Introducing Soundscape from the Scottish Tech Army

By TechArmy_Kirsty, 31 August, 2023

Forum
iOS and iPadOS

The Scottish Tech Army is delighted to announce that its replacement Soundscape service is now available.

This first release is as close to a faithful reproduction of the original app as possible, to ensure that those who are already used to using the navigation tool have confidence that the replacement provides all of the functionality they have come to rely upon. The app remains free for all users.

Funding has been secured to ensure its long term viability and, now that we have this like for like replacement, we will embark on a programme of efficiency and functionality improvements, co-produced and designed with the blind and vision impaired community.

Guide Dogs worked on Microsoft's original research project and has committed to working with us to identify the most valuable improvements and support its community of service users to use it to full effect.

Listen out for today's Double Tap podcast where Steven and Shaun meet our Head of Partnerships Kirsty McIntosh as she tells the story of how it's come about and how its future can be secured.

You can download the app directly from https://sta.ngo/soundscapeapp

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Comments

By PaulMartz on Saturday, September 23, 2023 - 18:23

I know many who will be thrilled with this news. Thanks for making this app available.

By Theo H on Saturday, September 23, 2023 - 18:23

This is exciting, and the app seems to work exactly like Soundscape. However I was unable to transfer my markers from Microsoft Soundscape to this and the share marker function in this app currently generates invalid links.

By Andy Lane on Saturday, September 23, 2023 - 18:23

Thanks to everyone involved. It seems like we’ll be spoiled for choice after thinking soundscape wouldn’t exist anymore. Listening to double tap now.

By Selak on Saturday, September 23, 2023 - 18:23

Hello, I would be like to try this app, but currently it is not available in my country. Im from Serbia, country in south-eastern europe. Is it possible to add in app store of my country?

By Ekaj on Saturday, September 23, 2023 - 18:23

Hi. Is this the same as Soundscape Community? I'm going to see about that one, and just subscribed to your newsletter.

By Ekaj on Saturday, September 23, 2023 - 18:23

Hello again. I just went for a short walk to the corner and back, and took my trusty iPhone 7 along. I had this app opened, with callouts enabled. It did a great job, and upon my return I saw one of the trainers for the fitness studio which recently opened up in my apartment complex. Earlier this morning when I downloaded the app, I saw several similarities but the App Store entry said "Soundscape Community". So I think this is actually the same app as before with a few enhancements. In any case I love it, and am certainly going to keep it around. My phone is currently charging again. I do have one question though. Are plans in the works for us to be able to rename locations? The fitness studio is still labeled as a vacuum store, and they got evicted several years ago and have moved. Other than that though, no issues on my end thus far.

By Brad on Saturday, September 23, 2023 - 18:23

I think a head to head would be cool.

I've not updated voice vistor yet but I hear it has turn by turn directions which is a huge plus for me.

By Henrik Gotesson on Saturday, September 23, 2023 - 18:23

No places or streets are found when using the around me or ahead of me functions. I'm in Stockholm, Sweden. It works when using the VoiceVista app. I can use markers.