NEW BRAILLENOTE TOUCH MARCH 23 2016

NEW BRAILLENOTE TOUCH MARCH 23 2016

the BrailleNote Touch, a device which is based on Android 4.4, but runs the Keysoft suite of products. Think modern support for mail and other applications, but with the familiarity of Keysoft. The best way to picture the device is that it has an iPad mini sized screen which a user can perform standard Android gestures on, or a new braille input method described below. There is a Perkins-style braille keyboard which comes down over the screen if the user desires to use that instead. The keyboard overlay attaches to the device and can be removed if the user prefers to use the touch screen and braille display exclusively. The unit also features support for SDHC cards, 2 GB RAM for fast and seamless multi-tasking, 16GB of built-in memory, a HDMI port for connectivity with external monitors or TV's, an 8 megapixel camera with LED lighting, a USB 3.0 host port, and Micro USB charging .

There are 3 buttons on the front of the unit which correspond to Back, Home, and Menu, which doubles as a context-sensitive help key for KeySoft apps. Menu can be held down for Android's Recent Apps screen.

Screen input is done through a process Humanware is calling Touch Braille mode, but there is also a mode that is very similar to what one would find with braille screen input on iOS, or with one of the supported braille keyboards on Android. Touch Braille mode, according to Humanware, allows you to lay all of your fingers on the touch screen in such a way that you would want to use the screen for braille input. The device will then recognize each of your fingers and then it will calibrate which fingers correspond to which dots. And while most touch screen braille keyboards do this to a certain degree, there are no gestures required for the user to learn to use this method. Instead of doing a gesture to backspace, for example, the user would just hit dot 7 on the screen with their left pinky. This technology also differs in that it's not only for text input, but also for standard Keysoft commands and first letter navigation within apps and the standard keysoft applications. SO, for example, space with O will still take you to the Options menu of the BrailleNote.

There are new versions for many of the most popular KeySoft apps. The new KeyWord includes expanded document formatting commands and reads and writes .DOC, .DOCX, and .RTF among other formats. KeyWeb is now built over top of the Firefox web browser. KeyBRF reads braille-formatted files while a Victor Reader app handles other audio and DAISY formats.

What is perhaps most interesting about this device is that Humanware says it will have Google Play support, but has its own screen reader unlike other Android devices which run a version of TalkBack. The BrailleNote Touch will also have an onboard camera as written above, which means that one could purchase and use the KNFB Reader app for OCR. HumanWare is currently working with the NFB to ensure the BrailleNote Touch is listed as a supported device for the KNFB Reader on Google Play. This could also potentially bring object recognition to the notetaker. It is also expected that one can use many other apps offered in the Google Play store.

18 and 32 cell models will be available, with pricing the same as what it has been for the Apex: $3,995 for the 18 cell model and $5,495 for the 32-cell version. Humanware expects it to be on the market in May 2016. No QWERTY keyboard version is available, though one could use a Bluetooth or USB keyboard with the device.

Current BrailleNote users can get $1,500 toward the purchase price when trading in a 32-cell device or $800 for an 18-cell model. Users of other notetakers will receive $1,000 for devices of over 20 cells or $500 for devices of 20 cells or less.

More info will be posted when it is made available, and we'll have an in-depth podcast to follow.

Category:

CUSTOMIZABLE TO FIT YOUR UNIQUE NEEDS AND GOALS

KeySoft is the driving force behind the BrailleNote Touch, completely rewritten from the ground up to maximize the entire experience of modern users.

Customize configuration on any BrailleNote Touch

Revolutionary removable internal system storage

Allows users to transfer their own settings and data to second Touch

Users can use any Touch like it was their own

photo of a school boy at school carrying his BrailleNote Touch

Smart design, cutting edge keyboard cover

Photo showing in three steps how the keyboard can be flipped on the screen

The BrailleNote Touch keyboard is designed for those who dont yet have the dexterity to type on the TouchBraille, or those who want to write long documents or papers. Completely removable, it fits directly over the touchscreen to provide a familiar user experience with no learning curve.

