Feature Writer Alena Roberts - Low Cost Accessible GPS Options Part 2: iPhone Applications
This week, we will be focusing on applications that are for the iPhone. I mentioned three, but in fact there are many. I encourage you to offer comments about the applications you use, especially those that I don't cover. If you're looking for a full featured GPS option, then I recommend Navigon because of its compatibility with VoiceOver and the features it offers. Some of its best features include: text-to-speech turn-by-turn navigation, POI (Places of Interest) and address search, the ability to search for the destination in Google, in case it isn't listed as a POI, and virtual navigation of the route. It is also the best as far as telling you when to turn when you're at the turn rather than many feet before. The Navigon App starts at $30, and goes up depending on what maps you'd like to purchase. Here is a link to a great podcast that reviews Navigon, TomTom, and Kapten GPS found on Blind Cool Tech: http://tinyurl.com/26b23wl If you're looking for an application that will tell you where you are and what's around you, then I recommend Sendero LookAround. This application is made by the Sendero Group, who have been creating GPS products for the blind for over a decade. The application will tell you where you are, what your nearest intersection is, your compass direction, and what your nearest POI's are. The newest version also allows you to choose what POI category you want to know about. It also can be run in the background so you can find out where you are while you're running another GPS product. Sendero LookAround costs $4.99. Here is a great podcast demonstrating Sendero LookAround 1.1 from Blind Access Journal: http://tinyurl.com/2akdhb4 If you're looking for a full turn by turn GPS solution, but don't want to spend any money, then I recommend Skobbler. This application works well with VoiceOver, but it has some drawbacks. It doesn't announce the street names when you're told to turn. As a blind person, knowing what street I'm going to be getting on is very important. It also doesn't have a POI search, so you have to either know the address or the name of the place you're going. What it does have going for it is that it's part of an open source project and so will likely always be free. It also always asks what kind of transportation you'll be using based on how far the destination is. I encourage people to try it out and contact the developers about what changes they could make to improve its accessibility and usability by the blind. Here is a link to their website: http://www.skobbler.us/ I look forward to hearing about people's experiences using these applications and others on the iPhone. Dr. Homiyar Mobedji, Consultant Physiotherapist, Mobile: +91 9825616659. E-mail: [email protected] Skype ID: dr.homiyarmobedji To unsubscribe send a message to [email protected] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in
