Hi all. I've had a Smart Beetle for the program I run for the past few weeks, and it's a bit like the VarioUltra in the sense that it still needs some work. Though with the current release of the VarioUltra firmware, there is more frustration in using a VU as opposed to the Beetle for me. The only things I have found to cut back on lag have nothing to do with the Smart Beetle specifically, but some VoiceOver settings that you can change. I wrote a guide you can find at: http://applevis.com/guides/accessories-bluetooth-braille-ios-ipad-iphone-ipod-touch-voiceover/3-ways-possibly-speed-your
Scott On 8/22/15, 'carol.pearso...@googlemail.com' via VIPhone <viphone@googlegroups.com> wrote: > Haven't really tried 8-dot much but there's certainly a similar lag between > > transfer from the display's clipboard and the phone. > > Carol P > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Flor Lynch" <florl...@iol.ie> > To: <viphone@googlegroups.com> > Sent: Saturday, August 22, 2015 2:00 AM > Subject: Re: Smart Beetle 14 cells refreshable Braille display > > > How does this issue fare - if it pertains - in eight-dot, or Computer, > Braille? Does one still see the same time lag transferring between the > display's clipboard, and the phone? > > -----Original Message----- > From: Andrew Lamanche > Sent: Saturday, August 15, 2015 9:36 PM > To: VIPhone > Subject: Re: Smart Beetle 14 cells refreshable Braille display > > Hi Carol, > > I've written to one of the tech people at HIMS to let them know about the > lag in writing and correcting text using Smart Beetle. I am not sure - nor > do I hold my breath - whether they will take note of the problem. But I > thought I'd let them know anyway because that's quite a point against > buying > their product which otherwise is very attractive. > > I will write to accessibility at Apple as I always do when I encounter the > problem. I haven't done so so far because I wasn't sure whose patch it is. > it's getting rather confusing who is responsible for what. > > Please keep my e-mail in your contacts and let me know what you've found > out. And maybe if you wish, please send me your e-mail address for my > records privately. I will keep in touch with respect to Smart Beetle. > > Best wishes > > Andrew >> On 15 Aug 2015, at 20:05, 'carol.pearso...@googlemail.com' via VIPhone >> <viphone@googlegroups.com> wrote: >> >> Hi Andrew, >> >> Thanks so much for doing the test for me. >> >> I wasn't surprised by your results because we have Braille Sense machines >> >> here and had experienced this lag. There are two reasons why I wanted to >> >> add the Smart Beetle, partily because it's that much smaller for taking >> around and, secondly, because I was hoping the lag would have been solved >> >> by the introduction of the Beetle. >> >> However, all is not yet lost because I think there probably will soon be a >> >> new driver and, well, I'm just holding on and hoping that this will solve >> >> at least a good part of the lagging. I have mentioned this to the >> Accessability Team at >> >> accessibil...@apple.com >> >> and I'd really advise you to do the same just as soon as you can. >> >> I'm also going to double check with HIMS that Apple are supposed to do the >> >> driver and not HIMS themselves. >> >> If you're not a very fast Braillist then all may well not be lost for you, >> >> especially if you're prepared to make that cuppa whilst you wait for the >> translation. I feel fairly sure that the problem is the same whether >> you're copying from the clipboard or writing in "real time", and it's a >> lag in translation, I think. However, I'm not the expert, so we'll just >> go on telling them all what we know and what's important to us. <Smiles> >> >> I will write to the Accessability Team again myself to highlight this >> issue, in view of the recent introduction of Smart Beetle and what I've >> gleaned so far, so then they can't be saying they didn't know all about >> it. . . .. >> >> By the way, if we're rather pushing this on list and it's preferred we >> take it off list then please, George or someone, tell us that this is the >> >> case. >> >> I know Jackie is interested, but would hate to bore everyone to death. >> Anyway, folks, please feel free to use that delete key! <Smiles> >> >> Please keep in touch with me with any developments, Andrew, and I'll do >> the same. >> >> Cheers and thanks for your input on this. >> >> Carol P >> >> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Andrew Lamanche" <ioani...@me.com> >> To: "VIPhone" <viphone@googlegroups.com> >> Sent: Saturday, August 15, 2015 6:15 PM >> Subject: Re: Smart Beetle 14 cells refreshable Braille display >> >> >> Dear Carol, >> >> I’m afraid I’ve got bad news. I’ve done the test as you’ve asked me to >> and there is quite a considerable lag in both instances: using the text >> input straight into the edit field and using the clipboard method. This >> is disappointing. I’m not the fastest Braille writer and yet the lag was >> >> definitely there even though the text was quite short. also, I found >> editing a document quite a laborious task again because of the lag. It >> took sometimes a few seconds for the cursor to route to the right letter >> and when inserting a letter or letters again it took a few seconds for the >> >> text to appear on the