A familiar physical keyboard that feels exactly

like a BrailleNote Apex

Offers a traditional note taker feel

No learning curve so its great for young students

Perfect for extended writing and long editing sessions

Braille keyboard can be completely removed

Built into the rugged carrying case for

maximum protection

TOUCH HARDWARE

18 or 32 braille cells with cursor routers

Speed of a modern tablet

2 GB RAM for fast and seamless multi-tasking

16 GB internal storage, more than enough

for documents and files

Stereo speakers

Internal microphone

Modern connectivity WiFi, Bluetooth and internal GPS

Visual touch surface and screen

Image showing hands typing on the touch screen of the BrailleNote Touch with a cloud made of app icons.

News

Introducing BrailleNote Touch, the note taker of the future More than ever, students and professionals who are blind require an intelligent device that combines the simplicity and accessibility of a note taker with the power and efficiency of a modern smartphone or tablet. Our latest solution is the groundbreaking BrailleNote Touch, the first certified braille tablet providing Play Store access.

Photo of the BrailleNote Touch showing the Google page on its screen

Raising the bar for todays digital landscape

The BrailleNote Touch interface is easy to learn for both students and teachers, combining the benefits of KeySoft and braille literacy of a traditional note taker with the efficiency and power of a modern tablet.

A powerful combination of accessibility and efficiency

The KeySoft user experience with the power of an Android operating system

Linear, user-friendly menu and interface

Supports perfect braille translation in contracted or uncontracted braille,

including UEB and multiple languages

First certified Braille Tablet providing Play Store access

Supports Google Play store for accessible third party apps

Google Play logo and Android green robot

Driven by KeySoft, designed for the modern user

KeySoft is the driving force behind the BrailleNote Touch, completely rewritten from the ground up to maximize the entire experience of modern users.

Optimized for todays technology

Frequent automatic updates

Simple menu-driven interface

First letter navigation for

efficiency everywhere

Familiar keyboard shortcuts to efficiently accomplish tasks

Provides general navigation help, speech and braille in all-accessible

third party apps

Offers the efficiency of a note taker to third party apps

Contextual help to provide

assistance anytime

Picture of a man using the BrailleNote Touch while travelling on a plane

Picture of a school girl typing on the BrailleNote Touch at the school library

TouchBraille the most natural way to type braille on a touchscreen

Our TouchBraille algorithm brings the traditional braille control of a note taker to a modern and user-friendly platform.

Control navigation of the Touch and edit in braille

Instant calibration virtually as fast as typing with 10 fingers on a keyboard

Virtual Keys find your fingers as you type

Minimal finger movement or strength to enter text Simply move fingers up and down

Familiar keyboard shortcuts to efficiently accomplish tasks

Writing is completely silent and usable anywhere

In the classroom

Teachers want an easy and interactive approach to help their students learn braille, while students need the most efficient tool to accomplish their everyday tasks, from writing documents and sending emails, to downloading and reading books.

The BrailleNote Touch was designed to meet all of these needs and more, to completing class work easier and more efficient than ever.

A 21

ST

CENTURY NOTE TAKER FOR A 21

ST

CENTURY CLASSROOM

Smart keyboard cover provides a perfect ergonomic introduction to braille typing for young children

Students can transition to TouchBraille as their motor skills develop

Teachers can receive instant visual feedback

Teachers and supporting IT staff can quickly disable KeySoft with a triple tap of the Home button to use Braille Touch like a standard tablet

Use familiar KeySoft apps for classroom work

KeyWord to create and edit documents

Victor Reader for reading books

KeyMail to send and receive emails in class

KeyWeb for the most modern web

browsing experience

Quick access to mainstream apps and cloud storage, including Google Docs, DropBox and YouTube

Picture of a school girl typing in a classroom

Picture of a man working with the BrailleNote Touch at a coffee shop

At work

The BrailleNote Touch was designed to make everyday office tasks as simple and seamless as possible for blind users, from creating professional documents and emails to browsing the web.

BRAILLE ANYWHERE IN ANY APP FOR ANYONE

Create professional documents with KeyWord

Include professional formatting such as headers, bullets and numbering

Files created in .doc or .docx (no exporting required)

Use KeyMail with an Exchange server to sync your emails, contacts and calendars

Research using the most current web browsers

Collaborate and share documents using Google Docs or other cloud services

Communicate with colleagues around the world with popular communication apps (Google Hangouts)

Use any accessible third party app with KeySoft

and TouchBraille

What is KeySoft?

