After much anticipation, the KNFBReader app for iOS finally landed in the iTunes App Store today.
Having been the subject of much speculation, blind users will now finally have the opportunity to see if is has been worth both the wait and its $99 asking price.
From looking at the feature list, it is already quite clear that KNFBReader is likely to take OCR on iOS devices somewhere it hasn’t previously been. It is packed full of features, all of which are designed to help blind uses get the best possible result when scanning documents.
The KNFBReader app allows users to capture pictures of virtually any type of printed text, including mail, receipts, class handouts, memos and many other documents that you may encounter. It also offers support for both single and multiple page documents.
Once an image of a document has been captured, KNFBReader recognises the words and reads them aloud to the user with text-to-speech and Braille access.
Michael Hansen has recorded an in-depth walk-through and demonstration of the app, which should help give some idea of whether you think it will be worth $99 of your money (as we had been led to expect, there is no trial or lite version of this app available).
KNFBReader is optimized for use on the iPhone 5s, although it also cites compatibility with the iPhone 5 and 5c. It requires iOS 7 or later.
If you’ve downloaded this app, we would love to hear your comments on its performance.
Comments
Is it good for...
Hi, I have read some interesting remarks about KNFB reader though I have a question if this app works on an iPad mini and iPod Touch 5g which has 16 gb and no camera at the back. I consider buying it but I have to make sure if this is worthdoing. Thanks in advance.
Money I dont ever seem to have!
Hi everyone. I'd love to use the KNFBReader as I have a lot of things here at the house I need to scan. I live on my own with almost no sighted assistance! The only finances I'm able to acquire is from the government which isn't even enough to manage successfully each month. I'm loving the power behind this app and have always wanted the portability and complete independence it offers to give!!!
the backing out issue also
the backing out issue also affected me on ios7, regarding the built in tts knfb have said they are going to try to move away from that for reading field of view reports to me in an email. about scanning books, I guess this is where the automatic mode when it is properly working might come in handy.
also a heads up knfb announced on twitter they have submitted an update to apple for review which will support the iPhone 4s and fix issues with the 6 and 6 plus.
Update.
Hi.
KNFb reader has just got an update to it.
added support for iphone 4S, IPod touch 5th generation, Iphone six and Iphone six plus.
(I am a little confused since I thought that the KNFB reader would work with six and six plus anyway?)
Larger font now available for low vision users.
Changes and bug fixes to improve
support on all devices.
I hope this helps you like it helps me.
Yay, i'm glad this app is actualy being worked on. I really like it now. I didn't in the beginning but now, I thinhk it's one of the best apps I've ever put on to my phone.
is KNFB Reader good for an iPod Touch
Hi, I am using iPod Touch 5g with 16 gb storage memory. It doesn't have a back camera, only a front camera. My question is if anyone has tested KNFB Reader on such device and if so what are the results. Is it worth buying given these circumstances? Please help. Thank you for your replies.
No, it is not worth buying.
No, it is not worth buying. Especially if the iPod does not have a rear facing camera. You need the camera that is on the iPhone or if they have came out with newer iPods, then that should have the cameras on the back. The rear facing camera is used for the picture taking with KNFB.
this is the best app ever
as my teachers told me, this is the best app ever but it's 300 turkish liras so I can't buy it. is it worth to sell my kidney to buy it?
Enterprise version
I noticed an Enterprise version of it in the App store. How different is it from the 'plain' version?
the enterprise version is
the enterprise version is only meant for say institutions who want to allow people such as students to use multiple copies so it means they don't have to pay for different licenses.
Save your money
Microsoft's Seeing AI works better and is free.