Indigo Nav vs overTHERE

Indigo is a fully accessible turn-by-turn GPS app. It has all the outdoor navigation features you expect plus unique offerings you cannot get anywhere else including extra verbosity for blind users. Features: Four main tabs are easy to access at the bottom of the screen. Routes, Location, POIs and settings Indigo has the option to explore POIs or route turning points virtually. Transit Routes can be created and nearby transit stops will be announced. A unique Indigo feature: record a route using breadcrumbs called Waypoints. No other accessible app has this. You can add these waypoints with the Add Button or you can shake the phone to create a waypoint. It also automatically records a point after you have gone a certain distance. These waypoint routes can be saved for future use. The LookAround Wand in the upper right corner tells you what is in the direction your phone is pointing. The More Info button on the Location screen gives the altitude and speed. Create your own POIs and share your POIs with others or keep them private with a shortcut on the Location page or from the POIs page. POI categories are announced with search results and make finding your destination easier. Audio tones and vibrations give feedback throughout the app letting you know about upcoming turns, critical intersection information and when search is loading A robust route menu includes multiple methods of choosing a destination starting with a POI and an address from your contact list, your route history and many more. Settings include many customization options like vibrations, vision contrast, color settings and distance units. There are announcement options like right/left, clockface, or both.

overTHERE is a unique accessibility app that helps blind individuals explore and interact with the surrounding environment by using virtual audible signs. overTHERE uses a unique line-of-sight algorithm that lets you point the phone in your hand in any direction to hear the nearest Places as Virtual Talking Signs. When pointing straight at a virtual sign the speech is loud and clear, but as you point away from it, the speech starts to get staticky, so you have quick audio feedback about the exact location of the virtual talking sign. Holding the phone horizontally lets you explore your surroundings using the virtual talking signs interface, but when the phone is held vertically you can use the screen or VoiceOver to review the list of signs around you. By selecting a sign from the list you can access details about a location such as its address, phone number, or web site. overTHERE even lets you create your own virtual talking signs, so you can mark special locations that might otherwise be difficult to find again. This app grew out of Smith-Kettlewell’s Virtual Talking Signs Project and demonstrates the power of this non visual, augmented-reality interface. Our proof of concept premiered at the Bay Area Makeathon (September 11-13, 2015), where it was recognized with the event’s Improved Mobility Award. Visit the developer’s website to learn more about overTHERE, its features, and How it works. Follow @overTHERE4iOS to stay up to date on overTHERE news and connect with other users.