[Electronics-talk] GPS in the Big City

Thu Apr 11 14:58:45 UTC 2013

You'll likely want to do your own evaluations. Here are a few apps I
use a lot.

Below, I talk about the getting warming tracking method. Basically,
the app will give you some form of direction and distance to your
destination.  For example, 700 feet northeast, or 800 yards ahead and
to your right.

First, for all the bad press, the built-in apple maps are pretty good.
The major problem that everyone talks about comes down to POIs
sometimes being in the wrong place.  So, rather than searching for a
POI, it can be helpful to search for its address instead.  The other
downside to this app is it doesn't have pedestrian routes, which means
routes will take into account one way streets, busy highways, etc.

Next, there's the Google Maps app.  This app has more reliable POI
data, and a pedestrian route option, but takes more time to learn to
use.  The app is accessible, but lacks some polish for voiceover
users.

Blind square - This is an app that will tell you what's nearby,
including intersections, businesses, restaurants, etc.  If you start
the app and then start walking around, blind square will announce as
you get close to things.  You can also search for POIs further away.
It uses the very large, user generate, foursquare database of checkins
to provide a very complete list of POIs.  It will also use the
getting warmer tracking technique to help you find the destination.
No actual turn by turn though.

"where to?" allows you to find businesses and then use the getting
warm tracking technique to find them

The "my way lite" app uses the getting warmer method to guide you to
addresses in your contacts list.

"Ariadne" GPS is a blindness focused GPS app that will give you a lot
of good information about where you are and what streets, addresses,
etc. are around you.

Finally, the Sendero folks are working on a full GPS app. Not sure
when it will be out, but it'll be worth looking at especially if
you're already familiar with their other GPS solutions.

Hope this helps,

Jim

On Thu, Apr 11, 2013 at 10:37:24AM -0400, Osman Koroma wrote:
> Hello all,
> Whats the best GPS app to use? 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> On Apr 11, 2013, at 10:32, Jim Barbour <jbar at barcore.com> wrote:
> 
> > I don't think anybody's map information includes information such as
> > if there's a sidewalk.  This problem is compounded by a lack of
> > information about contruction zones, etc.
> > 
> > Apps such as Google Maps will give you pedestrian routes to a destination.
> > It is then up to us, as it is with a sighted pedestrian, to be aware
> > of the route and any barriers pedestrians face while getting there.
> > 
> > Jim
> > 
> > On Thu, Apr 11, 2013 at 08:51:32AM -0400, Gerald Levy wrote:
> >> 
> >> The problem with all these GPS apps and devices is that they are designed to
> >> simply give you directions for the shortest route between two points, not
> >> necessarily the safest route.  If these devices were truly designed with
> >> blind pedestrians in mind, their primary route  suggestion, regardless of
> >> length, should include only streets with sidewals or walkways that are
> >> isolated from traffic.    If no such route is available, then they should
> >> alert you to this fact.  When you use Google Maps to get directions between
> >> two points, the walking directions include a warning, if appropriate, that
> >> some parts of the trip may involve walking on highways or other areas that
> >> might be hazardous.  GPS devices designed for the blind should do the same.
> >> After all, when you work with an O&M instructor, he will usually recommend
> >> the safest route between two points even if it means walking out of your way
> >> to get to your destination.
> >> 
> >> Gerald
> >> 
> >> 
> >> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tracy Carcione" <carcione at access.net>
> >> To: "Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances"
> >> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> >> Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2013 8:16 AM
> >> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] GPS in the Big City
> >> 
> >> 
> >>> Occasionally, I have asked Sendero GPS to create a pedestrian route,
> >>> hoping it would give me a non-highway way to get somewhere, and it has
> >>> told me to walk on the highway.  NOT!
> >>> Tracy
> >>> 
> >>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kaye" <kayezimpher at comcast.net>
> >>> To: "Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances"
> >>> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> >>> Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2013 5:01 PM
> >>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] GPS in the Big City
> >>> 
> >>> 
> >>>> I am from Atlanta, and while that is no Manhattan, I know many blind
> >>>> people who successfully use various gps apps on their Iphones. I have
> >>>> only heard of one time that the gps advised a person to turn on to the
> >>>> highway, even though the app was in pedestrian mode. That might not have
> >>>> ended well if he had not know where he was going.
> >>>> 
> >>>> -----Original Message----- From: David Andrews
> >>>> Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2013 12:37 PM
> >>>> To: Tracy Carcione ; Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
> >>>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] GPS in the Big City
> >>>> 
> >>>> I have used Street Talk on a Pac Mate, in the distant past, and in
> >>>> Philadelphia, I had the same problems with tall buildings.\
> >>>> 
> >>>> Dave
> >>>> 
> >>>> At 10:49 AM 4/10/2013, you wrote:
> >>>>> I work in midtown Manhattan.  I have Sendero GPS, running on a
> >>>>> Braillenote PK.  I find it pretty unreliable in New York City,
> >>>>> probably because of the many tall buildings.  It frequently says I'm 2
> >>>>> blocks away from where I know I am, and heading in a different
> >>>>> direction than I'm heading.  My question is, does this happen with all
> >>>>> GPS in big cities, or is it because the GPS is running on a PK, not
> >>>>> the most powerful system in the world? Would, say, IPhone GPS be more
> >>>>> reliable in the big city?
> >>>>> I am only interested in the big city aspect.  At home, in north
> >>>>> Jersey, the Sendero and PK work reasonably well.
> >>>>> Thanks.
> >>>>> Tracy
> >>>> 
> >>>> 
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