Re: [Techno-Chat]: Braille Sense Polaris: First Impressions

[Gordon Smith]

Yes, but two distinct devices. Have also to say that those who speak from 
experience may be just a tiny little bit more qualified to do so than those who 
do not. I certainly don’t mean to be fractious. But as I discovered, experience 
in the real world is a huge benefit when advocating one course or another. 

=

My compliments and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:
<gor...@mac-access.net>

Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..

  Contact:

• UK Geographic – +44(0) 1642 688095
• UKFree Phone – 0800 8620538
• UK Mobile – +44 (0) 7907 823971

• Australia Geographic – +61 38 82059300
• US Geographic – +1 646 9151493Mobile/S





> On 25 Jun 2017, at 17:30, Dane Trethowan <grtd...@internode.on.net> wrote:
> 
> And a forth choice actually, a mobile phone or tablet with a Braille display.
> 
> 
> 
> On 26/06/2017 12:26 AM, Gordon Smith wrote:
>> Yes, I totally agree about keyboard. All I was pointing out was that the 
>> option, and that’s the key word, “Option” doesn’t exist.
>> 
>> That said, I do agree that the Polaris is a very nice device and has 
>> excellent hardware specs. When it comes to note takers, however, we now have 
>> 3 choices. There’s the HumanWare one, (which I like, and use a lot), the 
>> Braille Sense Polaris, which I tried the other day, which I’m sure I would 
>> come to like a lot if I had the opportunity to use it extensively, and the 
>> ElBraille. I plan to buy an ElBraille for my business needs as tat would be 
>> the best all-round device for me. I do feel that both Hims and HumanWare 
>> kind of missed the boat a bit by not including an. Option for mobile 
>> communications. That is one area which EliTech Group has hit a winning note 
>> in my opinion.
>> 
>> All that said, were there an upgrade option on my Braille Sense U2, I would 
>> seriously consider that option.
>> 
>> 
>>> On 24 Jun 2017, at 04:05, Debbie Yuille <debbiey1...@optusnet.com.au> wrote:
>>> 
>>> But then you would  most likely have a fold down keyboard that is noisy 
>>> like the touch's keyboard. The Polaris' keyboard is super quiet and in my 
>>> opinion, a lot quicker to type on than using touch braille. That is why I 
>>> prefer the Polaris. I like that we now have choice with our notetakers, one 
>>> that's designed for touch braille and one that is designed for people who 
>>> want a quiet and fast braille keyboard.
>>> 
>>> Debbie
>>> 
>>> -Original Message-
>>> From: Gordon Smith [mailto:gor...@mac-access.net]
>>> Sent: Saturday, 24 June 2017 1:42 AM
>>> To: Techno-Chat ... Technology Enthusiasm! <techno-chat@techno-chat.net>
>>> Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Braille Sense Polaris: First Impressions
>>> 
>>> That is utterly the wrong approach. The Touch, for example, gives you the 
>>> option. You don’t have to use the touch screen at all, but it’s there if 
>>> you want too. The device is intended for the use of the vision impaired and 
>>> the blind and, of course, the deaf blind. Like the Hims tablet, the Touch 
>>> also has a vibrating motor which can be configured for events. And its 
>>> touch screen is there for all. If you’re blind, you can toggle off the 
>>> video output to conserve battery power, but even with the video disabled, 
>>> you can still type on the touch screen and, optionally, still use gestures.
>>> 
>>> So I’m sorry, but I think that Hims has made a gross error of judgement 
>>> there. Of course, it may be that the Samsung hardware on which the device 
>>> is based did not easily lend itself to a touch screen. I think it’s a 
>>> dreadful shame though, as with the inclusion of a touch screen it would 
>>> have been a truly spectacular device.
>>> 
>>> Now, it is true that one can perform some touch gestures on the Braille 
>>> display itself. So that may go some way to addressing the issue. I haven’t 
>>> had the opportunity to try that aspect yet. But I’m sure I shall, and soon. 
>>> But having played with the divide, in terms of its interface It comes a 
>>> poor second in my opinion. In terms of specifications, it comes out the 
>>> clear winner.
>>> 
>>> I need it to be understood that I am totally unprejudiced with these 
>>> comments. I am not, as some people have accused me of being recently, a 
>>> HumanWare man through and through. I’m just trying to be objective.
>>> 
>>>> On 23 Jun 2017, at 10:37, Dane Trethowan <grtd...

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Braille Sense Polaris: First Impressions

[Gordon Smith]

I can see advantages and disadvantages to both approaches. So I guess it’s more 
or less horses for courses.

Was a time in the not so very long ago that Would have said no to any Braille 
note taker at all. But now, having used them extensively for quite a long time, 
I’ve changed my views. Certainly see the advantage to using main stream 
hardware right down the line. But I have experienced, (and that is the crux of 
the matter)both approaches. As I will readily admit, I was very much in line 
with the BrailleBack approach and that was an end to it. But now, well, as I 
said, speaking from experience, not just hypothesis, I see some definite merit 
to using accessible devices. After all, these new note takers such as the Touch 
and the Polaris, like them or loathe them, can be said to be main stream 
technologies in themselves. Why do I say this? Simple, that’s what they are! 
They are both Google approved, they both run Android as their base operating 
systems. In the case of the Polaris, just as with the Touch, I believe you can 
turn off the accessible operating system by pressing the home button three 
times quickly. That is a toggle, so you can enable or disable it at will. Once 
disabled, the self same device will run natively in Android mode, and you can 
install TalkBack and BrailleBack for use in this mode. You just need to 
remember not to have them enabled at start-up or you’ll hit real issues.

