For the visually impaired, there are still a number of touch movements needed that may make it difficult to use. The speech recognition only works in English and can only connect with a limited number of apps. From there the app can place a call, send a text, or connect with other applications on the phone. The User needs to hold down the voice key on the phone or other mobile device and wait for the tone before speaking their command or tap it once to start and once to stop.
Vlingo – A free download that is designed to recognize the user’s voice, Vlingo can be commanded to perform various functions on the phone. Here we explore a few of these products to see how well they will work in the blind person’s world. With that a mind, a number of companies have developed voice dial solutions for cell phones, where the user only need to press one button, give the command, and the phone takes care of the rest. While these advances are wonderful for the sighted, blind and visually impaired individuals may find the touch screen buttons and multiple screen options difficult to see and operate when trying to make a call. Each year they are growing in complexity, adding incredible features that normally could only be found on a laptop or PC. Cell phones by design are meant to add flexibility and ease to the user’s life.