Announcing release version 8.5 for the Braille Sense notetakers

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Michael Jones

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Sep 14, 2015, 8:00:43 PM9/14/15
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HIMS is pleased to announce Sense v8.5 for our Braille Sense notetakers.

In this version, we introduce Document Reader (a NLS BARD direct download application), a way to globally search within documents, new PowerPoint options, more formatting features within the Word Processor, improvements to email, YouTube, and our Web Browser, as well as a Web Radio database of thousands of internet radio stations! This is NOT a complete list of features. All new features and bug fixes can be found in the release notes attached to this message. V8.5 User Manual updates will also be available on our website in the Resource Center.
 
*** Special Note *** - v8.1 is the last firmware upgrade for the Voice Sense and Voice Sense QWERTY. 
 
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 want to back them up before upgrading, so you can restore them after the upgrade is complete. Please use the "Backup/Restore" option in the "Settings" 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. 
 
Braille Sense PLUS users running v6.1 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 Note *** - 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, you must be running firmware 8.2, build 20150616. If you are running anything earlier you will need to perform an offline update. Otherwise, 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 8.5 build 20150828.
 
Upgrading using the Offline Method: 
 
To upgrade using the Offline method, please download the firmware using the links below. 
 
 
 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 8.5 build 20150828.
 
 
 
If you have questions or problems, please contact HIMS Technical Support at
 

Release note for Sense V8 5.docx
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