The Hot Iron - Mobile Device As Seeing Eye

Mobile Device As Seeing Eye

By Mike Maddaloni on Thursday, October 30, 2008 at 06:00 AM with 2 comments

Whenever we talk about usability, computers and their software mostly come to mind. But how about a restaurant menu? Where some may be unorganized or in a different language, to someone who is visually impaired, it may not even appear at all. Rather than having to have someone read it to you, new software for mobile devices can do it for you.

An article appeared in the Boston Sunday Globe featuring such reading software, as well as one of the owners of it, my good friend (and The Hot Iron frequent commenter) Peter Alan Smith. Over the years I have gotten to know Peter as well as his challenges with using technology which most people take its use for granted. I have had the opportunity to help Peter with installing JAWS, a popular screen reading software, onto his Windows notebook, as well as watching him surfing the Web.

Such a device and software break down many barriers. The software was developed by technology futurist Ray Kurzweil and runs on a Nokia N82 mobile device, and can be carried in his pocket as he would carry any phone. Within a minute of taking a picture of text, a computer screen or even currency, he can have the information read to him. Where I have never seen this in action personally, Peter described it in detail that gave me enough to envision it.

I have always said that technology advancements to help those who are given a moniker as “disabled” will have far-reaching uses beyond those people. As I write this post, I am wearing reading glasses that, after 30+ years of looking at computer screens, I now need to have. And at close reach is a wrist strap in the event the mild tingling in my hands that could be early signs of carpel tunnel occurs. Maybe I should pick up a copy of Dragon software to speak future posts, or just podcast them?

Cheers to Peter on this great article for an even greater person!

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Comments

Thanks for the very kind thoughts Mike! Here are a few thoughts of my own:

1. You have taught me the wonderful power of blogging. Your discovery through this medium by Nokia was most impressive. The way the Globe article has spread is astounding! The day after the article ran in the Globe, All Things Digital, the Wall Street Journal’s Walter Mossberg’s site, ran the article as well. I googled “Peter Alan Smith” and saw that many, many other blogs ran it as well. Amazing! As soon as I get settled with my pending move, I intend to start one on my interactions and “work-arounds” with technology and my daily challenges.

2. Enabling design helps everyone. If I have problems trying to find the “buy it now” button,” you can bet that many other better sighted persons will as well. As I like to say, “Please help me to purchase your product!” Most enabling design is elegant design. And most elegant design is straightforward design.

3. We all have abilities and disabilities. Out of a list of 1,000 tasks, you might be able to do 350 or so very well. Some you can’t do at all. I will never fly an F-16, will you? However, the technology is being developed so that I might own my own car again one day.

4. The baby-boomers are getting older. They are demanding access to products and services despite their increasing limitations. They have the money. Repeat; they have the money. The disabled community is benefiting from the rush to develop products for seniors.

5. Nokia and AT&T;should be commended for their open minded products and services. The KNFB Reader was placed in the Nokia N82 because it was the finest and most accessible unit out there. I prefer to praise good things rather than to whine about awful things. So here’s to you Mike! Nice work!

Cheers,

Peter