Be My Eyes

I just tried the app for the first time and had a good experience. I connected with a volunteer in about a minute. He spoke good English and was able to provide details about a photo I could not have received from any other app. For example, he told me the man in the picture was wearing a white shirt and the woman had on a red sweater.
For instances where detail is needed about something that does not contain personal information, I definitely believe this app has a nitch. Would I use it to identify medication or mail that might possibly be a credit card bill, probably not. For that, KNFB Reader or TapTapSee probably makes more sense.
Their is never going to be one app that does all things in all situations. That is why the toolbox approach is important. The BeMyEyes app does add one more tool to the app toolbox that those of us who are blind can pull out and use when needed. For that reason, I hope this app finds long term success.
Jim

What's New in Version 1.3

- Fixed Facebook login crash
- Layout fixes

Thanks to all of you who have helped translating the app on CrowdIn we bring you:
- Critical fixes to Swedish
- Major and minor update to most existing languages
- Added translation for 23(!) languages:
French, Turkish, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, German, Romanian, Italian, Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Croatian,
Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Serbian, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Vietnamese

I've had this app on my phone for sometime but haven't had the need to use it. However, I did on Sunday just to test it out and I was surprised to not only have waited for only about a minute, but we got someone in Australia. Not sure if the update now means our match is more likely to be in our country but .. it was good. :)
I think it's an fantastic app.
And I've also managed to get about ten volunteers due to my posting the link on Facebook where the majority of my friends on there ar sighted.

Hi, I've had mixed luck trying to use this app. I'm out in California and whenever I've attempted to get some help around 8 P.M. PST, there doesn't seem to be a lot of folks available. I am assuming this is probably when the rest of the world (except for Asia and Australia) are sleeping. I'd be curious to know when help seems to be abundant and when it is more limited. I have found this app to be pretty helpful when I've been lucky enough to find it. The volunteers have been very nice and at some times, gregarious. It's definitely a neat concept.

What's New in Version 1.4

- New onboarding experience with a test call function. You can also access it under your profile settings.
- Updated translations. Thanks to everyone who is helping out on http://crowdin.com/project/bemyeyes correcting errors and translating new features - everyone can join!
- We now require users who sign up as blind to use Voice Over to avoid abuse.
- Add profile picture on non-Facebook accounts
- lot of bug fixes and minor improvements

I'm a bit confused by the statement in the prev update description: - "We now require users who sign up as blind to use Voice Over to avoid abuse."
Just curious; what is meant by that exactly? What would it matter if people didn't use VO? How could that stop abuse?

I assume its to stop sighted people signing up and making calls just for a prank, I guess its just meant to make that harder. The bit I don't get is the part that talks about an option to make a test call?

I don't understand the test call option either. The way the app description is worded, it sounds like you can make a test call to make sure things are working correctly. However, I see no test call option anywhere.

I wonder if you get the test call option during or after sign up, or maybe when you newly install the app. Or maybe that option is only available for sighted users?

One of the really annoying bugs in this app is that VoiceOver remains in speaker phone mode after you disconnect a call. The only way I know to return VO to normal is to go in to the app switcher and close Be My Eyes. Anyone found any work arounds to this bug?
Jim

After reading about the Hall of Fame Induction I went to download the app. However, I found the info below in a review on the App Store in the Reviews section. I know advertising is fairly common in free apps but the Privacy Agreement seems to allow for sharing of our details with unspecified 3rd parties anytime the developer feels like it and it seems to quite free and easy with our devices. Any thoughts...?

"We may also share certain information such as cookie data with third-party advertising partners. This information would allow third-party ad networks
to, among other things, deliver targeted advertisements that they believe will be of most interest to you.” "we may use information that we receive to:
provide personalized content and information to you and others, which could include online ads or other forms of marketing” "We may ask advertisers or
other partners to serve ads or services to your devices, which may use cookies or similar technologies placed by us or the third party.” "We use third-party
analytics tools to help us measure traffic and usage trends for the Service. These tools collect information sent by your device or our Service, including

I would not worry about it. Most companies must put that stuff in to cover their behinds. I had to do that when running a station 3 years ago. I ignore all of that stuff as I've had to write it lol!

