New Technology: The Hable One External Braille Keyboard

Is the Hable One Worth It?

As a blind Apple fan, I rarely leave the house without my iPhone. I use it for everything: sending and reading messages; making phone calls; Googling; online shopping; reading articles and social media; ordering Ubers; watching TV shows; listening to Spotify… the list goes on. But despite being one of the most accessible devices in my arsenal, there is one thing I find challenging about the Apple iPhone: typing. I’m a lot slower at typing on a touch screen than I am on a BrailleNote Touch.

Of course, there are built-in functions that can help with this. I use dictation all the time, because it allows me to write emails in a faster, more efficient manner. But it can have its drawbacks, particularly with accuracy, spelling and grammar. Meanwhile, from a privacy perspective, speech to text isn’t always the best method. If you’re in an office or on a packed train carriage for instance, you might not want everyone knowing your business.

So what else can you do? Well, after some researching, I recently came across a product called the Hable One that has been an absolute game changer for me. Here is everything you need to know…

What is it?

The Hable One is the smallest Braille external keyboard out there, which can Bluetooth to an IOS or Android smart phone/tablet. It has six buttons to represent the 6 Braille dots, plus enter and backspace keys. Unlike a BrailleNote however, it doesn’t have a display or store information. It’s purely a keyboard and controller device.

How do I use it?

Aside from typing text, the Hable can be used to navigate through your phone. It offers full screen reader control, which means you don’t have to swipe or double tap on the touch screen. There are also many easy to remember shortcut keys, that allow you to quickly open apps, scroll through your phone and adjust settings.

Thanks to its unique design, you don’t need a desk or surface to lean on. Instead, it can be used whilst standing.

To turn the Hable on, hold it with the power switch facing up and the buttons away from you. Slide the power switch all the way to the right until you feel two quick vibrations. Then to pair it, go to your phone’s Bluetooth settings, turn on Bluetooth, and select Hable One from the list of devices.

To use the Hable, wrap your hands around the short sides. Your index, middle and ring finger on each hand should be placed on the six buttons.

Pros

• Portability: the Hable is super lightweight, compact and smaller than a smartphone, meaning it fits easily in your pocket or bag.
• Efficiency: it boosts typing speed and accuracy.
• Safety: the Hable can control Voiceover or a screen reader without you needing to touch your phone. This means you don’t need to get it out in a crowded place and it can stay safely tucked away.

Cons

• Price: at £174 the Hable is more expensive than its main competitor the Orbit Writer. That being said, the Hable is designed to last multiple years, so I would argue it is a worthy investment. It’s also better for on the go use, whereas the Orbit Writer is more for stationary purposes.
• Security: while the Hable has a wrist strap, it would be good if it came with a lanyard or cross body strap.

Where can I buy it?

If you’ve weighed up your options and want to give the Hable One a go, you can buy one here.

Conclusion

If like me, you find it harder to use a touch screen, I would highly recommend the Hable One. It has made a huge difference to the speed of my typing and navigation. I also love how I don’t have to lean on my lap or a surface to use it. But for me what makes this product such a game changer, is that I can control my phone without getting it out of my bag. This has given me peace of mind when commuting, especially in an age of rising phone theft.

By Charlotte Bateman