I for one can't type at 32 words per minute at any sort of accuracy on the iPhone or iPad (without a bluetooth keyboard :)) so I'm eager to see this thing in action. The developers' practical testing has been admittedly limited, but even a fraction of that potential improvement could save minutes every day. As to some of the other concerns, the team might be eager to share, but has Georgia Tech as an institution weighed in? I don't see the harm in asking Apple to incorporate it into the OS though, barring legal concerns, it's just another language keyboard; I mean, there's one for emoticons...! lol
Respectfully, Aser Tolentino, Esq. On 26/02/2012, at 7:58 PM, James Mannion <mannion...@gmail.com> wrote: > I see your point about hoping to incorporate it as a keyboard option > similar to a language keyboard. Braille is kind of a "language". I > agree that making it an additional option and not taking anything away > is an extremely important point to stress. Is the stand alone app > available in the US yet? I could not find it and I wanted to see what > my efficiency would be with using it. Someone had it that posted to > the list from the UK I believe, but I could not get it to come up on a > search at all. > > On 2/26/12, erik burggraaf <e...@erik-burggraaf.com> wrote: >> You guys are all crazy. :) the code is already written, tested, and >> working. No one is saying you have to use it just because it's implemented. >> We're just saying it should be a choice for people who want it. Apple >> could do this by taking the code that's already been tested and implementing >> it across the board in stead of restricting it to it's own app. It's a move >> that makes sense. If you don't like to type in braille yourself, just >> ignore the option, but since the work to make it happen is already done, why >> not let people who find it useful... well... use it? >> >> Best, >> >> Erik Burggraaf >> Currently on ebony promos: Ebony consulting on android accessibility, New >> drive imaging services available. To read more and subscribe, visit >> http://www.erik-burggraaf.com/mailman/listinfo/ebony-promos_erik-burggraaf.com >> Ebony Consulting toll-free: 1-888-255-5194 >> or on the web at http://www.erik-burggraaf.com >> >> On 2012-02-26, at 8:54 PM, Eugenia Firth wrote: >> >>> Hi guys. >>> Well, I can't imagine how this would be an advantage, but then, this is no >>> flat screen, no way, for the year 2010 speaking here. Back in 2010, I >>> couldn't imagine how we could do flat screens. When I hear about flat >>> screens these days, I think, does it work like the iPhone, and if it >>> doesn't I don't want it. I write very fast in braille. I probably braille >>> faster than I type. Now that I have Siri, I don't use my keyboard on the >>> iPhone as much. Somebody I know made the incredible comment that she >>> thought sighted people would learn braille so they could increase their >>> typing speed on the iPhone. I can kind of see sighted people learning a >>> few things, but really, I just can't see sighted people doing that. My >>> sighted husband still uses a cheat sheet to write grade 1, and he >>> sometimes writes unique braille. >>> >>> I, for one, think there are some more pressing issues for us. For one >>> thing, I just had to go use that desktop machine running under Vista to >>> get some tax forms done. I'm reluctant to put >>> Windows on my Mac as some of you have, so I sat in the other room for >>> several hours today with two computers in the office, one of which was the >>> Mac. I know how to do tax forms, no problem, but going back and forth to >>> get numbers, etc. slowed me down considerable. >>> >>> About once a year, and sometimes more often, I really need that program to >>> fill out PDF forms. I hate PDF files. >>> >>> Regards, >>> Gigi >>> >>> On Feb 26, 2012, at 5:29 PM, Alex Hall wrote: >>> >>>> Again, I don't want them to change their guidelines to let any app >>>> developer add keyboards. What I want is for them to take the code and >>>> use it as a keyboard in iOS, not an app in any way. So, when you >>>> unpack an iPhone running a version of iOS with the keyboard in it >>>> (probably 6 as 5.1 is already in beta), there is no "braille keyboard" >>>> app hangin out on your home screen. Rather, it is just there, like the >>>> foreign language keyboards are there. >>>> >>>> As to advantage: in a word, yes. I use qwerty and braille entry about >>>> equally, probably leaning more toward qwerty actually, and I am very >>>> fast with both. Qwerty on iOS, though, is different since it is not >>>> just typing, it is having to find a character, make sure it is right, >>>> wait for it to be entered, then repeat. No muscle memory and a lot of >>>> moving one finger make it a slow and inefficient typing method, and >>>> anyone, sighted or blind, will tell you the same (at least they have >>>> in my experience). Braille on iOS, though, allows for typing with no >>>> moving all over the screen and with the ability to type from memory. >>>> Yes, you can memorize the key positions of the qwerty keyboard, but >>>> getting off by one can result in very odd words, especially if you >>>> don't take the time to listen to the selected character before >>>> entering, you get offset a character, and you keep going from that new >>>> reference point. >>>> Don't compare your typing in braille to typing with a keyboard. >>>> Rather, compare your braille typing to the onscreen keyboard (not >>>> using Siri) and see if it isn't faster to use braille. Also, onscreen >>>> braille is not the same as onscreen qwerty, since there is nothing to >>>> wait for and no moving to do. I hope I explained this well. >>>> >>>> On 2/26/12, Scott Howell <scottn3...