Hi folks, HumanWare Staff and BrailleNote user community,
I think it's time for me to present my overall opinions about the
BrailleNote Apex...
BrailleNote Apex: A Fireworks Display and Long Term Sparks
Joseph Lee
University of California, Riverside
Introduction
It was June 30, 2004. I'm sitting in front of my computer,
thinking, "huh? how could this be possible?" Because HumanWare,
then PulseData International, made the following surprising
announcement that day:
"PulseData introduces BrailleNote PK, the world's smallest
notetaker."
This announcement came as a surprise for many - including myself,
who have just graduated from junior high school. At that time,
BrailleNote PK, a re-branding of Baum's Pronto, was considered an
ideal "portable PDA" - small size, quiet keyboard and legendary
KeySoft applications. After this announcement, people have
invested in buying a PK. The overall impression of the PK was
positive - it was a breakthrough in portability, faster than
previous BrailleNote family and so forth. These days, PK is
considered "large" for a portable product, its announcement still
sheds light about trends of miniaturization of computers and
electronic devices, which the blindness community has embraced
over the past few years.
Now to the present...
Then less than a year ago from now, HumanWare made yet another
surprising announcement:
"HumanWare introduces BrailleNote Apex, the thinnest, lightest
notetaker." The specs included latest embedded operating system
from Microsoft, latest Bluetooth technology and vast amount of
storage for user data. After this announcement, people discussed
about fajures and potentials of the Apex (which means highest
point), namely more space to store books, faster processor and so
forth. Some people thought users should migrate to the Apex,
while others stated that we should wait until the future of the
Apex unfolds.
Among those who have migrated to the Apex was myself - a college
sophomore who was studying computer science and aspired to become
a teacher, specializing in assistive technology. When I saw the
announcement, I said to myself, "Wow, there's something to be
talked about over the next few months" and signed up to trade in
my mPower to the Apex.
When I did the trade in, I hoped that Apex would simply be a
lighter, faster version of the mPower. The end result was a
mixture of new hardware with "older" feature sets - which, in my
opinion, suits the current needs. After testing and using this
unit for over month and a half - gathering useful data, trying
out new features and even erasing the Flash Disk, I came to the
conclusion that Apex does have future potentials with several
minor "hindrances," namely some compatibility issues and
disappointment with mono recordings (although the result of the
recordings tells me that the overall sound quality has improved).
Despite some shortcomings, I would say that Apex has vast future
ahead, in colaboration with the manufaturer itself, users and
third-party developers. Let us examine this in more detail.
The processing speed: is it faster than the mPower?
The answer is mixed. According to my tests, Apex does have speed
advantage when loading books, jumping to top and bottom of files
and overall navigation. However, when it comes
inInternet-related applications such as email and browser, it is
somewhat slower than the mPower. For instance, when downloading
email from an mPower, it would take less than a minute to
download thirty messages, compared to about minute and a half on
the Apex.
Wireless connections: is it better now?
The answer, according to my tests, is a resounding yes. From
what I've tested, WiFi works better than mPower. Bluetooth is
faster on the Apex versus the mPower, although setting up
"Terminal for Screen Reader" seems a bit tricky for new users.
The support of headsets would mean that, one day, we'll be able
to enjoy voice conversations if HumanWare decides to implement
it.
The stability: is it compatible with mPower's data?
In my opinion and testing, it is compatible to some extent. The
documents and databases that were created on the mPower works
fine; however, when the overall software is examined, I would say
that Apex exhibits same issues as mPower. But with the advent of
the newer operating system on the Apex, I expect this compatibity
issues would go away.
Hardware and miscellaneous Items
As for hardware, I was surprised to learn that Apex shows disk
space of a USB flash drives instantly; apart from disappointment
with external hard disks not working, I would say the USB ports
on the Apex is superior to mPower. For FM Radio, according to my
tests, it is better than mPower - picks up more stations in Los
Angeles. The scroll wheel exhibits some inconsistencies, but
with a possible future fix, I think this new hardware would work
just as thumb-keys were - providing easy navigation and useful
commands.
The Future: When will HumanWare lift the "software curtain"?
One of the reasons why Apex exhibits future potential is that
there is already facilities to write programs and run third-party
applications. The question now is, "would HumanWare, with help
from programmers and users, create a useful documentation for
helping developers write software?" If that does become a
reality, then I would say that the "great deed of the Apex is
finished" - offering productivity programs with consistent,
easy-to-use user interface.
Conclusion
As a popular saying goes, "just because a product is born does
not mean maturity is here." BrailleNote Apex exhibits same
philosophy, according to my tests. With better wireless
connections, faster speed and vast user storage space, Apex does
live up to expectations. However, with minor bugs and some
compatility issues (which happens to any new product), I would
say that using an Apex might produce mixed feelings about it.
But if the underlying system and potentials of writing programs
and colaboration between HumanWare and users to finding solutions
is here, then I would say that Apex would provide a spark for a
better fireworks display (a prod-ct which promises usefulness).
Few notes and answers:
* Compatility and bugs: Any new products are guaranteed this
"buggy phase". However, the true winner and maturity happens if
colaboration between manufacturers and users takes place.
* The BrailleNote PK is now considered a "larger" product - there
are PDA's out there which is smaller than PK itself.
* The problem with USB hard disk stems from power requirements of
these devices.
* As for "hacking" the Apex, which I and others have talked
about, don't try those unless IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING!!!
Personally, I don't recommend doing modifications and stuff like
that unless if your goal is a clean, safe return to default
configurations. However, experiments are first steps to
producing new things...
Well, hope this helps - just my own thoughts and rccview of the
product, that's all...
Sincerely,
Joseph S. Lee
University of California, Riverside
P.S. I'm ready for my calculus midterm...
___
Replies to this message will go directly to the sender.
If your reply would be useful to the list, please send a
copy to the list as well.
To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to
[email protected]
To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit
http://list.humanware.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote
