• There are NO changes to the BookCourier firmware in this release. The current release version is 01.03.01.

Transfer Tool 1.4.3.0 Changes

• Bookshare.org File Filter. This release fixes a problem with some Bookshare.org files where only a portion of the file would transfer properly.
• Grade 2 Braille File Filter. This release fixes a problem with Grade 2 Braille transfers where only a portion of the file would transfer properly.
• TNAUK File Filter. This release contains the latest version of the TNAUK file filter.
• Text File Filter. This release fixes a problem with some text files where the paragraph and page navigation would stop working in a portion of the file.
• MP3 File Transfers. In the previous release, the Transfer Tool would prompt you to do a partial file transfer if the MP3 file was over 10MB in size. Now, the Transfer Tool does not prompt you to do a partial transfer.

February 7, 2005 Release

This release contains support for DAISY 2.02 audio files. In addition to the DAISY support, BookCourier allows you to go to a specified page. We've also made changes to Fast Forward and Reverse to allow you to skip through an audio file in specified time increments. Finally, BookCourier now allows you to navigate through MP3 files in time increments. Read on for more details. 

BookCourier 01.03.01 Changes

• Time Increment Navigation in MP3 Files. BookCourier now allows you to jump through an MP3 file in 10 second increments using the 4 and 6 keys. Unfortunately, this feature is not backwards-compatible with the MP3 files already on your BookCourier. To take advantage of this navigation you must retransfer your MP3 files to BookCourier using the latest version of the Transfer Tool. 
• Bookmarks in MP3 Files. Now you can create a bookmark in an MP3 file. In order for this feature to work, you must transfer the file to BookCourier using the Transfer Tool.
• DAISY-Specific Navigation Levels. DAISY 2.02 audio files have navigation levels that are different from those used by other file types. DAISY files may contain the following navigation levels: page, heading 1 through heading 6, and phrase. Click here to read the details in the BookCourier User Guide.
• Go to Page. This new feature lets you enter a page number and then jump directly to that page. You can use Go To Page in any file that has pages, DAISY or otherwise. Click here to read the details in the BookCourier User Guide.
• Fast Forward/Fast Reverse Modifications. The way you activate fast forward and fast reverse has changed to allow you more control over the process in all file types. In the past, you turned on the feature by pressing Shift-4 or 6 and then stopped the process by pressing any key. Now, the Shift-4 and 6 keys perform an auto-repeat if you continue to hold them down. The result is that you can move continuously forward or backward by pressing and holding down the Shift-4 or 6 keys. When you release the keys, BookCourier stops. In text files (TXT, Bookshare.org, Grade 2 Braille, and TNAUK), BookCourier jumps by increments of 5% just as it did in previous releases. In Audible files, DAISY 2 audio files, and MP3 files, BookCourier jumps by 5 second increments. You can modify the time increment by changing the Fast Forward and Reverse Increment option in the Settings List. The default is 5 seconds and the other options are 1 minute, 5 minutes, and 10 minutes. Click here to read the details about Fast Forward and Reverse in the BookCourier User Guide. Be aware that these changes won't work for MP3 files already loaded on your BookCourier. You must retransfer your MP3 files to BookCourier using the latest version of the Transfer Tool. 
• Where am I Changes. For DAISY 2 audio files, Audible files, and MP3 files, BookCourier now tells you how much time has elapsed since the beginning of the file rather than reporting a percentage. For MP3 files only, this feature is not backwards-compatible. You must retransfer your MP3 files to BookCourier using the latest version of the Transfer Tool. 
• Pause Preview. Now when you navigate while a file is paused, BookCourier plays a brief portion of the file to let you know where you are. This is true for audio files as well as text files.
• Updated User Guides with Built-in Navigation. Now you can navigate through the BookCourier User Guide and Transfer Tool User Guide using chapter and heading navigation levels. When you update the BookCourier firmware, the new Talking User Guide will be installed. To update the Transfer Tool User Guide on your BookCourier, you must copy two files directly onto the flash card using Windows Explorer. Click on the following links to download the two files to your computer: TTUserGuide.ppm._DD and TTUserGuide.ppm._IX. After you update the BookCourier firmware, you can copy these files to BookCourier. The Transfer Tool will treat them as one file.
• Default Battery Type Setting. Due to popular demand, the default value for the Battery Type option is now Non-rechargeable. Also, when you use the Change Batteries function, BookCourier saves the Battery Type setting so you don't need to reset it whenever you insert new batteries.
• Buffer Overflow Fix. This release fixes a navigation problem that occurred in files with long stretches of text without punctuation.  

