Collection: Hable One iOS Manual
This guide will take you through all the functionalities of the Hable One. First, it explains how to get started and set up your Hable One correctly. Then it describes how to navigate, type, and edit texts on your phone and finally how the Hable menu works.
This guide is intended for new users, friends, and family, or technology trainers. You can reach out to support@iamhable.com for queries or questions. Find the files to download at the end of this page.
Here you can find an overview of the different chapters:
- Setting up for the first time
- Operating the phone
- Typing
- Editing text
- Shortcuts
- Working with the Hable Menu
You can set your own pace based on how fast or slow you get through the document. For complete beginners, we recommend that you work through one chapter every day.
Have fun with this guide!
First-time set-up
This video explains in full what the Hable One is. With the help of this beginner's guide, you will be able to use the controller quickly. This guide covers how to use the Hable with TalkBack settings switched on. To use Hable with the TalkBack setting switched off, please contact Hable. TalkBack provides audio feedback while using the Hable One. First, we will explain how to hold, set up, and use the Hable One.
What’s in the box
In the box you will find the following:
- The Hable One controller
- Braille card with link to online manuals
- USB C charging cable
- Lanyard strap for your wrist
- Warranty and Safety document
Holding the Hable One
The Hable One has one flat side and one side with buttons. Furthermore, there is a power slider on the top side of the Hable One. When the power slider is facing the ceiling and the side with the buttons is pointing away from you, you can turn the Hable One on by sliding the power slider to the right. On the bottom of the Hable, there is a charging port. On the bottom right of the Hable One, there is a place to attach the lanyard, which is also included in the box.
When using the Hable One, hold the controller in the air with both hands; do not place it on a table or desk. If you prefer to lay it down, you can, but we recommend you change the button settings. See the Hable Menu section on how to do this. Make sure the power slider is facing the ceiling. The flat backside should point toward you, this way the buttons will automatically point away from you.
Hold the controller with both hands. You do this by wrapping your hands around the short side of the Hable One. Once done correctly, your index, middle, and ring fingers will fall on the six braille buttons or dots. Note that the buttons point away from you, and you press them towards you.
From now on, each button is indicated by numbers. The six small buttons are numbered like a braille cell. The three buttons in your left hand are numbered one, two, and three, with button one being closest to the power slider and button three being furthest away. The three buttons on your right hand are numbered four, five, and six, with button four being closest to the power slider and button six being furthest away.
Place the left-hand index finger, the middle finger, and the ring finger on buttons one, two, and three respectively. Place the right-hand index, middle, and ring fingers on the four, five, and six buttons respectively.
There are two longer buttons, which are the function buttons. On the left side of your left index finger, you will find button seven. On the right side of your right index finger, you will find button eight.
First time connecting to the phone
Make sure that VoiceOver is enabled on your phone. To do this go to your phone settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Turn on VoiceOver or use the accessibility shortcut to enable it.
Charging the Hable One
When the Hable One is out of battery, you can charge it with the cable that you received in the box. When it is fully empty it takes four to five hours to charge it completely. The charging port is on the bottom side of the Hable One. When the charger is connected, there will be 3 short vibrations.
Bluetooth
The Hable One pairs using Bluetooth. To pair the Hable One with your smartphone, go to settings on your phone then turn on Bluetooth. You can also use Siri to turn on Bluetooth. The next step is to switch Hable on.
When you hold the device in the correct position, you turn the Hable One on by sliding the slide switch all the way to the right. The Hable One will vibrate twice when it is switched on. This indicates that the device is charged and ready to use. The next step is to pair the Hable with the phone.
Look for the name of the controller "Hable One", in the list of more devices. Once you have found the device name, double-click to start pairing. If the controller is not visible, try turning the Hable One off and on again. If the pairing is successful, the Hable One will vibrate to indicate that it is connected. The Hable One is now ready to use.
Smartphone mode
The first time your Hable One connects to your phone, it automatically recognizes whether it is in iOS or Android mode. If you have previously paired it with an Android phone, you can change the mode manually. To find out how to do this, go to the Hable Menu section in this manual.
