Tony Schenk, President of Enabling Technologies, shows off the shiny new Phoenix embosser for Braille and tactile graphics. Turns out the unit isn't made of gold, which might be a bit heavy anyway, but it is packed with features and includes the Firebird software suite. The gold edition is priced the same as the silver edition, and you can learn more about it and other high quality Braille embossers by calling (800) 777-3687, or by visiting the Enabling Tehcnologies website.
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Transcript
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Hide transcriptTranscribed by Kayde Rieken
Welcome to BlindBargains.com coverage of CSUN 2015 — the biggest names, provocative interviews, and wall-to-wall exhibit hall coverage — brought to you by the American Foundation for the Blind.
Every parent wonders, Will I do a good job raising my child? If your child is visually impaired, you have that question, too, and many more. FamilyConnect is a website that gives parents of children who are visually impaired a place to connect with each other, share stories and concerns, and find resources on raising their children from birth to adulthood. You aren't in this alone. Get connected at www.FamilyConnect.org.
Now, here's J.J. Meddaugh.
J.J. Meddaugh: We are here, once again, with one of our regulars — Tony Schenk, president of Enabling Technologies — looking at another Braille embosser update, this time to the Phoenix. Tony, welcome back to Blind Bargains.
Tony Schenk: Oh, thank you very much. And we're here to show off our new Gold Edition of our Phoenix embosser.
JM: It's made of gold?
TS: Well, the color is gold.
JM: Oh. (Laughs)
TS: It looks like a brick of gold. It's actually a Ford Mustang gold, metallic.
JM: So it's — actually has a similar shell now to the — we talked last year about the Cyclone and the Trident, right? So it — it looks kind of similar to those now, or —
TS: Yes. It has the same basic shape. It's based — same basic frame is used in those two models.
JM: Which — let's see. Which one — right over here?
TS: Yes. That's it.
JM: It's — yeah. Like I said last year, it's that — it's — what'd we say? It's really sleek. It's — the finish on the — especially, when you feel it, when you move your hands around it.
TS: Oh, it's that smooth, metallic, clear-coat paint we use. They are genuinely automotive paint finishes, so they have that durable finish like a car; and they have that smooth — smooth feel as well. And it has the same basic controls that the Cyclone and Trident and the old Phoenix use — simple three buttons.
JM: Okay.
TS: Top of Form, On/Off-line, and Form Feed.
JM: So refresh people's memories, then — what is the difference? What does the Phoenix do versus the other two.
TS: Well, all three of these models are supported with the Firebird software suite, and that suite allows you to produce tactile graphics. The primary difference with the Phoenix is that it has one embossing head that does high-quality Braille; and the second embossing head does very high-resolution tactile graphics. It can go up to 25 dots per inch.
JM: And you've actually made some improvements in that area as well, as far as the — the type of graphics files you can print and —
TS: Yes. We just released a new version of our Firebird graphics editor that will allow you to import and edit PRN files. Those are files that have been used by other tactile graphics manufacturers over the years. They're also used by the Smarter Balanced assessment group for their tactile graphic images in their standardized testing materials.
JM: What's the accessibility — I — I know there's still been a little bit of difficulty for blind people to create graphics; but can you at least load the files in and — and print them, or —
TS: Yes. The Firebird editor is fully accessible with screen reader software. Unfortunately, the graphic windows are not, and that's simply because there's not any current AT available that — that can really display what's in those windows. But the controls are all accessible. There's shortcut keyboard commands for all of the primary functions, and a blind person can use the software. The only way to really view the results, though, is to emboss it after each event —
JM: Right.
TS: — which is a bit time-consuming.
JM: Yeah, or paper-consuming as well.
TS: And — and paper-consuming.
JM: Right. The Firebird suite — does that come with it, or is that an extra cost, or —
TS: No. The Firebird suite is — is included with all of — the Cyclone, Trident, and Phoenix machines. There's noper seat charges. Updates are free. We — we charge nothing for it.
JM: And what's the cost of the — the new Phoenix?
TS: The new Phoenix is the same as the old silver edition. It's $4,995 U.S.
JM: And is that available yet?
TS: Yes, it is. This is the current shipping model now.
JM: Great. If people want to get more information about any of the — the new embossers, or anything involved with Enabling, what's the best way to do that?
TS: The best way is on our website at www.brailler.com; or you can call us toll free, (800) 777-3687.
JM: Thanks so much, Tony, as always.
TS: Thank you, too.
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J.J. Meddaugh is an experienced technology writer and computer enthusiast. He is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a major in telecommunications management and a minor in business. When not writing for Blind Bargains, he enjoys travel, playing the keyboard, and meeting new people.
