David Woodbridge

Apple and other accessible tech user. Opinions are my own..

[David Woodbridge @dwoodbridge]

The Vision Australia Library plays a truly transformative role in the lives of Australians with print reading disabilities, ensuring that the world of literature and information remains accessible to everyone. It's important to remember that these resources are available to anybody with a print disability, not just those who are blind or have low vision. By providing a vast collection in specialized formats like DAISY audio and text books, alongside Braille materials, the library empowers members to read on the devices they already use and love. Members can access these materials on a range of devices, including popular personal players and dedicated DAISY book players such as the Victor Reader Stream 3, the Victor Reader Stratus 4, and the Victor Reader Stratus 12. This commitment to accessibility extends across the impressive lineup of Braille displays from Humanware, including the Brailliant BI20X, Brailliant BI40x, the innovative Mantis Q40, and the multi-line Monarch display. There is also great excitement around the release of the BrailleNote Evolve, which Humanware is starting to ship this week. You can experience all of these devices this coming week at the Tech Fest at U City on June 17th in Adelaide South Australia.

[David Woodbridge @dwoodbridge]

Given that iOS 27, currently in beta, appears to focus primarily on maintenance enhancements and system refinements, it is hoped that Apple will dedicate resources to implementing Braille Access with VoiceOver—activated by pressing keys seven and eight on a braille input keyboard—to enable reading of BRF files, live listening captioning, and additional functionality on existing multi-line braille displays, including the Monarch. With approximately two years elapsed since this capability was introduced, there is anticipation that the current beta cycle will include targeted braille improvements.,

[David Woodbridge @dwoodbridge]

Looking forward to meeting everyone at Tech Fest at U-City in Adelaide next week on 17 June. Please come and chat to me and my colleagues about (what I believe) to be the first fully integrated Braille display based Windows laptop - the Braille Note Evolve. As a dedicated Mac user for the last 21 years even I'm impressed by this Windows laptop whether for recreation or more amazingly for education and vocation at all levels. The iPhone with VoiceOver in 2009 was a game changer, the Braille Note Evolve is another one of those amazing Technology game changing moments. As a windows laptop, use any assistive or mainstream software/hardware to your hearts content. Braille usage is Evolving exactly like the monarch multi line dynamic tactile device for presenting braille and graphics as both a standalone or connected device…

[David Woodbridge @dwoodbridge]

As I'm travelling a lot more these days, picked up a pair of the Meta Ray Bans 2. Absolutely loving the longer battery life of eight hours, and the fact that I can use the charging case from version 1 with the version 2 glasses or the other way around.

[David Woodbridge @dwoodbridge]

Lovely hanging out with some wonderful service providers in Hobart Tasmania yesterday, and sharing our knowledge and experience on how assistive technology can assist everyone in everyday life activities. Thank you for your time and interactions.

[David Woodbridge @dwoodbridge]

The time has come the walrus said to speak of many things – including the fact that the Braille Note Evolve commences shipping on June 15 2026. As far as I understand pre-orders will be first off the line.

[David Woodbridge @dwoodbridge]

This week on focal point from vision australia radio, 43 minutes in, I talk about the upcoming Tech Fest in South Australia with see differently on June 17 (hoping to see you there), of course the amazing Braille Note Evolve, and some chitchat about the Apple WWDC keynote - https://t.co/s3Fa1SiMdr

[David Woodbridge @dwoodbridge]

Listening to Mac break weekly today, I discovered that if you are running the iOS 27 developer beta, if you look in settings/Siri, you can put your name in to register for the waiting list to start testing the new Siri.

[David Woodbridge @dwoodbridge]

Fantastic turn up for yesterday's webinar on the Braille Note Evolve with 107 people registering. Fantastic participation, and great questions. Thanks for everyone who attended.

[David Woodbridge @dwoodbridge]

Reminder for the Australian New Zealand Braille Note Evolve webinar coming up this week Tuesday 9th at 4pm Sydney time, use this link to register. I'm Looking forward to lots and lots of questions on this amazing windows braille laptop if I do say so myself smile https://t.co/UiSlabAEGM..

