What is the Braille eMotion 40?
This is one of the newest 40-cell braille displays from HIMS/Selvas Healthcare bearing many similarities to the Focus 40 and the Braille Sense 6. However, it is considered more of a braille note-taker than the other models. The device also stands out from other braille products in the way that it offers media support, including a media player and a voice recorder that supports USB audio devices. The fact that Android natively supports these makes the above-mentioned features work well.
HIMS Braille eMotion, Introductory price £2,295 for a limited time only – saving £500
A Tour of the Braille eMotion 40
The Power Button
The Power button is a large, rounded square-shaped button located to the right of dot 8.
The Perkins Style Keyboard
The Perkins-style keyboard is located on the top face.
The Spacebar
The Spacebar is now located below the braille display with Ctrl and Alt to the left and right of it.
The Center Key
The Center key is a modifier key located at the top between dots 1 and 4.
Panning Buttons and Cursor Routers
The panning buttons and cursor routers are located in the same position as on the Braille Sense 6 (left and right).
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Connectivity Keys
The keys for Wi-fi, Bluetooth, and Connectivity are located to the left of dot 8. You short press these keys to turn things on/off. In the case of Connectivity, it will go back to Terminal Mode and return to your last connection. When you long press these keys, the relevant Settings menus will display.
The Home Key
The Home Key is located at the front of the device. This will take you to your Main Menu and you can also use it instead of Space + H to take you Home in Android or IOS.
Stereo Microphones
The stereo microphones are located either side of the Home key.
Function Keys
The device has a sloped front edge containing buttons either side typically found in the Braille Sense (F1, F2 on the left, F3, F4 on the right).
The Left Cursor Key
The left cursor key is located on the far-left edge near the F1 and F2 keys. This is used as a modifier in conjunction with other keys to perform specific actions.
The Right Cursor Key
The right cursor key is located on the far-right edge near the F3 and F4 keys. This is used as a modifier in conjunction with other keys to perform specific actions.
Micro SD-Card Slot
On the very front-right edge you will find a micro-SD card slot.
USB-A Host Port and Record Buttons
On the far-left edge you will find a USB-A host port and a Record button.
USB-C Port, Headphone Jack, Volume and Voice Control
On the far-right edge you will find a USB-C port, headphone jack, and the Voice Control and Volume buttons typically found on the Sense Player.
Device Body Shape
The body shape of the device resembles the Focus in that there is a protrusion at the front. The buttons will be different, but the shape is similar.
The Menus
My eMotion
This menu is more or less equivalent to My Computer or This PC on a laptop/desktop. It will contain all default folders stored on your flash-disk. It will not allow you to access other folders or external drives.
File Manager
From here you can access your micro-SD, USB, and much more.
Notepad
Very similar to the notepad found in the Braille Sense, except that you cannot emboss.
Connectivity
You can access all different types of connections here. Please read on for a closer look.
Document Reader
This is a direct parallel from the Braille Sense.
DAISY Player
This supports DAISY Audio, Text, and books containing both.
Media Player
This parallels media player found in other products.
Utilities
From here you can launch a voice recording (you can also long press and hold the Record button mentioned in the previous section) and use the Braille Sense calculator. You will also find an alarm, stopwatch, option to upgrade eMotion Firmware, and much more.
Settings
From here you can access Options, Time & Date Setup, Internet Setup, Bluetooth Manager, and much more. The Options menu has now been split into three sections (braille options, voice options, and general options). To access Options, you can also press Space + O on the device.
Help
From here you can access a navigable user guide and more information about the Braille eMotion 40.
Press Enter on any of the above menus to access their sub-menus. Press Enter on any of the sub-menus to access the relevant dialogue box.
A Closer Look at the Connectivity Menu
There are several ways to access Connectivity:
- Press the letter C.
- Press the Connectivity key once to go into your most recent Connectivity mode.
- Long press and hold the Connectivity key to display the menu.
The Braille eMotion 40 supports 4 types of connection:
USB Legacy
This is your older connection type used by JAWS. HIMS have now updated their keymaps and their JAWS driver which will now support the Split Braille feature.
USB HID Braille
This allows you to plug in devices such as keyboards and mice without having to install software/drivers. For example, you could use a keyboard to control your smartphone.
Bluetooth
The Braille eMotion 40 supports 5 simultaneous bluetooth connections. To enter Pairing Mode when in Terminal Mode press the Center key and Enter B. You can use bluetooth to connect your phone/PC audio and hear it through the eMotion device.
Pairing List
This is your list of paired devices.
Connectivity Keyboard Shortcuts
There are keyboard shortcuts to get to any of the above from Terminal Mode:
- Center Enter B – takes you to Bluetooth.
- Center + Backspace – takes you to USB Legacy mode.
- Center Enter U – takes you to USB HID Braille mode.
- Center + Space – toggles between Standalone and Terminal mode. This is useful if you want to create a note in the notepad.
- Connect + Space – moves to the next Bluetooth connection.
- Connect + Backspace – moves to the previous Bluetooth connection.
- Center+ L – takes you to the Pairing List.
- Center + A – turns your audio off if you want to turn it off mid-connection.
Using the Notepad
To create a note in the notepad you can follow these simple steps:
- When in terminal mode, press Center + Space to go back to Standalone mode. You will be directed back to the main menu.
- Press N to select the Notepad and start typing.
- Press Center + Space again and you are returned to Terminal mode.
List of Supported File Formats
The Braille eMotion 40 supports the following file types:
- doc
- docx
- pdf
- html
- xml
- brf
- brl
- ePub (read only)
HIMS Braille eMotion, Introductory price £2,295 for a limited time only – saving £500
Special Trade-In Offer : Take an Extra 10% off the Introductory Sale price if you trade in any note taker in working order. Limited time-only promotion.
Call our Sales Team on 0800 085 6055 to register for this offer or request a home demo. Cash-back is paid on receipt of your note taker.
Fin out more here about the eMotion