BlindSquare

Category

Description of App

BlindSquare makes you sense what's around you. The only thing you need to do is listen. BlindSquare is a new solution that combines the latest technology to help the blind with their daily lives. It has been developed in collaboration with blind people and carefully field tested. You need either an iPhone or an iPad to get started. It also supports some additional accessories to enhance the experience. How does it work? BlindSquare uses GPS and the compass to locate you. It then gathers information about the surrounding environment from FourSquare. BlindSquare has some unique algorithms to decide what information is the most relevant and then speaks it to you with high quality speech synthesis. “What's the most popular café within 200 meters radius? Where is the post office or the library?” Using BlindSquare as a GPS solution: When you start the app, it will start telling you the interesting places and street crossings around you. By changing the radius, you can limit the area you are interested in. You can also search by search term or by category. You can select an interesting place from the search results and perform the following tasks: 1) Get contact info (address, phone number) 2) Open twitter feed or restaurant menu (if provided) 3) Make a phone call 4) Start tracking the place (BlindSquare will assist you by repeating the distance and the clock face direction) 5) Start your favourite navigator for turn-by-turn instructions (TomTom, Navigon or Apple Maps) BlindSquare is aware of when you travel by car, bus or train and starts to report interesting places in front of you (for example, the next stops) and street crossings when you are passing them. You can also save your own private places to iCloud so they will be found with your every device. Using BlindSquare as a FourSquare client: If you like to play FourSquare, you can do the following with BlindSquare: 1) Get a list of nearby FourSquare venues 2) When you are in a place, you can check in by shaking your device 3) Do a check in with commenting and twitter/facebook sharing 4) Correct the location of the place BlindSquare supports the following languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Czech, Russian, Estonian, Polish, Arabic, Turkish, Portuguese, Japanese, Greek, Romanian, Croatian, Hungarian, Korean and Bulgarian. VoiceOver usage is supported but it also includes higher quality additional speech synthesis by Acapela Text-To-Speech from Acapela Group. Instructions in English: http://help.blindsquare.com/instructions and http://blindsquare.com/faq Please note: This app retrieves data in real time from Foursquare and Open Street Map. Use of a flat rate data plan is highly recommended. Having only been released in May 2012, BlindSquare has already received several prizes and awards: - GSMA: Global Mobile Awards 2013, Best Mobile Health Product or Service - Apps4Finland 2012 - OpenCities App Challenge 2012 - The Finnish Information Processing Association: Best Product 2012 Please note: To use BlindSquare, your iCloud account has to be active so BlindSquare can access it to save your settings and places. Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

Version

4.26

Free or Paid

Paid

Apple Watch Support

Yes

Device(s) App Was Tested On

iPhone

iOS Version

10.3.1

Accessibility Comments

This app is fully accessible with VoiceOver. All buttons and controls are clearly labelled, and once you have familiarized yourself with the interface it is fairly easy to navigate and use.

VoiceOver Performance

VoiceOver reads all page elements.

Button Labeling

All buttons are clearly labeled.

Usability

The app is fully accessible with VoiceOver and is easy to navigate and use.

Other Comments

There is nothing but good things to say about this app. This is hands down one of my most favorite navigation app to use. It offers so much for so little cost. Now that it works in conjunction with the FREE Google Maps. You really should try this out first before buying in to those other very expensive accessible GPS navigations.

Developer's Twitter Username

@BlindSquareGPS

Recommendations

42 people have recommended this app

Most recently recommended by Casey 10 months 3 weeks ago

Options

Comments

By ilkkapirttimaa on Sunday, August 4, 2013 - 02:47

In reply to by MarkSarch

Yes, app price is now USD 23.99 to correspond all new features. It's one time fee and includes all future updates and server and service costs that I need to pay. It's good to know that when ever any user uses BlindSquare, it uses some services that I pay for each query (not much, but still something). This is one reason I'll add more offline features in the future but I think that kind of features are nice for other reasons too. So, to provide app for one time fee I really need to balance setting right price for the app!