[David Woodbridge @dwoodbridge]

Still can't help myself, getting up at 3 am Tuesday Australian time for WWDC Keynote 2026.

[David Woodbridge @dwoodbridge]

Thank God for my iPhone/VoiceOver/accessible apps, when I'm stuck trying to read my presentation notes, my iPhone etc always comes to the rescue.

[David Woodbridge @dwoodbridge]

Humanware are proud to share that BrailleNote evolve has been voted Best Product at this year’s Feel Vision Award during SightCity.
This recognition is especially meaningful because the Feel Vision Award is decided entirely by public vote. It reflects the voices of the people who use, support, recommend, and believe in assistive technology.
Among many outstanding innovations presented at the event, BrailleNote evolve earned the top prize.
Thank you to everyone who voted, visited us at SightCity GmbH, shared their feedback, and continues to support the future of braille technology. This recognition means a great deal to all of us at HumanWare - Linkedin post - https://t.co/FKy1E9nQN6

[David Woodbridge @dwoodbridge]

David speaks with Sam on the Talking Vision podcast from Vision Australia Radio about the Round Table conference held in Adelaide SA this week, and the Braille Note Evolve - https://t.co/nCm4CM8NvI

[David Woodbridge @dwoodbridge]

I think it's going to be interesting to see how the Braille Note Evolve challenges the current belief, at least here in Australia, that if you are a Windows screen reader and Braille display user, you still have to use a qwerty keyboard to help or make it easier to do things. I can certainly use my Evolve 100% without going anywhere near a qwerty keyboard for both my home and work applications.

[David Woodbridge @dwoodbridge]

Going to do an interesting presentation next week on the benefits and considerations of using the Brailliant BI20X, Brilliant BI40X, and Mantis Q40 as smart single Line braille displays, the Monarch as a multi Line tactile display including note taking functions, and the Braille Note Evolve as a fully functional Windows Braille device.

[David Woodbridge @dwoodbridge]

Discover how Windows and KeySoft Work together seamlessly with the new BrailleNote evolve
HumanWare is pleased to invite you to an exclusive webinar introducing the new BrailleNote evolve — where the power of Windows 11 and the simplicity of KeySoft come together in one seamless experience.
Join Andrew Flatres and David Woodbridge as they demonstrate the BrailleNote evolve: a full-fledged Windows 11 computer in the form factor of a convenient, travel-sized braille note-taker. Discover how HumanWare is redefining what a notetaker can be by placing braille at the center of a powerful and flexible productivity solution.
📅 Date & Time
June 9, 2026
4:00 PM Melbourne time
(2:00 AM – 3:00 AM Eastern Time)
During this information-packed session, you will learn about:
•  Why the BrailleNote evolve was designed
•  A physical overview and guided tour of the device
•  The Main Menu and KeySoft experience
•  Enhancements to the full-featured Microsoft Office Suite
•  How JAWS and NVDA work seamlessly with Windows to deliver a comprehensive braille-first solution

Register here
https://t.co/UiSlabAEGM

We look forward to having you join us for this exciting session.
Best regards,
HumanWare

[David Woodbridge @dwoodbridge]

Humanware is having a blast at this years round table in Adelaide. Just about to start our second day and looking forward to another highly interactive day. Remember to come and check out the Braille Note Evolve Windows 11 pro braille computer, and of course the Monarch multiline tactile display, the fully functioning stand alone braille and tactile device on the market with no need to attach it to any other device unless you wish. Plus the fullest range of Daisy/audiobook players on the market in Australia.

[David Woodbridge @dwoodbridge]

Join myself and Rachel on this month see things differently podcast from Humanware where we have an absolutely fantastic Chat to an extremely well-known person to the podcast and Humanware - https://t.co/J6dXCjopj8

[David Woodbridge @dwoodbridge]

As with so many other fantastic organisations within the assistive technology space, great to see Humanware in the top 200 Forbes accessibility and innovatives list https://t.co/4SEOv5QlLj