Tips/tricks for BlindShell Classic 2
Dear customers, we have created this section to share useful tips and tricks for the functions and applications in BlindShell with you. Please note that this section will be continuously updated with additional information beyond what is in the manual. You can find basic operation and instructions for using the phone in the manual here.
Keyboard tips
Current time
If you want to hear the current time when the keypad is locked, you can press the confirm button, and the time will be announced despite the locked keypad?
What is the fastest way to get to a call history?
When in the main screen long press the confirm button.
Want to quickly change your profile or find airplane mode?
Just long press the # (hash) button from the mains screen to quickly change your sound profile.
Where can I find @
Here are two options:
1) The @ character is located under the 1 button, in the eleventh position, right after the “)” character.
2) By long-pressing the # (hash) button, a submenu will open, allowing you to select special characters or emojis.
Where can I find emoticons and special characters? 😊#&@
When in a text field, a long press of the hash button opens a menu with emojis and special characters. For faster browsing you can press the up button which takes you to a „Search“ field. Then you simpl write what you are looking for (heart, animal, emotions) and this kind of emoji will open to you. Press the confirm button to input the selected emoji.
Making Internet browsing more efficient...
Did you know that the keys on the numeric keypad have the following functions?
1 Switch to navigation by default elements.
2 Switch to navigation by Headings.
3 Switch to navigation by Controls.
4 Switch to navigation by Links.
5 Switch to navigation by Words.
6 Switch to navigation by ARIA landmarks.
7 Jump to the top of the page.
8 Switch on/off automatic moving through elements.
9 Jump to the bottom of the page.
* Go back in browsing.
0 Speak the title of the current page and navigation mode.
# Opens Help.
Do you know how to skip to a new line in a text field?
Just press three times 0 button and you’ll jump to a new line.
Zoom-in
To zoom in on the image, press the confirm button while browsing the images and select Zoom in. Take the same steps to zoom out. Zoom in can be done by pressing the hash button, zoom out by pressing the asterisk button. In the picture, you can navigate using the 2, 4, 6, 8 buttons. Long-pressing the buttons ensures smooth movement from side to side or top to bottom.
Additional Tips
To Turn Voicemail On and Off
To activate your operator's voicemail, press the star key and enter your voicemail number. You can disable your voicemail in the same way. Note that this function cannot be set directly on your phone. To obtain your voicemail number, please contact your service provider.
How to Call as Unknown
Please try dialing #31# followed by the international code and the phone number. After this, the caller's name will be displayed. If you want to hide your number, dial *31# before the number, and your call will appear as "Unknown Number.
BlindShell Update
We strongly recommend this tip to all our customers and want to remind you of where to find these updates.
The BlindShell update menu item allows updating the phone’s software. The updates bring new features, enhance current features, and fix bugs. A new update is announced via notification.
To manually check for updates, select the Check for update menu item. If an update is available, select Download update and then Install update. To install an update, an internet connection is required.
Important notice:
The update process takes several minutes. You will be informed about the progress of the update. During the update, the phone speaks in a robotic voice.
Do not turn off your phone or do other actions with your phone during the update process. Doing so might result in damaging the phone’s software, making it necessary to send the phone for repair.
Very important thing is to continuously backup your data, you can find this option in the Service menu. The Backup data function will create a file containing internal user data.
Applications
Email client
Some of you might have problems connecting your emails. Let's look at some domains you might struggle with. To log in to an e-mail account, enter e-mail address, SMTP server address, IMAP server address, password, and select Save. Information about the SMTP and IMAP server addresses can be found on the website of the e-mail provider.
Outlook/Hotmail login
Please note that the original Hotmail domain has been migrated and is now part of Outlook.
You may encounter problems with two-factor authentication in the Outlook client. It might be necessary to turn off this authentication or generate a one-time app password. You should complete this process via Outlook web, not in the app.
- Please open this link: https://account.live.com/proofs/Manage/additional
- If you are not logged in, please do it. Then on the bottom part of the site there is the section "App passwords".
- Please click on "Create a new app password". Then go back to BlindShell email and put there your email address and use this generated password instead of your password.
Spotify
This app allows you to play songs, create playlists, search for favorite artists, and much more. A Spotify premium account is required, and you can find it in our app catalog. We've created a playlist for you on the Spotify app, composed of favorite songs from the BlindShell team. You can listen to an interesting mix of songs from various genres that resonate with each of us :-)
Here, you can navigate to the playlist, If you use Spotify.
Envision
The Envision App is a free smartphone app that articulates everyday visual information into speech. The free Envision App uses your smartphone's camera, to speak out written information, describe surroundings and objects, and even tell you who's nearby.
Automatically and accurately captures text in one go.
Identifies and reads text out in the correct language and voice.
Handwriting recognition Enjoy reading personal notes and cards.
- To start the app, log in with your email and select the desired section, then wait with your phone aimed at the place where your text or scene you want to describe is. You can choose from these options: scan text, envision library, finding objects, find people, describe scene, and much more. You can customize the items displayed to you in the app's settings.
- When an image is detected, melodies start playing, and while the melody plays, the text is being loaded. It is necessary to wait until this melody stops playing. An interesting feature is describing the scene, where you can choose whether you want a brief description, detailed description, or if you want to ask something specific right away. For example, you point your phone in front of you, confirm the "ask a question" option, then navigate to the text field or voice message item, where you can record or write your question. For example: Is there a sofa in front of me?
