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Braille embossers don't often see major changes, but a new feature from Index is believed to be a first for modern braille printing. The forthcoming V5 line of their Basic, Everest, and Braille Box models will support printing directly from mobile phones and tablets. No details are included on which devices will be supported. V5 models will begin to ship in early 2016 starting with the production Braille Box model followed by the consumer oriented Basic and Everest models. Owners of current V4 embossers will also receive some of the new mobile functionality with a 2.0 firmware update scheduled for early 2016.

Researchers are developing a glove that they say will help the blind sense and grasp objects. According to a press release, "The technology will combine vision, tactile, force, temperature and audio sensors and actuators to help the wearer pre-sense an object - telling its location, feeling its shape and size - and then grasp it."

It can potentially be used to help in navigation, or for finding door handles or picking up a glass. Ambitions seem to run further than helping the blind, however. "Not only will this device help blind and visually impaired people, the methods and technology we develop will have great potential in advancing small and wearable robot autonomy with many potential applications in space exploration, military surveillance, law enforcement and search and rescue," Yantao Shen, an assistant professor at the University of Nevada Reno. We've linked to the press release from this post.

A new study is exploring the attitudes of visually impaired people regarding seeking psychological services. The study is being conducted by a graduate student at the University of British Columbia’s Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education. According to the call for participants, "It is very rare to find research which investigates the attitudes and perspectives of the visually impaired on seeking psychological services."
The survey is listed as taking 45 minutes, though some participants report finishing it in half the time. Those who complete the survey will be entered in a drawing for one of three $25 gift cards. Follow the link on this post to take the survey. More information is included below.

It's still over three months away, but you can begin to plan your CSUN session calendar now. Next year's event will be held from March 21-26 in San Diego. The main conference sessions are on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and encompass a wide array of assistive technology topics. Follow the link on this post to view the over 300 sessions approved for the conference.

After a long delay, an update to Android's default Braille support has been released with a variety of new features. Google's Android Team has released BrailleBack 0.95.1 to the Play Store, it's the first update in two years. This version includes support for Unified English Braille (UEB), support for more braille displays including the Hims Smart Beetle and the Harpo Braillepen 12 Touch, and support for TalkBack custom labels. We've included the complete changelog below. Updated documentation has also been posted to Google's website.

Is your home safe? Why not add this peace of mind to your place?
Amazon now offers the Kidde Pro 210 Fire Extinguisher, model no. 21005779, for $39.77 with free shipping. That's the lowest total price we could find by $18. This rechargeable class A, B, and C fire extinguisher is suitable for trash, wood, paper, liquids, and electrical fires and features a pressure gauge and wall hanger. Deal ends December 23.

Hey! The guys in your life like to smell good too! Perfume Worldwide now offers 12 percent off all Men's Items. Use coupon code lsdad12 to get the deal that ends December 31.

MobileCityOnline via Amazon offers the RevJams Discotek LED Bluetooth Speaker, model no. BTS400, for $49.99. Coupon code CHLRJD15 cuts it to $29.99. With free shipping, that's the lowest total price we've seen. (It's a current low by $13.) It features 26 LEDs with seven preset modes, Bluetooth, an audio jack, and microphone. Deal ends December 15.

Holiday shopping sales like this couldn't be easier! Taylor Gifts offers Savings of 15 percent off sitewide. Use coupon code TGSHOP15 to get the deal that ends December 30. You'll find something unique for everyone on your shopping list. Check them out and see how much fun shopping can be.

Looking for that last-minute gift idea? Don't forget that WalMart.com offers Savings up to 30 percent on Rollback items with Free Shipping on Orders of $50 or More. Hundreds of items are available with one click. No coupon codes are needed and you'll discover savings on everything from clothes to electronics.

Just in time for the holidays, Woodwind and Brasswind offers Savings up to 75 percent on featured products with free shipping on orders of $20 or more. Put something special under the tree for the musician in your family! Click the provided link to shop everything available in this sale. Deal ends December 31.

For two big days, ChampionUSA.com offers Up to 75 percent Off their Final Liquidation Clearance items with Free Shipping. No coupon code is needed, just click the provided link to be taken directly to the sale. Deal ends December 14.

Perfume Worldwideoffers Great Gift Ideas Under $10 for men and women. Supplies are limited, so shop early for the best selection and surprise them with something really nice this year. Deal ends December 31.

If you have a VarioUltra from Baum, the latest free update fixes some major bugs. Version 1.32 allows you to once again connect to more than two Bluetooth devices at once, one of the major selling points for the unit. A limitation that only allowed for up to two Apple devices to be connected via Bluetooth has also been removed. Check below for the complete list of changes and bug fixed in this release. Thanks to Rich for the tip.

HumanWare has released a free update for the 2nd generation Victor Reader Stream. This release allows you to record Internet radio streams in a variety of sound qualities, supports the mass deletion of podcasts, and includes several additional text-to-speech voices. It's a free update for all current stream owners and can be downloaded wirelessly or manually. You can read the press release or view the changelog below.

Logitech offers big savings on Dented Box products. These items have cosmetic damage to the packaging, but are new and fully warranted. You're going to throw the box away anyway. Why not save some money on the items you want? Click the provided link to see items offered.

How about something for the musician in the family? Music123 offers free Shipping on orders over $25. Exclusions & Restrictions Apply. Free shipping only applies to the lower 48 states. Oversized and heavy items may require additional charges. Deal ends December 31.

Now that you have that new cell phone, it's time to protect it and look cool at the same time! CellularOutfitter.com offers 40 percent Off Sitewide. Use coupon code BF40XYDM to get the deal. Deal ends December 31.

GiftCertificates.com offers a great way for you to save on gift cards for the holidays. Purchase $50 in Gift Cards and get free shipping. Use coupon code CHOICE15 to get the deal that ends December 13.

Now that you have that new cell phone, it's time to protect it and look cool at the same time! CellularOutfitter.com offers 40 percent Off Sitewide. Use coupon code BF40XYDM to get the deal.