Then again, along comes the ElBraille. A totally different approach, but again 
I believe there’s much to be said for it. I am saving to buy one just as soon 
as I can.

=

My compliments and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:
<gor...@mac-access.net>

Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..

  Contact:

• UK Geographic – +44(0) 1642 688095
• UKFree Phone – 0800 8620538
• UK Mobile – +44 (0) 7907 823971

• Australia Geographic – +61 38 82059300
• US Geographic – +1 646 9151493Mobile/S





> On 25 Jun 2017, at 18:47, Dane Trethowan <grtd...@internode.on.net> wrote:
> 
> You're right, you're nog to get the same level of convenience using a Mobile 
> device with a Braille display, you're going to get an even better level of 
> convenience not to mention an even better level of flexibility.
> 
> Yep, you have to download the Brailleback App from Google Play Store and 
> enable that App before the Braille Display will be acknowledge.
> 
> 
> 
> On 26/06/2017 3:36 AM, Gordon Smith wrote:
>> That is an option, yes. But you’re not going to get quite the same level of 
>> convenience doing things that way. I am also given to understand, and I 
>> haven’t checked this, that you need to use BrailleBack with the Polaris to 
>> control and interface with a phone. With the Touch, that level of 
>> connectivity is in-built to KeySoft.
>> 
>> 
>>> On 25 Jun 2017, at 17:30, Dane Trethowan <grtd...@internode.on.net> wrote:
>>> 
>>> And a forth choice actually, a mobile phone or tablet with a Braille 
>>> display.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On 26/06/2017 12:26 AM, Gordon Smith wrote:
>>>> Yes, I totally agree about keyboard. All I was pointing out was that the 
>>>> option, and that’s the key word, “Option” doesn’t exist.
>>>> 
>>>> That said, I do agree that the Polaris is a very nice device and has 
>>>> excellent hardware specs. When it comes to note takers, however, we now 
>>>> have 3 choices. There’s the HumanWare one, (which I like, and use a lot), 
>>>> the Braille Sense Polaris, which I tried the other day, which I’m sure I 
>>>> would come to like a lot if I had the opportunity to use it extensively, 
>>>> and the ElBraille. I plan to buy an ElBraille for my business needs as tat 
>>>> would be the best all-round device for me. I do feel that both Hims and 
>>>> HumanWare kind of missed the boat a bit by not including an. Option for 
>>>> mobile communications. That is one area which EliTech Group has hit a 
>>>> winning note in my opinion.
>>>> 
>>>> All that said, were there an upgrade option on my Braille Sense U2, I 
>>>> would seriously consider that option.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>> On 24 Jun 2017, at 04:05, Debbie Yuille <debbiey1...@optusnet.com.au> 
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> But then you would  most likely have a fold down keyboard that is noisy 
>>>>> like the touch's keyboard. The Polaris' keyboard is super quiet and in my 
>>>>> opinion, a lot quicker to type on than using touch braille. That is why I 
>>>>> prefer the Polari

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Braille Sense Polaris: First Impressions

[Dane Trethowan]

You're right, you're nog to get the same level of convenience using a 
Mobile device with a Braille display, you're going to get an even better 
level of convenience not to mention an even better level of flexibility.


Yep, you have to download the Brailleback App from Google Play Store and 
enable that App before the Braille Display will be acknowledge.




On 26/06/2017 3:36 AM, Gordon Smith wrote:

That is an option, yes. But you’re not going to get quite the same level of 
convenience doing things that way. I am also given to understand, and I haven’t 
checked this, that you need to use BrailleBack with the Polaris to control and 
interface with a phone. With the Touch, that level of connectivity is in-built 
to KeySoft.



On 25 Jun 2017, at 17:30, Dane Trethowan <grtd...@internode.on.net> wrote:

And a forth choice actually, a mobile phone or tablet with a Braille display.



On 26/06/2017 12:26 AM, Gordon Smith wrote:

Yes, I totally agree about keyboard. All I was pointing out was that the 
option, and that’s the key word, “Option” doesn’t exist.

That said, I do agree that the Polaris is a very nice device and has excellent 
hardware specs. When it comes to note takers, however, we now have 3 choices. 
There’s the HumanWare one, (which I like, and use a lot), the Braille Sense 
Polaris, which I tried the other day, which I’m sure I would come to like a lot 
if I had the opportunity to use it extensively, and the ElBraille. I plan to 
buy an ElBraille for my business needs as tat would be the best all-round 
device for me. I do feel that both Hims and HumanWare kind of missed the boat a 
bit by not including an. Option for mobile communications. That is one area 
which EliTech Group has hit a winning note in my opinion.

All that said, were there an upgrade option on my Braille Sense U2, I would 
seriously consider that option.



On 24 Jun 2017, at 04:05, Debbie Yuille <debbiey1...@optusnet.com.au> wrote:

But then you would  most likely have a fold down keyboard that is noisy like 
the touch's keyboard. The Polaris' keyboard is super quiet and in my opinion, a 
lot quicker to type on than using touch braille. That is why I prefer the 
Polaris. I like that we now have choice with our notetakers, one that's 
designed for touch braille and one that is designed for people who want a quiet 
and fast braille keyboard.

