Description of App
MBraille brings you a mobile braille keyboard.
With the free features you can type, edit and send tweets and text messages using contracted or uncontracted English braille.*
With the full version you can also use braille to
- call contacts or telephone numbers
- send email
- do facebook status updates
- add calendar entries
- fire away internet search engine queries
- the text typed is automatically put to clipboard when you switch apps.
- interact with other 3rd party applications
- check spelling
- save and open text files
- sync to dropbox
- use MBraille as third party keyboard
The keyboard is also available as a separate in-app purchase.
MBraille fully support both iPhone/iPod and iPad
An experienced blind MBraille user can easily surpass the sighted typists using the built in virtual keyboard.
*uncontracted Braille is supported and help is available for Arabic, Croatian, Danish, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Norwegian, Polish, Spanish, Swedish, and Turkish
UI and Braille are also supported for Czech, Italian, Portuguese, and Slovakian, only help is still missing.
MBraille supports iPhones, iPod touches and iPads.
"An iPhone without MBraille, just isn't a fully operational iPhone anymore!" --Cliff Isaksen, Norway
AppleVis granted MBraille and MPaja a Golden Apple, which we accept with deep gratitude:
http://www.applevis.com/blog/accessories/announcing-applevis-golden-apples-2013
Comments
Awesome app
My biggest regret still is that this app can't be used as a third-party keyboard like Fleksy. I love the responsiveness when typing which is 500 times better than with the onscreen braille keyboard. I do have one issue, though. After I send a text, it seems to take an eternity for the keyboard to return. Today, on two separate occasions, I counted 30 seconds between sending a message and the return to the keyboard. Now another question. Has anyone bought the file manager package yet? If so, how do you like it and would you say it is intuitive to use? Thanks. Oh, and if anyone wants to do a podcast on it, (hint hint hah) I'd love to listen to it. Harri, thanks a ton for such a great app.
I have just tried the new
I have just tried the new version out with the third party keyboard, and the keyboard works very well, I seem to make more mistakes than with apples built in braille screen input, but it is certainly usable, and its more convenient than having to turn the rotor to braille screen input.
Also, the fact this keyboard works successfully demonstrates that third party keyboards don't have to just squash the keyboard into a tiny bit of the screen, it works far better than fleksy ever has under ios8.
I suggested to the fleksy team on twitter that they could learn a lot from this app and implement some sort of mode for VoiceOver users to offer a bigger typing area.
Doubtless they won't because they have there sighted market, but this goes to show there keyboard has deliberately been designed how it is. and I give the new version a lot of credit for being fully usable and comfortable to use as a built in third party keyboard, and I am sure it can be refined in later versions.
Wait, wait, wait!!!!
So you can use MBraille as a third-party keyboard? Thanks.
Can not change to auto rotate
Hello friends, I think I can not use MBraille with auto rotate mode as third keyboard on iOS 8.3
This App just can type using away rotate, which is make me uncomfortable with this kind of settings..
How do you add it?
The only third-party app that I have showing up as Fleksi How do I get it to see mbraille as a third-party keyboard?
Version 3.0
What's New in Version 3.0
MBraille as a third party keyboard
Estonian braille table
Improved iOS 8.3 compatibility
numerous bugs fixed
mBraille with voiceover
Hi, I don't think I was able to use mBraille successfuly with voiceover turned on. mBraille just went silent on me. Can someone please help?
A couple of things to know about MBraille
First, to enable MBraille on your phone, go to Settings, General, Keyboards, then find where it says the number of keyboards and click there. You will see an option to add a keyboard. Once you add it, you will need to go back to your keyboard selection and select the MBraille keyboard, and make sure that "allow full access" is turned on. It will not work without it. Also, for the user who said that MBraille went silent, make sure to check your voiceover settings. My guess, and this is only a guess, is that MBraille will get its reading settings from Voiceover. If Voiceover is set to read by word, then that is probably how MBraille will react when you type. This is how I had mine set already, so I did not notice a difference. I, for one, am really excited to have this keyboard as an option. Bye bye iOS braille keyboard!
One thing I haven't worked
One thing I haven't worked out, how do you switch between keyboards? say I want to go from the braille keyboard to the emoge keyboard there doesn't appear to be an option for this. I think it isn't quite as accurate as braille screen input, but its far less clunky to use. One thing I have figured out, is a 3 finger swipe on the screen appears to get rid of the keyboard so you can review text.
