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Category: How To

  • How to: downgrade the software on your Mantis Q40

    Introduction

    While humanware adds cool new features sometimes, the result is often not what you’d expect.

    While these features can be nice to have, you may wish to downgrade due to bugs.

    So, can you downgrade the software?

    The answer is yes, and you will learn how in this blog post.

    Step 1: Download the software

    Go to Humanware’s Mantis Q40 Support Page

    Then, move down by heading until you get to Frequently Asked Questions, then move up by link to get to Version 2.0.0

    Step 2: prepare the downgrade

    Now that you have found the correct download, you need to prepare the file for your Mantis Q40

    You’ll need a USB drive or SD card to complete this process.

    First, copy the file from wherever you downloaded it to and put it on your USB drive or SD card.

    Next, rename the file to something higher than your Mantis Q40’s version and build number.

    For example, if your version number is 2.4.0 and your build number is 4230, your file name should look something like BrailleReader_V2.5.0_build4500.swu

    Step 3: Perform the downgrade

    NOTE: The mantis Q40 must have at least 50% charge and be plugged in to do this process.

    To perform the downgrade, insert your USB drive or SD card into the Mantis Q40 and you will see a prompt asking if you wish to install a software update.

    Press “o” to move the the OK option, then press enter and wait for the process to complete.

    Final Notes

    If you are reading any books, you should make a file with some text from the book that matches where you are reading as your spot will be lost.
    You will only have to find your spot again once, and everything will be fine from there.

    Your braille profile will need to be switched to contracted braille if you had it that way previously.

    To do this, press alt + Ctrl + G.

    Conclusion

    Downgrading the software being a good way to resolve bluetooth connectivity errors for your Mantis Q40, it also unlocks more benefits like being able to open large books, which was a functionality removed in later versions of the software for the Mantis Q40.

  • How To: Get Natural Sounding Voices For iPhone

    Introduction

    Have you ever wondered what TTS customizations you could do on your iPhone?

    In today’s post, I’m going to outline how you can install the CerePlay TTS engine for more natural sounding text to speech.

    A few notes before you begin

    I do not recommend using these voices as daily drivers.
    While it can work and there are screen reader variants for these voices, you’ll get better performance with your iPhone if you use a built-in voice.

    These are paid voices and as if this writing, cost $0.99.

    Without further adieu, let’s get started.

    Step 1: Download the app

    Open the app store on your home screen and select the search tab by dragging your finger along the bottom edge of your screen.

    In the search bar type “CerePlay”

    In the search results, find the item called “CerePlay – The CereProc Text to speech app” and download.

    Step 2: Download voices

    When the download finishes you’ll find an open button, select to open the app. Swipe right to move through the screen finding a list of languages.

    Note that these languages are in no particular order so you’ll have to swipe around to get to all the voices.

    Once you’ve selected language and then swipe right to access all the voices under that language. Remember that each voice will be repeated multiple times.

    Select a voice to view its details.

    On this screen, you’ll find:

    1. The voice name
    2. Voice dialect and gender
    3. Price

    If you keep moving down the page, you’ll eventually find options to choose a voice version and they include:

    1. High Quality (this is the recommended option for reading, so use this option to get the best experience.
    2. Balanced (this option can be used with screen readers if you don’t mind a performance hit for nice inflection.)
    3. Screen Reader (This is the best way to go if you like the sound of a voice however, I would not use this voice as a daily driver if you need the best performance out of your iPhone.

    so, That is how you get natural sounding voices for iPhone.