On my previous BrailleNotes I was able to use contextual help to quickly understand keystrokes and how to navigate my BrailleNote. Does the Touch have something like this?

What is the contextual menu?

What is TouchBraille?

Is there a recommended way to improve typing with TouchBraille?

How do I edit in an edit box, and what is edit mode?

When I am typing in computer Braille I cannot perform shortcuts that use enter or backspace. Why?

In English computer Braille, how do I type common symbols for email addresses?

How do I charge my BrailleNote Touch?

Is there a BrailleNote Touch QWERTY Version?

Can I install 3rd party apps from the GooglePlay Store?

How do I select text using the BrailleNote Touch?

How do I create a print hard copy for a sighted teacher or colleague?

CloudPrinting from the BrailleNote Touch

Can I emboss from my BrailleNote Touch?

I heard that the older BrailleNotes used a version of Windows CE as their operating system. What is my BrailleNote Touch using

What version of Android is the BrailleNote Touch using as its operating system?

When HumanWare releases an update for my Touch, how do I update the device?

I have a previous BrailleNote version. Do you accept any trade in options?

Do you offer any extended warranty program?

I have downloaded an app and it consistently says WebView. I can still navigate with my thumb keys but I dont receive any braille.

Can the Braille Note Touch open files created as a KWB file on past Braille Note devices?

Can I bring my files from my past BrailleNotes address list, calendar, or databases to my new Touch?

Q: What is KeySoft?

A: KeySoft is in general the way you experience the BrailleNote Touch. It is both the environment you see when you start your Touch, such as the main menu, various KeySoft apps like KeyWord, etc. But it is also the primary accessibility service which makes apps and your experience with the Touch an accessible one.

For example KeySoft handles all the speech and Braille output you receive. It also controls TouchBraille or keyboard entry when you edit in various apps. In short KeySoft is the interface you experience when using your Touch, ensuring everything is both accessible and efficient when using the device.

Speaking of efficient and simple, KeySoft includes such features as first letter navigation, allowing you to reach various items on the screen more efficiently, just by typing their first letter. This is especially useful if you do not know exactly where a Next button is located, just type an N and KeySoft will jump to the first item that starts with N.

Q: On my previous BrailleNotes I was able to use contextual help to quickly understand keystrokes and how to navigate my BrailleNote. Does the Touch have something like this?

A: KeySoft on the Touch also has contextual help. In any situation, press space with H and you will be placed in the contextual help screen. Here you can learn how to navigate your current app or location, identify general commands, and see how to access more shortcuts and keystrokes for that situation.

Q: What is the contextual menu?

A: In past versions of KeySoft contextual help provided both navigation commands along with every keyboard shortcut for almost every situation you entered with the BrailleNote. Many users mentioned that this amount of information was often overwhelming.

KeySoft on the BrailleNote Touch uses contextual help to instruct you for your current location and how to navigate it, but uses a new function called the context menu to inform you of all the keyboard shortcuts for a current app or situation.

To activate the context menu, press space with M, or press the menu button on the front of your Touch. The menu button is the square shaped button next to your home button. Similar to right clicking on a windows computer, the context menu provides the most common functions and keyboard shortcuts for your current situation in a KeySoft app. For example, lets imagine you have forgotten the keyboard shortcut to send an email. Simply activate the context menu from your email message and navigate through its items. You will find one which says Send Email, backspace with S". You can now press enter here to actually send the email, and also will remember that backspace with S is the shortcut to send emails quickly, the next time you need to send an email.

Q: What is TouchBraille?

A: TouchBraille is the innovative method that you can use to enter Braille on the touch screen of the BrailleNote. While using TouchBraille the virtual keys will find your fingers. To type using TouchBraille simply lay all 10 fingers on the Touch's touch screen to have the Touch recognize your fingers. To confirm your fingers have been recognized, you will receive a short vibration. After feeling the vibration you can begin typing on the touch screen as if you were typing on a physical BrailleNote keyboard. Using your right little finger for enter (Dot 8) and your left little finger for backspace (Dot 7). You can use either of your thumbs for the spacebar. Note, when having your fingers recognized, you do not need to lay all ten fingers down together. For example you can lay 5 fingers down on the screen and then keep them there, while adding your other 5 fingers in addition to them at a later moment. This allows you to easily spot read the Braille display with one hand while the other hand rests on the screen.

