Can PM Braille Display Be Used With Off-the-Shelf PDA?

[Roselle Ambubuyog]

The PACMate portable Braille display will not work with any screen reader
for mainstream mobile devices . However, if you buy any of the Braille
devices supported by Code Factory screen readers, you can use them also with
your PC using a Bluetooth or USB connection, so I think this meets your
requirements better. They also come with different display lengths. It would
be best to investigate the features of each Mobile Speak-supported Braille
device that interests you before deciding which one to buy. It really
depends on your preference. For example, if you want the smallest, then
check out the BrailleConnect series. If you want a Braille device that can
display output from both your PC and your mobile phone at the same time, so
that you can use Braille to read text messages, for example, without
disconnecting the Braille device from your PC, then check out the ALVA
BC640. If you want a Braille device with user-replaceable batteries, then
check out the Handy Tech EasyBraille. If you are looking into affordability,
I believe the Optelec EasyLink12, HumanWare BrailleConnect12 and HumanWare
Brailliant24 or BAUM PocketVario are the ones close to each other in terms
of pricing. All of these work with Mobile Speak Pocket, Mobile Speak
Smartphone and Mobile Speak Symbian from Code Factory. And they also work
with most PC screen readers.
________________________________________
Roselle R. Ambubuyog
Code factory, S.L.
Moving accessibility forward!
Mobile: +63 916 940-0007
E-mail: roselle.ambubuyog at codefactory.es
Website: http://www.codefactory.es



-----Original Message-----
From: blindphones-bounces at mosenexplosion.com
[mailto:blindphones-bounces at mosenexplosion.com] On Behalf Of Kane Brolin
Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 3:39 AM
To: Accessible Phones Discussion List
Cc: pmlist at pacmategear.com
Subject: Can PM Braille Display Be Used With Off-the-Shelf PDA?

Hello.  This is my first official inquiry into anything PAC Mate related.

I'm just about to upgrade from a Braille 'n Speak 2000 to a truly
21st-century PDA that actually has wireless connectivity built in.
The trouble is, I don't know exactly what I want, being torn between
the PAC Mate and an alternative option that would incorporate an
off-the-shelf PDA (such as Treo or VX6800) with MobileSpeak and phone
capability.  Eventually, I might choose to own both options for a time
so I can find out first-hand which I like best.

The PAC Mate, obviously, is more of a known factor, and I like the
fact that the Omni apparently comes with a detachable 40-cell Braille
display that may be used with a PC as well.

In case I choose to buy a PAC Mate now and then to experiment with an
off-the-shelf smartphone or PDA later on: Can I detach the PAC Mate's
Braille display and connect this to a Treo, Motorola Q, iPaq, etc.,
via some kind of Blue Tooth or USB connection when I feel like it?  Or
am I better off choosing something that is solely a Braille display
(such as BrailleConnect or  BrailleStar) for integrating with an
off-the-shelf device later on?

Just trying to get some opinions and to make a choice that leaves me
as much future flexibility as possible.  Thanks!

-Kane

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