Microsoft has launched the Android version of its Seeing AI application on the Google Play store. Available free of charge, this app aims to empower individuals with low vision by harnessing the power of a smartphone camera and an AI-based voice assistant.
Enhanced Features for Accessibility
The Android iteration mirrors the extensive functionalities of its iOS counterpart, catering to a user base of over 3 billion Android device users globally. The standout feature, the “More” button, provides concise descriptions of the camera’s view. Users can expand these descriptions as desired, offering comprehensive insights into their surroundings. Additionally, the app facilitates importing pictures from other applications, enhancing versatility.
Empowering Accessibility and Interaction
A notable addition is the app’s capability to inquire about scanned documents, offering detailed information on menu items or individual prices on receipts. It also provides audio guidance for printed material scans, enabling a seamless reading experience. Whether outdoors or indoors, Seeing AI narrates all inscriptions within the frame and identifies various objects, including barcodes on food and pharmaceutical products. It excels in recognizing people, facial expressions, currency, colors, and handwriting in select languages.
Multilingual Support and Future Expansion
Microsoft Seeing AI currently supports multiple languages and plans to expand its language repertoire to encompass 36 languages by 2024, notes NIX Solutions. Presently available in a wide array of languages including English, Spanish, French, and more, the app is striving for increased inclusivity.
Microsoft’s Seeing AI for Android is a groundbreaking tool, fostering independence and accessibility for users with visual impairments. Its evolution continues to push boundaries in leveraging technology for inclusivity and empowerment.