Author: Matthew Horspool

We are pleased to announce the availability of a new software update, version 2.3 for the Orbit Speak and Player devices.

This is our first unified software release, available for both products at the same time.

Important note: this update is only for users who are running version 2.1 already. If you did not upgrade your unit to at least version 2.1, we strongly encourage you to do this first. Please do not run this update on 1.x software versions.

We also recommend consulting the updated user guides, available on our website, to fully enjoy the new features and improvements available in this update.

Changes and improvements

This update focuses hard on performance, stability, reliability, and some new experiences. The following is a list of everything new in this update:

• Refactored file manager, media player, internet radio, redesigned voice recorder.
• New features in the media player:
  • Significantly improved stability and performance.
  • Ability to toggle the music library feature on/off, now off by default.
  • More reliable file and folder browsing.
  • The ability to allow playback in the background (for multi-tasking).
  • Improved file handling – such as skipping to previous/next tracks, shuffling, etc.
  • Improved library management – better handling of organization by artist/song/genre.
  • Improved Opus file support.
  • Improved file handling when opened from the file manager.
  • Improved search.
  • Added support for Bluetooth headset controls – play/pause, previous and next track.
• Changes in the file manager:
  • Improved stability and performance for common actions – selecting, copying, pasting, deleting.
  • Added an “open with” feature that allows you to select in which app you want to open a particular file – applies more to the Speak. For example: you can choose if you want to open a BRF file in the editor instead of the book reader.
  • Improved performance of zipping and unzipping files.
• New voice recorder application:
  • A completely new user interface, file-browser like experience, designed with professional audio experts from our field.
  • Allows to record to any folder on the device, not just the default. Just locate the folder you want to record in, press the record key while inside it, and you’re set.
  • Added features such as appending and inserting content to an existing recording.
  • Improved bookmark handling.
  • Fixed serious issues where sometimes recorded content caused corrupted files.
  • Improved voice recording playback – added previous/next recording commands, playback speed, improved speech.
  • Flexible settings allow you to choose your notification preferences while recording, as well as mute or unmute speech.
• Bard support for Orbit Speak including proper contracted-Braille entry across every Android app. Please use the app catalog under tools to download Bard.
• A completely new podcast application – the best available on any blindness player:
  • Inspired by Castro for iOS.
  • Allows organization by inbox (shows only unplayed episodes from your favorite podcasts all at once), playback queue, and much more.
  • Automatic podcast downloads with the ability to choose how many episodes to keep.
  • Improved podcast playback experience – more easier chapter navigation, greater speed control including quickly resetting to the normal speed, stop playback during screen reader speech.
  • Improved podcast search, as well as improved podcast subscription management.
  • The ability to skip some parts from start or end of an episode.
  • Extensive settings system allowing you to make the app look and feel exactly as you wish.
  • Improved displaying of podcasts descriptions and show notes.
• Stability fixes and other enhancements:
  • Fixed issues on Orbit Speak where the editor sometimes was not saving files.
  • Improved situations where some Orbit Speak and Player units would beep unexpectedly and not respond to any key presses.
  • Improved situations where contracted Braille entry was not working in system apps, outside the editor.
  • Fixed an issue causing the capital sign not to produce a fully capitalized word in uncontracted Braille.

We have released a quick hotfix, version 2.3.0.1, for both the Speak and Player, that should hopefully resolve the internet radio issue for those affected. It is a very difficult one to reproduce here, since our devices do not show this behavior.

Please update your devices again, and kindly let us know if playback works for you now.

You can find user manuals in several languages and the quick start guide in English on this page.

This upgrade for the BrailleSense 6 and BrailleSense 6 mini adds Dot Pad support and integration, offering multi dimensional access to our BrailleSense Math graphs, tactile viewing of images directly from the File Manager, and multi line access to menus, lists, and text throughout the system.

We’ve also integrated the web TV add-on in to the firmware, re-established Shared Drive access in Google Drive, and now support the Zoom recorders as USB recording devices.

In addition, we have updated all apps in the App Installer in the Android Apps menu, and have uploaded new versions of all of the Optional Add-on applications to update for various issues. You may simply redownload the apps you have already installed from either of these areas, and they will be automatically updated to the latest versions.

Please find the complete list of fixes and improvements in the update in the attached release note here.

SELVAS BLV would like to announce a fix for BookShare access across all HIMS products except new BrailleSense 7 series. We recently became aware that BookShare access had been disrupted on several devices, including the BrailleSense 6 and MINI, eMotion, and SensePlayer EZ and ET. An updated BrailleSense 7 firmware containing this fix will be released shortly.

Thanks to the quick work of our development team, the issue has been resolved; however, a small action is required from users.

A new version of the BookShare app is now available for all affected products.

To use the new version of the BookShare app to avoid recent disruptions experienced, please follow the instructions below:

• On BrailleSense 6 and MINI, please download the updated BookShare app from Optional Add‑Ons.
• On eMotion and SensePlayer, please download it from the Optional Services section of the Library menu.

Installing the new app will automatically update your existing BookShare application, and access will resume as normal.

Note: On the BrailleSense 6 and MINI, the label may indicate that the app will install to the Extras menu. This is an outdated label; the app will correctly install to the Library menu.