Alex's question
Alex, if you swipe with three fingers the other direction, it will change back to the default iOS keyboard. You can then switch to the emotion keyboard in the usual method. HTH
"Page x/x" bug when using the MBraille keyboard
Hello iPhone 6 users.
I have a problem when using MBraille as a third party keyboard.
When writing VoiceOver keeps saying for example "page 1/ 1". I have been able to reproduce this in the Notes app, in Messenger and in the Safari address field. I assume that it happens everywhere.
It seems as the actual focus moves around when VoiceOver says the pages, because when switching away from the MBraille keyboard in Messenger, I might be somewhere in very old messages.
My friend has an iPhone 5S and he hasn't seen that.
Can anyone confirm this bug?
I have certainly noticed
I have certainly noticed where is says page 1 on my 6 plus, but I assumed when this happened it was because I was practicing writing in the notes app and I had written a lot, I haven't tried writing messages with it yet so can't confirm the other behaviour.
Make sure
Make sure you also send a note to the developer.
RE: Make sure
I already sent a message to MPaja.
Bug in message
Hi all. I have an issue when typing on the message App. Sometimes MBraille can't respond when i type on an edit field. I have to turn my iPhone 6 plus, change the keyboard several times, before MBraille can respond my typing again. I think this is a bug that happening on iPhone 6 plus users.
Answer from MPaja
I got the answer from MPaja relating to the "Page x/x" bug I mentioned earlier.
They think that this is actually a VoiceOver problem.
What a shame.
Where is the setting?
Hi, where is that allow full access setting can be found? Do I need to turn off the Braille Screen input on IOS itself first? Thank you.
"Away" mode issue
Hi, Applevisters,
Has anyone else found the MBraille "away keyboard broken after the latest update? Or, have I gone mad in some odd (and very unusual) way? It will not rotate into landscape mode which makes for some weird postures when trying to write! Any help? This is new with the latest update. In case it matters, I'm still running IOS 7 or so.
Thanks for any ideas!
Sheri
Answering two questions
Caleb, to allow full access, from your home screen, click on settings, general, keyboards, and then click where it says the number of keyboards you have active. Then click on MBraille. The option you should get then will be to allow full access. Make sure it is turned on.
Sheri, the new version of MBraille introduced a new version of the keyboard called a Piano Style. I don't know what device you are running, but try going into the MBraille settings and make sure that the orientation is set how you like it. If that doesn't work, try deleting the app and re-installing it. Hope this helps.
Away mode doesn't seem to work for me either
this is definitely a strange bug. I'm not sure how to get around this one. I just installed M braille after having a whole series of problems with my phone… We finally got it restored and updated though, but yes, away mode is definitely messed up.
Away mode
I had the "away mode problem" too, but only in the messages app. Every time I turned the phone away from me to start writing in the messages app, either nothing would happen at all, or I would hear the beep indicating that Siri was activated, or the beep for start of a audio message recording...
Seemed to me that every time I turned the phone away from me while in the messages app, the record button was activated, or perhaps the dictation button.
Well, I went into Settings > Messages, and turned off Raise to listen, and just for good measures I also turned off the dictation feature in the global keyboard settings, and now it works as a charm for me.
Don't know if this is the same as you all are experiencing, but if you have trouble like me, with using MBraille as a third party keyboard in the messages app, or perhaps in other circumstances as well, I would at least try doing what I did, and see if it makes a difference.
Take care!
An Idea that may fix Away mode?
I personally have not had any issues with away mode, but I have an idea that may fix it? Hopefully?
Have any of you tried to unlock portrait orientation temporarily then using MBraille?
If that works, then you should be able to relic in portrait mode again.
Could someone please do a podcast?
I'm having a bit of' a problem with MBraille. Here's the thing, and maybe someone's already pointed this out. In order to use the app in away mode, I have to hold the phone in portrait orientation. This isn't a problem when laying down, but it's a different matter entirely when sitting or standing. Is there a fix for this? Thanks!
Great idea. Locking the
Great idea. Locking the orientation to portrait does indeed fix the problem. I don't know why this comment didn't show up as new for me, but I'm glad you thought of it. Wonderful workaround!
Another couple questions.
Another couple questions. First, is there any wayto get MBraille to recognize standard keyboard shortcuts? I know we can type' in aliases, but I really like the idea of using shortcuts to enter emojies. Also, is there a way to reorder the keyboards so MBraille comes up second and' the emojy keyboard third? Thanks!
MBraille can't send text to Facebook and becomes jammed
I am using MBraille full version on iPhone 5 with iOS 8.3. After installing the braille keyboard, now I can't send text to Facebook and MBraille becomes jammed when I try sending text to FB.