Find more information on the official website:
https://www.letsenvision.com/app and watch the video here.
Facebook Messenger
Open the Facebook Messenger app and enter your phone number or email address and password.
Then scroll down and tap on 'Log In' below. You will be asked if you want to save your details for next time; it's up to you whether you want to save them or not.
Now, to log in to Facebook, you can set and enter a PIN. Currently, each digit for the PIN needs to be entered separately. You'll need to navigate six times to the input field and choose your PIN—it's up to you what number you choose. Once you enter the last digit, you won't need to confirm anything further.
You'll also receive a message regarding contacts from your saved contacts on your phone.
After that, you'll be directly in the app.
WhatsApp login
To sign in to WhatsApp, please follow the steps below:
Choose your language: Long press the down button (this will move you to the last button, "Next").
An alert will appear. Please press OK using the left confirm button.
Agree and continue with the Privacy Policy.
Enter your phone number: Scroll down to the field saying "Edit text phone number" and press the confirm button. Enter your phone number in the text box, then press the confirm button again.
Go to the "Next" button and confirm. It will ask if your phone number is correct; please confirm by pressing OK.
Here is the important part: It will want to verify via SMS, but it's not necessary to enter anything. Please wait a few seconds, and it will verify itself.
You might see a Restore backup window. If not, the Profile info window will appear. Enter your name and photo if you wish, then confirm.
After these steps, you'll enter the app.
For the Google Drive backup option, select Never if you don't want this prompt every day. Finally, confirm the "Done" option.
Gmail login
Go to Email and press the down button once, then select "New account."
- Enter your email address, a sender name, and Save it. The Google sign-in page will open in the browser.
- Please enter your email again and select "Next."
- Enter your password in the text field and select "Next."
The final step is to allow access to your account; scroll down and accept the terms and conditions. You will be automatically redirected to your email account in BlindShell.
Icloud login
To sign in to an iCloud account, please follow the instructions below:
- Open Email and select New Account.
- Fill in the required fields and generate an app-specific password (you can find all information here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204397.
- The main instruction is to sign in to appleid.apple.com. In the Sign-In and Security section, select App-Specific Passwords. Select Generate an app-specific password or click the Add button (Blue plus sign icon), then follow the steps on your screen. Enter or paste the app-specific password into the password field of the app.
- Finally, fill in your generated password and select Save.
Shazam
Shazam is a great app that helps you identify the title of the currently playing song. Simply open the app, tap the "Shazam" button, and confirm with the confirmation button. After recognizing the song, your phone will briefly vibrate, and the title will appear on the screen. The list of searched songs can be found under the first "library" icon when you open the app.
Be My Eyes
The app connects you with a global community of volunteers and company workers ready to help you see by providing their sight and assistance in everyday tasks. Now, the app is enriched with an AI feature, utilizing artificial intelligence to instantly describe the space in front of you that you need help with. Internet connection is required for use.
Please go to the App catalog, Browse catalog, Search and type Be My Eyes or at least first letters Be, press the confirm button and install the application. Open the app and select "I need visual assistance". Then confirm Privacy and Terms by "I agree" button. You'll jump to login options, please select "Continue with Email".
If you don't have an existing account, please fill your name, surname, e-mail, choose a password and select "Next".
You will need to confirm your email, to do so, go to your email and after confirming go back to Be My Eyes.
Please confirm "OK" button on the text "I tapped the link". At the end you will be asked to select your native language, you can then complete the registration by confirming "Yes, I want to log in".
A small tip, you don't have to leave the app, just invoke a voice control, open email and tapped the link. Then also by voice command to return back to the Be My Eyes.
If you are already a user, proceed to the "Sign In" field. After logging in, scroll down to the bottom bar and confirm the "Be My AI" option. Point out your phone at the place/exposure you want to describe and confirm the "Take Picture" option. After evaluation, you will receive a description of the specific location. Then, you can take more pictures or choose the "Ask for More" option, where you can capture another part and add a specific message. AI will respond; if you don't receive a specific answer, you can call a volunteer.
Lazarillo login
Lazarillo navigation allows you to explore the world around you and set up routes. Please note that it's not possible to login via Google. You have to choose to log in via email.
Unfortunately, it is a 3rd Party application so we don't have a full manual on how to use the app.
You need to create an account, set your location, and enjoy help navigating with this app!
If you are not sure how to use the app, please open Settings and seek out the Guide. There is a little manual on how to use it.
WhatsApp ROM alert
Please don’t worry about the ROM alert.
This information appears at the first log in to WhatsApp. It is necessary to confirm this message at the end of the text, then WhatsApp will work 😊
The message comes from WhatsApp and with the confirm button BlindShell will do the step automatically. You don't have to enter the SMS code anywhere.
WhatsApp new chat
If you want to start a new chat, please open WhatsApp, long press the down button and short press the up button four times. This will take you to the button for starting a new chat. Press the confirm button and select a contact.
When you want to type a text, open the chat and you have two options to get into the text field:
Press the down button until you find the field "edit text," then press the confirm button and type your text on the keyboard. When you finish, press the confirm button, and then press the down button twice to get to "send," which you confirm by pressing the confirm button again.
Open the chat and long press the down button (you’ll jump to the last option), then press the up button twice and press the confirm button to enter the "edit text" field.
