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BrailleNote Touch outdated OS

Is your BrailleNote having connectivity issues and/or problems with Google applications?

chord with red circle and slash through it indicating connectivity issues.

A number of TVIs are reporting that the BrailleNote Touch (and other more current Humanware braille notetakers) are running Android 8.1, and old operating system. This old operating system will no longer connect to most school Wi-Fi networks. It is reported that even the current Humanware braille notetakers are running the old operating system. Google no longer receives security updates and is officially no longer supporting Android 8.1 (Android Oreo) was released in August 2017.

HumanWare’s website states that the BrailleNote Touch uses the Android KitKat 4.4. Google states that Android KitKat 4.4 will no longer be supported by Google, starting August 2023. Google states that less than 1% of its customers are on KitKat.

For many, this is a strong reason to encourage students to use a laptop instead of a braille notetaker. The newer braille displays have more functionality than they used to and since they are paired with a tablet, smart phone or computer, it is rare for a braille display to have outdated software.

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