This update should fully restore BookShare access. If you continue to experience any issues, please contact the appropriate technical support team for your region so they can assist you further.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

We’re excited to announce the launch of the BrailleSense 7 – the all-new smart braille tablet that combines Android 15, type in Braille or QWERTY input, Gemini AI, and responsive touch navigation technology with a premium 32 or 40-cell braille display.

Whether you’re working, studying, or staying connected, BrailleSense 7 delivers speed, intelligence, and accessibility in one sleek device.

Pre-orders are now open, with shipping starting in October.

Plus, take advantage of our limited launch offers:

• Trade in your old HIMS device* (Braille Sense 6, Braille Sense 6 Mini, Polaris and Polaris Mini in working conditions)

Or

• Free Dolphin Screen Reader*

*Conditions Apply – Contact us for full details.

Don’t miss out – order yours today!

www.pacificvisionaus.com.au

We are excited to announce that BT Braille has entered full production and is now shipping. As we close the Early Adopter period, we have updated the BT Braille product page with the latest product information, features, and specifications.

The feedback and support of our Early Adopters have helped us strengthen BT Braille and introduce major new capabilities, including:

• Braille Terminal Mode: Connect wirelessly via Bluetooth to an iPhone, iPad, Windows PC, or Mac. Use the Perkins keyboard to control the connected device and read its output on the Braille display, with the ability to switch instantly between the connected device and BT Braille’s own applications.
• Real-Time Dictation: Use your voice to generate text quickly and privately. Dictation works entirely offline, with no internet connection required.

BT Braille combines the flexibility of a modern Braille terminal with a complete, standalone Braille computer designed for everything from education and communication to productivity and programming.

BT Braille 20 units are currently in stock and available for purchase. Remember- trade in an eligible Blazie Engineering product and receive $200 toward your BT Braille purchase! There is currently a waitlist for BT Braille 40 units, and we will provide an update as soon as they become available. Visit the BT Braille product page to explore BT Braille capabilities and place your order, or call us at (772) 214-1616 for assistance.

We are grateful to everyone who helped us reach this milestone and look forward to putting BT Braille into the hands of even more users.

This update introduces many new features and enhancements, including Dropbox support and Terminal mode for BT Braille, which allows BT Braille to connect to and control devices such as an iPhone or computer. Many improvements have been made to playing audio including keeping your listening position after a deep escape or a reboot.

Read the release notes on the Blazie Technologies website

This newest Monarch software update gives blind or low vision students the tools they need to complete assessments, explore equations, collaborate on documents, and continue working with digital and tactile information independently.

What’s New in Monarch Update 2.0?

Take a look at a few of the features coming to Monarch and Monarch applications with the new update:

Exam Mode

Exam mode creates a testing-friendly environment within Monarch, making testing a comfortable process for both students and teachers. Teachers can customize which apps are available during exam mode, and which are turned off. This helps to ensure students can take advantage of all the Monarch’s tactile and braille capabilities distraction-free.

KeyDrive

Added support for sharing files, modifiable document permissions, and a new “Shared with Me” section within KeyDrive assists users collaborating on documents. The added support, as well as new shared document organizations, can help users access and modify shared documents with ease.

KeyMath

A complete re-design of the graph viewer streamlines user experience and simplifies student learning. With this new design users can: select curves and view their function in braille, view hatch marks on axes, view and rename axes labels in braille that adjust automatically with zoom and hear an audible description of a curve. New shortcuts to toggle output between fractions and decimals, as well as a math symbol search bar, are also available.

TactileViewer

To assist blind or low vision users interacting with visual content, TactileViewer updates focus on improving clarity. SVG files are now supported, and PDF files now offer 9 levels of zoom as opposed to the standard 4. Users can “quick zoom” by long pressing the zoom buttons. The new “Describe with AI” shortcut gives a general description of the image as well as populates hidden annotations that can be tapped for more information on a specific section of the image. The new “Call Out Annotations” shortcut can be used to find annotations in an image. Edge detection filter will be automatically applied to all non-PDF images but can be toggled on and off. This filter identifies structural outlines of an image, alongside removing image “noise” like shading and colors, making visual content easier to navigate.

KeyWord

Nemeth and UEB will now use MathCAT for improved math translations. Syntactically incorrect math expressions can now be saved to a document, helping to improve mathematical error handling.

Victor Reader

Improvements to eBRL styling streamline user experience when viewing eBraille files. An improved OAUTH provider login also helps to improve the reading process for users.

These updates build on Monarch’s growing ecosystem of educational tools and integrations introduced earlier this year including Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, JAWS and NVDA, as well as eBraille and Wing It. Our Monarch team continues to work on building a system that supports independent learning, provides users with new technology, and never stops improving existing applications.

If you have any questions or concerns about updating your Monarch, please contact our Monarch Support Team at [email protected]  or (833) 447-8444.

As a thank you for NFB’s invaluable contribution to Monarch and to the members who provided the important feedback which guided development, HumanWare is offering Monarch for the promotional price of $12,900, a $2,600 savings, to NFB members between July 4 and December 31, 2026.

Who is eligible?

This offer is available to NFB members. The special pricing applies whether you purchase your Monarch:

• Directly from HumanWare (US: 1-800-722-3393, Canada: 1-888-723-7273)
• Through an authorized HumanWare dealer

The promotional price remains the same regardless of where you purchase.

Not an NFB member yet?

Learn how to become an NFB member →

Offer valid through December 31, 2026. This offer cannot be combined with any other promotion, discount, or special pricing. Available to U.S. citizens only.