It seems there are currently no advertisers involved so hopefully no relaying of personal data to 3rd parties at present. I found the below on the website so with that assurance I'll download the app at give it a try. Of course the privacy policy appears to leave the gates wide open for future abuse so it's still a concern.

"BME is a non-profit organization, thereby the costs related to keeping it up and running depends on external funding. We do not receive any funding from
advertising, and are not planning to consider it as a means for financing the application in the future. The organization received the main seed funding from the Velux Foundation, and some additional funding from the Danish Association of the Blind, the lind Foundation in Denmark and the IndiGoGo – crowd funding campaign. By September 2015 the initial funding comes to an end, which is why we are working on a more sustainable business model for the future.
We are considering a subscription model, sponsorships or donations and, therefore, we are more than grateful for any ideas or help coming our way."

Again see my contracts post. I had to put that statement in there or something similar when I ran a station for a year, and wrote up several music and manager contracts for a class. They are also suposed to put an endemnify clause in the contract so that if anything nasty happens it is the users' responsibility. I did not see that in there. and I read the licence.

Be blessed to all.

I downloaded the app this morning. The first screen asked for a login but seemed to have no way to create a new account. I tried to sign in using Facebook. the screen that came up said that I must sign up with Facebook first. I have a Facebook account. The Facebook app is on my phone, my login credentials were correct, and I confirmed in settings that Be My eyes would be allowed to use what it needs from Facebook. Nevertheless, I cannot register. I follow Be My Eyes on Twitter. I sent a direct message this morning. As yet, I have received no response. The need that prompted me to download the app has been satisfied another way.

You might try closing down the app, and re-starting it, and it might log you in with your Facebook credentials. It's a stab in the dark, but it might do the trick.

It is my understanding that Facebook has become rather picky as to what apps it lets interface with it. So if that's not working, I dare say it's not the problem of the BE My Eyes developers.

I don't know about anyone else here. I just tried Be My Eyes twice here with in a few days. Last night, and tonight. Both times, it tried to connect. Both times, it crashed and kicked me to my home screen. I have uninstalled the app and reinstalled it. I had someone try the same process and it worked on there unit. I am running an IPod touch fifth gen unit with the latest IOS on it. Am I missing something here or what? I'm just asking so I understand.

I am planning on retrying this app tomorrow during the day, although I have had it in the past.
My mobility officer recommended it to me when it first came out early last year, and of course, I rushed to download it. That very same night - keep in mind that this is in UK (GMT) time. I must have waited 30 minutes before giving up and disconnecting, and after disconnected I also had the problem of VoiceOver failing to switch profiles. So, I deleted it.
Then, later last year, I tried it again at around 10pm GMT, and had a similar experience. I really would like to actually try this app and receive help from a volunteer, as yet this has never happened as I've always had to wait too long. I too was confused about the test call function, I was like where is that? How'd you do that? This is a great concept but until I retry it I'm as yet unable to give full feedback.

Leave it to a few idiots to ruin a good thing. For the record though, I've not used this in a while either, and I also highly recommend BeSpecular. I used it last weekend, and within a couple minutes of my question being posted I had 10 responses. My first 2 were satisfactory and got me the information I needed.

I have a sighted agent who wants to get involved but when she enters her email she gets an alert that she has a half hour to change her password . She never gets t ehe amil. It's not in her inbox, not in spam, not in sent, no ware. And there is no contact team to my knowledge. I know I'm drifting but yeah I really need a bit of help on this one.

So, I've been using this app again and wow as I said in another forum topic, this app has drastically improved, thanks developers.

Well, when I first used this app I didn't like it because of the time it took to connect to other helpers. Now when I use it its become my go to app. I've tried it out of my home but it doesn't work that well. I suspect not by any fault of Be My Eyes, its more than likely data issues. My point is this is a great app. There have definitely been improvements and I like it.

Orko, the users do not need to pay for the glasses. The glasses and the data plan to run them are included in the AIRA subscription. AIRA has said that they are investigating building their own glasses.

