Using the Maps app vs Blind Square

When I first got an iPhone, I tried using the Maps application. I was not able to get the kind of point of interest notification you suggested. It told me street names as i approached, either by car or walking, but as I recall, it was as I crossed them. There was no early indication of what was ahead. It also assumed, as you suggested, that I was walking down the middle of the road.

I used Blind Square next and liked it a lot. I could set my own points, and hear those in Yelp. Personally, I liked that it announced the next street crossing, no matter how far ahead. In my area, the maps were flawed and several main intersections were unannounced.

When Nearby Explorer came out, I tried it. The maps were more accurate in my area, and the ability to use Google Places, Yelp, or just my own points was great. By default, it announces upcoming streets when you turn or cross a road, and then updates the distance as you approach. For some, it was a little too chatty, and the app got a setting to only announce upcoming streets when you crossed a street, or turned a corner, and then again once you are close. It is nice to have the option.

Nearby Explorer seems to know what side of the road you are on, but even then, it announces if a cross street is on the right, left, or both. I like that as i know whether to have my dog look for the curb, or not.

While i keep Blind Square on my phone, and i know it has had a lot of updates since i was a regular user, I find Nearby Explorer, despite the size and price, to be my navigation app.

In the car, it works quite well too.

Both Blind Square and Nearby Explorer can give you turn by turn directions, but the ones in Nearby Explorer are done inside the app, while blind Square relies on your choice of Google Maps or Apple Maps. I like that I get the directions from the app as I know it well, and am not very adept at using the other maps.

as for volume, I have found that with the windows up, the hands free mode of the phone is loud enough most of the time. Our car has an AUX input jack, and we can connect the phone to the car's audio system. Of course newer cars have blue tooth and Car Play as options too. Sometimes, I will use a blue tooth earpiece and relay directions to the driver. It's nice to play navigator sometimes.

In my experience, both Blind Square and Nearby Explorer offer major advantages over the Apple Maps app. Either one is a good choice. I have no experience with the Seeing Eye GPS app.

I hope that helps.

Nearby Explorer is on the expensive side, but I find it is quite worth it. A recent update broke the almost 5GB map into bite sized chunks, so it is viable on a 16GB device. I am really happy with it. I can zone out a bit on walks, let my dog do his thing, and know where I am, where I am going, and what's around me. This is not to put down Blind Square. It's a really good solution too. It just didn't work as well for me.

Good luck, and happy navigating.

Hi,
Nearby Explorer is by American Printing House. Here is the link to the app.

Nearby Explorer by American Printing House for the Blind (APH)
https://appsto.re/us/bHWtbb.i

Have a good day!
JoAnn

When maps is first activated next to the settings button there is a button that says tracking. The first choice is tracking on the next tracking with heading. Once this is turned on streets and points of interest are spoken

I don't know if it works in the U.K. but if you search for aph and beta-test you will find you can download Nearby Explorer free through Test flight. You have to apply which is easy, then APH sends you a link to download Test flight which is the apple app for controlling beta-testing. Once you have test flight installed, you then can download whatever apps are assigned to your Apple ID for testing. Works great and it's a fine way to decide if this app is for you. When the test period is up, the app is automatically deleted.

I heard that you can trace streets and even roots with your finger but this has never worked for me. Maybe this is no longer true or I'm not doing it right?