Feature Writer Alena Roberts - Low Cost Accessible GPS Options - Part 1: Introduction It used to be that you would have to stop and ask for directions if you got lost, but thanks to GPS systems this is no longer necessary. Unfortunately, main stream stand alone GPS devices are not accessible to the blind, and up until recently, accessible GPS options were too expensive for most blind people to purchase. With Apple's iPhone and Google's Android phones featuring out-of-the-box accessibility, there are now multiple low cost accessible GPS applications available. For the next few weeks I will cover what I think are some of the best GPS options for both of these platforms. There are three applications on the iPhone that can be used either by themselves, or together to help the blind arrive at their destination. These include Navigon, Sendero LookAround, and Skobbler. Navigon is a full GPS solution. Its features include turn by turn navigation, virtual navigation of route, POI (Point of Interest) selection for destinations, and much more. Sendero LookAround helps the user learn their current location, their nearest cross street, nearest POI's, and compass direction. This application was also designed with the blind in mind. Finally, Skobbler is a turn by turn GPS option that uses an open source map instead of maps loaded on the phone. Although this application is free, it is missing many features present in the other two applications, but could still be useful in certain situations. Although accessibility on the Android platform is not as good as the iPhone, they are making some great progress. On Android phones there are two applications that the blind can use to help them navigate. WalkyTalky gives spoken walking directions, and intersection explorer allows you to virtually navigate before venturing out. Both of these are free in the Android Market. Next week I will go into more detail about the iPhone applications. Happy travels.