[nfbmi-talk] FW: [the-facts-machine] San Francisco Airport Beacon Help the Blind with their Phones

[Fred Wurtzel]

From: the-facts-machine-bounce at freelists.org
[mailto:the-facts-machine-bounce at freelists.org] On Behalf Of Vickie
Sent: Saturday, August 09, 2014 7:35 PM
To: "Undisclosed-Recipient:;"@freelists.org
Subject: [the-facts-machine] San Francisco Airport Beacon Help the Blind
with their Phones

 

> San Francisco International is about to make life decidedly easier for

> blind and visually impaired travelers. The airport has teamed up with

> Indoo.rs to unveil a Bluetooth beacon system that will help these

> passengers find their way through Terminal 2 using only their phone. When

> users walk past one of the 500 transmitters, their devices will announce

> nearby points of interest; they can find flight gates, ATMs, information

> desks and power outlets without asking for help. An early version of the

> necessary app also has a directory for sighted visitors.

> 

> The guide technology only works on iOS devices so far, but The Verge

> understands that it will eventually support Android-toting guests as well.

> Indoo.rs expects the service to be available either late in the third

> quarter or early in the fourth (think September or October), although you

> won't want to plan trips around that estimate -- it's up to SFO to flip

> the switch. Whenever the beacons are ready for action, they should give

> many fliers a new level of independence.