BlindSquare

BlindSquare is a navigational smartphone app designed to help individuals who are blind or visually impaired with orientation and mobility. Using the iOS device’s GPS capabilities, BlindSquare looks up information about the environment on Foursquare (a smartphone app that provides information about nearby venues) and OpenStreetMap (an editable online map of the world) to determine the user’s location. It then speaks this information aloud in a clear, synthetic voice. BlindSquare can announce the current address, convey information about the location of the nearest street intersection, describe nearby venues, sort location findings by popularity or distance, track the user’s destination, and announce the distance and direction while traveling. For example, with BlindSquare, users can find the most popular café within a 200 meter radius or locate the nearest post office. Users can access turn-by-turn navigation using third-party GPS-apps installed on the device, such as Apple Maps or Google Maps. BlindSquare runs on the iPhone and the iPad. It requires internet connection as well as VoiceOver, the screen reader that comes with iOS devices. BlindSquare also supports Braille displays, so individuals who are deaf blind can use it as well.