This hafpens while try to
This hafpens while try to send emails with it as well. My recommendation is to simply use it like any other keyboard in those apps.
Annoying bug!
After i tried using MBraille as third keyboard on iOS 8, i was getting disappointed. Because i always experience stuck when type on message App. Sometimes, MBraille keyboard didn't appear too when i switch between normal keyboard and Braille keyboard. Hope MPaja will fix it soon.
Wasn't there some strangeness with MBraille as keyboard?
I thought i heard somewhere that there's some oddities using mBraille as third party keyboard. Personally i tried MBraille but got so ticked off by the fact that it couldn't be used in conjunction with Facebook so i gave up on it there and then and asked for a refund. As it stands now, and i know i'm gonna be hanged for saying this, i much rather prefer Fleksy over MBraille, there's too much there that doesn't work.For example holding the phone as the manual states and having MBraille in "away" mode makes dots 1, 2 and 3 appear on my right hand rather than my left, and switching keys 1, 3, 4 and 6 doesn't help.
Saving text documents directly to a device
Hello All
Has anyone purchased the file and document management update and had success with it? I am planning a trip to Honduras, and I need a way to type quickly and accurately, and to save what I have typed directly onto my device. I will not always have access to the internet, soI can't transfer files via dropbox or iTunes.
Also, can someone enlighten me as to what an alias is?
Thank you all for your invaluable help and patience. This is truly a great app, and I'm hoping it will save me the trouble of lugging around a BlueTooth keyboard.
Yes, you'll want to get that
Yes, you'll want to get that extension. Just know that it doesn't work if using mBraille as a third party keyboard, which is a bit disappointing as the spelling feature would be handy there.
As to saving, no problem. Just type .save and space and the file name and do the standard swipe down for enter, and the file is instantly saved to your device. It works very well.
As for aliases, think of them as keyboard shortcuts. For example, if I type .alias CYB then colon then space then "call you back" and then enter, the next time you type CYB and hit space mBraille will write call you back. You may need to insert a space before the alias if it's the first thing on a new line, because otherwise mBraille will not recognize the alias.
HTH
Clarifying
Are you saying that the document management extension does not work using in braille as a third-partykeyboard? Also, I paid $30 for the original app with Additional features before third party keyboards were introduced. Do I need to purchase the keyboard and the document extention? I was able to go into settings and add MBraille as my third-party keyboard.
No
If you were able to add MBraille as your third-party keyboard then you will not need to purchase the feature. Also, try a test. For the price you paid, I believe that the file manager options should be included. Try a test file. Type a couple of lines and then on a blank line type ".save test" and hit enter. Do not include the quotes I used. See if it works. It should notify you if it saved
Saving documents successfully
Hello all,
Is anyone else having trouble saving documents directly to your device using MBraille's document management capabilities? I began working on a document and saved it. After a time, I worked on it again and saved my work. The third time I worked on my document, I noticed that the very end of the second day's work had some how been cut off. Even though I have corrected this error several times, it still does not save correctly. I added more work to the document, and emailed it to my husband. He informed me that he did not receive all of the document. And lastly, I am having trouble saving my entries. Sometimes, when I type the dot command ".save filename," it prints that command instead of actually saving the document. I type the dot command at the beginning of a new line, then I swipe down to enter. Would someone please be kind and tell me what I am doing wrong? I need to be farely confident with this feature before I leave on my trip.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
Using as a third party keyboard
When using this app as a third party keyboard, nothing happens when I try to type in a text field
MBraille Keyboard Crashing on IOS 9.0.2
While using MBraille as a third party keyboard, I'm finding that when I send an SMS (I haven't tried other applications yet), the keyboard will crash and revert me to the U.S. English keyboard and I'll lose everything that I have typed. Is anyone else experiencing this? I'm using an IPhone 5S and I have disabled IMessages so I am wondering if this has anything to do with character count? In any case, I may have to use direct input. Maybe this will remedy the situation for now.
RE: MBraille Keyboard Crashing on IOS 9.0.2
Hi!
Have you tried updating to the latest version of iOS and MBraille?
Looks like some bugs were fixed on both sides...
Please note:
MBraille 3.2 is out and has fixed Dropbox syncing and some other bugs related to the spellchecker.
Best regards Thomas
Version 3.2
What's New in Version 3.2
Fixes problems with interoperation WhatsApp, Drafts and other third party apps.
Fixed issues with Dropbox support.
