I believe he is currently a college student, but he is collaborating with business partners so I don't think this is another one of those college senior thesis types of programs we've been bitten by such as BrailleTouch. It is for this reason he is looking to gage interest before investing time, money, and effort. <Smile>.
Joseph ----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard Turner" <rich...@turner42.com> To: <viphone@googlegroups.com> Sent: Saturday, November 08, 2014 9:34 AM Subject: Re: CrowdVis - Programmer looking for input from blind iOS users This sounds like he is taking the concept of VizWiz, which used still photos, and taking it to the next level to have live volunteers available 24 hours a day. I think VizWiz was also part of a students project. I think it was University of Rodchester. Sounds like a potentially very helpful service. Thanks for sharing. Richard The only limits are those of vision. 🐉 Sent from my iPhone 5S > On Nov 8, 2014, at 8:58 AM, Joseph FreeTech <joseph.freet...@gmail.com> > wrote: > > Hi all, > > I had a conversation with a sighted programmer looking to create a new app > for visually impaired and blind iOS users. He is primarily looking to gage > interest in such an app. I thought I would post his contact information as > he wants to hear from us who will directly benefit from his efforts. Here > is > his email address but read on for details: > crowd...@yahoo.com > > His app is called CrowdViz and is one of a social media/Facetime type of > app which will allow blind iOS users to communicate with sighted users to > help with just about any question involving sighted help. That is, his app > will allow the blind user to request help from a volunteer using the blind > person's iOS device. this is very similar to using a desktop or laptop > webcam via Skype for asking a family member or friend a question such as > the > error message on a computer monitor, the color of a piece of clothing, or > asking if a block of cheese is moldy. <Smile>. The great benefit to using > an > iOS device is that one can ask questions of volunteers no matter what the > situation the blind iOS user has placed himself or herself and regardless > of > time of day/night. Think of it as TapTapSee with direct feedback using > video > and audio rather than still pictures. > > This developer and his business partners seem very serious about this > venture, and they are looking to gage interest and demand from those who > stand to benefit most--namely all of us. Personally, I would find this > type > of solution an absolute must for any blind iOS user. :) > > Oh yeah, it also appears as if he is looking to give this service away for > free. I conveyed to him that if the service will be as useful as > advertised, > we in the blind community would happily compensate him and his business > partners as such an app would do lots to help us in simple and very > difficult day to day situations. <Smile>. > > Here is the direct download link to a Tech Doctor interview with the > developer of the app: > In this podcast, Robert and Allison Speak with Akash Khanolkar. Akash is a > junior Information Systems major at Carnegie Mellon University. He is > developing an iPhone app called CrowdViz which will allow people who are > blind to connect with sighted volunteers for assistance. The app connects > people using Apple's streaming video service called Facetime. > http://media.blubrry.com/accessibility/p/dr-carter.com/podcasts/20140929.mp3 > > Again, these developers are really, really interested in hearing from us > to > gage interest, so please write Akash and inform him that you are > interested, > or write him with suggestions or questions--he is a very, very friendly > person. Here is his email address once again: > crowd...@yahoo.com > > Thanks! > > Joseph > > > -- > The following information is important for all members of the viphone > list. All new members to the this list are moderated by default. If you > have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if you > feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or > moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. 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