display. Very disappointed. >> >> One more thing I want to try is pairing the Smart Beetle with my iPhone as >> >> a bluetooth keyboard and inputing the text from that mode to see whether >> it is the Braille mode that slows it down. Apparently it is possible to >> use combo mode with smart beetle, i.e. pairing it both as a Braille >> display and as a bluetooth keyboard and then changing how you use it using >> >> a shortcut key. I will have to read some more about it. In a way, I’m >> anxious now that I made a wrong choice and yet I would have struggled to >> raise more finances for a more expensive product. Maybe not all is lost >> and maybe, just maybe, HIMS will improve their software, and maybe once >> Apple incorporates Smart Beetle driver into its OS it will speed things >> up. >> >> Sorry I have no better news. >> >> Andrew >>> On 14 Aug 2015, at 22:58, 'carol.pearso...@googlemail.com' via VIPhone >>> <viphone@googlegroups.com> wrote: >>> >>> Hi Andrew, >>> >>> Hmm! Wish S&S had their act together before my demo. I'd thought, >>> maybe, the use of the Braille Sense, in the manual was perhaps an >>> oversight in not correcting stuff ... as this happens ... but it wasn't, >>> >>> I gather. >>> >>> The other reason that would make me really want this unit is if you could >>> >>> answer "Yes" definitely to one further point. >>> >>> You may not have done this, but you can use the clipboard setting to >>> temporarily disable the keyboard so that you can write something in your >>> >>> own clipboard, so to speak. In this case, you write quite a bit of text, >>> >>> say, 300 words, then try sending to your iPhone. >>> >>> You get into the clipboard with backspace+enter+C and then send by >>> pressing "Enter". >>> >>> In previous Sense products, I've found this to be too slow for me and >>> even unreliable, possibly running out of memory ... >>> >>> I'd love to be able to use this feature, but quickly and not feel I >>> wanted to drink a cuppa whilst waiting. I found it translated the text >>> only as quickly as it did ifyou were brailling directly and were having >>> to wait for it to be translated into the phone, and that wasn't what I >>> wanted! >>> >>> Can you try this out, please, and let me know what you think. >>> >>> Thanks. >>> >>> Thanks also for the instructions you gave below, which I'll keep for >>> further reference. >>> >>> Carol P >>> >>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Andrew Lamanche" <ioani...@me.com> >>> To: "VIPhone" <viphone@googlegroups.com> >>> Sent: Friday, August 14, 2015 6:15 PM >>> Subject: Re: Smart Beetle 14 cells refreshable Braille display >>> >>> >>> Hi Carol, >>> >>> Yes, at present you have to pair Smart Beetle as BrailleSense because >>> Apple has not as yet incorporated the Smart Beetle driver into its >>> operating systems. However, HIMS provide instructions on how to make >>> Smart Beetle appear as BrailleSense. Once i took the initial steps to >>> accomplish this on Smart Beetle itself, the pairing went smoothly. >>> >>> Below I'm pasting the instructions as I received them from HIMS. They >>> are also included with the product on a separate Braille sheet. >>> "Smart Beetle with Apple products. >>> Note, the below refers to using Smart Beetle with products running >>> Apple's iOS, including iPhone, iPad, and iPod as well as mac computers. >>> At the time of this writing, Apple has not implemented a Smart Beetle >>> specific driver into iOS or the Mac OS. Thus, it has become necessary for >>> >>> us to do a work around in order that you may use your Smart Beetle with >>> i-devices and Mac computers. >>> In short, this work-around allows the Smart Beetle to emulate a Braille >>> Sense notetaker, which is supported in Apple's operating systems. You can >>> >>> turn this emulation on and off simply by changing the Bluetooth name for >>> >>> the Bluetooth Serial port on the Smart Beetle. >>> note: this work-around requires you to use the Smart Beetle via Bluetooth >>> >>> when using a Mac computer. >>> >>> To change the Bluetooth name, please do the following: >>> 1) Press Power-F1, choose BRL and press "Enter". The unit displays >>> "pairing BRL". >>> 2) Press the Power button to open the menu, and Press the shortcut "I" to >>> >>> open "Information". >>> 3) From the "Information" list, press (F2-F3-Dot1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8). >>> 4) Return to "Information", and confirm the BRL Bluetooth name. >>> Each time you follow these steps, the Bluetooth name is toggled between >>> "SmartBeetle" and "BrailleSense", thus, you can use Smart Beetle in it's >>> >>> normal configuration for other screen readers. In addition, when Apple >>> introduces Smart gheetle support, you will be able to change the >>> Bluetooth name back to Smart Beetle and use it properly from that time." >>> >>> I was nervous at first but I had downloaded the user guide for Smart >>> Beetle from HIMS website and since the description of the unit was very >>> good, I was able to learn a lot about it before I actually put my hands >>> on it. >>> >>> Good luck and ask anything if you wish and I will do my best to answer. >>> >>> Andrew >>>> On 14 Aug 2015, at 15:40, 'carol.pearso...