Language
The Hable One can be set to several languages. Before we send the Hable One to you, we already set it to the right language for you. If you want to know how to change the language, please check the Hable Menu section of the user manual.
Basic functions
Navigating the phone with the Hable One is easy to learn. In this section, you will learn the basics of how to move through your phone. You can go to the next and previous item, select an item, and move to the home screen. This section covers the basic functions. For more functions refer to the all functions guide.
Some functions will follow. Also, a short explanation will be given on how to perform them on the Hable One and an example of where you would use it:
Move to next item
Hold 7 and press 8
When you are in the home screen and want to navigate from one app to the next app. You can navigate between items even within an app using this function.
Move to previous item
Hold 8 and press 7
When you are in the home screen and want to navigate from one app to the previous app.
Select an item
Press 7 and 8
To open an app once the focus is on the icon.
Home screen shortcut
Hold 1,2 and 5 (Same as the braille letter ‘h’)
When you want to exit the application you are on and want to go to the home screen directly.
In case any problems occur while using the Hable One, you can consult the problem-solving guide for a solution.
Typing
Typing is one of the most important functions of the Hable One. Typing works the same as with other braille input devices. In case you are not familiar with the braille alphabet yet, the Hable One braille manual will be helpful for you. Let us begin.
Typing letters
Same as Braille - So, when you press button 1, you write the letter 'a'. Buttons 1 and 2 give the letter 'b', Buttons 1 and 4 give 'c', and so on. See also the Braille manual.
Typing contractions
Same as Braille – You enable or disable contractions by holding 1,2,4 and 5 (these combinations of buttons are the same as the braille letter ‘g’).
Dictation
Hold 2
By holding 2 you activate the dictation function. When you are done dictating, hold 2 again.
Space
Press 8
Backspace
Press 7
Enter
Press 1 and 8
Shift enter (or new line)
Press 2 and 8
Note that in message apps, such as Whatsapp, Shift-Enter creates a new line, whilst Enter sends the message.
Numbers
Press 3,4,5,6 first. This is to create a distinction between typing letters and numbers. Then, button 1 on the Hable One gives the number one. Button 1 and 2 give number two and so on. You might notice, these are in the same order as alphabets. To go back to typing alphabets, press button 8 for space and continue.
Capitals
Press 6 first, followed by the letter you want to type. This works the same as the shift key on your keyboard, so the character after the capital letter will automatically be lowercase. Note that the capital sign might be different per language. Pressing 6 twice activates Caps for the coming word. Pressing 6 three times activates CapsLock and is deactivated by pressing Enter.
Text editing
Making text editing easier is one of the most important functions of the Hable One. With the basic functions of text editing, you can browse through your written texts, and erase, and replace characters or words. You can also start new lines.
Functions, how to perform them on the Hable One, and an example of where you would use it:
4.1. Move the cursor to next character
Hold 7 and press 4
In the word “Hable”, if you want the cursor to go from the letter ‘H’ to ‘a’
4.2. Move the cursor to the previous character
Hold 4 and press 7
In the word “Hable”, if you want the cursor to go from the letter ‘a’ to ‘H’
For the above two functions, it is important to remember that VoiceOver reads out the character that the insertion point goes past.
4.3. Go to the next word
Hold 7 and press 5.
4.4. Go to the previous word
Hold 5 and press 7
4.5. Backspace
Press 7
4.6. New line
Press 1 and 8 (make sure to only press the 1 and 8 shortly)
Wherever you would use the enter key on your keyboard
4.7. Shift enter
Press 2 and 8
4.8. Rotor
The rotor is a menu specifically for IOS that allows the user to access special functions such as Speaking rate or navigation methods such as per heading, line, or character.
