Nov 26
How Braille Was Invented
Posted in: Today's Chili
Braille was invented by a nineteenth century man named Louis Braille, who was completely blind.
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Nov 22
Google has just released a stable version of Chrome OS, and while it’s (sadly) not as huge as Chrome OS 32, it still comes with feature boosts for your device. Perhaps most notable is its newly added initial support for USB-connected Braille displays. Other than that, this stopgap follow-up to OS 31 tweaks the platform’s looks, starting by letting you drag the Shelf (or the app dock) from the bottom to either side of the screen. The company has also moved the launcher icon to the bottom left and made it, along with the app icons and status tray, more touch friendly for Pixel users. What’s more, if you use an avatar for either Chrome OS or Google+, you’ll find your profile picture preferences synced between the two. Almost everyone can now download these changes, which come bundled with the usual security and performance fixes. If you own an Acer C7, an HP Chromebook 11 or an HP Pavilion Chromebook, however, you’re going to have to sit this update out — better luck next time.
Source: Google Chrome Releases
Sep 17
Firefox 24 arrives with WebRTC video chats on Android, quick-close tabs on desktop
Posted in: Today's Chili
Mozilla has just released Firefox 24, and this refresh lavishes most of its attention on the Android version. The updated mobile browser enables WebRTC support, letting Android users conduct web-based video chats without a plugin. These surfers can also share browser tabs between NFC-capable devices, launch a preferred sharing app from the main menu, read in Braille and enable a Night mode in Reader. Desktop users aren’t completely left out of the upgrade frenzy, however. Firefox 24 lets them quickly close all tabs to the right of a selected tab, drag out chat windows and use the stealthier scrollbars in OS X Lion and newer. If you’re intrigued by any of the new Firefox clients, you can grab the edition you need at one of the source links.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Software, Mobile
Via: Mozilla Blog (1), (2)
Source: Firefox, Google Play
Aug 28
To make kids living with visual impairments able to share the same experiences as their friends and peers, a new series of children’s books was created. The Storybook For All Eyes each feature a custom-designed font that incorporates both braille and english letters into a single typeface so they can be shared and enjoyed by all.
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Feb 22
A couple of years ago we learned about Plan.B, a concept for a map for blind people. The idea behind that system was sound, but I thought the execution left much to be desired. I like this other concept called Blind Maps much more. It’s supposed to be a Bluetooth add-on for the iPhone that provides Braille-like turn-by-turn navigation.
Blind Maps was conceptualized by Andrew Spitz, Ruben van der Vleuten and Markus Schmeiduch last year to fulfill a 36-hour project for a course that they took at the Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design. Whereas Plan.B displays a mini-map of the user’s immediate surroundings, Blind Maps keeps things simple. To start off, the user speaks into his iPhone and asks for directions to a destination. Blind Maps would then tap into the data from a navigation app on the iPhone – e.g. Google Maps – to provide turn-by-turn navigation using dots that protrude from the device itself.
It looks a bit like the Snake game from the old Nokia phones, except this one controls you. I also like its crowdsourced aspect. It would not just help blind people be more independent but also enable blind people to help others with the same disability to be independent.
[via Industrial Design Served via Fast Co. Design]
Dec 01
Alt-week takes a look at the best science and alternative tech stories from the last seven days.
Science. We like to think of it as a force for good. But, in the wrong hands, this isn’t always the case. Something we’re reminded of all too well this week. As a counter to that negative vibe, we are also reminded that for every Yin, there is a Yang, and this comes in the form of some developments in med-science that could mean new technology options for the blind. Then there’s the Bigfoot DNA and shape-shifting robots, of course. This is alt-week.
Continue reading Alt-week 12.01.12: Bigfoot DNA, bombs on the moon and shapeshifting robots
Aug 25
The OwnFone is neither smart nor world-friendly, and yet it’s managed to grab our attention just the same. Designed for use only in the UK, it represents a rather novel take on the mobile phone with its customizable nature and simplistic design. Before ordering, owners must select among two, four, eight or a dozen contacts, and it’s highly recommended to include emergency services among that bunch — there’s no option to dial actual numbers, as every contact is programmed and stored in the cloud.
In its current incarnation, contacts are represented by their names, but it will soon be possible to customize a phone with either photos or Braille. While owners can update a contact’s phone number with a simple call to customer support, it’s more cumbersome to replace a contact, as you’ll need to order a decal to affix over the former friend. Due to its limited functionality, the OwnFone is best positioned as a backup or secondary phone, although its simplicity makes it particularly well-suited for children and some elderly individuals. As another nice touch, one’s phone number is printed on the back of the OwnFone. You’ll find it available today for £55, and all those curious to discover the customization options can check out the various colors, patterns and photos on OwnFone’s website.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile
Meet the OwnFone: a customizable mobile phone that epitomizes simplicity originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Aug 2012 11:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Jul 18
Perkins Smart Brailler helps the blind learn to type, closes the digital divide
Posted in: Today's Chili 
Most digital Braille devices are built on the assumption that the legally blind already know how to write in the format — if they don’t, they’re often forced back to the analog world to learn. PDT and Perkins hope to address that longstanding technology gap with the Perkins Smart Brailler. Going digital lets Perkins build in lessons for newcomers as well as provide immediate audio feedback (visual for writers with borderline vision) and text-to-speech conversion to give even an old hand a boost. Logically, the leap into the modern world also allows transferring documents over USB along with traditional Braille printouts. Smart Braillers will cost a weighty $1,995 each when they first ship in September, but it’s hard to put a price tag on mastering communication and fully joining the digital generation.
Continue reading Perkins Smart Brailler helps the blind learn to type, closes the digital divide
Filed under: Peripherals
Perkins Smart Brailler helps the blind learn to type, closes the digital divide originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Jul 2012 07:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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