Debbie

-Original Message-
From: Gordon Smith [mailto:gor...@mac-access.net]
Sent: Saturday, 24 June 2017 1:42 AM
To: Techno-Chat ... Technology Enthusiasm! <techno-chat@techno-chat.net>
Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Braille Sense Polaris: First Impressions

That is utterly the wrong approach. The Touch, for example, gives you the 
option. You don’t have to use the touch screen at all, but it’s there if you 
want too. The device is intended for the use of the vision impaired and the 
blind and, of course, the deaf blind. Like the Hims tablet, the Touch also has 
a vibrating motor which can be configured for events. And its touch screen is 
there for all. If you’re blind, you can toggle off the video output to conserve 
battery power, but even with the video disabled, you can still type on the 
touch screen and, optionally, still use gestures.

So I’m sorry, but I think that Hims has made a gross error of judgement there. 
Of course, it may be that the Samsung hardware on which the device is based did 
not easily lend itself to a touch screen. I think it’s a dreadful shame though, 
as with the inclusion of a touch screen it would have been a truly spectacular 
device.

Now, it is true that one can perform some touch gestures on the Braille display 
itself. So that may go some way to addressing the issue. I haven’t had the 
opportunity to try that aspect yet. But I’m sure I shall, and soon. But having 
played with the divide, in terms of its interface It comes a poor second in my 
opinion. In terms of specifications, it comes out the clear winner.

I need it to be understood that I am totally unprejudiced with these comments. 
I am not, as some people have accused me of being recently, a HumanWare man 
through and through. I’m just trying to be objective.


On 23 Jun 2017, at 10:37, Dane Trethowan <grtd...@internode.on.net> wrote:

I think the absence of a touch screen on a device may very well be a blessing 
for Hims Inc as not everyone is interested in a touch screen.

3GB of RAM is more than enough, though some of the newer Android devices have 
4GB - and some 6GB - 3 is still ample, my absolute minimum would be 1GB, the 
Neo Set Top Box I use has 2Gb and it speeds along most of the time but with 1GB 
you do notice things slowing down, another device I have - can't remember its 
name, its an Android Desktop computer - only has 1GB.

Obviously I've not seen one of these machines but I can tell you that I like 
stereo speakers on a device, they make the world of difference even when 
listening to spoken word.

Does the machine have any Bluetooth capabi

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Braille Sense Polaris: First Impressions

[Gordon Smith]

That is an option, yes. But you’re not going to get quite the same level of 
convenience doing things that way. I am also given to understand, and I haven’t 
checked this, that you need to use BrailleBack with the Polaris to control and 
interface with a phone. With the Touch, that level of connectivity is in-built 
to KeySoft.


> On 25 Jun 2017, at 17:30, Dane Trethowan <grtd...@internode.on.net> wrote:
> 
> And a forth choice actually, a mobile phone or tablet with a Braille display.
> 
> 
> 
> On 26/06/2017 12:26 AM, Gordon Smith wrote:
>> Yes, I totally agree about keyboard. All I was pointing out was that the 
>> option, and that’s the key word, “Option” doesn’t exist.
>> 
>> That said, I do agree that the Polaris is a very nice device and has 
>> excellent hardware specs. When it comes to note takers, however, we now have 
>> 3 choices. There’s the HumanWare one, (which I like, and use a lot), the 
>> Braille Sense Polaris, which I tried the other day, which I’m sure I would 
>> come to like a lot if I had the opportunity to use it extensively, and the 
>> ElBraille. I plan to buy an ElBraille for my business needs as tat would be 
>> the best all-round device for me. I do feel that both Hims and HumanWare 
>> kind of missed the boat a bit by not including an. Option for mobile 
>> communications. That is one area which EliTech Group has hit a winning note 
>> in my opinion.
>> 
>> All that said, were there an upgrade option on my Braille Sense U2, I would 
>> seriously consider that option.
>> 
>> 
>>> On 24 Jun 2017, at 04:05, Debbie Yuille <debbiey1...@optusnet.com.au> wrote:
>>> 
>>> But then you would  most likely have a fold down keyboard that is noisy 
>>> like the touch's keyboard. The Polaris' keyboard is super quiet and in my 
>>> opinion, a lot quicker to type on than using touch braille. That is why I 
>>> prefer the Polaris. I like that we now have choice with our notetakers, one 
>>> that's designed for touch braille and one that is designed for people who 
>>> want a quiet and fast braille keyboard.
>>> 
>>> Debbie
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-
>>> From: Gordon Smith [mailto:gor...@mac-access.net]
>>> Sent: Saturday, 24 June 2017 1:42 AM
>>> To: Techno-Chat ... Technology Enthusiasm! <techno-chat@techno-chat.net>
>>> Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Braille Sense Polaris: First Impressions
>>> 
>>> That is utterly the wrong approach. The Touch, for example, gives you the 
>>> option. You don’t have to use the touch screen at all, but it’s there if 
>>> you want too. The device is intended for the use of the vision impaired and 
>>> the blind and, of course, the deaf blind. Like the Hims tablet, the Touch 
>>> also has a vibrating motor which can be configured for events. And its 
>>> touch screen is there for all. If you’re blind, you can toggle off the 
>>> video output to conserve battery power, but even with the video disabled, 
>>> you can still type on the touch screen and, optionally, still use gestures.
>>> 
>>> So I’m sorry, but I think that Hims has made a gross error of judgement 
>>> there. Of course, it may be that the Samsung hardware on which the device 
>>> is based did not easily lend itself to a touch screen. I think it’s a 
>>> dreadful shame though, as with the inclusion of a touch screen it would 
>>> have been a truly spectacular device.
>>> 
>>> Now, it is true that one can perform some touch gestures on the Braille 
>>> display itself. So that may go some way to addressing the issue. I haven’t 
>>> had the opportunity to try that aspect yet. But I’m sure I shall, and soon. 
>>> But having played with the divide, in terms of its interface It comes a 
>>> poor second in my opinion. In terms of specifications, it comes out the 
>>> clear winner.
>>> 
>>> I need it to be understood that I am totally unprejudiced with these 
>>> comments. I am not, as some people have accused me of being recently, a 
>>> HumanWare man through and through. I’m just trying to be objective.
>>> 
>>>> On 23 Jun 2017, at 10:37, Dane Trethowan <grtd...@internode.on.net> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> I think the absence of a touch screen on a device may very well be a 
>>>> blessing for Hims Inc as not everyone is interested in a touch screen.
>>>> 
>>>> 3GB of RAM is more than enough, though some of the newer Android devices 
>>>> have 4GB - and some 6GB - 3 is still ample, m