@googlemail.com' via VIPhone >>>> <viphone@googlegroups.com> wrote: >>>> >>>> Andrew, >>>> >>>> How did you manage to pair it and which of the keyboard settings are you >>>> >>>> using? >>>> >>>> I saw one, as demo, but we couldn't pair it at the time and it seemed to >>>> >>>> be because you had to pair it as Braille Sense, or something. >>>> >>>> Please tell me what you did etc? I did like the look and feel of it >>>> very much and wanted one but ... >>>> >>>> Carol P >>>> >>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Andrew Lamanche" <ioani...@me.com> >>>> To: "VIPhone" <viphone@googlegroups.com> >>>> Cc: <macvisionar...@googlegroups.com> >>>> Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2015 6:47 PM >>>> Subject: Smart Beetle 14 cells refreshable Braille display >>>> >>>> >>>> Listers, >>>> >>>> It's arrived: my new tiny, 14 cell refreshable Braille display produced >>>> >>>> by HIMS. Nervous as I was ordering it from Sight and Sound in the UK, I >>>> >>>> feel I'm gonna love it! it's small and the cells are nice. I've >>>> already paired it with my iphone. And by the way, this Braille display >>>> >>>> can remember 5 different bluetooth devices to which one connects. It >>>> also has a USB connection. >>>> >>>> I know it's going to be a steep learning curve and that I'm going to be >>>> >>>> asking lots of questions but I've already managed to read using Smart >>>> Beetle from Voice Dream Reader and ibooks. The pleasure of reading >>>> quietly is intense! I'm delighted. >>>> >>>> At present it seems that I have to keep my iphone or ipad unlocked in >>>> order to use my Smart Beetle. Is this the case in your experience too? >>>> Also, Smart Beetle can connect via bluetooth either as a Braille display >>>> >>>> or as a bluetooth keyboard emulator and it can also work in combo mode, >>>> >>>> i.e. you can have it connected as a Braille display and as a bluetooth >>>> keyboard for more functionality. I can navigate home screens using it, >>>> >>>> open and close applications, read text, I've written a text message >>>> using it, I can use the rotor. However, when in Mail, I couldn't find a >>>> >>>> way of deleting an email I didn't want to read and I was wondering >>>> whether there may be an equivalent of a swiping gesture that Braille >>>> display could imitate. I just wonder if you could share what else you >>>> can do with your refreshable Braille displays and iPhone? >>>> >>>> Many thanks for any suggestions >>>> >>>> Andrew >>>> >>>> -- >>>> The following information is important for all members of the viphone >>>> list. All new members to the this list are moderated by default. If you >>>> >>>> have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if you >>>> >>>> feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or >>>> >>>> moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. The archives >>>> >>>> for this list can be searched at >>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/. >>>> --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups "VIPhone" group. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>> an email to viphone+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>> To post to this group, send email to viphone@googlegroups.com. >>>> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/viphone. >>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>> >>>> -- >>>> The following information is important for all members of the viphone >>>> list. All new members to the this list are moderated by default. If you >>>> >>>> have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if you >>>> >>>> feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or >>>> >>>> moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. The archives >>>> >>>> for this list can be searched at >>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/. >>>> --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups "VIPhone" group. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>> an email to viphone+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>> To post to this group, send email to viphone@googlegroups.com. >>>> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/viphone. >>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>> >>> -- >>> The following information is important for all members of the viphone >>> list. All new members to the this list are moderated by default. If you >>> have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if you >>> >>> feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or >>> >>> moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. The archives >>> >>> for this list can be searched at >>> http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/. >>> --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "VIPhone" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >>> >>> email to viphone+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>> To post to this group, send email to viphone@googlegroups.com. >>> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/viphone. >>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>> >>> -- >>> The following information is important for all members of the viphone >>> list. All new members to the this list are moderated by default. If you >>> have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if you >>> >>> feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or >>> >>> moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. The