As of yesterday, Microsoft’s Seeing AI app is now on Android devices. You can get it from the Google Play Store. This free app is designed to assist blind and low-vision individuals in better understanding their surroundings. It works by using the smartphone’s cameras and AI-powered narration.
Microsoft mentions that the Android version has the same features as the iOS one and incorporates the company’s latest advances in generative AI. With over 3 billion Android users globally, this app has the potential to enhance the quality of life for many people.
Improved Features and Easy-to-Use
The newest features of Seeing AI were developed based on user feedback. Microsoft explains that the app now gives more detailed descriptions of images. Initially, Seeing AI provides a quick summary of a photo.
If a user taps the “more info” icon, the app generates a much more detailed description. By moving your finger across the screen, the app can inform you about the locations of different objects. Additionally, you can import photos from other apps.
In response to user feedback, Microsoft (which is founded by Bill Gates) recently introduced a new feature that allows you to ask questions about a document using Seeing AI. After scanning a document, you can inquire about things like menu items or the cost of an item on a bill. It also lets you request a summary of a scanned article. The app provides audio guidance on how to scan a printed page.
Making Your Phone Camera Smarter and More Helpful in Many Languages
Seeing AI provides various ways for users to learn about their surroundings by using their camera or taking a photo. For example, the app reads out short pieces of text as soon as the camera detects them. It can also scan barcodes, offering product information like the name and details from packaging when available. This feature can be especially helpful, such as when dealing with medication.
Moreover, the app can assist in recognizing individuals, including their facial expressions, as well as identifying currency, colors, and brightness. Additionally, it has the capability to read handwritten text in certain languages.
Seeing AI is making its debut on Android on the International Day of People with Disabilities. Currently, the app supports 18 languages: Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian Bokmal, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, and Turkish. Microsoft aims to increase this number to 36 languages by the year 2024.
Conclusion
Microsoft’s Seeing AI app, now available on Android, aims to empower blind and low-vision individuals worldwide. With features like detailed image descriptions, document inquiries, and multilingual support, the app enhances accessibility. Its debut on Android signifies a significant step towards improving the lives of over 3 billion users globally.