Q: Is there a recommended way to improve typing with TouchBraille?

A: Yes. Because TouchBraille is used to type on a touch screen, you do not need to use virtually any force when typing. The recommended position of your hands when typing using TouchBraille is to place your wrists on or in front of the Braille display and place all 10 fingers on the screen to receive the short recognition vibration. Upon feeling this vibration, lift all 10 fingers only slightly off the screen while leaving your wrists resting on or in front of the Braille display. Type normally while flexing only your fingers up and down. This insures that you are allowing the keys to follow your fingers in a general predictable pattern. TouchBraille provides a method for typing which allows a brailleist to type using less motion. Thus producing less strain on the hands.

Q: How do I edit in an edit box, and what is edit mode?

A: Because KeySoft allows for you to use first letter navigation to find items on the screen more efficiently, you must identify when you want to be inserting text, or editing, vs using first letter navigation to quickly jump to items. This mode is called edit mode.

When you want to type characters into edit boxes or text fields, you first need to activate those edit boxes to tell KeySoft you are ready to enter text. When you press enter or a router key on an edit box, you will activate edit mode. You will know you are in edit mode because you will hear a rising tone if you have sounds turned on, and will see your cursor appear between the edit box brackets. Now anything you type will be entered into that edit field. to leave edit mode, you can simply press the next or previous thumb key and your focus will leave the edit box and go to the next item on the screen and you will be no longer editing. Alternatively you can simply press exit (Space with E) or the back button, and your focus will remain on the edit box, but you will be out of edit mode. You will hear a lowering tone and see your cursor disappear from the edit box on the display. Now you can go back to using first letter navigation to jump to different items on the screen.

Note that in some KeySoft or 3rd party apps, doing a function may automatically put you in edit mode. For example, in KeyMail, choosing the New Message option will automatically open the new message composition screen with your focus in the send to edit field and edit mode active. In certain situations this is done to simplify the flow of doing a task. Also pressing enter while editing can do a number of things depending on what the app developer has set that function to do. For example, if writing an email, after typing your recipients email address, pressing enter activates a next function and moves your focus to the subject field in edit mode so you can immediately type the subject of your email message. You can check the functionality of the enter key in the contextual help menu.

Q: When I am typing in computer Braille I cannot perform shortcuts that use enter or backspace. Why?

A: Because the BrailleNote Touch will be able to be localized in many languages, some using 8 dot Braille and others using 6 dot Braille, users have asked that computer Braille be more standardized to ensure symbols are easy to type. This is why computer Braille is always using 8 dot computer Braille. Now if you are using English, for example, which does not have any specific characters represented by just dot 7 or just dot 8, dot 7 or dot 8 function as backspace or enter, as you are used to. However if you are typing in a language for computer Braille which has characters which are represented by just dot 7 or just dot 8, then you will need to press space with dot 7 to do a backspace or space with dot 8 to do an enter.

The general rule to remember is that when in computer Braille, all commands must use the space bar. So if you are using English computer Braille, and want to check the time which is normally enter with T, you need to press enter with space with T. If you want to change your language profile, which is done usually with enter with L, you need to press enter with space with L in computer Braille.

Q: In English computer Braille, how do I type common symbols for email addresses?

A: To type the @ symbol press dot 7 and dot 4.

To type an _ press dots 4-5-6.

To type a. use dots 4-6

to type a - use dots 3-6

Q: How do I charge my BrailleNote Touch?

A: The BrailleNote Touch comes with a specific AC adaptor that ships with your BrailleNote Touch. You will be able to charge your Touch fully in around 4-5 hours of having it plugged in to AC power. Because the Touch uses a micro USB cable to charge and connect to computers for data transfer, you can potentially charge the device with other AC adaptors for other devices which use a micro USB connector, however note that when not using the specific adaptor, or connected straight to a PC, charging time is greatly diminished. If you want to fully charge your Touch it is highly recommended to use the adaptor that shipped with your Touch. You can verify that it is charging optimally by doing the power command of enter with P. After the percentage you will see either AC charging, or USB charging. AC charging means it is charging as fast as possible.

