{"id":7717,"date":"2024-10-25T10:46:34","date_gmt":"2024-10-25T10:46:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nf-patients.eu\/magazine\/?p=7717"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:46:36","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T10:46:36","slug":"how-smartphone-apps-help-blind-people","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nf-patients.eu\/magazine\/how-smartphone-apps-help-blind-people\/","title":{"rendered":"How Smartphone apps help blind people"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For this edition, we have a very interesting approach: Vision problems are always a challenge, but everyday technology can help. Jo\u00e3o Pimp\u00e3o knows that. He is 24-year-old from Portugal and has an NF-related visual impairment. Due to his visual issues, he has focused his professional path on promoting accessibility, particularly in digital technology and science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So here is his advice on how Smartphone apps can help people with vision problems or even blind people all around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Jao<\/a>
Jo\u00e3o Pimp\u00e3o looks on how smartphones can help people with low vision.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A smartphone, for those with low vision, should not be considered a mere device like it is for anyone else, but rather a tool<\/strong>, and a medium-term investment<\/strong>, that can help a lot in daily life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To choose a good smartphone, we must first look at the size and type of screen, as well as its resolution, as this is the main form of interaction we have with the device. Next, the processor is the most important part, as it influences all the other features, such as the cameras, which influence the quality of the magnification made by the device, through apps that I\u2019ll explain later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For low vision, a large screen is important, but we have to pay attention to how comfortable it is for the user to handle, in other words, there has to be a balance between size, comfort and safety<\/strong> when handling the device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, there are two main types of screens in smartphones: LCD and OLED. OLED\/AMOLED have better colours, higher contrast and a deeper black than LCD, since it is made up of individual pixels that self-illuminate, while LCD screens have a panel of LEDs at the bottom and a layer of liquid crystals to form the different colours. OLED panels are therefore the best situation of low vision<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to resolution, the higher the better, because when you enlarge an image on the screen, you can see more detail. Nowadays, most devices have FullHD+ resolution<\/strong>, so a little higher than FullHD (1920\u00d71080 pixels) which is enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerning the processor, this will influence all the features that a smartphone can currently have or will receive. The better the processor, the more features it will be able to use from the moment it is launched. That is why mid-range processors are recommended. Since applications are getting heavier and heavier, even more so with the arrival of Artificial Intelligence on smartphones and knowing that we can\u2019t always depend on a stable internet connection, relying on local processing is smart. For a better experience in the future, smartphones should have between 6GB and 8GB of RAM, ideally 8.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cameras are also important, because together with the processor, they will allow for a better image in photography, environment recognition or magnification applications. Photography,<\/strong> despite what most people think, is extremely important for those with low vision, as in many cases it allows them to see what they can\u2019t see with the naked eye through the smartphone screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The accessibility features that are available right out of the box should also be taken into account. For example, on iOS, <\/strong>the VoiceOver (screen reader)<\/strong> can be turned on from the first configuration, giving visually impaired users more independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Android, the smartphones that would be most suitable, as they already have some accessibility installed, are the Samsung and Google Pixel smartphones.<\/strong> The iPhone<\/strong>, on the other hand, already has most accessibility features pre-installed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applications for people with low vision<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the years, various useful applications have been developed for those who are visually impaired. These apps can have a variety of features, from magnification with different contrasts to recognition of the environment, text, images, and coins, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seeing AI<\/strong>: App from Microsoft, with multiple functionalities, such as recognizing images, text, and coins, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Android<\/strong>:https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.microsoft.seeingai&hl=en_US&pli=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

iOS<\/strong>: https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/seeing-ai\/id999062298<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Seeing<\/a>
Image source: https:\/\/onmsft.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Seeing-AI-e1499883993980-1024\u00d7654.jpg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Oko App<\/strong>: An app that reads traffic lights and also has maps included. This app is not yet available in Portugal but will be launched in January 2025. The app won an Apple Design Award this year in the Accessibility category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Website: https:\/\/www.ayes.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google Lookout<\/strong>: Google\u2019s application, which recognizes environments and products, among other things. It should be noted that this application is very dependent on the internet connection to have full functionality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Download link: https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.google.android.apps.accessibility.reveal&hl=en_US<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be My Eyes<\/strong>: An application that allows blind and low-vision individuals to get in touch with volunteers who can help them see whatever they need to see. This app also has integration with ChatGPT for describing images. The app is available for Android and iOS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Android<\/strong>: https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.bemyeyes.bemyeyes&hl=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

iOS: <\/strong>https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/be-my-eyes\/id905177575<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"bemyeyes\"<\/a>
Image source: https:\/\/vi.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/3.jpg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

BlindSquare<\/strong>: A GPS app developed specifically for visually impaired people, which uses only voice and text to guide them. The app is paid for, costing 44.99 euros (in Portugal).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

iOS<\/strong>: https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/blindsquare\/id500557255<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

VoiceVista<\/strong>: The app takes advantage of advanced iOS audio technology and precise location services to empower individuals to develop a heightened perception of their surroundings. It offers safety in unfamiliar surroundings, helping users form mental maps and navigate desired routes with confidence. This app has a very simple interface, to make it easier to use for people who use screen readers or magnifiers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

iOS: https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/pt\/app\/voicevista\/id6450388413<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"voice<\/a>
Image source: VoiceVista on the App Store (apple.com)<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

To conclude, mobile devices will be increasingly useful for people with low vision, and it will be increasingly necessary to learn how to take full advantage of these useful devices.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For this edition, we have a very interesting approach: Vision problems are always a challenge, but everyday technology can help. Jo\u00e3o Pimp\u00e3o knows that. He is 24-year-old from Portugal and has an NF-related visual impairment. Due to his visual issues, he has focused his professional path on promoting accessibility, particularly in digital technology and science. So here is his advice on how Smartphone apps can help people with vision problems or even blind people all around the world. A smartphone, for those with low vision, should not be considered a mere device like it is for anyone else, but rather a\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"author_meta":{"display_name":"magazineditor","author_link":"https:\/\/www.nf-patients.eu\/magazine\/author\/magazineditor\/"},"featured_img":null,"coauthors":[],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["Uncategorized<\/a>"],"unlinked":["Uncategorized<\/span>"]}},"comment_count":"0","relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 2 years ago","modified":"Updated 2 years ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on 25\/10\/2024","modified":"Updated on 25\/10\/2024"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on 25\/10\/2024 10:46","modified":"Updated on 25\/10\/2024 10:46"},"featured_img_caption":"","series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nf-patients.eu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7717"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nf-patients.eu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nf-patients.eu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nf-patients.eu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nf-patients.eu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7717"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nf-patients.eu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7717\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7720,"href":"https:\/\/www.nf-patients.eu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7717\/revisions\/7720"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nf-patients.eu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7717"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nf-patients.eu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7717"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nf-patients.eu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7717"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}