[Electronics-talk] GPS in the Big City

Thu Apr 11 15:23:57 UTC 2013

Thanks so much. Ill give it a try

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 11, 2013, at 10:58, Jim Barbour <jbar at barcore.com> wrote:

> 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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>>>>> 
>>>>> 
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