By Pat Pound on Sunday, August 4, 2013 - 02:47

In reply to by krshmann

in the instructions here is what it says BlindSquare uses compass to get information about your orientation. For this reason place your iPhone in your pocket screen facing backwards. iPhone will dimm it’s screen automatically. If you use iPad, place it to your backpack screen facing backwards. iPad will dimm screen after 10 minutes. found at www.blindsquare.com/instructions

By ilkkapirttimaa on Sunday, August 4, 2013 - 02:47

In reply to by Pat Pound

Those instructions are little bit outdated. Information is okay, but that was time before background operation. Now you can lock the screen so you don't need to wait for dimming the screen. Instructions you refer to is under rewrite, but not on high priority. There is excellent help build into app itself -- All screen elements has help that changes dynamically while you use the app. There is also podcast explaining all features here: http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/blindsquare-feature-packed-navigational-tool-blind-ios-users Also FAQ is up to date: http://blindsquare.com/faq/

By Musicruz on Sunday, August 4, 2013 - 02:47

I just purchased the app recently, and it seems like Claire and I have the same issue. In the setting, I have also made some changes , but when I close the app completely and reopen it, all the setting is back to the default, even the filter and voice setting. Basically, All changes I made has come back to the default settings. FYI, I am using an iPhone 5 on 6.1.2. Hopefully, This could be resolve on the next update. Musicruz

By Musicruz on Sunday, August 4, 2013 - 02:47

I just purchased the app recently, and it seems like Claire and I have the same issue. In the setting, I have also made some changes , but when I close the app completely and reopen it, all the setting is back to the default, even the filter and voice setting. Basically, All changes I made has come back to the default settings. FYI, I am using an iPhone 5 on 6.1.2. Hopefully, This could be resolve on the next update. Musicruz
Musicruz and/or Claire, you are only persons I know that have this issue. It would be nice to try it solve this issue with you, so please send email to dev@blindsquare.com and then we can plan how to continue on this. I have some questions already but it makes no sense to do it in this forum.
Hi Claire, Do you still have the setting issue? I was wondering if this issue is caused by my phone being jailbroken. and are you running the latest version of iOS, or you still in 6.1.0?
I'm not encouraging anyone to jail brake their phone, but even if it is causing this (I can see that as a one reason), I have found a way to support both iCloud and local storage in away that it shouldn't cause any problems, even if you activate / deactivate your iCloud account. My main goal is not to destroy data on iCloud even if you connect device with empty local storage, but it needs some careful designing and testing. I hope we will see this in some release near in future. I can't promise it to the next version, since it's already waiting for Apple to review and publish it.
What's New in Version 1.45 Posted 13 August 2013 NEW: Look Around now also announces place names. Information is announced in the following order: 1) Places on the My Places list including distances 2) Intersections including distances 3) Most popular categories with most popular placesNEW: If you are tracking your destination and you are heading towards it, the estimated remaining travel time is displayed on the GPS-Info screen. This is useful when you travel by boat, airplane or train. The estimation is based on the current distance and your traveling speedNEW: Now you can search your contacts. The first time it will take a few minutes until your contacts are found through the search, as BlindSquare has to retrieve the coordinates of all of your contacts' addressesNEW: Tools/Contacts shows a list of your contacts that have address information. You can open contact and start simulation, tracking or navigation. It can take several minutes until you will see this menu item when BlindSquare is looking up the geocodinates of the addressesNEW: You can now perform a Google search from the Place Description Screen.CHANGE: BlindSquare will no longer check you in automatically if your previous check-in to the same place is less than 45 minutes agoCHANGE: The search results screen now displays the distance and heading of places instead of their phone number or addressCHANGE: When you start Plan a Route, tracking is activated only 100 meters before you arrive at your destinationCHANGE: Arrival is not announced if your speed is higher than 3 m/sCHANGE: All lists of places show clock face directions, city, category, and information about phone number or restaurant menu if availableCHANGE: When you press Home and return to BlindSquare again, BlindSquare no longer shows its main screen but returns you to the screen you saw before you left the appFIX: If you have unchecked My Places so they are not announced automatically as you walk, you will no longer be alerted as you approach and pass places on your My Places list unless you are tracking one of them

By Raul on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 - 02:47

Hi, I recently purchased this app, but when configuring it and closing it the changes are not saved. I have iCloud on, and documents and data enabled. I have an iPhone 4s with iOS 6.1.2 with jailbreak, but none illegal app installed that may interfere. What should I do? I changed the running on background to on, clockwork to proportional, and lowered the volume. My voice language is Spanish.

