TypeInBraille
Description of App
TypeInBraille allows you to write in Braille on your iPhone. You can enter a character through its Braille representation using a sequence of three simple gestures. Each gesture is used to enter one of the three rows of a braille character.
You can find a full description of the typing technique at http://www.everywaretechnologies.com/apps/typeinbraille/
Features
Write your notes
- type your notes using your fingers to enter Braille dots;
- edit the text (delete, select, copy, cut and paste);
- navigate the text (character by character, word by word).
Send and copy your notes
- send your notes via e-mail;
- send your notes via text message.
- copy your notes on the clipboard and paste in any application (e.g., notes).
Type in a noisy environment!
The TypeInBraille text-entry method does not totally depend on the speech feedback. You can write your notes in a noisy environment (a tramcar, at the railway station, etc.).
Type on-the-go!
With TypeInBraille you can easily enter text on-the-go. You are not forced to search for keys on a virtual keyboard.
Please note
TypeInBraille does not replace the iPhone keyboard.
TypeInBraille is compatible with iOS 5 or later.
Currently TypeInBraille only supports English Braille. More localizations will be available soon.
Version
Free or Paid
Compatibility
Device(s) App Was Tested On
Accessibility Comments
Works as advertised.
VoiceOver Performance
Button Labeling
Usability
Other Comments
the first thing to know is that the letters are pronounced as English letters, but the punctuation is European: takes some getting used to. the developers are very interested in making improvements and in doing research to support further development. I use this a lot at this point; it's very promising.
Comments
#1 Requires VoiceOver to be running
Requires VoiceOver to be running, replaces VoiceOver rotor with own rotor (Insert, Navigation, and Selection mode), and does not work well with Braille displays: i.e. completed letters or when navigating, just flash up quickly on the Braille display.
This app works well in noisy environments as you are typing in Braille rather than having to find letters on an on-screen keyboard.
I've recorded a podcast on this app, which you can download here.
#2 nice podcast!
That's a nice walk through, thanks, David. Maybe, at some point, we could post a follow up showing how quickly you can write with this once you get cooking. The more we use it, the more info we'll get which will enable refinements as time goes on.
#3 I like this app a lot already!
Just purchased this app thanks to a friend recommendation. I like it a lot already! I sent my first text message using it! Took a lot less time than using either standard or touch typing modes on a traditional virtual keyboard! Please check this app out, I think you will be more productive than you would using the virtual keyboard!
#4 some missing symbols
There are a few minor issues I have with this app.
One is some of the symbols are done with a different combination of dots, using dot 3 for a period for example.If you have been using braille for years like myself then it can get a bit confusing.
There are also a few missing symbols like the hyphen and the underscore.
luckily you can bring up a qwerty keyboard with a three finger swipe down to input any missing characters.
#5 I agree
I agree. While some of the symbols are either confusing or missing, it is not a show stopper to not use this app. Let me also remind you of the comprehensive help built into the app. Topic 2 contains the list of all the Braille characters, along with how to insert them. Thanks for letting us know how to bring up the qwerty keyboard. It is much appreciated.
#6 Not a problem. I'm certainly
Not a problem.
I'm certainly not going to stop using it just because there are a few minor quirks, It saves me looking for keys especially if I'm in a noisy environment.
#7 I think I might get it if it weren't $5.
I might get it if the price were a little lower.
Also, it just seems like it would be a little slow. Sure, you don't have to listen to VO while you try and find keys on the soft keyboard while in a noisy environment, but it still seems like it would be kind of slow. I listened to the podcast provided by a previous poster (I'm sorry that I don't know you're name; I was going to go back and check, but I can't because I'm only shown the post I'm replying to), and while advantageous that you don't have to listen to VO as much, since things are easier to write, do to the way the app works, it still seems like you have to use quite a few gestures to enter characters--take the letter r, for example.
I'm looking forward to that other app that's going to be coming out later on this year, however. Who knows? I might ask for TypeInBraille for my birthday or something, or wait till it comes down in price or becomes free as a promotion or something.
Also, I wish TypeInBraille was a keyboard choice in iOS rather than just an app. That'd be pretty neat. I'm not slamming on the developer here. Maybe they asked, and Apple wouldn't let them implement TypeInBraille as a keyboard choice, rather than an app you have to run if you want to type in Braille rather than on a soft QWERTY keyboard. It would be cool, though, if Apple did allow this sometime in the future.
#8 what I'd really like that's pretty easy to have...
I think it would be faster and easier to wrap your head around if the input were left column, then right column rather than three rows. Does that feel better to anyone else? sheri
#9 rows instead of columns
I agree with you.
But there is a reason why they explain it the way they do.
The software assumes you're entering the dots in the top row, then making your way down.
It took me a while to get my head around it, but after that it wasn't so bad.
I do wish there was a gesture so you could paste the text to the currently open app's, that way you don't have to keep going to the app switcher.
#10 Nice new demo on YouTube
Typing speed comparision - Type in Braille versus iOS system keyboard. Presenter is VoiceOver :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sorUibbw6vI&feature=youtu.be
#11 For iOS 5.1 users
For iOS 5.1 users, good news! An update is now out for this app. They have also improved the tones to make typing somewhat easier as they are more audible and slightly longer in length. Enjoy!
#12 Whats the difference between
Whats the difference between this app and the one that will be released later?...
#13 TypeInBraille Vs BrailleTouch
Hi,
TypeInBraille makes you enter braille one row at a time, typing first dots 1 and/or 4, then 2 and/or 5, then 3 and/or 6. BrailleTouch, on the other hand, will let you use six fingers to enter braille all at once, just like typing on a normal braille keyboard. However, TypeInBraille has some features (navigation and editing mostly) that make it far easier to manipulate text you enter than standard woreprocessors. No word yet on what, if any, similar features BrailleTouch will have. Finally, TypeInBraille is $5, while BrailleTouch is supposed to be free. Of course, we won't know if it will truly be free until it is released.
#14 Nice but no grade 2?
It is unfortunate that I tried this app after using Fleksy. I like it but I think it would be much faster if they included grade two braille. Unless I missed something. I don't think that I'll be able to type anywhere near as fast as I do on Fleksy after using this for 3 weeks or 3 months even. It does seem useful in loud settings though. I'll give it that.