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>> Alex, >>>>> >>>>> With all do respect and coming from a Braille user; I think this is >>>>> going to >>>>> be a very difficult road. You are essentially asking APple to allow any >>>>> developer of such the ability to have the same acces. There is already a >>>>> Braille entry app out there and despite the fact it is not quite the >>>>> same >>>>> thing, you have to offer the same access. Furthermore, I cannot imagine >>>>> trying to Braille on the iPhone screen myself, so I'm not sure (and I >>>>> speak >>>>> for myself) this is going to be particularly easy to work with. Is this >>>>> really going to offer any advantage to users? Is there truly a benefit >>>>> to be >>>>> had? I think these are reasonable questions. Now as a reminder because I >>>>> know some will get pretty spun-up, I am a Braille user myself, but I >>>>> arguably can out type myself when it comes to Braille. So, again, an >>>>> interesting idea I just think that APple would have to implement as >>>>> another >>>>> keyboard and not as an app. >>>>> >>>>> On Feb 26, 2012, at 5:51 PM, Alex Hall wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Hello all, >>>>>> There has been much discussion about the new Braille Touch app lately. >>>>>> For anyone who missed it, this is an app coming out sometime this year >>>>>> that lets users type in braille on an iOS or Android device. >>>>>> Basically, you hold the device sideways, the home button to your right >>>>>> or left. You then place three fingers on either end of the screen and >>>>>> start typing. This beats the current braille entry app out there >>>>>> because (1) it will be free and (2) it lets you enter the character >>>>>> all at once, not a row at a time. >>>>>> >>>>>> Here is where it needs your help: Apple's developer guidelines and >>>>>> terms of service state that, basically, no app can add its own >>>>>> keyboard to the keyboards available in iOS. this means that there is >>>>>> no way to use the braille keyboard outside the app; no writing texts >>>>>> or emails with it, no using it to do a search, no nothing. Yes, you >>>>>> can use the app and then copy and paste, but if you just want to write >>>>>> a quick email, add a contact, or even edit a document, you can't take >>>>>> advantage of braille. Apple needs to know that we (blind and visually >>>>>> impaired users of iOS) want and need this functionality in iOS. Please >>>>>> take a couple minutes to send a message to accessibil...@apple.com. >>>>>> Tell them you want them to include Braille Touch's keyboard in iOS so >>>>>> that it can be used where ever you need to enter text, in place of the >>>>>> on-screen QWERTY keyboard that iOS currently forces you to use. Point >>>>>> out that this keyboard transforms the iOS line of products from PDAs >>>>>> with great accessibility into true braille devices. Most of all, tell >>>>>> them how important it is to you that this feature be included >>>>>> system-wide as soon as possible. Offer any further suggestions, >>>>>> testimonials, and anything else you think will help, but please take >>>>>> the time to send accessibil...@apple.com a message asking them to take >>>>>> this massive step into the future of accessibility. Thanks for your >>>>>> time and effort. Also, please send this request to anyone else who can >>>>>> help (other lists, friends or family who use iOS, braille instructors >>>>>> familiar with iOS... anyone). Remember that the more interest Apple >>>>>> sees in this, the more likely they are to take notice and do something >>>>>> about it. They have always been good at listening to feedback from >>>>>> their accessibility market, so let's take advantage of that to push >>>>>> for this braille keyboard. >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> Have a great day, >>>>>> Alex (msg sent from GMail website) >>>>>> mehg...@gmail.com; http://www.facebook.com/mehgcap >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>> Groups >>>>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>> Groups >>>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> Have a great day, >>>> Alex (msg sent from GMail website) >>>> mehg...@gmail.com; http://www.facebook.com/mehgcap >>>> >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>> >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>> For more options, visit this group at >>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>> >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >> >> > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. > To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. 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