Hello Everybody As you may be aware, Freedom Scientific and Russian developer, "Elitech" recently merged, so that the latter could use the Freedom Scientific facilities and market their ElBraille device.
This device was scheduled for release during the third quarter of 2016. However, dealers have had the device on order from Freedom since April, and have been constantly given different information as to availability. It has now emerged that not only is the device not going to meet its scheduled release date, but even dealers have not been issued test units, and the device has not even gone into production yet. UK dealership Sight And SOUND Ltd. today cancelled their order with Freedom for the units which customers have pre-ordered, and the device was removed from their website. It now look likely that the earliest release date for this device will be the second quarter of 2017. Sight And Sound has had no option but to refund those customers, (including myself) who pre-ordered the device. There Head Of Operations today called me personally to apologise for the none-delivery of the device, and he explained that Freedom is now involved in a dispute with the Russian developers who have failed to meet the required standards of proficiency for a Freedom Scientific subsiduary. So now, we have absolutely no idea when or even ic this device will actually ever see the light of day. For me personally, It isn't really a desaster. I'm going to look at other, more conventional and, of course, cheaper solutions which give me a small Windows-based machine which I can carry around with me to use as an ultra-portable device. I have a Focus 14 Blue, so I'm looking for a really small machine which packs a decent amount of power to boot. But I for sure will not be purchased an ElBraille, even if and when it does hit the streets. ============================== My Compliments And Kindest Regards Gordon Smith 'Accessibility And Information Technology Support Specialist ------------------------------
