[blindza] Re: [Blind] Fw: BlindSquare: App Uses Foursquare Data to Help the Blind Navigate Streets

Hanif Kruger <grr@xxxxxxxxxx> · Wed, 6 Jun 2012 17:24:13 +0200

Hi,

I have been using it for a few days now and though it is a bit chatty at some 
times, I quite like it.  I am still playing around with it though.

Warm regards

Hanif Kruger

Tel.: +27100130007

Sent from my iPad

On 06/06/2012, at 12:45 PM, "Jacob Kruger" <jacob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Well, openStreetMap does have data for this area, but, yes, somewhat limited 
> - got like the export of the full osm map database for this area here 
> imported into loadstone on my nokia phones, FWIW, and while it seems to have 
> quite a few points in it, not everything is marked as such.
> 
> stay well
> 
> Jacob Kruger
> Blind Biker
> Skype: BlindZA
> '...fate had broken his body, but not his spirit...'
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Carel Ewald" <cewald@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: "'National Accessibility Portal mailing list with topics focused on 
> accessibility for users with visual disabilities.'" <blind@xxxxxxxxxxxx>; 
> "'BlindZA'" <blindza@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2012 11:50 AM
> Subject: [blindza] Re: [Blind] Fw: BlindSquare: App Uses Foursquare Data to 
> Help the Blind Navigate Streets
> 
> 
>> Cool. Would be interesting if someone in S.A are able to use it and how it
>> compares with Ariadme which does similar if I can remember correctly.
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> 
>> Carel Ewald
>> +27 83 463 4023
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Jacob Kruger [mailto:jacob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
>> Sent: 06 June 2012 11:38 AM
>> To: NAPSA Blind; BlindZA
>> Subject: [Blind] Fw: BlindSquare: App Uses Foursquare Data to Help the Blind
>> Navigate Streets
>> 
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: <editor@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> To: <vipnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2012 10:23 AM
>> Subject: [vipnews] BlindSquare: App Uses Foursquare Data to Help the Blind
>> Navigate Streets
>> 
>> 
>> Mashable.com
>> BlindSquare: App Uses Foursquare Data to Help the Blind Navigate Streets
>> by Joann Pan 0
>> 
>> The 20 million+ people on Foursquare have created an incredibly detailed
>> crowdsourced directory.
>> BlindSquare is a new app that's making use of Foursquare's 2 billion
>> check-ins worldwide to help
>> blind pedestrians find locations on foot or while using public
>> transportation.
>> BlindSquare integrates Foursquare data with Apple's native VoiceOver
>> technology to create a
>> location-based virtual map through sound. When the app is enabled, it reads
>> addresses, street names
>> and surrounding locations aloud. Directions are available on demand.
>> 
>> LINK:
>> http://www.blindsquare.com/
>> 
>> "Basically it speaks what's around you and if you want to go somewhere it
>> will give guidance,"
>> Finland-based app creator Ilkka Pirttimaa tells Mashable. "When they travel
>> on a bus, they don't
>> normally know where to get of. Now, they can hear surroundings and even
>> street crossings when [the]
>> bus is making a turn."
>> The app is available in the Apple iTunes store for $14.99. The high cost
>> covers the right to use
>> Acapela's speech synthesis technology that turns text into speech on
>> different devices, according to
>> developers.
>> 
>> LINK:
>> http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/blindsquare/id500557255?mt=8
>> 
>> BlindSquare was conceptualized and created in six months. Pirttimaa calls it
>> a mashup of GPS
>> technology, speech synthesis, crowdsourced data through Foursquare and
>> augmented reality with audio.
>> "You launch the app whenever you need assistance," he says. "If blind person
>> is in the area, which
>> she doesn't know, BlindSquare will help to 'draw a map' with information
>> about streets and crossings
>> and services around you."
>> The technology was built to help blind individuals in unfamiliar areas.
>> BlindSquare draws a map of
>> information about surrounding streets, crossings and services nearby.
>> Categories within the app
>> include arts and entertainment, colleges, food, great outdoors, nightlife
>> spots, residences, shops
>> and travel.
>> Foursquare map points show up ranked by number of check-ins.
>> "BlindSquare reports the most popular restaurants, cafes, etc.," he says.
>> "So,
>> it's not just listing
>> places around. BlindSquare helps you to make sense what's around you."
>> Pirttimaa tested the app with blind individuals in Finland, the U.S. and
>> Australia. One of the
>> volunteers who tested the app used an iControlPad bluetooth gaming control
>> to navigate within the
>> app. The BlindSquare user attached the control to a guide dog's harness.
>> 
>> LINK:
>> http://www.icontrolpad.com/
>> 
>> Users can enhance the application with recommended accessories. Pirttimaa
>> suggests using a bone
>> conduction head set, "which leaves users' ears open" to natural sounds. Any
>> bluetooth-based remote
>> can be used to control the system.
>> The application is available for global use or wherever Foursquare data is
>> available. The app also
>> utilizes data from OpenStreetMap - an wiki-map of the world that anyone can
>> edit. The app with
>> speech synthesis technology supports 26 languages including English, Finnish
>> and Swedish.
>> The app even lets individuals who can't see the screen check in to
>> Foursquare. Pirttimaa says:
>> "Blind people love Foursquare, too. It's simple. Just shake the device and
>> you hear where you are
>> [at] an address, or nearest crossing. If you are at some Foursquare place,
>> you can re-shake to check
>> in."
>> For more about the BlindSquare app, here's the user guide provided by
>> Pirttimaa.
>> 
>> LINK:
>> https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1Rz0w2tRq0uAVx9DQ0hpyVCX9G3c8IundPnz
>> ksTI1nVQ
>> 
>> ARTICLE SOURCE:
>> http://mashable.com/2012/06/01/blindsquare-app/
>> 
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[blindza] Re: [Blind] Fw: BlindSquare: App Uses Foursquare Data to Help the Blind Navigate Streets

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