4.8.1. Next rotor setting
Hold 7 and press 5 and 6
4.8.2. Previous rotor setting
Hold 5 and 6 and Press 7
4.8.3. Next item using the rotor setting
Hold 7 and press 6
4.8.4. Previous item using the rotor setting
Hold 6 and press 7
For text editing, there are a few tricks to remember the button combinations more easily. All text editing is built around button 7 for your left hand and buttons 4,5 and 6 for your right hand. In addition, all actions are mirrored, so if you know how to go forward, you can figure out how to go back.
For example, you can move to the next character by holding down button 7 and pressing button 4 once. To go back to one character, hold down key 4 and press key 7 once.
Shortcuts
The Hable One uses several shortcut keys to quickly navigate through the phone. Most of these shortcuts are easy to remember with some tricks. As you read through this chapter, we recommend that you use the shortcuts as you read them. Some of these shortcuts you may have learned in previous chapters, but it is helpful to repeat them. Let's get started!
Functions, how to perform them on the Hable One, and an example of where you would use it:
Pause reading: Hold 1
When you want VoiceOver to stop reading a text. If you hold 1 again, VoiceOver starts reading again.
Two-finger double tap (or magic touch): Hold 3
This function can be used for various things including: Picking up the phone, hanging up the phone, pausing or playing music, and pausing and playing videos.
Notifications: Hold 1,3,4 and 5
When you want an overview of the messages you have received without opening them. Same as the braille letter ‘n’.
Status bar: Hold 2,3 and 4
If you want a quick scan of the time, WiFi status, etc. Same as the braille letter ‘s’.
Control centre: Hold 2, 4 and 5
The Control center is a small menu that gives access to some important, much-used functions. Examples are the flashlight, the Wifi, and the Bluetooth settings. Which settings are in here exactly is dependent on the phone and preferences. The control center can always be opened and closed by pressing 2,4 and 5.
Move to the top of the screen: Hold 1,2 and 3
Navigate to the first clickable item on the screen
Move to the bottom of the screen: Hold 4,5 and 6
Navigate to the last clickable item on the screen
Back: Hold 1 and 2
When you want to return to the last page you were on. Same as the braille letter ‘b’.
Mute VoiceOver: Hold 1,3 and 4
Hold again to turn it on again
Activating Siri: Hold 1, 4 and 5
To open an app with voice command. Please note that these functions only work if you have Siri enabled in your settings. If there are any problems with this function, please go to the troubleshooting guide. Same as the Braille letter ‘d’.
Screen Curtain: Hold 3 and 4
The screen curtain makes the screen black without turning the phone off.
Hable Menu
In the Hable Menu, you can change the device settings, change the button layout, or check the battery status. Please note that every time you open the Hable menu and perform an action, you automatically leave the Hable menu. So, if you want to perform a new action, you must first press and hold button 1,2,3,4,5,6 again.
Hable settings menu: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 to enter the hable menu.
4 vibrations will indicate a hable menu. Hable will exit the menu once you pick an option from the menu.
ABAE settings: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 1,3,6
Is part of language group 1.
Android system: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 1 to activate settings for android
Battery status: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 3,6.
3 vibrations mean full charge and 1 vibration means low charge.
Belgium country settings: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 12 to activate settings for iPhone
Braille dot settings: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 1,3,4,6.
Dots 1 and 3 will switch meaning. Dots 4 and 6 will switch meaning. Repeat to switch again.
Finnish country settings: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 1,4
Is part of language group 2.
France country settings: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 1,2,4
Is part of language group 1.
Germany country settings: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 1,2,4,5
Is part of language group 1.
Icelandic country settings: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 1,2,3
Is part of language group 2.
iPhone and iPad system: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 2
Long press delay or vibration length: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 1,2,3
Repeat the action to change the settings. 4 vibrations is the longest duration while 1 vibration is the shortest.
Netherlands country settings: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 1,4,5
Is part of language group 2.
Spanish country settings: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 2,3,4
UEB settings: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 1,5
Is part of language groups 1 and 2.
Congratulations! You have now reached the end of this getting started guide. We now recommend that you use the functions manual to look up specific and more advanced functions. If you feel like you need further help, feel free to contact us at support@iamhable.com.