Q: Is there a BrailleNote Touch QWERTY Version?

A: At the time of launch there is limited support for QWERTY keyboards. Currently you can connect a USB or pair a Bluetooth keyboard to your Touch and use it when editing. Eventually all KeySoft non-editing commands will be supported by the QWERTY keyboard. This will be included in an upcoming version. On screen TouchBraille will always be available and the default mode when using the touch screen as this is the most efficient method of using the Touch.

Q: Can I install 3rd party apps from the GooglePlay Store?

A: Absolutely, this is one of the most significant advantages of the BrailleNote Touch. The BrailleNote Touch is the first accessibility device designed for those who are visually impaired, to be certified by Google. It brings the efficiency of using a traditional note taker, to a mainstream tablet designed for a user who is visually impaired.

Keep in mind that KeySoft abides by the accessibility rules provided to android developers, meaning the developer of the app you would like to download has to have developed the app with accessibility in mind. Many apps on the PlayStore are accessible, however many are not.

Remember that the accessibility of a 3rd party app completely depends on the developer of that app, and HumanWare in no way guarantees the quality of accessibility when using 3rd party apps. If you do come across an app which does not work with KeySoft, your best course of action is to contact the developer of that app, to explain the inaccessibility of their app related to Googles accessibility guidelines.

Having said this, many apps work extremely well when downloaded, and KeySofts abilities of first letter navigation, instantly typing in Braille in editing situations with TouchBraille, and simple, familiar navigation using the Braille keyboard commands, makes using 3rd party accessible apps a much more efficient experience.

Q: How do I select text using the BrailleNote Touch?

While editing, to select text you need to start and stop a selection. To start the selection, place your cursor on or in front of the character where you want the selection to begin, and press enter with the letter S together. You will see and hear Selection Start. If you check your cursor, you will also notice that your cursor is flashing, to indicate that you are currently in the process of choosing your selection ending point. Now position your cursor after the character where you want your selection to end. Press enter with the letter S together and you will see and hear, Selection End. You will also notice that your selected text is now underlined by dots 7 and 8 to indicate what has been selected.

From here you can Cut, copy or paste the selection.

Cut using backspace with the letter X together

Copy with backspace with the letter Y together

Paste with backspace with the letter V together

Q: How do I create a print hard copy for a sighted teacher or colleague?

A: Because the BrailleNote Touch is technically a Braille tablet, the reality is that printer manufacturers do not create direct USB drivers to connect to tablets and smart phones. Having said this, there are several simple, and often more convenient ways to print from your BrailleNote Touch.

First off check the GooglePlay Store for a printer app that supports your printer. Often printers, such as HP have specific apps which allow tablets to print wirelessly to these printers. Simply download and install the app from the PlayStore and it will search for your specific printer. Then choose the print option from KeyWords menu and it will create a PDF of that document which you can print to that printer.

For Example:

Using a Brother HL-3170CDW series wireless printer:

Download the Brother iPrint&Scan app from the PlayStore;

After installation go to all apps and press I to find the iPrint&Scan app;

Press ENTER or a routing button to open the app;

Agree to the licensing terms;

There is an unlabelled button at the bottom of this screen which you must click;

The next screen shows different printers you can choose;

After choosing your printer the app advises what functions are available for your printer;

The HL-3170CDW series only has printing available;

Go to KeyWord and open the document you wish to print;

In the file menu choose print to pdf;

After the preview has been generated the iPrint&Scan app opens and at the bottom of the screen is a print button.

If the printer and the BrailleNote Touch are both connected to the same wireless network there is no network setup required.

If your printer manufacturer does not have an app, you can always use CloudPrint to print to a standard printer. CloudPrint is a way to use any connected printer to a computer as a wireless printer. Simply register it to your Google Account and it will show up in CloudPrint. For complete details from Google on how to do this, click the below link:

https://support.google.com/cloudprint/answer/1686197?hl=en&rd=1

CloudPrinting from the BrailleNote Touch

The BrailleNote Touch will allow you to print a document using 2 different methods. The first method of printing will utilize an Application developed by various printer manufacturers. Apps for direct printing to WI-FI enabled printers exist for manufacturers such as: HP, Brother, Epson, Canon, Samsung and many more.