By ilkkapirttimaa on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 - 02:47

It is known that saving to iCloud doesn't work in jail braked devices. If your device is not jail braked, going through all iCloud settings should make it possible to BSq save settings. In current beta we have confirmed, that next version will be able to save to local storage if iCloud is not available. I suggest you don't close BlindSquare, just put it into sleep by pressing Home-button and that's how you don't need to do settings multiple times. When next release is out, saving will work also for you.
Thanks for your quick response. One of the reasons I keep my device jailbroken is the posibility to kill all apps with a single gesture, and SBSettings, which allows me to save my home button among other things. Since iOS 7 will bring some of these features I will probably update and leave cydia behind, at least for a time.
Another feature that is not working for me is the shake to check-in. Maybe I'm doing things wrong, but I tried to shake when in the place after a successful tracking, in the foursquare window, but nothing happends. When do I have to shake my phone when in the venue?
When you shake your device, you'll hear your location. If you are at the place and there is not too many other places "too close", you'll get option to checkin by shaking (if you have enabled that from settings). If you don't get that option, you can always press "Foursquare" on main screen to select check-in target. If that is place where you want to have shaking suggesting check-in, you can favorite that place. It will give priority to that place next time you shake device there.
When I search for a place and press on start tracking sometimes the app closes. I tried three or four times in a row and I was unable to track the place I wanted to go.

By ilkkapirttimaa on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 - 02:47

In reply to by Raul

There is such tracking problem when tracking contacts. It works for other type of places. This will be fixed in version 1.5 which will be published next week.

By Raul on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 - 02:47

I didn't track any contacts, but places using the "Search" control which is on the main screen. I looked for a street name, and when I chose start tracking the app closed. I tried this several times but I couldn't make it work.

By AnonyMouse on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 - 02:47

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team
What's New in Version 1.50

NEW: Search results are more accurate now
NEW: When you perform a search, the categories of the venues you find are also added to the search result list. When you search for "Mc Donalds", the "Fast food" and "Burger Joint" categories will appear at the bottom of the screen. Tap them to search for similar places
NEW: Now the Foursquare button not only lists places to check in to, but also suggestions based on your check-in history and friends recommendations
NEW: You can now browse tips and special offers from the Place Description Screen.
NEW: You can now add a tip to a Foursquare place
NEW: GPS 2 Navigation app can now be launched through BlindSquare's Plan A Route feature
NEW: Saving of settings and POI's now also works if iCloud is not activated.
NEW: Check-in is indicated by sound effect
NEW: Context sensitive help through VoiceOver hints now also available in Polish
CHANGE: When you perform the shake gesture, tracked places are now announced first
CHANGE: Search will find contacts also by company name or address
CHANGE: Accuracy and altitude is always shown in meters or feet, not km or miles
CHANGE: Previously BlindSquare did not mention the same place twice if it was reported less than 10 minutes ago. Now this limit has been lowered to 3 minutes for places saved in the My Places list

Hello Raul, Musicruz, claire! Thank you for letting me know that you had problems getting things saved since you didn't have iCloud working. In latest release, it should always save settings and POI's. If iCloud fails, it saves them to your device. Actually, it does that always, so you will have local backup, if there is some problem with iCloud.
Now there is no problem with saving. I had iCloud enabled, but my device is jailbroken. By the way, the translations, at least the Spanish one is great. I should try searching the same street the other day made the app close and see if now works properly.

By Raul on Friday, October 4, 2013 - 02:47

With iOS 7 comes a new feature, and gives the developers the possibility to add more accessibility to their apps. But in this case, I think it can low the price of Blindsquare. I'm refering to the TTS API, which allows the developers to use the system's voice instead of adding an external syntesizer.