I was born sighted in 1970 and became totally blind by 1980, so one could say I've been on all sides of the fence sight-wise, and I've seen the technology making life better and easier for the blind grow in amazing ways, but I have to say that Be My Eyes is the most incredible use of widely-available technology being used in the service of the blind I've seen so far, pardon the pun. Not only does it bring out the best people who just want to help but don't know how or have much time, but the ways in which it can be used to aid the blind are virtually unlimited. Not only that, but, unlike so much of today's technology for the blind, it doesn't come at an extortionate price: it's completely free for both the sighted helpers but for the blind user as well, ensuring availability to all blind users who can access a smartphone, but also that the wonderful sighted people who join are doing so because they want to, not because they're being paid. This builds an immediate bond of trust and gratitude that can't be bought for any price. There are no commitments on one's time, no obligations, and virtually no limitations on what can be accomplished, keeping personal safety and propriety in mind. The gentleman who implemented this concept should be given a medal. I simply can't say enough good things about this app. Please try it; you and your friends have absolutely nothing to lose and an amazing amount to gain.

They partnered with Clear Blue to help a woman get or tell if she is pregnant. I'd rather have highly trained agents from AIRA do this than a volunteer who may or may not have English as their first language. Now, if Be My Eyes has a better volunteer sect which are easier to communicate, that's fantastic. When I first learned of experiences, the opposite was true.

Be My Eyes may not be perfect, but for those people who can't afford Aira's outrageous prices it's a nice alternative. I myself haven't used Aira, but I have seen others doing so. It IS a good service, don't get me wrong.

I completely agree I would also add as long as you don’t give out personal info or the volunteers on the other end don’t force you than you should be good and it’s also good to be cautious when using a service such as be my eyes

I listened to the latest Eyes on Success episode yesterday, and the lead developer of this app was interviewed. It was a great episode. I've been debating whether or not to get the app since my current iPhone has like the least amount of memory, but I just went ahead anyway. I have yet to make a call to a volunteer, but the app is fully accessible and I enjoyed the testimonials which I listened to. This app is very intriguing to me, and I'm honestly wondering how my building mates and my personal assistant will react when I let them know about it. They are all sighted, and have stated to me that they're happy to help me with anything. The flip side to this is that I have a heating/cooling system in my new apartment which nobody seems to be able to figure out, so I'm wondering if any of the volunteers will know how to work it. Or perhaps this is something for the virtual volunteer set to be launched later this year. Maybe I'm the only tech geek here, lol. One of my neighbors was successful though in showing me how to raise and lower the temperature. So I guess all I would need to know is where exactly the mode button is on the thing.

They say you can share photos with Be My AI, but I see no option wherever I look on the iOS share sheet. What am I doing wrong and how do I fix it?

Official support has been of no help in this matter.

Ever since I updated to the latest version, the be my AI option is no longer showing up in the share sheet.

I wonder if Be My AI will benefit from the GPT-4 Turbo model that OpenAI announced yesterday and which will be rolled out in the coming weeks? It will be interesting to see what the rapid advancement in these models will do for the image descriptions.

There are some features that I would like to see implemented (I have sent them to By My Eyes but sadly did not get much of an answer):
* The ability to send a text along with the first image, e.g. to make the description focus on something or to provide context to make the chance of a good description better.
* The ability to set the language of the AI interactions. OpenAI themselves say that it performs best in English, so for me that has another language by default it would be nice to at least try and see if the English descriptions are even better.
* The option to control the camera flash, especially the option to turn it off, to take pictures e.g. through a dark window or off LED lights on a panel etc..

Then there is the problem of sharing images from Facebook which doesn't work, but as that has a special error message I guess that there is a problem on the Facebook end of things.

The way to get around the Facebook error message is to take a screenshot immediately after having double-tapped on the Facebook post. Indeed, if you then tap on the picture and try to share from there, you’ll get the error message, but if you just double-tap on the post in your feed and then do the screenshot, it will work. Granted, you’ll sometimes get a little extra information about what’s on the screen other than the picture, but at least it works.

Yes, the Facebook issue can be worked around in a few ways, it's more annoying than really a problem.