The second method of printing from the BrailleNote touch will use Googles Cloud Print service. This option allows for you to print from virtually any printer that is connected to a computer with an internet connection. The following steps will demonstrate how you are able to add a printer connected to a computer. One must use the Google Chrome browser to add the printer to a Cloud Print account. You will also need to be signed in to the Google account associated with the BrailleNote Touch in the Chrome browser.

This tutorial assumes you are using a screen reader.

On a PC, launch the Chrome browser.

Enter the menu bar by pressing alt + f, and select settings.

In the search settings box, type in the words cloud print, and press enter.

Now, under the Google Cloud print heading, activate the manage button.

Once you activate this button, you will see a list of classic printers that are currently installed on your computer.

Check the box of the printer that you wish to add to Cloud Print, and press the add button

Now your printer will be added to your Cloud Print account and will be able to receive documents from the touch as long as the printer remains connected to the computer with an internet connection.

Q: Can I emboss from my BrailleNote Touch?

A: At launch we are working with embosser manufacturers which provide on-board braille translation. This is because the Touch only offers documents in mainstream formats, and is no longer always working in a braille ready format, (BRF, or KWB). So the Touch needs the embosser to perform the braille translation internally to provide a braille hard copy. We are working with multiple embosser manufacturers and hope to have a solution in place at the time of shipment of the BrailleNote Touch units.

If this is not ready, two solutions are available:

Email your desired document either in .docx or .doc format, or otherwise you are able to send to a recipient as a PDF file as well. They can emboss the document from their computer using a braille translation program such as Duxbury.

Copy the file you want to emboss to a thumb drive in .doc format. Some of the embossers, such as those from Enabling Technologies or Index possess a USB port on the embosser which allows you to simply plug in the drive and emboss directly from it.

Q: I heard that the older BrailleNotes used a version of Windows CE as their operating system. What is my BrailleNote Touch using

A: The BrailleNote Touch uses Android as its operating system, but the experience you have on a daily basis is KeySoft. The daily productivity apps are based on KeySoft and even when you use 3rd party Android apps, you are experiencing KeySoft structure when navigating around and interacting with those apps.

Q: What version of Android is the BrailleNote Touch using as its operating system?

A: The Touch uses android 4.4 Kitkat as its operating system in the background. We needed a stable foundation to build KeySoft upon and Kitkat provided the best experience for our users with the accessibility benefits provided to our developers by Google. Today over 50% of all android devices are running an operating system less than android Kitkat worldwide, so we are confident that Google will continue to support Kitkat for several years to come. And as HumanWare has developed KeySoft, the accessibility service that runs on the Touch, it is not dependent on google accessibility modifications and will be modified as needed to accommodate for any app or system changes.

Q: When HumanWare releases an update for my Touch, how do I update the device?

A: An update will come in two forms. Either you will be notified via a notification and you need to only click a router key on the notification, or if you see a notice from a HumanWare eBlast or hear from someone that the Touch has an update, simply select KeyUpdater from the all apps menu and your Touch will tell you there is a new update available. Simply press enter or a router key on it and it will download and install. Updates can take between a half hour to an hour to download and install depending on your internet speed. But you can download the update in the background while doing other things.

Alternatively you can download the update file from the HumanWare web site and put the downloaded zip file on a Thumb drive or SD card. Simply press a router key on the notification when it appears telling you that a system update is available, and the update will install.

Note that the Touch needs at least 50% battery power when not connected to a power outlet, and using AC power, it needs a charge of at minimum 20%.

Q: I have a previous BrailleNote version. Do you accept any trade in options?

A! Absolutely!!! HumanWare is excited to offer two levels of trade in options.

1. The HumanWare Loyalty trade in. If you have a previous BrailleNote version of any type:

Take $1500 off the cost of a BN Touch 32 if you trade in a BrailleNote 32 cell model. You can take $800 off the cost of a Touch 32 if you trade in a BrailleNote 18 cell model.

If you purchase a BrailleNote Touch 18 cell model, take $800 off the cost with any trade in of a previous BrailleNote.

2. Competitive Trade in. Trade in any braille device, notetaker or braille display:

If you purchase the Touch 32 cell, and you trade in a braille device more than 20 cells, take $1000 off the price of the Touch. If you trade in a device 20 or fewer cells, take $500 off the Touch cost.

