[bookport] Re: A few thoughts on the new BP+
- From: "Life My Way" <lifemyway@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 10:34:53 -0600
The PTP or plextalk pocket hardwar configuration/ interface on the unit
are exactually the same configuration all that is different is that the
plextalk pocket comes in black, and white for one unit and switch the
colors around for the other white body and black buttons for the keypad
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Justice" <dljustice@xxxxxxxx>
To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2010 12:18 PM
Subject: [bookport] Re: A few thoughts on the new BP+
Like you I listened to the interview and skimmed the
documentation. Sounds okay for for what it does right now, but I
think the name was unfortunate. Rather than a BP Plus, it seems more
like a BP Plus/Minus. I like some of the additions, but there are
many things lacking that the BP has. I still have my BP by the way.
I haven't seen a PTP, so am not sure what the key layout looks
like. But the interview did stress that it was not likely that you
would have braille input like on the Braille Plus. There are,
however, two alternatives. If the hardware can handle multiple key
presses, they could use thumb braille. More likely, at least I think
so, is that they could use the same text entry method as used on cell
phones and on the Stream. Oh, and also used on the Braille Plus/Icon.
I was considering getting a PTP. Not because I needed another such
device, but because I had some excess money burning a hole in my
pocket. Since the BP Plus is based on the PTP, I guess I can wait
awhile to see what they do with the firmware.
I too have both the Stream and the BP and would like something which
would combine the capabilities of the two. I'd already have a
Braille Plus, but just can't justify the cost.
David Justice
At 12:10 PM 2/3/2010, you wrote:
>I've also skimmed the documentation and listened to the interview.
>
>A few thoughts:
>
>It sounds like a really neat reader. First impressions were pretty
>good. Even so, I agree that the lack of a Braille note-taking
>capability is a major shortcoming. I still carry my original
>BookPort with me, along with my Stream, as I need my books and my
>ability to write. If we are ever going to see Braille input on the
>BookPort Plus, I hope it does not take any additional hardware. (I
>also agree that from the description of the new BookPort Plus, I am
>not sure how they can use the current key configuration. Assuming
>the current keys can work out, support for Grade 2 Braille would
>make it a much more useful device.
>
>I believe it was noted about not being able to delete individual
>files in "albums" from the BookPort Plus, although it did sound as
>if you could delete entire albums, that is , folders. As it sounds
>like I would organize podcasts and other sound files into folders
>that would be identified as albums, I would consider the inability
>to delete individual files as a major short-coming. I delete files,
>sound files included, as I finish reading them. (I do understand
>that deleting individual files from folders containing Daisy books
>is not a good idea.)
>
>I didn't see anything about moving files from one locale to another
>on the BookPort Plus. That is, sometimes I want to move a sound
>file from one folder to another using the BookPort
>interface. Moving files was a very useful function on the original
>Book Port.
>
>I really liked the new Backup command that works in moving objects
>from one device to the other. That sounds handy. What other file
>management functions are there?
>
>Battery life seemed a bit shorter than preferred. Is it possible
>and practical to carry around an extra battery for use on trips, et cetera?
>
>And, finally, I use my original BookPort as an alarm clock every
>day. I love the multiple alarm levels. Did I miss something in my
>quick reading of the new BookPort Plus docs?
>
>I hope the new product does very well, and I do look forward to
>improvements along the way.
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