Technology doesn’t just make it easier to complete basic tasks anymore. In the recent days of a device like the iPhone, many of the applications that you could download from the iTunes App Store were designed with a few purposes in mind. On the productivity side of things, you often had access to items like virtual check registers and basic to-do lists. On the entertainment side of things, most of the emphasis from developers was on a mobile gaming experience. It is safe to say that the early days of the iPhone did not find application designers utilizing the hardware to the full extent of its potential.
All of those things have changed in recent years, however, as applications have exploded in both popularity and usability. There are even applications that are designed to help the visually impaired do more as they move about their daily lives. Whether you have poor eyesight all the time, only under certain conditions or use contact lenses without a prescription, you’ll likely be able to find a mobile phone application that is specifically designed to help make your life easier than ever before.
Ariadne GPS
“Ariadne GPS” is a whole lot more than just a traditional global positioning system application. Instead of just providing turn-by-turn directions between two points, the entire GPS experience has been redesigned with a streamlined interface that is specifically intended for the blind or visually impaired. Once you input your destination and origin locations, you can be guided as you move by a series of vibrations. As you cross a street, for example, your iPhone will vibrate and let you know about your change in environment. The application is also available in multiple languages.
Voice Brief
“Voice Brief” is an application that is designed to allow the visually impaired to perform basic functions on their mobile phone that would otherwise be impossible. The goal of the application is to read most information out loud. With just the touch of a single button, “Voice Brief” will read that new e-mail message that you just received or the last five status updates on your Facebook feed. You can also program the application to read things like weather and stock prices out loud for easy access. You can even sync “Voice Brief” with your RSS feed and have it read new posts on all of your favorite websites. The application is available in both a fully featured “Paid” version and an ad-supported “Free” version with fewer features.
List Recorder
“List Recorder” is the ultimate productivity tool for the visually impaired. Using the iPhone’s built-in speaker and microphone, the application allows you to record and organize information in the form of detailed to-do lists. You can then sort through those lists, edit them, delete information and replay your recordings with just a few button taps. You can even e-mail to-do lists that you’ve already made either to yourself for future reference or to someone else to let them know what you’re up to for the remainder of the day. The application is priced at one dollar.
