[Electronics-talk] GPS in the Big City

Thu Apr 11 15:56:39 UTC 2013

I would recommend Blind Square, because it makes use of the 4square
check-in database, which is constantly being updated. Because 4square
check ins are done by individuals, and may not be completely accurate,
that's where traditional orientation and mobility techniques come into
play. These devices are never to be seen as a replacement for good
mobility skills and a cane or guide dog.

Andy

-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Bryan Schulz
Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2013 8:45 AM
To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] GPS in the Big City

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
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> Electronics-talk mailing list
>>>>>> Electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
for
>>>>>> Electronics-talk:
>>>>>>
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/kayezimphe
r%40comcast.net
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> Electronics-talk mailing list
>>>>>> Electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
for
>>>>>> Electronics-talk:
>>>>>>
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/carcione%4
0access.net
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Electronics-talk mailing list
>>>>> Electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
for
>>>>> Electronics-talk:
>>>>>
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/bwaylimite
d%40verizon.net
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Electronics-talk mailing list
>>>> Electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
for 
>>>> Electronics-talk:
>>>>
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/jbar%40bar
core.com
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Electronics-talk mailing list
>>> Electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
for 
>>> Electronics-talk:
>>>
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/osman36d%4
0gmail.com
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Electronics-talk mailing list
>> Electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for

>> Electronics-talk:
>>
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/chaltain%4
0gmail.com
>>
>
> -- 
> Christopher (CJ)
> chaltain at Gmail
>
> _______________________________________________
> Electronics-talk mailing list
> Electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> Electronics-talk:
>
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/b.schulz%4
0sbcglobal.net 

_______________________________________________
Electronics-talk mailing list
Electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Electronics-talk:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/andrew.bar
acco%40va.gov