Vaughan,
Your post is one of many posts to this list expressing
frustration about how slowly the BrailleNote has evolved in a
world in which mainstream and even other specialized technology
evolves very quickly. We, the users, request new features to be
added to the BrailleNote both on this list and in emails and
phone calls directly to Humanware, but to no avail. All we get
from Humanware is what seems to be their glib phrase for dealing
with such feedback: "Humanware is always striving to improve our
product line." But how exactly are they "striving" to improve
their product line? They are in an industry in which technology
evolves very quickly. They are also in a very competitive
industry. Therefore, if they can't or don't keep up with and
beat their competitors in feature-addition and other
technological advancements, they will go out of business. They
are still running their notetakers off of an operating system
(Windows CE) which is very old and is no longer being used on any
other mobile device running a Windows-based operating system
because it is so outdated. They will not add any of the features
which users have requested that they add in the time they have
promised that they will add them. When they finally do add a
feature, it most likely is in a paid upgrade, which costs $129 in
most cases. Take PDF support for example. For a long time, we
users have requested that Humanware add a feature in its
BrailleNote product line which would allow built-in support and
conversion of PDF files. They first promised that they would
release this feature when the Apex was released, originally
running Keysoft 9.0. This feature was not in the new BrailleNote
model. Then they said they would build the feature into Keysoft
9.1. Keysoft 9.1 was a free upgrade. This feature was not in
Keysoft 9.1. Then, they released Keysoft 9.2, which finally had
the long-awaited PDF support. This was a paid upgrade, and it
cost $129 to the user. This would seem more reasonable if
Keysoft 9.2 was a major upgrade and there were multiple
substantial features added to that version. However, this was
not the case. Keysoft 9.2, which cost the user $129, was a minor
upgrade, with PDF support being the only feature that was added!
mPower users have experienced the same, if not more frustration.
Keysoft 8.0, if memory serves me, was released for the mPower in
2008. Soon after the release of 8.0, Humanware announced that
they were working on a new model of BrailleNote, which they
called the Apex. Work was finished on that new BrailleNote and
the Apex was released in 2009. mPower users who couldn't afford
the $6000 cost of the Apex continually asked Humanware when they
would get an upgrade. In 2009, the same year that the Apex was
released, HumanWare promised mPower users that their upgrade
would come "soon." In February of this year, we received a
notification by Humanware that Keysoft 8.1 for the mPower had
finally been released; 3 years after it was promised to be
released. The only new feature in Keysoft 8.1; PDF support.
Cost; $129. Yet they tell us they are "striving to improve their
product line.
Meanwhile, we see HIMS's BrailleSense line of notetakers
constantly evolving and getting smarter. With every upgrade,
HIMS adds for its users all kinds of new features which we have
been trying to get Humanware to add to their product line for a
long time. HIMS is blowing the BrailleNote out of the water, and
HumanWare hasn't even noticed! We BrailleNote users have the
option to purchase BrailleSenses, but a lot of us find the
BrailleNote's layout easy to navigate; easier than the
BrailleSense's. So, we just want Humanware to add more features
and update their BrailleNote. If HIMS can do it, why can't
Humanware? After all, isn't Humanware, as they describe
themselves in advertisements, "the global leader in assistive
technology for the blind?" If so, shouldn't they have more money
with which to use to advance their notetakers?
It's not like we don't give them feedback, either. As I said
before, many users try to call and email Humanware and give them
feedback, and all they get back is the standard "Humanware is
always striving to improve our product line." Well, I think it's
time we hold them accountable for their promises and make sure
they're really improving their product line! I think your
suggestions and thoughts are great ones, and therefore I would
suggest that you share them with the CEO of Humanware, Giles
Pepin, by emailing [email protected]. Also, if you are a
member of one of the organizations of the blind here in the US;
either the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) or the American
Council of the Blind (ACB,) and you are going to one of their
national conventions, Humanware is usually both exhibiting and
giving presentations at both conventions, so you could give them
your feedback in person there. In short, all we ask is that
Humanware really try to unleash the full potential of their
notetakers before they go out of business! I know this post is
long, so thank you for reading it and I apologize for my
frustrated rambling.
Chris Nusbaum
___
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