By ilkkapirttimaa on Friday, October 4, 2013 - 02:47

Only less than 2% of all BlindSquare users still have iOS5, but if you do, I would like to inform that version 1.51 might not start on your device. This is caused by some libraries that needed to be updated to be ready for iOS7 and my testing was done only with iOS6 and iOS7. I'm sorry about this and will have iOS5 in my test set in the future. It has been fixed now, but it might take some time s to finalise next version. To fully support new iOS7, lot of tools have changed and they cause some issues that needs to be fixed.
Could I ask fora simple change? When checking in a place, could we have the possibility to share it either on twitter or facebook? I mean, now we only can share it on both social networks, but I would like to share it only on twitter or facebook. I hope you understood Thanks for this really great job.
Hello Raul! Where you post is controlled by Foursquare settings, so if you post to social networks, there is no way to limit what you have set to Foursquare.

By ilkkapirttimaa on Monday, November 4, 2013 - 02:47

In celebration of traveling, independence, and of course of BlindSquare, we invite you to participate in the BlindSquare Challenge held on White Cane Safety Day on 15 October. All you need to participate is an iPhone or iPad and a copy of BlindSquare. Throughout the day, we will post challenges on our Twitter page @BlindSquareGPS and on http://blindsquare.com website. If you manage to solve some of them, you might win one of our prizes. The winners will be announced on our internet radio show at the end of the challenge. In celebration of White Cane Day, BlindSquare is available at a 20% discount, only today. http://itunes.apple.com/app/blindsquare/id500557255
You're right but when checking in from the foursquare app you can choose to share it either via twitter, fb or none of them, all from the checking screen. When checking from blindsquare, I can choose between public, wich shows my location on foursquare; twitter + fb, wich sends it to both of the social networks; or private. Wouldn't be possible to add an only twitter or fb option? Sorry if I'm quite persistent, maybe it simply can't be. Regards

By Jennifer Kent on Monday, November 4, 2013 - 02:47

I cannot check in to my apartment using blind square however can using foursquare. I understand it has some limitations. I put in my address doing a search and favorite it will that add it to my places I wonder. I do not have all of the ins and outs of the app memorized yet and have been playing around with the app a bit. Right now I can't afford another gps solution so will get google maps to plan roots with since you suggest it. In the mean time I will check into my apartment via foursquare's app. I tried shake to checkin as well but that didn't work while simulating I was at home for some reason my gps sees me as about five hundred feet away. oh well can't be right all of the time. I love the app and look forward to putting it through its paces soon.

By ilkkapirttimaa on Monday, November 4, 2013 - 02:47

In reply to by Jennifer Kent

When you have added your apartment to Foursquare, have you put it into Home category? If yes, it should be visible to you and your friends. If not, the reason is this: BlindSquare doesn't show places if less than 5 different people have checked into it. Reason for this is to filter out trash people are putting into Foursquare. This rule is not used, if you are on an area where there is low Foursquare places density.

By Mike on Monday, November 4, 2013 - 02:47

This app is simply amazing. I have a screenful of navigation apps, including several specifically designed for blind people, but BlindSquare is both the most useful and the most enjoyable. It's become my constant companion whenever I'm on the move. I use it not only for navigation, but also to explore places I want to go, and it gives me a level of knowledge about my environment previously not available to me. It's also a prime example of how much an app developer can do when an app is truly designed with blind users in mind.

By Raul on Monday, November 4, 2013 - 02:47

Hi, I think there are some issues with the search and simulation features. When searching some place or keyword, the app shows a variety of results as it should be, but if I try a second search it will show a few results, and then places from previous searches. I tried removing the search history, but it still keeps showing older search results. As for the simulation, if I use the foursquare option when in a simulated place, sometimes the app shows the venues that are next to me, not where the simulated place is. I'm using an iPhone 4s with iOS 7.0.3, or whatever the latest iOS 7 update is. I hope you can understand my poor explanation :D
Thank you for feedback. I tested this and couldn't reproduce. Please email your search terms used and place that I can simulate to see what happens. You can email dev@blindsquare.com. When in simulation you see places next to you, it might be normal. Please see, what distance they have. For example, if I simulate another city 100 km away, in My Places I see my home too but it shows it's 100 km away.

