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

[TaraPrakash]

If I remember correctly, Humanware and Code Factory were working together to 
make Braille Note MPower to work with cell phones with Mobile speak pocket.
I am not sure of the nuances, but someone I knew was quite impressed with 
the outcome.

May be someone can throw some light on MPower's braille display being used 
with a cell phone. The downside though is that unlike pack-mate, MPower's 
braille display cannot be separated from the unit.
MPower has Bluetooth connectivity so you can establish a partnership with 
your cell phone.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Aman Singer" <aman.singer at gmail.com>
To: "'The Accessible Phones Discussion List'" 
<blindphones at mosenexplosion.com>
Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 5:00 PM
Subject: RE: Can PM Braille Display Be Used With Off-the-Shelf PDA?


> Hi.
> You ask
> 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?
>
> I'm afraid there's a one word answer to this one and that answer is
> no. The pacmate braille display will not, to the best of my knowledge,
> connect to anything other than a Pacmate and a PC.
> You ask
>  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?
>
> If you want to integrate with a mobile device at any point other
> than one for the blind, you'll have to get a display that has bluetooth
> connectivity. There are many displays besides the ones you mention, though
> the ones you mention will work well.
> HTH.
> Aman
>  --
> From: blindphones-bounces at mosenexplosion.com
> [mailto:blindphones-bounces at mosenexplosion.com] On Behalf Of Kane Brolin
> Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 2:39 PM
> 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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