Steve Kelley
One of the questions I hear often is, "Which phone is the best for people who are blind, or with reduced vision?" This question is most often asked by people who have used their phone visually for most of their life, and can't imagine using a phone in any other way than by vision. They are looking for the phone, and for that matter, the computer, which can be used completely by using voice commands and listening to the response. With each year, we get closer to the computer interface many of us recall from 2001 Space Odyssey, in which we simply speak to the computer in plain language and tasks such as phone calls, texts, and information are all managed with or without the need to see the screen.
If you've been dreaming of that type of phone, one that will respond to your plain language requests to make a phone call, send a text message, maybe even read a book or listen to a podcast, the RealSAM Pocket may just be the answer to your dreams.
The RealSAM Pocket looks like a flat screen smartphone at first glance, and this is because the hardware used for the RealSAM is a Samsung Galaxy phone with an Android operating system. With one or two possible exceptions, the end user of the phone will never know or care that this is an Android phone, which might normally require a bunch of gestures and swiping to make things happen. Think of the RealSam handset as a gateway to a package of services that combine to make an easy-to-use, voice-operated communication system that also includes some additional tools for entertainment, location, and daily living.
How Does it Work
RealSAM Pocket uses the internet and software to interpret simple voice commands instead of gestures. When the phone is first turned on with a long press of the power button on the right side of the phone, the bottom 20% of the screen is a large button. Labeled "Tap to talk." Tap this part of the screen once and then say what you want. Nearly all phone functions can be managed by tapping this part of the screen and speaking a command. In many cases, the RealSAM will respond with instructions, a question, or a list of items from which the user simply responds again, by tapping the screen once, and speaking a response. For example, in response to a command to "Make a phone call," the RealSAM might follow-up with, "Please say a number, a contact, or go back." Tap the screen, say the number or the name of the contact, and the call is made.
It's worth noting here, that while RealSAM eliminates much of the gestures and input that many users might find confounding, on another flat screen smartphone, there are nonetheless, instances where this is necessary.
Much of the processing of these verbal commands, and all of the streaming information a user might request from their phone is internet based. One of the first steps for many with the RealSAM will be connecting it to the local internet Wi-Fi. This is accomplished by saying, "Configure WI-FI," which brings up a list of local WI-FI access points available. Slide a finger down the screen and listen for the access point to connect to, and lift a finger to select it. Once selected, a keyboard comes up on the screen and the password is input in the same way—finding the letter with a finger and lifting the finger to input it. While the RealSAM eliminates much of the touchscreen gestures, this is an example of when resorting to these gestures is inevitable.
What's in Your Pocket?
The RealSAM makes basic communication on the phone, simple and easy to accomplish with a couple voice commands—making a phone call, sending a text, and managing contacts. Although the RealSAM handset is an Android phone, the RealSAM does not access the Google Play Store, where apps are downloaded and installed on the phone. A number of services and installed applications are included on the RealSAM that cover many of the most commonly used tasks. For example, users can search for a book, podcast, or radio station from numerous free streaming services. Using just natural language commands, a book can be selected from one of several sources, and read with commands like, "Jump forward," Jump Back," "Play," "Pause," "Resume," and "Where am I," to name a few. Many of these same commands can also be used when listening to a podcast as well.
Within these services, RealSAM incorporates a very powerful search function, as well. For example, asking for a list of radio stations will return a list of radio station categories that can be chosen, including: Recent; Favorites; Local; Music; and Talk. Lists like this are presented in groups of five, and the command, "Next," is used for additional listings. Users can drill down through the list or make selections using the number of the item, or just saying a word in the items name. Users can also do a more global search for a more specific radio station or category. For example, there is currently no category for Radio Reading Service stations, however, asking, "List radio stations for blind readers," produced a list of 38 radio stations, many of which were Radio Reading Services. When selected, these began streaming a live broadcast over the internet.
In much the same way a book title might be selected by simply conducting a search. For Example, "Find the title, 'David Copperfield,' from LibriVox," will produce a short list of what's available on LibriVox, which may then be played or added to a category called, "My Books." LibriVox is just one of several resources available on Real SAM, which also includes, Calibre, Torch Trust, and Project Gutenberg. Books can be read as plain text with the screen reader on the RealSAM or played as an audio file of a book narrated by a human reader.
Apps and Other Goodies
Although, more traditional smartphones may be challenging for some users, they do provide access to some great apps, that just make life easier. RealSAM has included some of the most useful in their software. RealSAM includes the free App Be My Eyes, which enables users to connect with a sighted volunteer through a video call so they can use the phone's camera to assist with a wide variety of everyday tasks, like identifying or finding something, describing the color of a piece of clothing, reading a label, etc. Just say, "Be My Eyes," to get started. The first time through includes a list which includes terms of use and registration. Once the terms are accepted a call over WI-FI or cell data is made and the user is connected with a live volunteer for assistance.
How about a video magnifier with OCR? Just say, "Magnifier," and the app opens with menu options to increase or decrease magnification using the +/- buttons, change the foreground and background colors, and freeze the image. Selecting "Freeze" produces another menu labeled, "Action," which contains options for both object recognition and text recognition. Text processing is quick, pretty accurate, and best suited for a single column of text. It's also worth pointing out that the Magnifier application and its menus require using touch gestures to locate the menu items and select them by lifting a finger.
Another handy feature that is simple to use, is for locations. Ask RealSAM, "Where am I?" to get a quick description of the nearest address. Locations can also be used to label specific points of interest outside. So a user might label their favorite coffee shop, restaurant, or another place of interest in the neighborhood, or on a walk.
Out of the Box
The RealSAM comes unlocked and will work with a cellular carrier of the user's choice. The RealSAM is packaged with a bumper case, Screen protector, lanyard and wall charging plug with USB cable. Install a SIM card from a cellular carrier and/or connect to Wi-Fi to get started. Just say, "Hello Pocket," and RealSAM will suggest several things you can say to get rolling. RealSAM has an introductory tutorial which will play without an internet connection by saying "Device Tutorial." Once connected to the internet, saying, "User Guide," brings up a list of sections in the User Guide to choose from. This is a great way to practice navigating the lists and using the reading commands.
The Bottom Line
If you're looking for an easy-to-use phone, that you can literally pick up and make a phone call with using your voice, the RealSAM may be the phone you've been imagining. Add a contact, send a text, find your location, read a book, play a podcast, and even get some sighted assistance for a task, with Be MY Eyes—are all tasks the RealSAM will perform with relative ease, using your voice. For some of these tasks, users will need to experiment with the voice commands or refer to the User Guide for the specific language needed. For users looking for a phone that will support more apps, or some of the other blindness services, like NLS BARD, NFB Newsline, or Bookshare, the RealSAM Pocket may not be the right choice…just yet. It seems clear when demoing the phone and the easy-to-use interface that more could be on the way, in your Pocket.
RealSAM Pocket is $1399 and can be purchased directly from the RealSAM website. For more detailed information about how the RealSAM works, check out the User Guide or schedule a virtual demo from the website.
This article is made possible in part by generous funding from the James H. and Alice Teubert Charitable Trust, Huntington, West Virginia.