archives >>> >>> for this list can be searched at >>> http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/. >>> --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "VIPhone" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >>> >>> email to viphone+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>> To post to this group, send email to viphone@googlegroups.com. >>> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/viphone. >>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >> >> -- >> The following information is important for all members of the viphone >> list. All new members to the this list are moderated by default. If you >> have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if you >> feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or >> moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. The archives >> for this list can be searched at >> http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/. >> --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >> Groups "VIPhone" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> >> email to viphone+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> To post to this group, send email to viphone@googlegroups.com. >> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/viphone. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >> >> -- >> The following information is important for all members of the viphone >> list. All new members to the this list are moderated by default. If you >> have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if you >> feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or >> moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. The archives >> for this list can be searched at >> http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/. >> --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >> Groups "VIPhone" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> >> email to viphone+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> To post to this group, send email to viphone@googlegroups.com. >> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/viphone. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > > -- > The following information is important for all members of the viphone list. > All new members to the this list are moderated by default. If you have any > questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if you feel that a > member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or moderators > directly rather than posting on the list itself. The archives for this list > can be searched at http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/. > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "VIPhone" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to viphone+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To post to this group, send email to viphone@googlegroups.com. > Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/viphone. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > > -- > The following information is important for all members of the VIPhone list. > > If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if > > you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or > > moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. > > Your VIPhone list owner is Cara Quinn - you can reach Cara at > caraqu...@caraquinn.com > > The archives for this list can be searched at > http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/. > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "VIPhone" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to viphone+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To post to this group, send email to viphone@googlegroups.com. > Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/viphone. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > > -- > The following information is important for all members of the VIPhone list. > > If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if > you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or > moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. > > Your VIPhone list owner is Cara Quinn - you can reach Cara at > caraqu...@caraquinn.com > > The archives for this list can be searched at > http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/. > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "VIPhone" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to viphone+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To post to this group, send email to viphone@googlegroups.com. > Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/viphone. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > -- The following information is important for all members of the VIPhone list. If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. Your VIPhone list owner is Cara Quinn - you can reach Cara at caraqu...@caraquinn.com The archives for this list can be searched at http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/. --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "VIPhone" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to viphone+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to viphone@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/viphone. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
