Braille Edge 40

Review

The Braille Edge 40 is a braille display that I'd like to call a smart display. This is because, while it is a braille display, it also has the ability to take notes independently, has a calendar, time and date, and calculator. It also has the ability to load and save files on an SD card, which can then obviously be used to transfer files from one platform to another. It supports SDHC up to 32GB. The display is crisp like all the other HIMS products, and it is as stable as all the others as well. While the Edge does not work with iOS 5, it is compatible with iOS 6, according to HIMS. I was also able to verify this. The Edge does work with JAWS and Window-Eyes, and is reported to also work well with NVDA. The display has 8 buttons, 4 to each side of the keyboard, which Windows users can utilize to take more control of their computers. Since this is an Apple site though, I won't elaborate on this particular feature. The keyboard itself I found very comfortable to type on for a long durration, and also quite quiet.
On the horizon for the Edge is a feature new to Braille Sense with firmware version 7 which was released in early June called "terminal clipboard". This feature allows the user to type something on the display and then send it to whatever device it's connected to. This comes in handy because you can send notes that have been taking on the display to your iPhone, for example, and you can also edit files without having to use the quirky braille translator offered by Apple. It's not yet available on the Edge, but HIMS reports that you will be able to download the update when it becomes available, save it to an SD card, and then upgrade the display yourself. All of these extra features for $200 more than the cost of the Focus 40 Blue. The few draw-backs to this display are that the carrying case is designed only for carrying it from one place to another, not to be able to type on the device while on the go with it strapped to your shoulder. HIMS says they will be working with Executive Products to produce a case that will allow for this, but that it will be at an aditional expense. They were unsure about what that expense would be at this time. Also, the Edge is slightly more heavy and a bit longer than the Focus 40, thus making it slightly less portable. Finally, one draw-back, which HIMS also indicated they will be addressing is the lack of the ability to read plain text files in contracted braille. However, you're getting all the extra features mentioned above, so like anything it's a trade off.

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