By AnonyMouse on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 - 02:47

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

What's New in Version 1.52

1) The app is now one third of its former size so it is easier to download using your cellular network.
2) In iOS7, most of the languages BlindSquare supports default to the iOS voices. You can still use the Acapela voices, but the default is iOS, and it is no longer necessary to download additional Acapela voices.
3) The category announcement filter switches have been moved from the main screen to the Announcements Filter screen. Double-tap the Announcements Filter button to activate this screen.
4) Pressing the Home button will no longer activate Sleep Mode automatically. If you want Sleep Mode to be active when you leave BlindSquare, double-tap the Sleep Mode button at the bottom right of the screen before pressing the Home button.
5) When you do not activate Sleep Mode before leaving BlindSquare, Sleep Mode will be turned on automatically 15 minutes after you lock your screen or press the Home button provided your location does not change. You can change the value of the time-out period in the BlindSquare settings.
6) When BlindSquare announces upcoming street intersections, it will now mention the name of the current street first.
7) BlindSquare will now notify you when the name of the street you are walking on changes.
8) If MBraille is installed on your device, you can use it to input text in any edit field in BlindSquare. To launch MBraille from within BlindSquare, select the edit field and press enter while it is empty. Enter your text in MBraille. Swiping down will return you to BlindSquare and insert your text into the edit field.
9) While using a third-party navigation app (Plann a Route feature), you can now select in the settings dialog whether you want BlindSquare to track your destination automatically.

 

By Raul on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 - 02:47

In reply to by AnonyMouse

Simply great. This app gets better and better. I would suggest making the Acapella voices optional so that the app price can be reduced, and for those who want them adding in-app purchase, could this be done? I am extremely happy and I am not sorry at all for paying €23, one of the best purchases since I got my iPhone.

By ilkkapirttimaa on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 - 02:47

In reply to by Raul

It would be problematic that way. When user buys this App, it must work on iOS5 and iOS6 too. If some users would need to pay more through in-app purchase to get it even work, it would not be fare. The some goes to languages: I support some languages that iOS doesn't have. So, for now, Acapela will stay bundled in app, even I need to pay royalty to Acapela also of apps that never uses Acapela.
Hi all. first of all BlindSquare version 1.52 is great works so fine I have a chance to use on this morning traveling on car about 50 minutes and I have seen many changes. Thanks AnonyMouse for the update version. okay the BS app 1.52 after downloaded and launch for the first time the apple own voices start to you announcing all the details acording to your settings. On my cace I live on US the apple voice by default is Samanta, if you are not confortable as me using apple own voices. you should need download acapela TTS voices. Other//Settings// select voice and language// I use English Will acapela voice. Note// don't require WiFi any more to download acapela voices, this is a cool feature point observations When you want to use acapela voices after hit okay button to allow the download TTS acapela voices, will start announcing with any problem Switching from iOS to acapela voices. when you want to switch from acapela TTS voices to iOS voices you need to shut down the BlindSquare app using app switcher to then launch it again. iOS voices sounds good but the volume is not the best using acapela voices the volume is better clear and better quality. regarding to the steps 4) Pressing the Home button will no longer activate Sleep Mode automatically. If you want Sleep Mode to be active when you leave BlindSquare, double-tap the Sleep Mode button at the bottom right of the screen before pressing the Home button. 5) When you do not activate Sleep Mode before leaving BlindSquare, Sleep Mode will be turned on automatically 15 minutes after you lock your screen or press the Home button provided your location does not change. You can change the value of the time-out period in the BlindSquare settings. under Other//settings//automatic sleep time there are many choices to pick from 5 until 90 minutes.or even never this is replacement to allow the background by default is selected 15 minutes voiceOver read well the distance rather the previous version the didn't over all is a great update.in my cace I have an iPhone 5S and has fixed the label of distance.
Hello, what is sleep mode, and how does it work? Thank you.

