I have had the Focus 14 demo unit for a couple of days. I'm pasting below the physical layout description from the manual and adding my comments about its use with the iDevices in the appropriate places. I will precede my comments with my initials: RT. Physical Layout On the left side of the display, going from front to back, you will find a round Power button and a standard micro USB port. The USB port allows you to connect the display to a computer using the supplied USB cable, or to the AC adapter. RT: The power button is not round, but oblong.
The refreshable braille cells are located toward the front of the unit. There is a cursor routing button above each braille cell. At each end of the display's surface are NAV Rockers used for easy navigation. RT: The left Nav Rocker moves the cursor according to the rotor setting, just like a single finger flick up or down. The Right Nav Rocker, is the same as a single finger flick right or left, goes to the next or previous item. Positioned above each NAV Rocker is a mode button. RT: These both do the same as a double tap to activate an item. When used with a computer they change what the Nav Rocker will do. Positioned directly above the cursor routing buttons, there are eight keys similar to those on a Perkins-style braille keyboard. The eight braille keys from left to right are: 7, 3, 2, 1, 4, 5, 6, and 8. These keys are used to enter commands. On the front edge, directly under and in the center of the display is a SPACEBAR. This key is used together with the braille keys when entering commands. RT: The space bar juts out a little from the device so it is very easy to find. The keys are fanned out in an ergonomic design that is very comfortable to type on. On the front edge of the Focus display are the following controls, located from left to right: Left selector button RT: activates the back button if present Left rocker bar RT: Moves up or down one page (same as a three finger swipe) Left panning button RT: pans the braille left. Left SHIFT key Right SHIFT key RT: Both Work as a shift key, which is handy when contractions are off and you are entering passwords. Right panning button RT: Pans braille right Right rocker bar RT: moves one screen left or right, (same as a three finger side swipe) Right selector button RT: Same as a two finger double tap. the unit only weighs about 8 ounces and comes with a case so that you can keep it slung around your neck and use while in the case. For those who care, the keys and buttons are blue and the rest is black. The outside of the case is blue and the inside is black. My wife says it is very stylish. I am very impressed with how well it works with the iPhone. I believe it only works with iOS 6 and above. Part of me wishes it had a few more braille sells and perhaps a mini notepad function with an SD card built-in, but I personally don't think you can beat it for portability and functionality with the Apple devices. Some may find the feel a little toy-like because of the plastic feel, but that always comes down to personal preference, as really does all of this. A further note on braille. I just learned that the Braille Authority of North America has officially adopted the Unified English Braille Code (UEBC) and will begin to gradually move to that code for future literary braille. In their press release, they mentioned that UEBC is already available on the Apple iDevices. That is true if the country you live in has already adopted UEBC. For example, if you are using a braille display and you have the Australian language selected, and you turn contractions on, you are using UEBC. It is not yet available if you are using the United States voice. I was told I'd have to set my region to Australia but I discovered that simply switching to the Australian voice is enough to engage the UEBC braille table. I hope this was helpful. Richard (Sent from Richard's iPod Touch 5th gen) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the "VIPhone" Google Group. To search the VIPhone public archive, visit http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/viphone?hl=en.
