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A BrailleNote Apex and an iOS Device, a Winning Combination!

All of Apple's iOS devices, (iPod touch, iPhone and iPad,) have built in braille access when using the VoiceOver screen reader.  Utilizing this braille access allows a user to receive braille output on a supported braille display, and if the display has input keys, one can actually control the iOS device without ever touching the device's touch screen.

HumanWare's BrailleNote Apex provides its proven suite of KeySoft applications, perfect for note taking in meetings or class, instant email or web connectivity, and braille access to thousands of eBooks.  As a stand alone digital braille assistant, the BrailleNote Apex's applications have been providing user's efficient information management for over 10 years.  Combine this success with the accessibility of an iOS device, and the result is a winning combination.

The braille terminal application allows the BrailleNote Apex to function as a standard braille display, capable of connecting to an iOS device via its bluetooth connection.

Once the two tools are paired, the Apex can be used to produce braille output, along with providing control over the iOS device without using the touch screen.  Users have the capability to:

• Navigate all applications on the Home screen
• Select items
• Enter text into any editable applications such as text messages, emails, note files, etc, using the Apex's  ergonomic braille input keys.  Text can be entered in contracted or uncontracted braille. 
• Read in braille from all accessible applications, including reading books from the iBooks application.
• In short, anything that could be accomplished with VoiceOver via the touch screen can be accomplished using the Apex's input keyboard.

Enabling the Apex's Terminal application

Before the Apex can be used in conjunction with an iOS device it must be placed in the Braille Terminal mode. This mode puts the Apex into a state to receive information from connected devices with braille support. To enter the braille terminal mode:

1. From the Main Menu, press t to open the Braille Terminal.
2. You will be prompted “Braille terminal port?”. Press b to select Bluetooth, then press Enter.
3. If bluetooth was not enabled, the Apex will say "Starting Bluetooth," followed by a beep. If bluetooth was already enabled, the Apex will simply make a beep sound and "braille terminal," will be displayed on the screen.
4. If using an Apex with a QWERTY keyboard, press function key together with b to enter braille keyboard mode. This mode allows you to control the iOS device using the home row keys of "asdf and jkl;," to execute standard braille keystrokes.

The Apex is now ready to work with the iOS device!

Finding the Apex with the iOS device

Now that the Apex is in the Braille Terminal mode, the IOS device needs to find and pair with it. Follow the below steps to utilize the Apex as a Braille Terminal for an IOS device

BrailleNote Apex iOS command List

The below list describes all commands for the Apex to effectively control an iOS device.

Basic navigation commands

Reading commands

Information commands

Rotor commands

Edit commands

Miscellaneous commands