Braille Screen Input, or BSI, is a great choice for those who like that approach on a touch sensitive glass screen. But there is now more than one way to input a cord these days andFreek van Welsenis, Co-Founder of Hable, offers to J.J. another alternative for smartphone navigation. The lightweight Hable is a Bluetooth enabled input device for Android and iOS that has been sweeping its way across the EU. And now it sets its sights on a U.S. launch. To learn more about the device, visit the official Hable website
Blind Bargains Virtual Exhibit Hall coverage is Brought to you by AFB AccessWorld.
For the latest news and accessibility information on mainstream and access technology, Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon offerings, access technology book reviews, and mobile apps, and how they can enhance entertainment, education and employment, log on to AccessWorld, the American Foundation for the Blind's free, monthly, online technology magazine. Visit https://www.afb.org/aw
Transcript
We strive to provide an accurate transcription, though errors may occur.
Hide transcriptTranscribed by Grecia Ramirez
Directly, and actually in person, from Anaheim, it’s blindbargains.com coverage of CSUN 2022. Brought to you by AFB AccessWorld.
For the latest news and accessibility information on mainstream and access technology; Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon offerings; access technology book reviews and mobile apps; and how they can enhance entertainment, education, and employment, log onto AccessWorld. The American Foundation for the Blind’s free online technology magazine. Www.afb.org/aw.
Now, here’s J.J. Meddaugh
J.J. MEDDAUGH: Blind Bargains in the actual Exhibit Hall at CSUN 2022 with Freek van Welsenis, the founder of Hable, to talk about a brand new device from the company.
Welcome to the podcast.
FREEK VAN WELSENIS: Yeah. Thanks for having me.
JM: So this is your first time here at CSUN, first time in the U.S., and you are showing off a tiny little Braille keyboard. Why don’t you go ahead and describe it for us.
FV: Yeah. So the Hable One is like a assistant to your smart phone. It’s a really small device, and with eight buttons, you can actually control the entire phone. So we make it super simple for someone to use their phone and control your phone with it. Yeah.
JM: So let’s describe the physical layout for everyone.
FV: So it is – imagine having your phone and turning it 90-degrees. And on one side, you have the physical buttons. So we have eight physical buttons. And those buttons are faced away from you. So you type towards yourself, and that’s how it’s – how it feels and how you hold your hands around it. And it’s black and white to look a little futuristic.
JM: So the buttons are actually kind of arranged -- I guess you would say vertically; right? You have three on the left, three on the right, very analogous to Braille Screen Input --
FV: Yes. It’s very similar to –
JM: -- on the iPhone.
FV: -- to Braille Screen Input, but then it’s physical buttons and then two complementary function keys. That’s how you can imagine it. Yeah.
JM: So there’s one function key on the left, which is backspace.
FV: Yeah.
JM: And one on the right, which is space; right?
FV: Yeah. So they’re backspace and space, but when they – you’re in a different situation, they’re navigation keys. So then you move to a next item or previous item.
JM: How do you press enter?
FV: So enter is the space key combined with dot 1 for enter, and with dot 2 for shift+enter.
JM: All right. And there also is a USBC port on the back --
FV: Yeah.
JM: -- for charging. Is this Bluetooth and USB or just Bluetooth?
FV: So to connect, it’s just Bluetooth, and charging is for the USBC – which, the unit should last around a month if you use it daily. Very long battery life.
JM: Wow.
FV: Yeah. Yeah.
JM: That’s pretty amazing. It’s really light too. What does it weigh?
FV: It weighs less than 90-grams, actually. It’s super light, so you can really carry it wherever you go. Should be making your phone accessible anywhere.
JM: And what devices is it compatible with?
FV: So it works with iPhone, Android phones, and tablets. And you can type on your PC currently, so -- yeah.
JM: Okay. So there are, of course, other devices that you can write Braille with, including the Orbit Writer. What differentiates this?
FV: Yeah. So we focused little bit on a different audience. Actually, our goal, day one, is to make it super simple to use your phone. That really is our target. Actually, a very big portion of our users don’t know Braille. At all. They just get the Hable because it makes navigation a little easier. You can actually teach anyone within a few minutes how to navigate over your phone. So that’s a very different audience.
Next is that we don’t need a desk or stand to lay the device on. You can really use it in the air, so you can use it wherever you are. And we have little focus on the build quality. So it’s manufactured in the Netherlands, and we put a lot of effort in to make sure you can use it out doors, indoors, and it’s ergonomic to use. So those are the big differences.
JM: Very cool. What’s the pricing and availability?
FV: So we’re about to prelaunch in the U.S. and here, at CSUN, we’re selling it for two ninety-nine dollars
JM: All right. And that’s going to be available when?
FV: In around two to three months from now, it will be available in the U.S.
JM: Sounds great. If people want to get more information and learn more about Hable, what’s the best way to do that?
FV: I would say visit our website, which is iamhable.com. And Hable is spelled H-a-b-l-e. That’s the best way.
JM: Sounds great. Thank you so much, freak. Appreciate you coming on.
FV: Yeah. Thank you so much for having me, and have a great day here at CSUN.
JM: You as well.
For more exclusive coverage, visit blindbargains.com or download the Blind Bargains app for your iOS or Android device.
Blind Bargains audio coverage is presented by the A T Guys, online at atguys.com.
This has been another Blind Bargains audio podcast. Visit blindbargains.com for the latest deals, news, and exclusive content.
This podcast may not be retransmitted, sold, or reproduced without the express written permission of A T Guys.
Copyright 2022.
Listen to the File
File size: 6MB
Length: 04:41
- Download the file
- Listen using our Enhanced Accessible Web Player
- Download our Blind Bargains Apps to listen from your phone or tablet
Check out our audio index for more exclusive content
Blind Bargains Audio RSS Feed
This content is the property of Blind Bargains and may not be redistributed without permission. If you wish to link to this content, please do not link to the audio files directly.
Category: ShowsNo one has commented on this post.
You must be logged in to post comments.
Or Forgot username or password?
Register for free
Joe Steinkamp is no stranger to the world of technology, having been a user of video magnification and blindness related electronic devices since 1979. Joe has worked in radio, retail management and Vocational Rehabilitation for blind and low vision individuals in Texas. He has been writing about the A.T. Industry for 15 years and podcasting about it for almost a decade.
