Orbit Into the Future of Tech with Orbit Speak and Optima! A Discussion with Venkatesh Chari and Adi Kushner about new products from Orbit Research and AccessMind

Podcast Summary: From the 2023 NFB Convention Floor, Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant talked with Orbit Research CEO Venkatesh Chari and Adi Kushner, CEO of AccessMind. Venkatesh first gives listeners an overview of the products Orbit research has produced in the past such as the Orbit Reader 20 and 40 cell braille displays, talking graphing calculators, iBill Currency Reader, Orbit Writer, etc. While this interview mainly focuses on the two new products from Orbit Research, you can check out the full list of product offerings on their Website The first new product from Orbit Research scheduled to be released this year is called Orbit Speak. From the Orbit Research website: “The Orbit Speak is equipped with features of a modern braille notetaker with a braille keyboard and synthesized speech output in a compact, pocket-sized device.” To learn more and pre-order your Orbit Speak today, visit its Product Page The second product discussed is the latest offering from Orbit Research in conjunction with AccessMind, called the Optima. This all-in-one braille laptop offers a 40-cell braille display with a qwerty keyboard, and the power of the fully featured Windows 11. In addition to learning more about this revolutionary product, Adi gives listeners an overview of his inspiration for the product, and how his own experience led him to partner with Orbit Research for its development.  Orbit Research will begin to ship pre-orders in the first quarter of 2024. For more details, visit the Optima’s Webpage From the Optima Product page:  • All-in-one Braille laptop computer ◦ 40 braille cells ◦ QWERTY Keyboard • Mainstream Hardware and Software ◦ Latest-generation Intel Core i5 and i7 laptop processors ◦ Microsoft Windows 11 and beyond • Modular design is fully configurable before you buy it and upgradable after you do ◦ Braille technology options – Orbit TrueBraille or Piezo ◦ Processors – Intel Core i5 or i7 ◦ Memory – 8GB to 64GB ◦ Storage – 256GB to 2TB • Powerful Connectivity ◦ Latest WiFi 6E standard ◦ Bluetooth 5.2 ◦ The first Thunderbolt 4 certified Braille device • Choice of popular ports – pick any 4 you want ◦ Wide range of hot-swappable ports, Plug-and-Play interchangeability ◦ Thunderbolt/USB C, USB A ◦ HDMI ◦ SD Card • BrailleUI – Braille-optimized user interface ◦ Simple notetaker-like interface ◦ Built-in apps: braille editor, calculator, book reader, file manager ◦ High-quality Cerence (Vocalizer) TTS voices ◦ Easily switch between BrailleUI and standard Windows • Choice of screen-readers ◦ Pre-installed with NVDA ◦ Narrator, JAWS, Supernova • Mainstream peripherals you expect ◦ High-quality stereo speakers ◦ Microphone ◦ Fingerprint sensor ◦ Haptic (vibration) feedback • Braille Terminal Mode ◦ Connect as a braille display and keyboard ◦ Operate your smartphone or PC • Compact, lightweight and rugged ◦ 3.4 lb., 11.7 x 7.5 x 1.3 inches ◦ 1.5 kg, 29.6 x 19.0 x 3.3 cm To contact Orbit Research, visit their Website. You can also contact them by phone at 888-606-7248. To contact AccessMind, visit their website. You can also contact Orbit Research and Access Mind at through email at sales@orbitresearch.com and sales@access