I am traveling solo for the first time overseas in about a week. I am using Delta.
As I understand it, their wifi service only extends to messaging and nothing else, even if you pay for it.
So, I was wondering which blindness apps, if any, could be used aboard.
For instance, which apps do all their processing offline?
I am looking for the best ways to be the most independent aboard the flights and I figure, if I can use apps, that would further increase this independence.
Comments
I believe messaging is free…
I believe messaging is free. Beyond that depends on the aircraft, some of them are equipped with a system where it's free for anybody with a frequent flyer account, but that's dependent on what hardware they have installed on that particular aircraft.
Seeing AI's short text feature handles the processing on device, but at least some of the other channels don't. I believe VoiceStream Scanner also does processing on your phone, but I won't guarantee it.
Seriously, though, as a blind guy that flies a lot (my wife works for an airline) don't stress too much about being super independent. The flight attendants should be able to help with just about anything you need, don't hesitate to hit that call button.
One last note, their seat-back entertainment system likely has some audio-described content, but doesn't have screen reader functionality like United's does. Usually I just download some things to my phone for the flight.
Podcasts, books, and movies
Load them up on your phone, and enjoy your journey.
What are blindness apps?
What are blindness apps? Messaging is for everybody. It’s not just for a blind person.
Folks, I was talking about…
Folks, I was talking about apps like Seeing AI, AIRA and even Tile. Apps that specifically help blind people be independent. I had thought this would have been clear from my original post…
You won't need them until you land
They're right. Books, podcasts, movies, whereever you are going, wait until you get there, then use seeing AI and such things.
Seeing AI
On a recent Air Canada flight to Las Vegas (never again), I used Seeing AI to read the in-flight menu. It was shocking how accurate it was. I was able to order my meal and drinks without having to ask the flight attendant to read the menu options to me.
Seeing AI
Did you use the Short Text or the document scan feature? Because I couldn’t get the latter to work in Airplane Mode. Or, was it that you had wifi that allowed you to do that?
Reading Menus on Planes
Hi Misty,
I used seeing AI in Airplane Mode which means it was not connected to wi-fi. I used Short Text to read the menu. For best results, you may need to turn on your overhead light so the page is well-lit.