By MarkSarch on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 - 02:47

In reply to by Lisa

Hi Lisa Sleep mode is the BlindSquare action allow shut down the app when get out from, on other words this action will work when press the home button to get out from the app. blindSquare are still running when you bring the app switcher but this action called sleep mode will save battery because is going to stop keep announcing the description acording to your settings. the action sleep mode on BlindSquare version 1.52 who is the newer version, you have the possibility of turn off immediately or set up since 5, until 90 minutes or even never. Personally I understand on this version come to replace background. on BlindSquare version 1.52 sleep mode is set up automatic on 15 minutes, per example if you set up Sleep mode on 20 minutes the TTS acapela or iOS voices continue announce when get out from the app this allow use third party apps replying text messages, reply mails navegating on safari or any where but when you get the 20 minutes the BlindSquare app will shut down or will stop announcing automatic.

By ilkkapirttimaa on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 - 02:47

In reply to by MarkSarch

Thank you Marco for description. In other words I would like to say: You should never need to kill BlindSquare using AppSwitcher. You can keep it running all the time, so it will be always be instantly available when you need it. In sleep mode it doesn't consume any resources of your device. Now with automatic sleep mode, you'll never "forget" it running and later find out that your battery is dead.

By Raul on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 - 02:47

In reply to by ilkkapirttimaa

Also, the app runs considerably faster with iOS 7 now, even on my iPhone4S. Since iOS 7 came in there were some issues with voiceover, sometimes it was so slow. Now I see its a matter of optimizing well the app. The sad thing is the very Apple doesn't optimize their apps. Thanks again.

By Saqib on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 - 02:47

This is a great release and it now sounds like I'm using the Trekker with the Daniel voice. Can someone tell me if it uses less battery because of the IOS voices? This would be an added bonus if that was the case.
My guess would be that using iOS voices would use little bit less of battery, but I haven't tested it yet (I'm going to run some tests letting my device to speak over night with different synths). Anyway, GPS is anyway causing most of the battery drainage, so I'm not waiting to see any big difference.

By AnonyMouse on Saturday, January 4, 2014 - 02:47

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team
A very incredible update! What's New in Version 1.60 1) Fleksy Keyboard (available in iOS7 only, supports English and Spanish) How to use Fleksy: - Go to Other/Settings and activate Fleksy - Double-tap the Search button on the main screen - The Fleksy Keyboard will appear. Tap near the bottom of the screen to activate Fleksy - Enter your search terms typing as you would in the Fleksy app - When you are done, swipe up with two fingers to activate the search button - Double-tap to perform your search or swipe right to view the search history Future versions of BlindSquare will include the Fleksy Keyboard in other text fields, too. 2) Braille Display Support Open the Tools menu and double-tap Braille Display to open a screen containing all of the spoken text. While this screen is active, BlindSquare will not use the Acapela or iOS speech synthesizer, but will send all announcements to this screen so you can read it using VoiceOver and your Braille display. You can shake your device to cause BlindSquare to display your current location. If you press the Home button to send BlindSquare to the background while the Braille Display Screen is active, BlindSquare will display all of the spoken text as notifications, which can be read on your Braille display, too. When BlindSquare mentions a place, you may double-tap the notification to open its Place Description Screen. If you perform any action on this screen e.g. checking in, BlindSquare will return to the Braille Display Screen, not to the main screen. 3) Further changes: - The Foursquare check-in options have been moved to a separate screen - When BlindSquare has been updated, it will now display a notification and provide an option to read the release notes.

