What is the easiest to learn, fastest to use, A I scanning app for the blind?

By Bruce Harrell, 30 December, 2023

Forum
iOS and iPadOS

Hi All!

Can you help? I need a quick and easy app to use for simple things like identifying cash, figuring out what's in the can of food I'm holding in my hand, or where I dropped my keys on the floor. I'm willing to pay, but I don't want to waste my money. Can anyone share their own experience and what they would get if they had to do it all over again?

Thank you! Big smile. I love this web site and how we all make life easier.

Joy!

Bruce

Options

Comments

By Siobhan on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 - 04:47

Just search for scanning apps, you'll get a ton of them. Just "get' each one and see what works for you. I have seeing AI envision, forget oh, one step reader though I don't know how expensive that is now. If you have NFB newsline, you get a very basic one and that's ok enough to tell cash. I'd also suggest getting a free Ibill, a device you slide a bill in and it either beeps and vibrates or just one to tell you what's what. I say that in case your phone's dead, you really want a backup option. One thing though, as to where your keys are? I don't know of one that would do that or I'll try it. :)

By Justin Philips on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 - 04:47

For searching for your fallen keys, you can seek the assistance of volunteers even.

By Brian on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 - 04:47

First, Seeing AI will meet a lot of your needs. It has a ton of features, and all you need to do is swipe up or down with one finger to adjust what it is looking for.

Regarding your keys, the Camera app now has a really sweet OCR system now, and could potentially help with finding things like your keys. 😆

By Siobhan on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 - 04:47

To my knowledge, I was under the impression the OP was asking about AI, not actual human assistance. Depending on their level of skill using the camera to detect their object, I still have issues with finding barcodes, they might have quite a bit of trouble. I'd use the five minute free aira call,. Another tip for knowing where barcodes are located, on a can it's usually beside the seam of the label, jars somewhat are the same. Boxes are a little trickier. Be My Eyes is ok, i enjoy the ai part however i'm uncomfortable having people who who though well meaning, volunteer to help without having secure training and signing privacy rprotection. but whatever works of course.

By Bruce Harrell on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 - 04:47

I appreciate the feedback. Has anyone tried supersense A I too? The description looks promising, and instead of a subscription, they have a lifetime one time purchase option. Hmm. I'll have to check out the ones you guys mentioned, too. smile

By Brad on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 - 04:47

They're both free and will work for what you need.

For example; you could take a picture of the floor with BeMyEyes and ask it where your keys are and go from there.

I'd not recommend supersense as I find it to be bad. The object feature doesn't seam to work and whilst the Ask AI feature for documents is interesting, finding barcodes and all that seams a little tricky, plus it's paid for when these two apps are free.

If you want to try out supersense, I believe they do have a trial so you can see if it works for you.

By mr grieves on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 - 04:47

Doesn't Envision do this too?

It seems hard to justify Super Sense when it is so expensive and all other options are free.

I like the idea of the smart scanner mode, but not enough to spend £50 on it when it's on half price.

I also tend to go with Seeing AI plus Be My AI. But Envision is a good backup.

By Bruce Harrell on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 - 04:47

Thank you all for your advice. I'm going to try a few of the free ones, starting with Seeing AI and Be My AI. I looked at Envision, but I didn't feel good about the UI.

Happy New Year's!

By mr grieves on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 - 04:47

Just one thing worth mentioning about the AI options, such as Be My AI.

They are absolutely wonderful and life changing but do sometimes say things that are just not true at all. So for anything essential, it is usually worth double-checking.

Be My Eyes does have the option to go through a human volunteer if you need it which is great.

But in any case be careful with sensitive info like bank account details etc.

The OCR options like Short Text in Seeing AI are much more trustworthy, but also less powerful. I believe this is done locally on your phone so your data isn't going anywhere.

I don't want to put you off as there is so much to be gained from all these tools. You may already be aware of this, but just in case.

By Brian on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 - 04:47

Does not do keys. Does a lot.

A "lot".

. . . but not keys, sadly.

By Brian on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 - 04:47

I forgot about this feature of Envision until I found myself using it earlier today. In regards to finding/identifying objects (and aside from my last post) there is an 'Explore' option that will scan and identify items in real time.
It works pretty good, and can definitely help you find keys, etc.

The learning curve is not too bad with this app, as it has a pretty minimalistic layout.

HTH. 👍🏼