StarHub today unveiled a smartphone app that promises to let blind users identify objects that they take a snapshot of with their mobile devices.
Called MySmartEye, the app essentially takes the photo and lists them on a social network, where volunteers among the public can type a text reply to describe what’s there. The answer is “spoken” via the smartphone app to the blind user.
The app is reminiscent of a similar one that was released in Singapore earlier this year, which provided a live video link between a user and a volunteer. That app, however, requires a volunteer to be on standby and depends on the quality of the network, which can be patchy at some places in Singapore.
StarHub’s app appears simpler but relies less on factors like a live video feed. By showing photos instead, it also lets volunteers respond a short while later, for example, to describe the scenery at a garden.
When Techgoondu checked out the app just moments ago, there seemed to be several volunteers describing the photos posted using the app.
Of course, there is technically nothing to prevent a prankster from posting silly pictures, except for people reporting the abuse, but it will take a really nasty person to be abusing a social network that is aimed at helping the blind.
Want to be a volunteer? Check out the app here. It runs on Android as well as iOS.
