrokes for that situation.
Q: What is the contextual menu?
A: In past versions of KeySoft contextual help provided both navigation commands along with every keyboard shortcut for almost every situation you entered with the BrailleNote. Many users mentioned that this amount of information was often overwhelming.
KeySoft on the BrailleNote Touch uses contextual help to instruct you for your current location and how to navigate it, but uses a new function called the context menu to inform you of all the keyboard shortcuts for a current app or situation.
To activate the context menu, press space with M, or press the menu button on the front of your Touch. The menu button is the square shaped button next to your home button. Similar to right clicking on a windows computer, the context menu provides the most common functions and keyboard shortcuts for your current situation in a KeySoft app. For example, let’s imagine you have forgotten the keyboard shortcut to send an email. Simply activate the context menu from your email message and navigate through its items. You will find one which says “Send Email, backspace with S". You can now press enter here to actually send the email, and also will remember that backspace with S is the shortcut to send emails quickly, the next time you need to send an email.
Q: What is TouchBraille?
A: TouchBraille is the innovative method that you can use to enter Braille on the touch screen of the BrailleNote. While using TouchBraille the virtual keys will find your fingers. To type using TouchBraille simply lay all 10 fingers on the Touch's touch screen to have the Touch recognize your fingers. To confirm your fingers have been recognized, you will receive a short vibration. After feeling the vibration you can begin typing on the touch screen as if you were typing on a physical BrailleNote keyboard. Using your right little finger for enter (Dot 8) and your left little finger for backspace (Dot 7). You can use either of your thumbs for the spacebar. Note, when having your fingers recognized, you do not need to lay all ten fingers down together. For example you can lay 5 fingers down on the screen and then keep them there, while adding your other 5 fingers in addition to them at a later moment. This allows you to easily spot read the Braille display with one hand while the other hand rests on the screen.
Q: Is there a recommended way to improve typing with TouchBraille?
A: Yes. Because TouchBraille is used to type on a touch screen, you do not need to use virtually any force when typing. The recommended position of your hands when typing using TouchBraille is to place your wrists on or in front of the Braille display and place all 10 fingers on the screen to receive the short recognition vibration. Upon feeling this vibration, lift all 10 fingers only slightly off the screen while leaving your wrists resting on or in front of the Braille display. Type normally while flexing only your fingers up and down. This insures that you are allowing the keys to follow your fingers in a general predictable pattern. TouchBraille provides a method for typing which allows a brailleist to type using less motion. Thus producing less strain on the hands.
Q: How do I edit in an edit box, and what is edit mode?
A: Because KeySoft allows for you to use first letter navigation to find items on the screen more efficiently, you must identify when you want to be inserting text, or editing, vs using first letter navigation to quickly jump to items. This mode is called edit mode.
When you want to type characters into edit boxes or text fields, you first need to activate those edit boxes to tell KeySoft you are ready to enter text. When you press enter or a router key on an edit box, you will activate edit mode. You will know you are in edit mode because you will hear a rising tone if you have sounds turned on, and will see your cursor appear between the edit box brackets. Now anything you type will be entered into that edit field. to leave edit mode, you can simply press the next or previous thumb key and your focus will leave the edit box and go to the next item on the screen and you will be no longer editing. Alternatively you can simply press exit (Space with E) or the back button, and your focus will remain on the edit box, but you will be out of edit mode. You will hear a lowering tone and see your cursor disappear from the edit box on the display. Now you can go back to using first letter navigation to jump to different items on the screen.