This is the end of the beginner’s guide. For your convenience, we have included more relevant information. On the next page, the functions guide starts. Here you will find all the functions of the Hable One.
On behalf of the entire Hable Team, good luck with your Hable One!
Functions Manual (iOS) for Hable One
Updated May 2024 for iOS
This is a quick overview of all the functions the Hable One can perform. To get some more detailed explanations of Hable One please head over to the beginner’s guides. You can navigate through the headings to find exactly what you’re looking for. Make use of the Search in document function by holding 1,2,4,5,6 and entering text. Hold 2,6 to scroll search results. Now, the Hable guides come equipped with YouTube tutorials with every function. To find all the videos in one place head over to the hable playlist on YouTube.
App switcher: Hold 2,3
If the focus is not on the app. First, go to the home screen and try holding dots 2,3. To close an app press dots 1,4,5,6 when the cursor is focused on the app you want to close in the app switcher.
Back: B, Hold 1,2
Backspace: Press 7
Backspace word: Press 5,7
Boldface text: Hold 1,2,8
First, select the text and then use this command.
Character next: Hold 7 and press 4
Works both in edit and non-edit fields.
Character previous: Hold 4 and press 7
Works both in edit and non-edit fields.
Close tab: Hold 2,3,5 to close the tab in Safari or Chrome browser
iPhone gesture is a three finger triple tap
Control centre: Hold 2,4,5
iPhone gesture is a three finger swipe up
Copy speech to clipboard: Hold 1,2,3,5,6
When VoiceOver says something, this command will copy that text. You can paste the text anywhere.
Copy text: C, Hold 1,4
Cut text: X, Hold 1,3,4,6
Dictation: Hold 2
Make sure dictation is enabled in settings.
Edit an item's label: Hold 1,2,3,4,6
Enter: Press 1,8
Hable menu: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6
Jump to all hable menu options.
Homescreen: H, Hold 1,2,5
To go to the next screen Hold 1,3,5. For previous screen dots 2,4,6.
Italicize text: Hold 1,3,8
Item first: Hold 1,2,3 to move to the first item on the screen
iPhone gesture is a four-finger tap top of the screen
Item last: Hold 4,5,6 to move to the last item on the screen
iPhone gesture is a four-finger tap bottom of the screen
Item next: Hold 7 and press 8
Item previous: Hold 8 and press 7
Lock screen: Hold 2,5
Long press: Hold 3,8
iPhone gesture is one finger double tap and hold
Magic tap: Hold 3
To receive or end calls, play pause music or audio. Use press and hold buttons to record voice messages in WhatsApp or in iMessages or rewind and fast forward audio books.
Move to the bottom of the document: Hold 3,5,6
Move to the Top of the document: Hold 2,3,6
Mute: Hold 1,3,4
Hold again to unmute.
New line: Press 2,8 in notes or messages
New note: N, Hold 2,3,4,5,6
Create a new email, new text message, new note, or new calendar event. You should be in the text field of notes for this function to work. iPhone gesture is a two-finger double tap and hold
New tab: Hold 2,5,6 to open a tab in Safari or Chrome
Notifications: Hold 1,3,4,5
Press back to close notifications.
Open Item Chooser: Hold 2,4
Paste text: V, Hold 1,2,3,6
Pause voiceover: Hold 1
iPhone gestures is a two finger single tap
Play pause media: Hold 1,2,3,4
Press and hold: E, Hold 1,5
To record voice messages in WhatsApp or iMessage or rewind and fast forward Bard books.
Print: Hold 1,2,3,4,8
Quick Navigation: Hold 3,4,6 to switch off quick navigation
Read contents from next: Hold 1,2,3,5
Output for text
Read from the top: Hold 2,4,5,6
Redo: Hold 1,3,4,5,6
Reply to email: Hold 1,2,4,6
Rotor item: next specified by the rotor: Hold 7 and press 6
An example to use this command is decreased speech rate. iPhone gesture is one finger swipe down.