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Braille Sense Polaris: First Impressions

[Dane Trethowan]

And a forth choice actually, a mobile phone or tablet with a Braille 
display.




On 26/06/2017 12:26 AM, Gordon Smith wrote:

Yes, I totally agree about keyboard. All I was pointing out was that the 
option, and that’s the key word, “Option” doesn’t exist.

That said, I do agree that the Polaris is a very nice device and has excellent 
hardware specs. When it comes to note takers, however, we now have 3 choices. 
There’s the HumanWare one, (which I like, and use a lot), the Braille Sense 
Polaris, which I tried the other day, which I’m sure I would come to like a lot 
if I had the opportunity to use it extensively, and the ElBraille. I plan to 
buy an ElBraille for my business needs as tat would be the best all-round 
device for me. I do feel that both Hims and HumanWare kind of missed the boat a 
bit by not including an. Option for mobile communications. That is one area 
which EliTech Group has hit a winning note in my opinion.

All that said, were there an upgrade option on my Braille Sense U2, I would 
seriously consider that option.



On 24 Jun 2017, at 04:05, Debbie Yuille <debbiey1...@optusnet.com.au> wrote:

But then you would  most likely have a fold down keyboard that is noisy like 
the touch's keyboard. The Polaris' keyboard is super quiet and in my opinion, a 
lot quicker to type on than using touch braille. That is why I prefer the 
Polaris. I like that we now have choice with our notetakers, one that's 
designed for touch braille and one that is designed for people who want a quiet 
and fast braille keyboard.

Debbie

-Original Message-
From: Gordon Smith [mailto:gor...@mac-access.net]
Sent: Saturday, 24 June 2017 1:42 AM
To: Techno-Chat ... Technology Enthusiasm! <techno-chat@techno-chat.net>
Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Braille Sense Polaris: First Impressions

That is utterly the wrong approach. The Touch, for example, gives you the 
option. You don’t have to use the touch screen at all, but it’s there if you 
want too. The device is intended for the use of the vision impaired and the 
blind and, of course, the deaf blind. Like the Hims tablet, the Touch also has 
a vibrating motor which can be configured for events. And its touch screen is 
there for all. If you’re blind, you can toggle off the video output to conserve 
battery power, but even with the video disabled, you can still type on the 
touch screen and, optionally, still use gestures.

So I’m sorry, but I think that Hims has made a gross error of judgement there. 
Of course, it may be that the Samsung hardware on which the device is based did 
not easily lend itself to a touch screen. I think it’s a dreadful shame though, 
as with the inclusion of a touch screen it would have been a truly spectacular 
device.

Now, it is true that one can perform some touch gestures on the Braille display 
itself. So that may go some way to addressing the issue. I haven’t had the 
opportunity to try that aspect yet. But I’m sure I shall, and soon. But having 
played with the divide, in terms of its interface It comes a poor second in my 
opinion. In terms of specifications, it comes out the clear winner.

I need it to be understood that I am totally unprejudiced with these comments. 
I am not, as some people have accused me of being recently, a HumanWare man 
through and through. I’m just trying to be objective.


On 23 Jun 2017, at 10:37, Dane Trethowan <grtd...@internode.on.net> wrote:

I think the absence of a touch screen on a device may very well be a blessing 
for Hims Inc as not everyone is interested in a touch screen.

3GB of RAM is more than enough, though some of the newer Android devices have 
4GB - and some 6GB - 3 is still ample, my absolute minimum would be 1GB, the 
Neo Set Top Box I use has 2Gb and it speeds along most of the time but with 1GB 
you do notice things slowing down, another device I have - can't remember its 
name, its an Android Desktop computer - only has 1GB.

Obviously I've not seen one of these machines but I can tell you that I like 
stereo speakers on a device, they make the world of difference even when 
listening to spoken word.

Does the machine have any Bluetooth capabilities? It would be nice if you could 
stream audio from the unit to say a B T7, headphones, hearing instruments or 
similar.

Conversely it would be nice to stream to the machine from say another mobile 
device.

I like Chrome very much, I use it here on the Sony xPeria in the Android world 
and on the Windows PC.

I have to admit that - for me personally - I'm not at all interested in a Note 
Taking device with a Touch Screen, I'm thinking about the purchase of an 
ElBraille though I do like the Hims Inc way of doing things.

I had a Voice Sense a number of years ago and I do miss that machine in several 
ways though the software could no longer be updated so it was pointless keeping 
that device.

I sincerely hope Hims Inc have done some work in the Wireless connectivity 
department, on the Voice Sense t

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Braille Sense Polaris: First Impressions

[Gordon Smith]

Yes, I totally agree about keyboard. All I was pointing out was that the 
option, and that’s the key word, “Option” doesn’t exist.