By AnonyMouse on Tuesday, February 4, 2014 - 02:47

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team
What's New in Version 1.61 - You can now use Fleksy to add places to your My Places list and to write check-in comments and Foursquare tips. - You can now select one of three intersection announcement distances in the BlindSquare settings. If the default medium setting of this option doesn't work for you, try using the Long setting if streets in your area are wide, or the Short setting if streets are very narrow. - When you perform a check-in, BlindSquare will now automatically read a tip for the place you have checked in to if one is available. - You can now listen to all of the sounds BlindSquare uses to notify you of events. Go to Other, Settings, BlindSquare Sounds to listen to them and to select or deselect them. - A new sound has been added to indicate when BlindSquare is retrieving information. - Automatic language detection of Thai, Russian, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. If you use the iOS voices and not the Acapela voices for BlindSquare announcements, BlindSquare will detect place names and street names in these languages and speak them using the correct voice for the detected language. - New language: Romanian

By ilkkapirttimaa on Tuesday, February 4, 2014 - 02:47

In reply to by AnonyMouse

I'm sorry to say this, but currently you can't do check-in with BlindSquare. This has nothing to do with new version or lack of testing (my near 60 beta testers would have noticed it for sure!) The reason is that Foursquare renewed their API response (today!) and BlindSquare can't understand new format. Foursquare has more than 40000 3rd party apps, so they can't inform all developers about changes they make, so basically I would call this "nobodies fault", but if you want to blame someone, it's me then :-) It is really easy to fix and I'm working on that. I'm expecting to have fixed version ready tomorrow for beta testers and I try to push version to App Store on Sunday. Usually it takes 4-5 days for Apple to review apps, but there is also possibility to ask for fast track. This is the first time I'm planning to do that. I think all other features are working but please let me know if you find something else. Br, Ilkka

By MarkSarch on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 - 02:47

Updated February 09 2014 Version 1.62 personally I didn't see the bug mention below, I am using an iPhone 5S What's New in Version 1.62 - Foursquare check-in announcement issue fixed - You can now use Fleksy to add places to your My Places list and to write check-in comments and Foursquare tips. - You can now select one of three intersection announcement distances in the BlindSquare settings. If the default medium setting of this option doesn't work for you, try using the Long setting if streets in your area are wide, or the Short setting if streets are very narrow. - When you perform a check-in, BlindSquare will now automatically read a tip for the place you have checked in to if one is available. - You can now listen to all of the sounds BlindSquare uses to notify you of events. Go to Other, Settings, BlindSquare Sounds to listen to them and to select or deselect them. - A new sound has been added to indicate when BlindSquare is retrieving information. - Automatic language detection of Thai, Russian, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. If you use the iOS voices and not the Acapela voices for BlindSquare announcements, BlindSquare will detect place names and street names in these languages and speak them using the correct voice for the detected language. - New language: Romanian

By MarkSarch on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 - 02:47

Update February 14 2014 What's New in Version 1.63 - BugFix: Version 1.62 crashed with certain US street names - Foursquare check-in announcement issue fixed - You can now use Fleksy to add places to your My Places list and to write check-in comments and Foursquare tips. - You can now select one of three intersection announcement distances in the BlindSquare settings. If the default medium setting of this option doesn't work for you, try using the Long setting if streets in your area are wide, or the Short setting if streets are very narrow. - When you perform a check-in, BlindSquare will now automatically read a tip for the place you have checked in to if one is available. - You can now listen to all of the sounds BlindSquare uses to notify you of events. Go to Other, Settings, BlindSquare Sounds to listen to them and to select or deselect them. - A new sound has been added to indicate when BlindSquare is retrieving information. - Automatic language detection of Thai, Russian, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. If you use the iOS voices and not the Acapela voices for BlindSquare announcements, BlindSquare will detect place names and street names in these languages and speak them using the correct voice for the detected language. - New language: Romanian

By Ro on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 - 02:47

Hi all, I finally bit the bullet and bought this. Unfortunately all it does is crash. I've just tried to acces my location and enter in a place but it just crashes even after an app and phone restart. I'm on an iPhone 5S with the latest iOS. Any ideas? Thanks.

By MarkSarch on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 - 02:47

Hi I don't know if you have installed the newer version. BlindSquare 1.63 you can check what version you are running go to other// flick right or left and you are able to see the version. if you have version 1.62 you are having those issues because the previous version include many bugs. if it's crash Try to close the app using the app switcher launch again the app. if the crash continue maight you are moving and try to save the address. stay there and save the POI before to move. also if re install again the app can help to fix the issue. also you can have better support if you subscribe to the list.