If you purchase a Touch 18 cell unit and trade in any competitive device, take $500 off the cost of the Touch.

Q: Do you offer any extended warranty program?

A: Actually HumanWare offers a unique program which ensures that Touch users are rarely without their units. It is called the HumanWare Care Program. Because the BrailleNote Touch offers a revolutionary removable internal storage mechanism, which allows users to use any Touch device as if it was their own, HumanWare has created the HumanWare Care Program.

Within 30 days of purchasing your BrailleNote Touch, ask to become a member of the HumanWare Care Program. If you buy the program within the first 30 days of your original purchase, the Care program will cost $649. If you purchase after the first 30 days but within the first year, the program costs $749.

The HumanWare Care program awards you:

An extra year beyond the manufacturers warranty.

Anytime you need a repair, limit 2 completely covered repairs during the Care term, HumanWare will provide you a loaner unit which you can insert your internal storage into, if the card is not damaged of course, and use as if it was your own device. HumanWare will repair your unit and then ship it back, with the expectation that you will ship back the loaner unit immediately. If units are not shipped within 5 business days, a credit card on file will be charged.

The HumanWare Care program enables you to receive second day air shipping to ensure you can stay productive with a Touch unit.

1 included braille display cleaning during the term of the Care Program.

Q: I have downloaded an app and it consistently says WebView. I can still navigate with my thumb keys but I dont receive any braille.

A: There are currently limitations in version 1 of the Touch with certain apps using the Android webview control. This control is not designed for braille access and HumanWare is working with Google to significantly improve this for Touch users.

Q: Can the Braille Note Touch open files created as a KWB file on past Braille Note devices?

A: Because the BrailleNote Touch always is working in mainstream document formats with perfect braille translation, it is unable to open KWB files. Please follow the steps below to export files from KWB format to Microsoft word format using the Braille Note Apex.

Press dots (1-2-3-4-5-6 with space) to reach the main menu.

Type the letter f to go into the file manager menu.

Type the letter t to go into the translation menu.

Type the letter e to choose the export option.

Press (space with d) to reach drive list.

Type the letter f to choose the flash disk.

The Braille Note Apex will prompt export files from which folder? Press space to reach the folder list.

Type the first letter of the folder where the files you wish to export are located. Continue typing the first letter of the item you are looking for, or space until the desired folder is reached. Press enter.

The Braille Note Apex will prompt document name? Press the space bar until the first file in the list is reached. To mark all the files in this folder, press (enter with dots 2-3-5-6). To select files individually, press space until you reach the first file you wish to mark and press (space with M) to mark the file. Repeat this step until all of the files you wish to export have been marked. Alternatively you can press enter with 2-3-5-6 to mark all files in a folder to quickly get everything exported from one folder.

Press enter. The Braille Note will prompt export to which device? file

press enter. The Braille Note will prompt export as which file type? ASCII file

press (space with dots 3-4) until Microsoft word is selected.

press enter. The Braille Note will prompt destination drive?

Insert a thumb drive or s d card into the Braille Note Apex.

Type the Letter s for s d cards, or h for hard disk which is the thumb drive.

The Braille Note will prompt folder name? Type the name of the folder where you wish to place the exported files.

Press enter.

If the folder exists on the drive, the files will be exported. If the folder does not exist on the drive, the Braille Note will prompt folder does not exist, create a new folder?

Press the letter y, the folder will be created, and the files will be exported.

Q: Can I bring my files from my past BrailleNotes address list, calendar, or databases to my new Touch?

A: Because the Touch is using truly modern synchronization technology that was not available in past models of the BrailleNote, there is no direct method to transfer these types of files to the Touch. If you have access to a PC running Windows 7 or earlier, you can use KeySync to sync your calendar and contacts with Microsoft Outlook. Note that due to many variables related to Microsoft outlook, virus protection programs etc, HumanWare cannot guarantee this valid synchronization.

Alternatively in KeyList, KeyPlan or KeyBase on past BrailleNotes, you can print your calendar, contacts list, or databases to either a file or directly emboss to a hard copy. At that point you could enter them into either the PC using your Google or Exchange contacts and calendars and have them sync directly to the Touch. Or you can enter them directly into the Touch itself.

Facebook