Announcing version 8.2!

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Michael Jones

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Jun 12, 2014, 7:40:11 PM6/12/14
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HIMS is proud to announce the release of v8.2 firmware for the Braille Sense notetakers. 

**Special note: v8.1 was the last firmware upgrade for the Voice Sense and Voice Sense QWERTY.

This release brings features we know you will love.

  • We bring you a Facebook Client! Read, post, confirm friend request, like status and so much more. You will enjoy the simplicity of the Facebook social network, without the navigation and complex interface of their website.
  • Need that extra step of privacy? Not only can you password protect documents, but you can now password protect your entire notetaker. 
  • Our Macro Manager allows you to record repetitive task so that you can perform them quickly in the future.
  • Tired of the notetakers always asking you to save a document before it lets you switch? We can now allow you to open a separate word processor. This will make copying and pasting easier because you won’t have to wait for the system to save and load a new file. Now you can switch between Word Processors. This will feel familiar to those who perform tasks in multiple windows on a PC.
  • Now you can make DAISY 2.02 recordings on your Braille Sense.
  • Vision Australia was added to the Online DAISY Download program.
  • If you are on a Web Page in a regular web browser that displays a pop-up, the pop-up is opened in the Quick Browser.
  • Wake-up alarm now allows you to wake up to your favorite FM radio station or medial file.
  • QWERTY keyboard commands have been added for better support of Android’s Brailleback.
  • You no longer need to Power On Wireless or Bluetooth when in menu items:  Setup Internet, Bluetooth manager or Bluetooth Serial Port in Terminal for Screen Reader.
  • You may now use configuration scripts for setting up your Internet if required, and you may use a proxy server if required.
  • The Schedule Manager now alerts you when you try to add an appointment when another appointment is already scheduled.
  • Other minor improvements and fixes are mentioned in the attached release note.
  • Now Import/Export CSV files for the Database Manager.


WARNING!! After upgrading the notetaker firmware, all system settings are restored to their defaults. If you have made changes to the system settings, you may wish to back them up before upgrading, so you can restore them after the upgrade is complete. Please use the "Backup/Restore" option in the "Utilities" menu to back up your option settings. We also strongly advise backing up your files. Though the upgrade itself should not destroy data on the internal flash disk, users should also consider backing up their files in case unexpected problems arise during the upgrade process. Please use the File Manager to copy your data to an external storage device such as an SD card or USB drive. 

To Braille Sense PLUS users running 6.1 or earlier, this is especially important for you, as the flash disk may disappear after the upgrade and require reformatting before you can access it. 





Special notice to Braille Sense OnHand, Braille Sense PLUS, and Braille Sense PLUS QWERTY users: 

If you are upgrading from a version below 6.2, you must reformat your flash disk due to the creation of a partition for housing the NLS and Learning Ally keys. Please make sure to back up your data before formatting. 

Upgrading using the Online Method: 

To upgrade using the online method, follow the steps below. 

1. Connect your notetaker to AC power, and ensure you have an active Internet connection. 

2. From the main "Program" menu, press U to open the "Utilities" menu. 

3. Press U again for "Upgrade Firmware". 

4. When prompted, "Upgrade Online?" press "Enter". 

5. The notetaker checks for new firmware. If it finds it, you are prompted, "Are you sure you want to upgrade?" The default is "Yes". 

6. Press "Enter" to initiate the download and upgrade process. 

7. When the files are downloaded, the upgrade process begins. While the unit is upgrading, progress is displayed on the Braille display in the form of a percentage and progress beeps are heard. Please do not press buttons or power off the unit during the upgrade process as this may result in an incomplete installation. 

8. When the upgrade is complete, the unit reboots and places you in the main "Program" menu. Press "Space-V" (FN-V) to verify your notetaker is running firmware version 8.2 build 20140611. 

Upgrading using the Offline Method: 

To upgrade using the Offline method, please download the firmware using the links below. 

Braille Sense U2: 
Braille Sense U2 QWERTY: 
Braille Sense U2 MINI: 
Braille Sense OnHand: 
Braille Sense PLUS: 
Braille Sense PLUS QWERTY: 


Follow the instructions below to upgrade your Sense notetaker 
1. Download the zip file containing the firmware to your PC. 

2. Extract the zip file on your PC; the extracted folder should contain three files for Braille Sense PLUS, Braille Sense PLUS QWERTY, and Braille Sense OnHand. (The Braille Sense U2, Braille Sense U2 MINI, and Braille Sense U2 QWERTY upgrade contains only 2 files) 

3. Copy the files and paste them into the root of an external storage device such as an SD card or USB thumb drive. 

4. Connect the external storage device to the Sense Notetaker. 

5. Connect your notetaker to AC power. 

6. From the main "Program" menu, press U to open the "Utilities" menu. 

7. Press U again for "Upgrade Firmware". 

8. When prompted, "Upgrade Online?" press "Space-4" (Down arrow) to move to "Offline", and press "Enter". 

9. The notetaker checks for new firmware on your external storage devices. 
If it finds it, you are prompted, "Are you sure you want to upgrade?" The default is "Yes". 

10. Press "Enter" to initiate the upgrade process. 

11. The upgrade process begins. While the unit is upgrading, progress is displayed on the Braille display in the form of a percentage, and progress beeps are heard. Please do not press buttons or power off the unit during the upgrade process as this may result in an incomplete installation. 

12. When the upgrade is complete, the unit reboots and places you in the main "Program" menu. Press "Space-V" (FN-V) to verify your notetaker is running firmware version 8.2 build 20140611. 

If you have questions or problems, please contact HIMS Technical Support at
Release Notes for Sense notetaker v8.2.docx
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