Transfer Tool 1.4.2.0 Changes

• DAISY 2.02 Audio File Filter. The Transfer Tool now allows you to transfer DAISY 2.02 audio files from your PC to BookCourier. Click here to read the details in the Transfer Tool User Guide.
• MP3 File Filter. This new file filter allows you to take advantage of time increment navigation in MP3 files. Up until now, you could only fast forward and reverse through an MP3 file. Now you can jump by increments of 5 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, and 10 minutes. You MUST use the Transfer Tool and NOT Explorer to transfer MP3 files to BookCourier if you want to take advantage of the new navigation options.
• No More File Size Limitations. In this release there are no more file size limitations. Now file size is limited only by the size of your flash card.
• Window-Eyes Fix. This release fixes a problem that occurred in the Transfer Tool during large file transfers. If you were using Window Eyes, the cursor became disabled during the transfer so you couldn't read the screen.
• Audible Fix. A handful of Audible files use filenames with hidden characters that cause the Transfer Tool to fail during the file transfer. We've updated the file filter to handle this situation without causing an error.
• Bookshare.org File Filter Fix. Bookshare.org has changed the format of their new DAISY files. This release upgrades the BookCourier file filter for these files to accommodate the Bookshare.org changes. Prior to this fix, BookCourier would reread the same sentence multiple times in some portions of certain Bookshare.org DAISY files.
• NY Times Sunday Edition Download Fix. This release fixes a problem that occurred when a file contained over 100K of text in a single paragraph. The fix affects only the Bookshare.org file filter.

September 29, 2004 Release
This release expands BookCourier's file support to include Grade 2 Braille files as well as files from the Talking Newspaper Association of the United Kingdom (TNAUK).

BookCourier Changes

• There are NO changes to the BookCourier firmware in this release. The current release version is 01.02.05.

Transfer Tool 1.2.4.0 Changes

• Grade 2 Braille File Filter. The Transfer Tool now allows you to transfer Grade 2 Braille files from your PC to BookCourier. 
• TNAUK File Filter. The Transfer Tool also supports files from the Talking Newspaper Association of the United Kingdom (TNAUK). This organization provides a service similar to NFB-Newsline from the National Federation of the Blind in the US. (Remember, BookCourier currently supports NFB-Newsline via Bookshare.org.) You don't have to live in the UK to become a member of TNAUK. 
• Bookshare.org File Filter Changes. The Transfer Tool has a new algorithm for inserting sentence markers in the Bookshare.org DAISY files. These changes should result in more reliable sentence navigation once you play the files on your BookCourier. To take advantage of these changes, you must retransfer the BKS files from your PC to BookCourier. Also, we fixed the constraint for Windows XP Home users where you couldn't store Bookshare.org files in the Program Files folder. Now there are no restrictions on where you can store your files. In addition, the filter changes correct a problem that caused an HHAccess error during the transfer of some Bookshare.org files.

• Current Reading Position. This release fixes a problem where BookCourier sometimes resumed reading a file in the wrong location after the user paused the file.
• New Battery Setting. There is a new setting called Battery Type with the options Non-rechargeable and Rechargeable; the default is Rechargeable. This setting lets BookCourier know whether or not  you are using the type of batteries that are shipped with the unit. As noted in the BookCourier User Guide, if you are using rechargeable batteries (either alkaline or other), BookCourier can display unpredictable behavior when the batteries run low or die. When this setting is set to Rechargeable, BookCourier makes adjustments that will circumvent any problems when the batteries run low. If you are using non-rechargeable alkaline batteries like those shipped with the unit, you should change this setting to Non-rechargeable so that BookCourier can take full advantage of the battery life. 
• Page Navigation. This release changes the way BookCourier navigates by page. Now, if you are close to the beginning of a page and you navigate back by a page, BookCourier jumps back to the previous page. If you are more towards the middle or end of a page and you navigate back by a page, BookCourier jumps to the beginning of the current page. 
• Voice Recording Playback. This release fixes a problem that occurred when pausing a voice recording during playback. You couldn't resume play using the 5 key. The only way to start play again was to go to the Library and select the recording.
• MP3 File Playback. This release modifies the MP3 file playback to reduce the “popping” sound that occurred on start and stop play.
• Deleting MP3 Files. This release fixes a problem related to deleting MP3 files. BookCourier was deleting the MP3 file, but not the system file associated with it. This situation didn't cause any operational problems, but you could see the extraneous files on BookCourier if you used Windows Explorer.
• Buffer Overrun Errors. This release fixed a code problem that may have been causing occasional Buffer Overrun error messages during file navigation.
• Voice Recording Navigation. The BookCourier User Guide has been updated to include more information about voice recording playback. When BookCourier plays back a voice recording, the only available function is pause. You cannot use any navigation features such as jump to the beginning of the file or fast forward or rewind. 

