Description
The Orbit Reader Q40 is a groundbreaking addition to Orbit Research’s line of braille products. It is an all-in-one braille device that couples a multi-function refreshable braille display with a QWERTY keyboard for input. The device is designed to enhance accessibility, convenience, and independence for individuals who are blind.
The Orbit Reader Q40 offers Orbit’s unparalleled signage-quality TrueBraille™ technology with 40 eight-dot refreshable braille cells. It is designed for seamless standalone or connected use with computers and mobile devices. The device enables users to read books, take notes, and manage daily tasks with built-in applications for productivity such as a clock, calendar, calculator and braille translator.
The full-sized, high-quality, laptop-style QWERTY keyboard can be independently connected via Bluetooth or USB to a computer or mobile device and allows users the convenience of touch-typing while using braille for reading.
When used as a standalone reader, the Orbit Reader Q40 enables the user to read any file from the SD card or a USB Flash drive. These could be BRF and BRL formatted books, text files or files in any format. The reader has features for easy navigation, inserting and editing bookmarks, browsing through folders, scrolling horizontally and vertically, etc.
As a braille display, the Orbit Reader Q40 connects to PCs and Macs, iOS devices and Android devices. It provides Bluetooth and USB connectivity and can connect simultaneously to six devices. Using the screen reading capability on the computing device, such as Voiceover, Talkback or popular PC screen readers the user can control the functions of their computer or smartphone, use their favorite apps, read and send text messages and email and browse the internet.
As a note-taker, the Orbit Reader Q40 offers all essential file creation and editing functions. A user can create new files, save them on SD card and edit existing files. The device also includes file management features, allowing the user to rename, delete, copy, and create folders and files.
The device supports over 70 languages and prompts and menus can be easily localized for different geographies.
While it offers a host of features, the Orbit Reader Q40 is extremely easy to use and allows seamless and instantaneous switching between reader, note-taker and braille display modes, as well as selection between connected devices such as a computer or phone.
The Orbit Reader Q40 is very compact, measuring a little over an inch in height and about 11 inches by 7 inches and weighing two and half pounds. Its full-sized QWERTY keyboard has finely sculpted keys and offers the high-quality tactile feedback expected from a premium product. The 78-key keyboard includes the full complement of twelve function keys, arrow keys in the popular inverted “T” configuration, and keys for use with Windows and Mac computers. To accommodate a full-size keyboard in a compact form-factor, a separate numeric keypad is not included. Cursor routing buttons allow the cursor to be moved to any location on the display instantly.
The Orbit Reader Q40 features a full-sized SD-card slot and a USB host port for loading books and files for reading and editing. When connected to a computer or smartphone, the Orbit Reader Q40 leverages the extensive screen-reader ecosystem developed for the Orbit Reader family of braille displays to provide instant access to Windows, Mac OS, iOS, Android, Chrome OS, Fire OS and Linux systems. Its integration with all popular platforms means that users have countless ways of interacting with their favorite apps and software.
Common use cases for the Orbit Reader Q40 span a wide range, catering to students and professionals alike. For students, these devices are instrumental for accessing textbooks, taking notes in class, and managing academic schedules. In a professional setting, they enable efficient email correspondence, report writing, and participation in meetings with real-time notes and references.
The Orbit Reader Q40 is designed for robustness, being lightweight, compact, and dust and fluid-resistant, ensuring durability in everyday use. The device comes with a USB C port for charging and connecting to computers or smartphones. The Orbit Reader Q40 also works with Orbit Research’s unique Orbit Teacher and Orbit Chat systems for inclusive education and communication.
It will start shipping in June 2024.
Available for Pre-Order
