Ok, there are currently four different braille display technologies being developed.
The Bristol Braille technology is the tech which is closest to market. It is the Orbit 20 cell Bluetooth braille display. It is a little noisy and locks the braille dots into place. The tech takes between half a second and a second to refresh the line of braille. I briefly played with a prototype Orbit last year. On the plus side, the dots are completely firm once the braille line is refreshed. The display will work with iOS and Android smart phones. On the minus side, the display is a little noisy, and it has a significant refresh cycle. This display has a few million dollars invested into it from several blindness organisations around the world. The Orbit will cost less than $500 USD when sold. Note: there are two multi-line displays being developed which utilise the same technology. APH has a prototype of a graphical display, and says they hope their 40 by 60 dot (not cell) display will be ready next year, and should cost under $1000 USD. I heard a podcast of their prototype which has a 2 second page refresh speed. More interesting for me is the display's ability to allow the person to draw on it with one's finger. This has many potential applications. So, though I am not interested in the Orbit, I am extremely interested in this display. Bristol Braille is also developing a 40 cell by several line text braille display which they are stating should be released next year. This looks to be strictly a book reader display, and I am not interested. BliTab demoed a full-page braille display Android tablet at CES in January. This display is based on micro-fluidics. I went by their booth several times, but never found them whilst at CES. They were predicting a price point of around $300 USD for their braille tablet. I requested to be placed on their email list, and have not heard anything since CES. Their display technology has the same speed and quietness of the current piezzo electric displays. Dot Corp has been demoing their Dot Watch, with 4 (I believe) braille cells for over a year now. They are a South Korean company. Thus far, they keep moving their launch date further and further back. Apparently, they are having complications with braille dot cap durability. I heard that they are planning for a 40 by 60 dot (not cell) display after they get their watch functioning properly. Like with APH, they are targeting under $1000 USD for the braille display. The MIT group looks interesting. Unfortunately, their braille cell technology still needs to be reduced by another 25% according to an interview I heard with them recently. Again, if their concept proves viable, they are looking at a couple hundred dollars for a single line display. The Bristol technology is the slowest and the noisiest display tech out there, but it is actually ready for sale. All the rest of the technologies are in development and/or prototype stages. I have seen many refreshable braille technologies make it to prototype stages. Thus far, Bristol is the only technology which has made it all the way through development and real world testing. And, there have been several attempts over the past 30 years. I have learned to believe the tech is coming when it actually is released onto the market. Prototypes are very different from mass-produced products, and real world testing wipes out most concepts. In the end, it does not matter how nice and usable something is in the lab (controlled conditions). It MUST stand up to the real world to be of any real use. Kind regards, David Chittenden, MSc, MRCAA Email: [email protected] Mobile: +61 488 988 936 Sent from my iPhone > On 26/07/2017, at 12:37, Scott Granados <[email protected]> wrote: > > In the us it’s going to be about $495 I believe. The Massachusetts Institute > of Technology has a team the has developed a braille display that should come > in around $200 US or 225 pounds. > > >> On Jul 25, 2017, at 5:00 PM, Kawal Gucukoglu <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> The orbit reader is coming and it's going to cost £500 (nort sure what that >> is in dollars) but it's a whole lot cheaper. When that comes out on the >> market, braille displays, the expensive ones may be finished! >> >> Kawal. >>> On 24 Jul 2017, at 17:02, E.T. <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> Did not understand that but well, if a user is dependent on braille, that >>> user will not feel a solidly-made braille display to be overpriced. >>> Understand that concept? But here is the thing. How large a market do >>> braille displays have? I dare say if if you can produce fantastic displays >>> and sell a thousand a year, think you could sell them cheap and make a >>> profit? Or would a million a year be more in line? >>> >>> I've never studied marketing and all that but can say that if a company >>> does not make a profit, it cannot stay in business. >>> >>> From E.T.'s Keyboard. . . >>> "God for you is where you sweep away all the >>> mysteries of the world, all the challenges to >>> our intelligence. You simply turn your mind off >>> and say God did it." --Carl Sagan >>> E-mail: [email protected] >>> >>>> On 7/24/2017 8:50 AM, Les Kriegler wrote: >>>> And iPhone with the braille display would be much less expensive than the >>>> blandest waited well no takers. However, I understand people like them, I >>>> just think they are way too costly. Just one person's opinion. >>>> >>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>> >>>>> On Jul 24, 2017, at 11:43 AM, E.T. <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Les, >>>>> Overpriced compared to? Is there a mainstream solution especially for the >>>>> deafblind? >>>>> >>>>> From E.T.'s Keyboard. . . >>>>> "God for you is where you sweep away all the >>>>> mysteries of the world, all the challenges to >>>>> our intelligence. You simply turn your mind off >>>>> and say God did it." --Carl Sagan >>>>> E-mail: [email protected] >>>>> >>>>>> On 7/24/2017 8:39 AM, Les Kriegler wrote: >>>>>> Hi Mary, >>>>>> >>>>>> In my opinion, all the no takers including the ultra or overpriced. The >>>>>> ultra the last time I checked for the 40 so my will cost her about >>>>>> $4000. Not worth it in my opinion for what you get. Anybody who buys a >>>>>> blind is no taking device is really paying premium for it. >>>>>> >>>>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>>>> >>>>>> On Jul 24, 2017, at 10:36 AM, Mary Otten <[email protected] >>>>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> If you don't want the full blown capability of a very expensive >>>>>>> blindness note taker, such as the new Polaris, you might consider the >>>>>>> varrio ultra. That has the ability to transfer files with a USB stick. >>>>>>> And it also has note taking capability. It has an excellent warranty. >>>>>>> Some people also find it more complicated than the traditional regular >>>>>>> braille displays such as the edge. They do have excellent US customer >>>>>>> support, as well as an online manual, and an active helpful email >>>>>>> list. This display comes in 20 or 40 sell links. It has a text reader, >>>>>>> word processor, PDF reader, spreadsheet viewer and others. What it >>>>>>> does not have our things like the ability to fetch email or connect to >>>>>>> the Internet. That is where you would need the full note taker, but >>>>>>> then you're also going to be paying a whole lot more. And if you're >>>>>>> good with your iPhone and your Mac, really, who needs that? >>>>>>> Mary >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Jul 24, 2017, at 3:08 AM, Caitlyn Furness >>>>>>> <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Hi, >>>>>>>> Personally, I love any of the Hims devices, so these are things like >>>>>>>> the new polaris and the U2, braille sense line of products. The >>>>>>>> braille is nice and crisp, and the devices themselves are just very >>>>>>>> well made. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I can’t speak about anything made by humanware except the brilliant, >>>>>>>> but that’s a full sized display and doesn’t have the capability to >>>>>>>> store files, just access what’s on the computer when you are hooked >>>>>>>> up to it. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I think the braille edge from Hims also works somewhat like a braille >>>>>>>> note taker, but am not sure on that. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I’ve had no troubles getting files from the mac onto the braille >>>>>>>> sense. when I attach it to my mac with a USB cable, the device comes >>>>>>>> up like any other drive, and I can copy and paste things from one to >>>>>>>> the other, although it takes a long time. Of course, you can also >>>>>>>> use a usb stick to transfer files, or the sd card. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> HTH, and I’ll be interested to see what others have to say on this as >>>>>>>> well! >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Cait >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Jul 23, 2017, at 6:26 PM, Sarah Amelia Sackville McLauchlan >>>>>>>>> <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Hi all! >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> So am looking for some advice/guidance before I go out and start >>>>>>>>> applying for assistive tech grant money. I used to use the >>>>>>>>> BrailleNote, but mine died a long time ago. And even before it did, >>>>>>>>> I was starting to run into compatibility issues between it, the >>>>>>>>> program I used to transfer files to my old computer (a PC in those >>>>>>>>> days), and the computer itself. Plus, of course, I've since >>>>>>>>> switched to Mac, which I don't think my BrailleNote was compatible >>>>>>>>> with anyway. So now I'm without a Braille device! But I really >>>>>>>>> want to get another one. What's compatible with Mac, though? >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Basically, what I'm looking for would be a portable, refreshable >>>>>>>>> Braille device that I can easily transfer files to from my computer >>>>>>>>> and back. Because, although I might use it for writing sometimes, >>>>>>>>> what I'd mainly be using it for is reading. For example, I'd use it >>>>>>>>> to read my papers when I present at conferences, or my >>>>>>>>> poetry/fiction at reading events. Though, I might use it for >>>>>>>>> private reading too. So are there devices in the Mac compatible >>>>>>>>> world that will allow me to do that? >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Anyway, thanks. :-) I figured that, if anyone would know, it'd be >>>>>>>>> folks here! >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> www.phantomfemme.com <http://www.phantomfemme.com/> >>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPad >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>> The following information is important for all members of the Mac >>>>>>>>> Visionaries list. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this >>>>>>>>> list, or if you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please >>>>>>>>> contact the owners or moderators directly rather than posting on the >>>>>>>>> list itself. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Your Mac Visionaries list moderator is Mark Taylor. 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You can reach mark at: >>> [email protected] and your owner is Cara Quinn - >>> you can reach Cara at [email protected] >>> >>> The archives for this list can be searched at: >>> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >>> --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "MacVisionaries" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >>> email to [email protected]. >>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >> >> -- >> The following information is important for all members of the Mac >> Visionaries list. >> >> If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if >> you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or >> moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. >> >> Your Mac Visionaries list moderator is Mark Taylor. You can reach mark at: >> [email protected] and your owner is Cara Quinn - you >> can reach Cara at [email protected] >> >> The archives for this list can be searched at: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >> --- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > > -- > The following information is important for all members of the Mac Visionaries > list. > > If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if > you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or > moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. > > Your Mac Visionaries list moderator is Mark Taylor. You can reach mark at: > [email protected] and your owner is Cara Quinn - you > can reach Cara at [email protected] > > The archives for this list can be searched at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- The following information is important for all members of the Mac Visionaries list. If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. Your Mac Visionaries list moderator is Mark Taylor. 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