Rotor item: previous item specified by the rotor: Hold 6 and press 7
An example of using this command is increasing speech rate. iPhone gesture is one finger swipe up.
Screen curtain: Hold 3,4
Turn the screen curtain on or off.
Screenshot: Hold 3,6
Scroll down one page: Hold 1,4,5,6
If this command does not work, use dots 3,4,6 to switch on quick nav first. VoiceOver will beep when quick navigation is turned on.
Scroll left one page: Hold 2,4,6
Scroll right one page: Hold 1,3,5
Four-finger tap near the top of the screen
Scroll up one page: Hold 3,4,5,6
Search: Hold 1,2,4
Search in a document: Hold 1,2,4,5,6 and enter text. Hold 2,6 to scroll search results.
Select all text: Hold 2,3,5,6
In editable fields only.
Select an item: Press 7,8
Select character left: Hold 4,5 and press 7
In editable fields only.
Select character right: Hold 7 and press 4,5
In editable fields only.
Select the word on the left: Hold 4,6 and press 7
In editable fields only.
Select the word on the right: Hold 7 and press 4,6
In editable fields only.
Send an email: Hold 2,3,4,6
Show keyboard: Hold 1,4,6
Hide or show the on-screen keyboard.
Single letter quick nav: Hold 1,2,3,4,5 in web browser
Siri: Hold 1,4,5
Make sure that Siri is activated in settings.
Space: Hold 8
Spotlight search: Hold 1,6. Global search
iPhone gesture is a three-finger swipe right
Status bar: S, Hold 2,3,4
Switch keyboard: Hold 1,5,6
To switch between multiple languages of the phone (not Hable). Can also be used to use the emoji keyboard.
Switch VO off: Hold 1,2,3,8
To switch off VO. Switching on VO is possible by using full keyboard access. Use dots 1,3,6.
Tab backwards: Hold 1,2,5,6
Used for navigating items back for new users. On any app and browser.
Tab forward: Hold 2,3,4,5
Used for navigating items next for new users. On any app and browser.
Turn the rotor left: Hold 5,6 and press 7
Moving rotor counter-clockwise.
Turn the rotor right: Hold 7 and press 5,6
Moving rotor clockwise.
Underline text: Hold 2,3,8
Undo: Hold 1,3,5,6
Voiceover help: Hold 1,3
VoiceOver on or off: Hold 1,3,6
When full keyboard access settings are turned on. With iOS 16, there is a known bug around turning on full keyboard access with Voiceover running
Volume down: Hold 1,2,6
Volume up: Hold 3,4,5
Word next: Hold 7 and press 5
Word previous: Hold 5 and press 7
Hable Menu
ABAE settings: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 1,3,6
Is part of language group 1.
Android system: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 1 to activate settings for android
Battery status: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 3,6.
3 vibrations mean full charge and 1 vibration means low charge.
Belgium country settings: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 12 to activate settings for iPhone
Braille dot settings: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 1,3,4,6.
Dots 1 and 3 will switch meaning. Dots 4 and 6 will switch meaning. Repeat to switch again.
Finnish country settings: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 1,4
Is part of language group 2.
France country settings: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 1,2,4
Is part of language group 1.
Germany country settings: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 1,2,4,5
Is part of language group 1.
Hable easy Hable mode: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 5,6
Hable easy one-hand mode: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 2,3
Hable settings menu: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 to enter the hable menu.
4 vibrations will indicate a hable menu. Hable will exit the menu once you pick an option from the menu.
Icelandic country settings: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 1,2,3
Is part of language group 2.
iPhone and iPad system: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 2
Long press delay or vibration length: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 1,2,3
Repeat the action to change the settings. 4 vibrations are the longest duration while 1 vibration is the shortest.
Netherlands country settings: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 1,4,5
Is part of language group 2.
Spanish country settings: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 2,3,4
Turkish country settings: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 2,5
Is part of language group 2.
UEB settings: Hold 1,2,3,4,5,6 and then hold 1,5
Is part of language groups 1 and 2.
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