Rivo is designed to use the smartphone better

By June, 5 December, 2018

Forum
Assistive Technology
Rivo is a powerful device designed to use the smartphone more freely. Composed of 12 buttons in the middle like a telephone keypad, there are 4 additional buttons on the left and the right. The size is like 10 credit cards stacked on top of each other weighing just 55g. It connects to your smartphone and works as if it is the same smartphone with buttons. You may use your smartphone more freely and confidently with real buttons; use the smartphone kept in the pocket conveniently during outdoor activities, compose text messages, make and receive phone calls, and talk to Siri. Please visit rivo.me/en for more information.

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Comments

By gregg on Friday, December 21, 2018 - 21:10

Is there an IOS app for firmware update planned? It would be easier than using a computer. I found the larger keypad much easier to use than on the original version. I also enjoy the music player option like those found on some speakers and headsets.

Update through an iOS app is not planned but we will simplify the current update procedure using Windows. Thanks for using Rivo.

By Damwysk on Friday, December 21, 2018 - 21:10

Will you ship to the UK?

By June on Friday, December 21, 2018 - 21:10

We ship to everywhere or at least try to reach everywhere.
Currently, we have a distributor in UK. Here is the contact info:
Computer Room Services, steve@comproom.co.uk, (+44) 1438-742286
Thanks for your interest.

By maxi on Friday, December 21, 2018 - 21:10

do you ship to estonia and how much does it all with shipping cost?

By June on Friday, December 21, 2018 - 21:10

Shipping costs us about $35 to most countries, and it costs more for some countries. However, we will ship free for some time.

One thing I'm afraid of is that Estonian language is not in the list of 27 languages currently supported. We couldn't have started with all the languages at once, but we will add more languages for sure as necessary.

By Chuck Winstead on Friday, December 21, 2018 - 21:10

I'll have to take a look at this.
I don't use an iPhone anymore, but I still do use an iPad. Honestly typing on a touching screen is kind of a pain if you're blind. More often than not I'm using dictation whether on my iPad, or on my Android.
Will this product eventually become cross platform? Like can I use just one for both my iPad, and my android?
Chuck

By Mani on Friday, December 21, 2018 - 21:10

How different is the Rivo 2 from the original Rivo? Can I do a firmware upgrade to my Rivo using the Mac?
Thanks.

Rivo can remember up to six devices and you can switch between these devices with Rivo. You can also set iOS or Android individually and it remembers the setting. We support many languages in iOS, but for Android, currently, only English is supported. Supporting more languages in Android is planned though. One more thing to understand is that despite using the latest Android Accessibility Suite app, some navigation commands may not work in some Android models. We expect this would improve as Google updates the app just like Apple updates VoiceOver to handle bugs.

By June on Friday, December 21, 2018 - 21:10

In reply to by Mani

Rivo 2 has a built-in speaker and an earphone jack to deliver sounds from the smartphone. You may, of course, toggle this feature.
It can also deliver user voice captured from its microphone to the smartphone for phone calls and voice recognition.
Handling DTMF touch-tones has been a long-awaited feature.
There is convenient one-handed mode and efficient two-handed mode.
Rivo remembers up to six iOS or Android devices for quick switching.
Firmware update is supported, but currently, it's though Windows only. Current update procedure is somewhat complex, and we are trying to simplify that procedure.
Finally, more VoiceOver commands are included such as Force Touch and Search.
All of these features are described in the manual page at <a href="http://rivo.me/rivo.en">rivo.me/rivo.en</a&gt;.

By Blinky X on Friday, December 21, 2018 - 21:10

Greetings June, no dis’, but I must admit that your reintroduction of the RIVO is rather sad for what seems to be a product with potential. First of all, your web site is not ready for prime time. No info. On pricing or how to order or even contact you. Additionally, since you’re marketing this product for the blind and visually impaired community, I really felt you should have had someone explaining what some of the key sequences were rather than just having VoiceOver simply announcing what was happening. Before the merger there was an older demo which IMO was far superior in terms of relevance and understanding of how one operates the RIVO. Sometimes it’s really a good idea to simply leave good enough alone.

By June on Friday, December 21, 2018 - 21:10

Thanks for your feedback. But it's strange that although our web is simple and brief, it does have info about price, order, and contact, and the Rivo manual fully explains how to use Rivo. I think this new Rivo is not a reintroduction of old Rivo just like new iPhone is not a reintroduction of old iPhone. There are many changes that most of our customers really welcome. Believe it or not, we're glad we have reflected as many feedback as possible since the initial release of the original Rivo quite many years ago, and we're so happy and proud to help people with our product. But we know there are many more to improve and we welcome feedback.

By Brennen on Friday, December 21, 2018 - 21:10

hi so this sounds very cool but I feel like the price is a bit high for me already having a Revo keyboard so because I already have one and because of the price point I feel like I am not able to justify getting this one

By June on Friday, December 21, 2018 - 21:10

I really thank you for being our customer and helping us in creating this unique product. We hope it becomes a more and more useful tool.

By cybe on Friday, December 21, 2018 - 21:10

I agree that the price is really high, and not just a little high because this time the price is more than twice of the original version.

By Dennis Long on Sunday, June 21, 2020 - 21:10

Hi, this is a wonderful device. I wish you would release an update to add functionality to lock and unlock the screen as well as the other things introduced in full keyboard access.