Transfer Tool 1.2.3.0 Changes

• There are NO changes to the Transfer Tool in this release. The current release version is 1.2.3.0.

• There are NO changes to BookCourier in this release. The current release version is 01.02.04.

Transfer Tool 1.2.3.0 Changes

• Support for Bookshare.org DAISY Files. Now you can transfer Bookshare.org DAISY files from your PC to BookCourier using the Transfer Tool. Download any book in the Bookshare.org library or any of the periodicals newly available from the NFB Newsline. Click here to read the Bookshare.org chapter in the Transfer Tool User Guide for all the details about this exciting new feature.
• Partial File Transfer. This problem occurred when you downloaded a subsequent portion of an Audible file. The first part of the new file did not sound right, although you could play the bulk of the file. The current release fixes the problem.

• MP3 File Current Reading Position. This release fixes a problem for MP3 files when Auto-Advance is off. Now when you finish listening to an MP3 file, BookCourier moves the current reading position to the beginning of the file. The next time you play the file, it will start playing from the beginning. 
• Time Settings. This release also fixes a problem with the time settings where the time reported in the settings was the last time you entered, not the actual time. 
• Firmware Error Condition. This release fixes a problem that was causing a firmware error condition.
• Update Errors. In the last release, a few users experienced problems with the update process that could only be corrected by copying system files directly onto their BookCouriers. This release fixes those problems. However, the fixes won't take effect until the next time you update.
• USB Connection. This release fixes a USB connection problem that a few users experienced. The problem manifested itself in a couple of ways. First, there were some PCs that just didn't recognize BookCourier when it was plugged in. Second, in a few cases BookCourier would speak for a few seconds when you connected it into PC. When you disconnected BookCourier, it would lock up.
• Shift Key Help. The talking help now works for the shift key.

Transfer Tool 1.2.1.0 Known Bug

We are currently working on a known bug with the Transfer Tool and will make the software available very soon. This problem occurs when you download a subsequent portion of an Audible file. The first part of this new file will not sound right, although you can play the bulk of the file. To avoid the problem until the fix is ready, don't use the partial download feature, if you can fit the entire Audible file onto your BookCourier. This problem does NOT affect the transfer of text or MP3 files.

• Auto-Advance Fix. This release fixes a problem where auto-advance fails when you reach the end of an MP3 or Audible file.
• MP3 Navigation Fix. This release also fixes a navigation problem with MP3 files once you reach the end of the file. Now BookCourier will stop playing at the end of an MP3 file and automatically reset the play position to the beginning of the file. The next time the file is played, it will start at the beginning. Also, the Beginning function (4 key for one beep) now jumps to the beginning of the MP3 file whether the file is playing or paused.

BookCourier Known Bugs

• Unfortunately, the recent fix for jumping to the beginning of MP3 files when they finish playing only fixed the problem when Auto-Advance is turned on. When Auto-Advance is off, the current reading position stays at the end of the file. You can, however, use the one beep function on the 4 key (Beginning) to go back to the start of the file. Or, you can turn Auto-Advance on.
• There is also a problem with the time settings. If you set the time, exit Settings, and then check the time periodically, BookCourier reports the time accurately. However, if you go back into Settings, BookCourier reports the time as the last time you set, not the current time. If you increment or decrement the time, BC will change the actual time properly and report it accurately. The bug is a little confusing, but it won't affect the accuracy of the Date/Time function on the question mark key.
• A number of people have commented on some new and mysterious error messages that whiz by while you're playing. If you can catch the filename and line number reported by the message and you can describe what you were doing when the error occurred, please send the information to katie@springer-design.com. In the next release, we'll allow you to replay the error message so it will be easier to keep track of the error details.

Transfer Tool 1.2.1.0 Known Bug

• Audible File Support. The Transfer Tool now allows you to download type 4 Audible files to your BookCourier. The new functions include: activate/deactivate BookCourier; transfer all or part of an Audible file, including subsequent portions of the file; view a list of Audible files on the PC; and launch a browser displaying the Audible.com website. The Transfer Tool User Guide explains all the new functions you can use. Click here to read the Audible chapter.
• Memory Cards with More Than 256MB. This release corrects a problem that prevented BookCourier from using more than 256MB of storage on any card, even if the card had more than 256MB of space available.  

