Hi folks, particularly "experts,"
Few more technical things with the Apex:
* Initial wireless connection: Even if Wi-Fi is turned off, when
you choose to connect online (KeyWeb KeyMail, etc.), wireless
chip will be turned on automatically.
* Auto-connect: If you are using multiple connection
configuration that uses same technology, even if you choose
another connection configuration to connect to the web, KeySoft
will detect the nearest router and, if it is matches one of the
stored connection configs, it'll connect to it.
* RAM Disk: I'm sorry to inform you (mostly Alex) that you cannot
view RAM Disk (keysoft system disk) content on your computer
either. Even if you try using ActiveSync with XP and attempt to
view ROM image files, only drive names and few other files will
appear.
* Upgrade process on the Apex: The update process is divided into
four parts (from what I can gather): the booting and autorun
phase, file extraction, KeySoft installation and component
installation.
A. Booting and autorun: When KeySoft detect the ROM image file
(hwi file), it asks the user to reset the device. Upon resetting
it, the hwi extractor will be launched upon startup (that's why
you'll get the installation prompt).
B. File extraction: When the installer runs, it copies some
files from the ROM image archive to specific folders on the unit.
The order of file extraction and storage of these files is
written in an XML (Extensive Markup Language) file in the archive
itself. On the braille display, you'll see "extracting...".
C. KeySoft installation: Once the extraction is done,
BrailleNote launches KeySoft Installer. Here, the core KeySoft
files are installed using different phases (installs bootloader,
ROM files and system files).
D. After the KeySoft installation is complete, BrailleNote
restarts. After this, KeySoft outputs some messages about
installing manual and language files (or components, I'd say).
After this is done, you are ready to use the naext version of
KeySoft.
The hwi (HumanWare Installer) file is actually a
slightly-modified cab (cabinet executable) file. If you rename
the hwi extension to cab, you'll be able to open the archive from
your computer and view few "cryptically named" files.
* Extended FAT: It is confirmed that BrailleNote Apex does
support exFAT (Extended File Allocation Table, otherwise
inapprroiately called FAT64). This is a file system designed for
memory cards and USB flash drives. In short, this file system is
the memory card version of NTFS (New Technology File System).
This file system requires Apex and a computer running either
Windows 7, Vista Service Pack 1 or later and others with a driver
update - it will not work on other BrailleNote models.
* Charging USB devices: It is indeed possible to charge USB
devices via the Apex. The most useful situation is when charging
a cell phone via USB (such is my phone). Note that using this
method drains the Apex battery faster.
Next, I'll test Robert Cummings' theory on Bluetooth file
transfer (yes, I've seen that option as well on my own Apex).
Most of these tech notes are designed specifically for experts in
mind (sorry for not simplifying enough). Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Joseph
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