That said, I do agree that the Polaris is a very nice device and has excellent 
hardware specs. When it comes to note takers, however, we now have 3 choices. 
There’s the HumanWare one, (which I like, and use a lot), the Braille Sense 
Polaris, which I tried the other day, which I’m sure I would come to like a lot 
if I had the opportunity to use it extensively, and the ElBraille. I plan to 
buy an ElBraille for my business needs as tat would be the best all-round 
device for me. I do feel that both Hims and HumanWare kind of missed the boat a 
bit by not including an. Option for mobile communications. That is one area 
which EliTech Group has hit a winning note in my opinion.

All that said, were there an upgrade option on my Braille Sense U2, I would 
seriously consider that option.


> On 24 Jun 2017, at 04:05, Debbie Yuille <debbiey1...@optusnet.com.au> wrote:
> 
> But then you would  most likely have a fold down keyboard that is noisy like 
> the touch's keyboard. The Polaris' keyboard is super quiet and in my opinion, 
> a lot quicker to type on than using touch braille. That is why I prefer the 
> Polaris. I like that we now have choice with our notetakers, one that's 
> designed for touch braille and one that is designed for people who want a 
> quiet and fast braille keyboard.
> 
> Debbie
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Gordon Smith [mailto:gor...@mac-access.net] 
> Sent: Saturday, 24 June 2017 1:42 AM
> To: Techno-Chat ... Technology Enthusiasm! <techno-chat@techno-chat.net>
> Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Braille Sense Polaris: First Impressions
> 
> That is utterly the wrong approach. The Touch, for example, gives you the 
> option. You don’t have to use the touch screen at all, but it’s there if you 
> want too. The device is intended for the use of the vision impaired and the 
> blind and, of course, the deaf blind. Like the Hims tablet, the Touch also 
> has a vibrating motor which can be configured for events. And its touch 
> screen is there for all. If you’re blind, you can toggle off the video output 
> to conserve battery power, but even with the video disabled, you can still 
> type on the touch screen and, optionally, still use gestures.
> 
> So I’m sorry, but I think that Hims has made a gross error of judgement 
> there. Of course, it may be that the Samsung hardware on which the device is 
> based did not easily lend itself to a touch screen. I think it’s a dreadful 
> shame though, as with the inclusion of a touch screen it would have been a 
> truly spectacular device.
> 
> Now, it is true that one can perform some touch gestures on the Braille 
> display itself. So that may go some way to addressing the issue. I haven’t 
> had the opportunity to try that aspect yet. But I’m sure I shall, and soon. 
> But having played with the divide, in terms of its interface It comes a poor 
> second in my opinion. In terms of specifications, it comes out the clear 
> winner.
> 
> I need it to be understood that I am totally unprejudiced with these 
> comments. I am not, as some people have accused me of being recently, a 
> HumanWare man through and through. I’m just trying to be objective.
> 
>> On 23 Jun 2017, at 10:37, Dane Trethowan <grtd...@internode.on.net> wrote:
>> 
>> I think the absence of a touch screen on a device may very well be a 
>> blessing for Hims Inc as not everyone is interested in a touch screen.
>> 
>> 3GB of RAM is more than enough, though some of the newer Android devices 
>> have 4GB - and some 6GB - 3 is still ample, my absolute minimum would be 
>> 1GB, the Neo Set Top Box I use has 2Gb and it speeds along most of the time 
>> but with 1GB you do notice things slowing down, another device I have - 
>> can't remember its name, its an Android Desktop computer - only has 1GB.
>> 
>> Obviously I've not seen one of these machines but I can tell you that I like 
>> stereo speakers on a device, they make the world of difference even when 
>> listening to spoken word.
>> 
>> Does the machine have any Bluetooth capabilities? It would be nice if you 
>> could stream audio from the unit to say a B T7, headphones, hearing 
>> instruments or similar.
>> 
>> Conversely it would be nice to stream to the machine from say another mobile 
>> device.
>> 
>> I like Chrome very much, I use it here on the Sony xPeria in the Android 
>> world and on the Windows PC.
>> 
>> I have to admit that - for me personally - I'm not at all interested in a 
>> Note Taking device with a Touch Screen, I'm thinking about the purchase of 
>> an El

RE: [Techno-Chat]: Braille Sense Polaris: First Impressions

[Debbie Yuille]

But then you would  most likely have a fold down keyboard that is noisy like 
the touch's keyboard. The Polaris' keyboard is super quiet and in my opinion, a 
lot quicker to type on than using touch braille. That is why I prefer the 
Polaris. I like that we now have choice with our notetakers, one that's 
designed for touch braille and one that is designed for people who want a quiet 
and fast braille keyboard.

Debbie

-Original Message-
From: Gordon Smith [mailto:gor...@mac-access.net] 
Sent: Saturday, 24 June 2017 1:42 AM
To: Techno-Chat ... Technology Enthusiasm! <techno-chat@techno-chat.net>
Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Braille Sense Polaris: First Impressions

That is utterly the wrong approach. The Touch, for example, gives you the 
option. You don’t have to use the touch screen at all, but it’s there if you 
want too. The device is intended for the use of the vision impaired and the 
blind and, of course, the deaf blind. Like the Hims tablet, the Touch also has 
a vibrating motor which can be configured for events. And its touch screen is 
there for all. If you’re blind, you can toggle off the video output to conserve 
battery power, but even with the video disabled, you can still type on the 
touch screen and, optionally, still use gestures.

So I’m sorry, but I think that Hims has made a gross error of judgement there. 
Of course, it may be that the Samsung hardware on which the device is based did 
not easily lend itself to a touch screen. I think it’s a dreadful shame though, 
as with the inclusion of a touch screen it would have been a truly spectacular 
device.

