[Electronics-talk] GPS in the Big City

Thu Apr 11 15:59:48 UTC 2013

Whats the different between Blind Square and Imove?

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 11, 2013, at 11:48, Jim Barbour <jbar at barcore.com> wrote:

> 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
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> 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/kayezimpher%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%40access.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/bwaylimited%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%40barcore.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%40gmail.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%40gmail.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%40sbcglobal.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%40barcore.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%40gmail.com