By SeasonKing on Sunday, June 21, 2020 - 21:10

Hi,
Can you provide pricing and dealer contact for India. I am looking forward to this device.

By JC on Sunday, June 21, 2020 - 21:10

same here. what's the price?

Hi, I'm sorry I missed replying to the post for a while. We have distributors in Japan, UK, and Czech Republic for now. You may order from one of these as listed on our web. If you live in other countries, you may order directly from our online store at rivo.me/store. The price is 329 USD including shipping. Please check rivo.me for more information. Thanks for your interest.

By jay on Sunday, June 21, 2020 - 21:10

Hi.

I don't know much about this product, but I think it's a pretty cool thing to have. Is there a case that might be able to fit the phone inside so you're not having to cary around 2 devices at the same time? If there isn't such a thing right now, would there be in the future? Would be pretty awesome. therer other than the case question, I think if this could happen with a case, or a way to attach the device to cases currently available on the market I would get one of these units.

By June on Sunday, June 21, 2020 - 21:10

Although we don't provide together, I remember I have seen a user who attached Rivo to his iPhone with velcro to carry together and not to get it lost. Since we provide a neck strap, this can be used instead of velcro for that purpose.

By cybe on Sunday, June 21, 2020 - 21:10

Features sounds good but some functions not working properly, even you report the problems to them they'll just ignore and do nothing.
Well, if 300 bucks is just a piece of cake for you then go ahead and try it.

By June on Sunday, June 21, 2020 - 21:10

With the latest iOS, only the screen lock key remains not working properly, which doesn't seem to bother much in using the iPhone. Apple has surely resolved many of the recent VoiceOver issues, and there are almost no functions not working properly. If you find any function not working properly, please share the issue with us. You may send an email to info@rivo.me as well. Thank you in advance.

By Eleanor Roberts on Monday, March 21, 2022 - 21:10

I have recently purchased a Rivo 2 keyboard. So far I am very impressed with it. However, I'm extremely concerned by all the things I've read that say that firmware updates can only be performed using Windows. I don't own a Windows device at all. So can Rivo be updated using IOS?? If so, how?? And if not ... WHY NOT??! Thanks.

By Ramy on Monday, March 21, 2022 - 21:10

Need to update the firmware, can i know how please?

By Dennis Long on Monday, March 21, 2022 - 21:10

Update guide

To update the firmware, a PC running Windows 10, 8, 7, or Vista and a micro USB data cable are necessary.
Firmware update is done in 4 steps as follows:

Step 1: Install a driver.
1.1. Download the firmware from http://rivo.me/firmware/en and unzip it.
1.2. Run "update1.vbs" from the unzipped folder.

Step 2: Set Rivo into the update mode.
2.1. Power off Rivo.
2.2. While holding down B4 and B6 together, connect the USB cable connected to a Windows computer to Rivo.
2.3. If there are four short vibrations and the LED blinks in red and green alternately, Rivo has been put into the update mode. If not, repeat from 2.1 again.

Step 3: Update Rivo.
3.1. Run "update2.vbs" from the unzipped folder. If "BlueCore Device Firmware Upgrade Wizard" doesn't show up, run "vcredist_x86.exe" from the "data/required" folder. Then, run "update2.vbs" again.
3.2. The update takes about two minutes in the "Upgrade in Progress" screen. When the "Successful Upgrade" screen appears, proceed to Step 4.
3.3. If the update doesn't take place in the "Upgrade in Progress" screen, or the "Upgrade Failed" screen appears, install a USB driver as follows.
3.4. Run "Device Manager" in Windows.
3.5. In Device Manager, expand "Other devices" or "Universal Serial Bus controllers", then select "Unknown device".
3.6. Right-click on it, then select "Update Driver".
3.7. Select "Browse my computer for driver software".
3.8. Select "Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer".
3.9. Make sure "Show All Devices" is selected in the "Common hardware types", then click "Next".
3.10. Select "Have Disk...".
3.11. Select "Browse..." and open either "win32" or "win64" from "data/drivers" folder that matches your computer environment.
3.12. Select the "CSRBlueCoreUSB.inf" file, click "Open", then click "OK".
3.13. Select "CSR BlueCore Bluetooth" from the list, then click "Next".
3.14. Click "Yes" in the alert pop-up.
3.15. If the message "Windows has successfully updated your drivers" is displayed, click "Close".
3.16. If you're still in the "Upgrade in Progress" screen, the update will start automatically.
3.17. If the" Upgrade Failed" screen is shown after timeout, click "Back", then click "Next" to proceed with the update.
3.18. The update takes about two minutes in the "Upgrade in Progress" screen. When the "Successful Upgrade" screen appears, proceed to Step 4.

Step 4: Pairing
4.1. Click "Finish" on the "Successful Upgrade" screen.
4.2. When the update is complete, there are 3 short vibrations and Rivo is set into the pairing mode.
4.3. We recommend deleting the previous Rivo pairing information from Bluetooth settings of your device, then pair the updated Rivo again.
4.4. Note that if you use the same USB port, next updates will be simple without driver installations. You can just run ""update2.vbs".

By Suzy on Monday, March 21, 2022 - 21:10

It’s a shame would have been interested in this product but seems like you basically can’t have one with out a windows computer which i don’t have.