Now, it is true that one can perform some touch gestures on the Braille display 
itself. So that may go some way to addressing the issue. I haven’t had the 
opportunity to try that aspect yet. But I’m sure I shall, and soon. But having 
played with the divide, in terms of its interface It comes a poor second in my 
opinion. In terms of specifications, it comes out the clear winner.

I need it to be understood that I am totally unprejudiced with these comments. 
I am not, as some people have accused me of being recently, a HumanWare man 
through and through. I’m just trying to be objective.

> On 23 Jun 2017, at 10:37, Dane Trethowan <grtd...@internode.on.net> wrote:
> 
> I think the absence of a touch screen on a device may very well be a blessing 
> for Hims Inc as not everyone is interested in a touch screen.
> 
> 3GB of RAM is more than enough, though some of the newer Android devices have 
> 4GB - and some 6GB - 3 is still ample, my absolute minimum would be 1GB, the 
> Neo Set Top Box I use has 2Gb and it speeds along most of the time but with 
> 1GB you do notice things slowing down, another device I have - can't remember 
> its name, its an Android Desktop computer - only has 1GB.
> 
> Obviously I've not seen one of these machines but I can tell you that I like 
> stereo speakers on a device, they make the world of difference even when 
> listening to spoken word.
> 
> Does the machine have any Bluetooth capabilities? It would be nice if you 
> could stream audio from the unit to say a B T7, headphones, hearing 
> instruments or similar.
> 
> Conversely it would be nice to stream to the machine from say another mobile 
> device.
> 
> I like Chrome very much, I use it here on the Sony xPeria in the Android 
> world and on the Windows PC.
> 
> I have to admit that - for me personally - I'm not at all interested in a 
> Note Taking device with a Touch Screen, I'm thinking about the purchase of an 
> ElBraille though I do like the Hims Inc way of doing things.
> 
> I had a Voice Sense a number of years ago and I do miss that machine in 
> several ways though the software could no longer be updated so it was 
> pointless keeping that device.
> 
> I sincerely hope Hims Inc have done some work in the Wireless connectivity 
> department, on the Voice Sense the Wi-Fi was truly and utterly dreadful.
> 
> Anyway thanks for letting us know about the device.
> 
> 
> 
> On 23/06/2017 7:20 PM, Gordon Smith wrote:
>> Good Friday to you one and all
>> 
>> I've just spent a happy couple of hour teaching a client to use her new 
>> Braille Sense Polaris, whilst at the same time gaining an insight into the 
>> product myself.
>> 
>> Whilst the Polaris has some interesting facits, it isn't a device that's on 
>> my own shopping list, for a number of reasons. So, let me tell you a little 
>> about the device, and why I've formulated my opinions of it.
>> 
>> Firstly, like the Braille Sense U2, there is no touch screen on this tablet. 
>> I use that word very guardedly, for that very reason. Hims do call it a 
>> tablet though, so I guess I must also.
>> 
>> The Polaris has a very Braille Sense look and feel. It ha

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Braille Sense Polaris: First Impressions

[Dane Trethowan]

Humanware Man through and through? Sounds like a good made up lot of 
flapdoodle.




On 24/06/2017 1:41 AM, Gordon Smith wrote:

That is utterly the wrong approach. The Touch, for example, gives you the 
option. You don’t have to use the touch screen at all, but it’s there if you 
want too. The device is intended for the use of the vision impaired and the 
blind and, of course, the deaf blind. Like the Hims tablet, the Touch also has 
a vibrating motor which can be configured for events. And its touch screen is 
there for all. If you’re blind, you can toggle off the video output to conserve 
battery power, but even with the video disabled, you can still type on the 
touch screen and, optionally, still use gestures.

So I’m sorry, but I think that Hims has made a gross error of judgement there. 
Of course, it may be that the Samsung hardware on which the device is based did 
not easily lend itself to a touch screen. I think it’s a dreadful shame though, 
as with the inclusion of a touch screen it would have been a truly spectacular 
device.

Now, it is true that one can perform some touch gestures on the Braille display 
itself. So that may go some way to addressing the issue. I haven’t had the 
opportunity to try that aspect yet. But I’m sure I shall, and soon. But having 
played with the divide, in terms of its interface It comes a poor second in my 
opinion. In terms of specifications, it comes out the clear winner.

I need it to be understood that I am totally unprejudiced with these comments. 
I am not, as some people have accused me of being recently, a HumanWare man 
through and through. I’m just trying to be objective.


On 23 Jun 2017, at 10:37, Dane Trethowan  wrote:

I think the absence of a touch screen on a device may very well be a blessing 
for Hims Inc as not everyone is interested in a touch screen.

3GB of RAM is more than enough, though some of the newer Android devices have 
4GB - and some 6GB - 3 is still ample, my absolute minimum would be 1GB, the 
Neo Set Top Box I use has 2Gb and it speeds along most of the time but with 1GB 
you do notice things slowing down, another device I have - can't remember its 
name, its an Android Desktop computer - only has 1GB.

Obviously I've not seen one of these machines but I can tell you that I like 
stereo speakers on a device, they make the world of difference even when 
listening to spoken word.

Does the machine have any Bluetooth capabilities? It would be nice if you could 
stream audio from the unit to say a B T7, headphones, hearing instruments or 
similar.

Conversely it would be nice to stream to the machine from say another mobile 
device.

I like Chrome very much, I use it here on the Sony xPeria in the Android world 
and on the Windows PC.

