[Electronics-talk] GPS in the Big City

Thu Apr 11 15:48:16 UTC 2013

Hey Bryan,

I would say blind square is a really good place to start.

Jim

On Thu, Apr 11, 2013 at 10:44:37AM -0500, Bryan Schulz wrote:
> hi,
> 
> exactly, which one  is better for knowing what stores are close or what
> street you are close to?
> Bryan Schulz
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Christopher Chaltain"
> <chaltain at gmail.com>
> To: "Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances"
> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2013 9:53 AM
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] GPS in the Big City
> 
> 
> >I don't think there's a consensus on the best GPS app. I'd suggest giving
> >the built in Maps app, Google Maps and MapQuest a try. They're all free.
> >Navigon, which is not free, also gets mentioned quite a bit. It allows you
> >to download and store maps on your phone, so if you're worried about data
> >costs, this is a good option.
> >
> >There are also half a dozen apps or more that give you additional
> >information, such as points of interest around you, nearby cross streets,
> >information on public transportation and so on. Maybe you could provide a
> >better idea of what you're looking for or take a look at applevis.com for
> >more information on navigation apps and reviews and opinions by blind
> >users.
> >
> >On 04/11/2013 09:37 AM, 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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> >
> >-- 
> >Christopher (CJ)
> >chaltain at Gmail
> >
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