Version 3.4
What's New in Version 3.4
New ability to add reminders with a dot command
Fixes to Dropbox support
Fixes to MBraille Keyboard
Version 3.7
What's New in Version 3.7
UEB, Unified English Braille is now supported.
The support is optional and can be enabled in the MBraille settings.
Other miscellaneous fixes: vibration for a spelling mistake, Danish braille fixes, MBraille third party Keyboard
fixes.
...More
All sorts of problems on Ipad pro and Iphone 6S plus
Hi there. I have had constant off and on problems ever since beginning to utilize this as a third party keyboard. on my Iphone 6S plus, the keyboard usually displays, but more often than not, voiceover either reads all the elements on the screen as if the keyboard wasn't even there, or it clicks as if there were no element or item under the screen at all. Only the "next keyboard" button is accessible. On an Ipad Pro on the other hand, using the app as a third party keyboard works even less. I basically get a bnak screen with only the "next keyboard" button visible, no dots on which to type and only bare clicks from voiceover when fingering the screen. Considering the praise this app gets, I'm surprised I'm having so much trouble. Anyone have any ideas?
just a thought
Could mbraille only work with the phone? I saw a response saying that the ipod doesn't work with this app. I was wondering why mine was acting strange, and turning off UEB fixed it, as i don't know how to write in it yet, and I need to write quickly. I can read UEB fine, but writing, not used to yet. My 5s still works great with this app. Even in 3rd party mode.
Can you explain third party mode please?
I understand that this app now supports third party mode as a keyboard. I've not used this type of setting before, but only use the built-in rotor twist to access braille screen input. Also, this feature is a paid one, so I couldn't try it out. Therefore I'm asking here. If I enable MBraille as a third-party keyboard, does it mean that MBraille replaces the normal braille screen mode, or that this keyboard comes up instead of the regular text letters keyboard, or that I need to switch keyboards like from letters to numbers? I'm guessing that there's not a setting to make your third party keyboard the default, but as I said I've never explored this before. I'm very happy with braille screen input in away mode using contracted braille with word echo. Will I get the same experience from MBraille? I hear people say they switch between. Has there been a comprehensive tutorial on this app?
Thanks,
Matthew
does anyone know an email
does anyone know an email address for the developer? I tried to contact him using the contact form on the website and got an error page when I tried to submit my question, and I lost what I wrote out when I used internet explorers back button to leave the error page.
I tried tweeting him but he hasn't replied to me so not sure how anyone is getting technical support at the moment from him.
I will ask my question here in case anyone happens to know the answer, if I use mbraille as a third party keyboard how do I quickly switch to the emoji keyboard or the normal UK english keyboard?
at the moment the method I use is very clunky, I write something, then I have to swipe with 3 fingers to escape the mbraille keyboard, then I have to tap the edit field again, and hunt around the bottom of the screen for the button hoping I don't land in the mbraille keyboard. surely there is an easier way than my method?
I did try looking in help but I can't find a topic that covers this, and again I couldn't find a contact email or anything in help, though please do correct me if I am wrong.
to answer the last commenter above, no you can still use braille screen input if you want, when you tap on the edit field just twist to it as you normally do, hoping you don't trigger off the mbraille keyboard.
Email and answer
Hi Alex! Here you go: harri@mpaja.com
A tree finger swipe up (or left, if you hold the phone in landscape mode while swiping) will close the MBraille keyboard, while a tree finger swipe down (right while in landscape mode) will change the keyboard to the previous used keyboard, e.g. emoji or english. I'm not sure what exact button you are referring to that you want to find, but I guess it might be the send button after typing a message? If that is the case, I usually find a tree finger swipe down to switch back to the normal keyboard, makes it a lot easier to find the send button, since it then will be located on a more familiar place on the screen, to the right and above the keyboard.
Hth :)
Hi thanks for the reply, I
Hi thanks for the reply, I wasn't after a particular button, my old method meant I was closing the mbraille keyboard then tapping on the edit field again and hunting on the bottom of the screen for the button to change keyboards, as this button is accessible before you enter the mbraille keyboard, so it looks like I won't need to do that any more. still I will email the developer and let him know about the contact form being broken on his website etc, thanks for the email address. I don't know how I missed the info about a 3 finger swipe down, there are so many commands it must be berried in the help somewhere.
MBraille on iOS 11
Hello. I got updated to iOS 11 just recently. To my dismay, on iOS 11 I cannot send message to Facebook and Twitter via MBraille. I suspect MBraille has not been updated to be fully compatible with iOS 11. I hope the developer would fix the problem soon.