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...@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&W 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, <meaning it >>>>> has 8 cores>, 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, <same charger as the U2>, 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 is fully supported, so it is possible to import >>>>> all of the apps you'd find in the Play Store. >>>>> >>>>> The stereo speakers on the device sound quite good. I only had a quick >>>>> listen, as I spent most of the time first sejting it up for my client, >>>>> then showing her around the device. For me, as somebody used to the Hims >>>>> way of doing things, it took no learning time. That, for some reason, >>>>> amazed my client. She expected that she's have to leave the device with >>>>> me so that I could set it up for her. No need for that. I was also a# to >>>>> import her own network profile, so she can go home and start using it >>>>> right away. >>>>> >>>>> The web browser is quite interesting. those who like Chrome will be >>>>> pleased that learn that the Hims browser is just a modified version of >>>>> Google's browser. Modified so as to enable accessibilyoung right out of >>>>> the box. >>>>> >>>>> In summary, whilst I'm looking forward to helping Claire familiarise >>>>> herself fully with her new device, it is not a device that I personally >>>>> will be considering. I still believe that the BrailleNote Touch, whilst >>>>> lacking in some respects, is a better all-round Android device. My main >>>>> reason for saying that is because the Touch adopts a much more main >>>>> stream approach to tablet uie. >>>>> >>>>> Whilst the Braille display itself supports multitouch gestures on the >>>>> Polaris, I still like to be able to utilise the fully-fledged touch >>>>> screen. >>>>> >>>>> I hope to acquire an ElBraille shortly, so will give you my thoughts when >>>>> I do on that device. I'd give the Polaris 7 out of 10. I'm sure Hims have >>>>> their reasons for their apfroach. But it isn't an approach for me. >>>>> >>>>> ============================== >>>>> >>>>> My Compliments And Kindest Regards >>>>> Gordon Smith >>>>> 'Accessibility And Information Technology Support Specialist >>>>> ------------------------------N - ) jYi l ay7 z D1 . m秱Ƨ [ʋ >>>>> z "u槶+ ? pj [ ӆ+, vz- z Z .n b b w *. ' . +r ڵ >>>>> 2Y欲鞞 . X Z ޮ) '" + ~ ڟ'( + 2 צ . x *h h >>>>> . + ~' h pz j) j{p b ^n u z 欢u r ʋ % G ǘ Z >>>>> z| w b jw ֧E$ b >>>>> jYi l a + Z m >>>>> qǬ w M X ^r r ! !j : . ʋ ~ - :" b >>>>> 躗 Zqǩ ky b >>> a{ >>>>> +u8^ z ^ ǧu Ơz - b k Ǭ ) zx" 歵 ! !j {^r r S >>>>> + W |8 z [j ! ^~ + W ֛ ,j ל z ] >>>>> + ל z gz z ^ . ^jǬzwZnV g ^r r zל z gz r i m . >>>>> + + ] ,~ + W + ˩ ! !j t=== >>>> -- >>>> >>>> ********** >>>> "Live each day as if you were goiing to die tomorrow, learn each day as if >>>> you were going to live forever" >>>> >>>> ------------------------------ >>>> >>>> This post, like all posts to the Techno Chat E-Mail group has been scanned >>>> by our server-side antivirus/malware solution. This should not, however, >>>> be viewed as a substitution for your own security strategy. We assume no >>>> culpability whatever, implicit or otherwise, for any compromise to your >>>> systems as a result of opening any post to this group. 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We strongly urge >>> you to do likewise! You have been warned!!! >>> >>> You can find an RSS listing of all posts to this group at: >>> <https://mail.mac-access.net:7025/list/techno-chat@techno-chat.net> >>> >>> To encourage your friends to join this group, first accept our thanks for >>> spreading the word. Then, have them send a message to the list processing >>> engine at: >>> <techno-chat-j...@techno-chat.net> >>> To toggle on/off Digest (batch) mode for this group, please send a blank >>> message to: >>> <techno-chat-dig...@techno-chat.net> >>> To leave the group, please send a blank message to: >>> <techno-chat-le...@techno-chat.net>. >>> >>> To contact the support address for this group, please write to: >>> supp...@techno-chat.net> >>> >>> ------------------------------ >>> >>> ------------------------------ >>> >>> This post, like all posts to the Techno Chat E-Mail group has been scanned >>> by our server-side antivirus/malware solution. This should not, however, be >>> viewed as a substitution for your own security strategy. We assume no >>> culpability whatever, implicit or otherwise, for any compromise to your >>> systems as a result of opening any post to this group. Suffice it to say >>> that we remain vigilant within the boundaries of reason. We strongly urge >>> you to do likewise! You have been warned!!! >>> >>> You can find an RSS listing of all posts to this group at: >>> <https://mail.mac-access.net:7025/list/techno-chat@techno-chat.net> >>> >>> To encourage your friends to join this group, first accept our thanks for >>> spreading the word. 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We strongly urge >> you to do likewise! You have been warned!!! >> >> You can find an RSS listing of all posts to this group at: >> <https://mail.mac-access.net:7025/list/techno-chat@techno-chat.net> >> >> To encourage your friends to join this group, first accept our thanks for >> spreading the word. 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