BookCourier 01.02.00

• Audible File Support. BookCourier has a number of new features that allow you to listen to type 4 Audible files. You can set bookmarks, navigate by time increments (5 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, and 10 minutes) or by section, adjust the volume of the BookCourier messages that play while you're listening to an Audible file, and more. Click here to read a new section in the BookCourier User Guide that explains all the Audible file features in detail.
• Turning BookCourier On and Off. Some customers have been confused about when to turn BookCourier off and then how to turn it on again. To simplify the issue, we'd like to change the way we talk about the concepts of off and on. From now on, you do not need to turn BookCourier off or on. After 10 seconds of inactivity, BookCourier will beep and automatically go to sleep. When you want to use BookCourier again, simply press the key for the function you want to perform.
• Changing Batteries. In the past you had to turn off BookCourier before changing the batteries. Now, you activate the Change Batteries function by pressing Shift-diamond (the diamond key is the first key in the bottom row). Click here to read the complete documentation in the BookCourier User Guide.
• New Delete Key. The delete function has moved from Shift-diamond to Shift-0. We moved Delete off the diamond key to make room for the Change Batteries function. We thought the Change Batteries and Battery Level functions belonged on the same key. If you forget about the change and try to use Shift-diamond to do a delete, BookCourier prompts you to confirm your intention to change the batteries. Just press any other key to cancel and then try Shift-0 to do the delete.
• Removing a Memory Card. In the past you had to turn off BookCourier before removing a memory card. Now, all you have to do is wait 10 seconds for BookCourier to beep and go to sleep. Then, remove the memory card. Click here to read the complete documentation in the BookCourier User Guide.
• Formatting a Memory Card. You can now format your flash memory card when it's loaded in BookCourier. Click here to read the documentation in the BookCourier User Guide.
• Quick Reference Information. The BookCourier User Guide now contains a graphic that shows at a glance what functions are attached to each key. Also, there is a new appendix that lists the key strokes for every function by subject area. This is an easy way to figure out what key to press to perform a particular function. Both the keypad graphic and the subject area/key reference are also available as a separate Quick Reference document that you can print.
• Talking Help. This release fixes an error in the Talking Help for the 7 key.
• Settings. BookCourier now announces "System Information" before reading the space available, version number, and serial number. Also, a new setting called Volume Offset allows you to adjust the volume of the BookCourier messages in relation to the volume of an MP3 or Audible file.
• USB Connection. This release fixes a problem that Windows 2000 and XP had in recognizing BookCourier when you plugged in the USB cable.

• Check for Updates. This feature allows you to automatically update your BookCourier software from the BookCourier web site.
• Browse for MP3 Files. When you select the Browse PC function, you can now filter the files to search for MP3 files only.

• Navigation Fixes. This release fixes a number of bugs related to navigation within a document, including fast forward and reverse issues. 
• Date/Time. The release also fixes a problem related to changing the date and time.
• User Guide. You can now exit from the user guide when it's paused.

September 2003 Release (Initial Release)

In an effort to get BookCourier out the door as soon as possible, we have decided to release the product without some of the documented features. Don't worry – the product is FULLY FUNCTIONAL. Also, Springer Design, Incorporated will provide all bug fixes and updates to the current version of software on the web site for you to download. Please consult the What’s New page on our web site for information about new software releases. Here is a list describing the unfinished features as well as some known bugs in the current release of BookCourier and the BookCourier Transfer Tool.

Transfer Tool 1.0.2.0

• The Transfer Tool supports two file types: text (TXT) and MP3. Support for additional file types will be available in the near future.
• Bookshare.org support has not been implemented yet. Although you cannot download books directly from the Bookshare.org library to BookCourier using the Transfer Tool, you can manually download a file from Bookshare.org in text format and then use the Transfer Tool to copy that file from your PC to BookCourier.
• The PC window does not allow you to browse the hierarchy of folders and files. Instead, you must browse and select files on the PC using a File Open dialog box. The PC window only displays search results.

• The Jump feature has not been implemented yet.
• The Table of Contents feature has not been implemented yet. However, you can navigate through a document by page or paragraph.
• The Favorites List has not been implemented yet. However, you can create a Favorites folder using the Transfer Tool.
• The Alarm feature has not been implemented yet.
• You cannot currently get help on the Shift key (the middle key in the bottom row).