I have to admit that - for me personally - I'm not at all interested in a Note 
Taking device with a Touch Screen, I'm thinking about the purchase of an 
ElBraille though I do like the Hims Inc way of doing things.

I had a Voice Sense a number of years ago and I do miss that machine in several 
ways though the software could no longer be updated so it was pointless keeping 
that device.

I sincerely hope Hims Inc have done some work in the Wireless connectivity 
department, on the Voice Sense the Wi-Fi was truly and utterly dreadful.

Anyway thanks for letting us know about the device.



On 23/06/2017 7:20 PM, Gordon Smith wrote:

Good Friday to you one and all

I've just spent a happy couple of hour teaching a client to use her new Braille 
Sense Polaris, whilst at the same time gaining an insight into the product 
myself.

Whilst the Polaris has some interesting facits, it isn't a device that's on my 
own shopping list, for a number of reasons. So, let me tell you a little about 
the device, and why I've formulated my opinions of it.

Firstly, like the Braille Sense U2, there is no touch screen on this tablet. I 
use that word very guardedly, for that very reason. Hims do call it a tablet 
though, so I guess I must also.

The Polaris has a very Braille Sense look and feel. It has 11 physical keys on 
the keyboard. One key is a Return key, and there are also control and 
Altogether keys, harping back to Windows. The device is powered by Android 5.1 
Lollipup. However, as the operating system evolves, so will the Polaris, to a 
degree. Some of the frameworks of Android are not yet updated for 
accessibility, which prohibits the same kind of rapid growth that we are seeing 
with Android.

As I was  saying. Their are 11 physical keys on the keyboard, plus 
touch-sensitive function keys which, again, resemble quite closely the Braille 
Sense U2.

The Braille display has 32 cells. Interestingly, the display itself has a 
Braille cell cover, protecting the display from dust and other possible harm 
whilst not in use. That is, I must admit, a very welcome a.ition.

For reasons best known only to her, my client did not bring her case with her. 
So I didn't get to see that. But I 

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Braille Sense Polaris: First Impressions

[Gordon Smith]

That is utterly the wrong approach. The Touch, for example, gives you the 
option. You don’t have to use the touch screen at all, but it’s there if you 
want too. The device is intended for the use of the vision impaired and the 
blind and, of course, the deaf blind. Like the Hims tablet, the Touch also has 
a vibrating motor which can be configured for events. And its touch screen is 
there for all. If you’re blind, you can toggle off the video output to conserve 
battery power, but even with the video disabled, you can still type on the 
touch screen and, optionally, still use gestures.

So I’m sorry, but I think that Hims has made a gross error of judgement there. 
Of course, it may be that the Samsung hardware on which the device is based did 
not easily lend itself to a touch screen. I think it’s a dreadful shame though, 
as with the inclusion of a touch screen it would have been a truly spectacular 
device.

Now, it is true that one can perform some touch gestures on the Braille display 
itself. So that may go some way to addressing the issue. I haven’t had the 
opportunity to try that aspect yet. But I’m sure I shall, and soon. But having 
played with the divide, in terms of its interface It comes a poor second in my 
opinion. In terms of specifications, it comes out the clear winner.

I need it to be understood that I am totally unprejudiced with these comments. 
I am not, as some people have accused me of being recently, a HumanWare man 
through and through. I’m just trying to be objective.

> On 23 Jun 2017, at 10:37, Dane Trethowan  wrote:
> 
> I think the absence of a touch screen on a device may very well be a blessing 
> for Hims Inc as not everyone is interested in a touch screen.
> 
> 3GB of RAM is more than enough, though some of the newer Android devices have 
> 4GB - and some 6GB - 3 is still ample, my absolute minimum would be 1GB, the 
> Neo Set Top Box I use has 2Gb and it speeds along most of the time but with 
> 1GB you do notice things slowing down, another device I have - can't remember 
> its name, its an Android Desktop computer - only has 1GB.
> 
> Obviously I've not seen one of these machines but I can tell you that I like 
> stereo speakers on a device, they make the world of difference even when 
> listening to spoken word.
> 
> Does the machine have any Bluetooth capabilities? It would be nice if you 
> could stream audio from the unit to say a B T7, headphones, hearing 
> instruments or similar.
> 
> Conversely it would be nice to stream to the machine from say another mobile 
> device.
> 
> I like Chrome very much, I use it here on the Sony xPeria in the Android 
> world and on the Windows PC.
> 
> I have to admit that - for me personally - I'm not at all interested in a 
> Note Taking device with a Touch Screen, I'm thinking about the purchase of an 
> ElBraille though I do like the Hims Inc way of doing things.
> 
> I had a Voice Sense a number of years ago and I do miss that machine in 
> several ways though the software could no longer be updated so it was 
> pointless keeping that device.
> 
> I sincerely hope Hims Inc have done some work in the Wireless connectivity 
> department, on the Voice Sense the Wi-Fi was truly and utterly dreadful.
> 
> Anyway thanks for letting us know about the device.
> 
> 
> 
> On 23/06/2017 7:20 PM, Gordon Smith wrote:
>> Good Friday to you one and all
>> 
>> I've just spent a happy couple of hour teaching a client to use her new 
>> Braille Sense Polaris, whilst at the same time gaining an insight into the 
>> product myself.
>> 
>> Whilst the Polaris has some interesting facits, it isn't a device that's on 
>> my own shopping list, for a number of reasons. So, let me tell you a little 
>> about the device, and why I've formulated my opinions of it.
>> 
>> Firstly, like the Braille Sense U2, there is no touch screen on this tablet. 
>> I use that word very guardedly, for that very reason. Hims do call it a 
>> tablet though, so I guess I must also.
>> 
>> The Polaris has a very Braille Sense look and feel. It has 11 physical keys 
>> on the keyboard. One key is a Return key, and there are also control and 
>> Altogether keys, harping back to Windows. The device is powered by Android 
>> 5.1 Lollipup. However, as the operating system evolves, so will the Polaris, 
>> to a degree. Some of the frameworks of Android are not yet updated for 
>> accessibility, which prohibits the same kind of rapid growth that we are 
>> seeing with Android.
>> 
>> As I was  saying. Their are 11 physical keys on the keyboard, plus 
>> touch-sensitive function keys which, again, resemble quite closely the 
>> Braille Sense U2.
>> 
>> The Braille display has 32 cells. Interestingly, the display itself has a 
>> Braille cell cover, protecting the display from dust and other possible harm 
>> whilst not in use. That is, I must admit, a very welcome a.ition.
>> 
>> For reasons best known only to her, my client did not bring her case 

