05-09-2014, 03:39 AM | #1 |
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Braille e-books: Why can't you buy a budget e-reader?
Interesting article on the BBC website today regarding Braille e-readers and why they aren't as ubiquitous and cheap as sighted e-readers:
http:// http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27243376 |
05-09-2014, 06:04 AM | #2 |
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Interesting. Given the technology needed to "build" the points of the braille letters I am not surprised that they are not as cheap as ordinary e-readers. And ordinary e-readers my be useful for blind people too if they have the Text-to-Speech feature.
(Could you please fix your link?) |
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05-09-2014, 06:08 AM | #3 |
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The reason why seems fairly self-evident: it's a very small market that it's not economically viable to produce device for. Even among blind people (themselves a small market) only a small minority can read braille.
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05-17-2014, 04:00 AM | #4 |
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Working link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27243376
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05-17-2014, 04:32 AM | #5 | |
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At the most basic level, isn't all you need basically a huge dot matrix printer that doesn't immediately retract the pins? (And, of course, not have sharp points.) |
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05-19-2014, 01:27 PM | #6 |
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I am surprised by the low percentage of people using braille although I understand it is difficult to learn.
Another interesting article. http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-16984742 Helen |
05-19-2014, 01:53 PM | #7 | ||
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05-19-2014, 05:00 PM | #8 |
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God forbid I lose my sight, I'm sure I'd stick with audiobooks. They're working well for me now, I'd rely on them even more then.
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05-25-2014, 02:33 PM | #9 |
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This looks like a great invention for the blind
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05-31-2014, 03:58 PM | #10 |
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Kindle Fire HDX has Text to Speech available on most eBooks. That should satisfy blind folks need for eBooks.
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05-31-2014, 06:40 PM | #11 | |
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The sighted have many ways to read books but the blind folks should be satisfied with one? Is the HDX really that great for blind folks? Can they quickly select a book and start reading, buy or borrow online unaided, or most of the things we take for granted? Sounds a bit too good to be true. Helen |
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05-31-2014, 07:38 PM | #12 | |
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05-31-2014, 07:49 PM | #13 | |
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Just to be clear, you are saying that someone who is completely blind can order a HDX and unbox it, order a book and start reading eventually? No help, no computer, no prior experience? I am sure it would be more difficult but if this is at all possible, I will look into it and order one for my aunt. Helen |
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05-31-2014, 08:15 PM | #14 |
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Your aunt would need someone to turn voice guide on for her - it doesn't come turned on by default. In fact, I've heard of people accidentally turning it on, and they can't figure out how to turn it off.
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05-31-2014, 09:17 PM | #15 | |
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Helen |
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