Hi all, I’ve liked the idea of Braille screen input command mode since Apple announced it last year, but I've never quite been able to figure it out. I'd like to start using it more though, since I've had issues with my iPhone misinterpreting flicks depending on how I'm holding it.There are a couple of settings that, in theory , should make your device be able to accept commands until you dismiss it. What I find though, is that when I do things like type in a web address or google something in Safari, it stays in input mode instead of switching to command mode to control the phone like I thought is what's supposed to happen.
If you're navigating your phone with BSI command mode and you get a notification, is there a quick way to jump to it to read it? This could also apply if you're using a Perkins keyboard on a Braille display or something like the Orbit writer to control your phone. If you're using the touch screen normally, you can touch the notification banner at the top of the screen and act on it.
In apps like iMessage, if you're using the virtual keyboard you can have predictive text options show up above it (also where Apple Intelligence suggestions show up, or if you're logging into a website like this one, where the option to use a saved password shows up). If you're using BSI or a display, is the only way to get to these to manually show the virtual keyboard (dots 1-4-6 chord)? I also use a 3rd gen USB C magic keyboard with my phone sometimes, but it has a screen lock key in place of the eject key, so no way to show the virtual keyboard that I've found. Everything I've found googling just talks about being able to tap the quick suggestions on the bottem of the screen if you're using a magic keyboard with an iPad, not an iPhone.
Comments
using the Orbit writer
There is a command to jump straight to the notifications.
Answering Your First Question
Hi Brian,
My understanding is that BSI will stay in whatever mode you have it in, even if a screen or page changes. This has definitely been my experience.
interesting
Interesting. In BSI settings, there's a switch called keep active until dismissed. The way I understand this is supposed to work is that after you're done entering text into an edit field, it's supposed to automatically switch into command mode so you can navigate the screen. I find this doesn't work for me a lot of the time though, so if I google something in the Safari address bar, for instance, and then try to navigate, VO tells me that it can't find any results matching what I've typed after two finger flicking right, because it's still in input mode. I have to manually put it into command mode with a three finger flick left or right, and I always forget to do that.
I thought combining that with the start automatically when editing text setting, it would make navigating my phone easier with just BSI.
Have you found a way to get to things like autocomplete results when editing text, with BSI? These are really useful for things like filling out forms on the web, or autofilling passwords.
@Dennis Long you are correct…
@Dennis Long you are correct. Assuming the orbit writer uses the same commands that a Braille display uses, which BSI command mode also does just sans the space bar, you can bring up notification center with a 4-6 chord. What I'm wondering about though, is can you get to the banner that pops up at the top of the screen when a notification comes in? If, say, you're using an app and someone texts you, you can touch the top of the screen to hear the notification, and if you double tap, it'll open the conversation in iMessage so you can reply. Can you do that with a Braille keyboard?
A few things.
When in BSI, if you have it set to stay on and auto activate in text fields, it stays active in editing mode when on the web, because quick nav can go to various rotor items.
Things like h for heading.
So if you go to this site for example, and braille h you can then 1 finger swipe up and down on the screen to move by heading.
You can also three finger swipe either left or right to switch between editing command modes.
I think while in command mode, you can get to the statusbar by typing S.
This might make it possible to get to notifications if dots 4:6 for some reason do not.
@Katie P thanks for that. It…
@Katie P thanks for that. It sounds like what I'm seeing in Safari is intended behavior. The typing things like h for headings and being able to flick up and down to move by them has been there for a long time.
That brings up another question though. Also new in 18, you're supposed to be able to activate BSI and start typing to find something on the screen. Does this not work if you have a page open in Safari? If you want to find something that starts with a certain letter, like a forum topic here, if you switch to edit mode VO will probably tell you your keystrokes aren't recognized, because it's moving you between different element types to navigate by. I can't seem to get the item chooser to work.
A workaround that may work?
If you are on a web site, try entering command mode, then, braille i for item chooser, interact with the edit box associated with that, and see what you can do with that?
I'm just guessing.
I tend to use a combination of BSI, a Braille display and explore by touch with BSI off to interact with my stuff.
things you can't quite do with BSC command mode
There are some things you can't do with Braille Screen Command Mode.
For example, you can’t press and hold, which means recording a voice message in many apps isn’t possible using this mode. Another limitation is when mentioning someone with the at sign (@) and selecting their name. On Windows, you can type the at sign, start entering a name, and press Tab to insert it. On iOS, the suggested names appear above the keyboard, so you need to manually select the correct one. As far as I know, switching to Command Mode and swiping to the name doesn’t work.
Command Mode is useful, but it doesn’t cover every possible action. There are still some tasks that require switching back to standard input or using the touchscreen.
try this
Hello, Try this link. It is directly from apple, and gives quite a few braille display commands. Command mode uses these commands. Perhaps it will help?
https://support.apple.com/en-us/118665