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Braille Sense Polaris: First Impressions

[Dane Trethowan]

I think the absence of a touch screen on a device may very well be a 
blessing for Hims Inc as not everyone is interested in a touch screen.


3GB of RAM is more than enough, though some of the newer Android devices 
have 4GB - and some 6GB - 3 is still ample, my absolute minimum would be 
1GB, the Neo Set Top Box I use has 2Gb and it speeds along most of the 
time but with 1GB you do notice things slowing down, another device I 
have - can't remember its name, its an Android Desktop computer - only 
has 1GB.


Obviously I've not seen one of these machines but I can tell you that I 
like stereo speakers on a device, they make the world of difference even 
when listening to spoken word.


Does the machine have any Bluetooth capabilities? It would be nice if 
you could stream audio from the unit to say a B T7, headphones, 
hearing instruments or similar.


Conversely it would be nice to stream to the machine from say another 
mobile device.


I like Chrome very much, I use it here on the Sony xPeria in the Android 
world and on the Windows PC.


I have to admit that - for me personally - I'm not at all interested in 
a Note Taking device with a Touch Screen, I'm thinking about the 
purchase of an ElBraille though I do like the Hims Inc way of doing things.


I had a Voice Sense a number of years ago and I do miss that machine in 
several ways though the software could no longer be updated so it was 
pointless keeping that device.


I sincerely hope Hims Inc have done some work in the Wireless 
connectivity department, on the Voice Sense the Wi-Fi was truly and 
utterly dreadful.


Anyway thanks for letting us know about the device.



On 23/06/2017 7:20 PM, Gordon Smith wrote:

Good Friday to you one and all

I've just spent a happy couple of hour teaching a client to use her new Braille 
Sense Polaris, whilst at the same time gaining an insight into the product 
myself.

Whilst the Polaris has some interesting facits, it isn't a device that's on my 
own shopping list, for a number of reasons. So, let me tell you a little about 
the device, and why I've formulated my opinions of it.

Firstly, like the Braille Sense U2, there is no touch screen on this tablet. I 
use that word very guardedly, for that very reason. Hims do call it a tablet 
though, so I guess I must also.

The Polaris has a very Braille Sense look and feel. It has 11 physical keys on 
the keyboard. One key is a Return key, and there are also control and 
Altogether keys, harping back to Windows. The device is powered by Android 5.1 
Lollipup. However, as the operating system evolves, so will the Polaris, to a 
degree. Some of the frameworks of Android are not yet updated for 
accessibility, which prohibits the same kind of rapid growth that we are seeing 
with Android.

As I was  saying. Their are 11 physical keys on the keyboard, plus 
touch-sensitive function keys which, again, resemble quite closely the Braille 
Sense U2.

The Braille display has 32 cells. Interestingly, the display itself has a 
Braille cell cover, protecting the display from dust and other possible harm 
whilst not in use. That is, I must admit, a very welcome a.ition.

For reasons best known only to her, my client did not bring her case with her. 
So I didn't get to see that. But I am given to understand that it is, like the 
U2, a nice soft leather case with reinforced plates where the controls are 
located.

The device looks almost identical to the U2. With the noteable exception that 
the LCD unit is flipable, enabling easy access for someone with vision.

The technical specifications ofthe device are very interesting. It has an 
Octa-core Samsung processor, clocked at 3.1GHZ. It has 3GB of RAM, and a 64GB 
flash disk. The SAID-XC card reader is just the same as that of the U2.

Network support is good. It supports the new ACCORDING dual-band protocol, and 
is backward-compatible. It has the usual built-in software tools typical of the 
Braille Sense family, including electronic scientific calculator, word 
processor, UEB and Nemath compatible
braille math support and a schedule manager. There is also the usual Contacts 
app, and all the other things you would expect of a Braille Sense.

I'm given to understand that all of the Sense tools have been re-written from the 
ground up, so they are not just ported from Windows Mobile. As I said earlier, the 
processor is a 64-bit Samsung Octa-core, , and one 
thing I will say is that it is us very very very fast!

It came out very favourably when I loaded a -plex PDF document into the reader. 
The rendering took just a fraction of a second. On the old U2, it takes upwards 
of 5 seconds to process the same ducument.

It directly supports wirless charging, has a USB 3.0 host port and can be charged 
wired using either it's own charger, , or via the USB 
Micro client.
On the front of the unit are the same media keys that you'd find on the U2, and 
the media player is handled in the same way as the U2.

Needless to say, Google