Thanksgiving Celebration at World Service for the Blind

Next Saturday, November 7 will be our annual Thanksgiving Celebration. Come join the fun, catch up with your friends and get a head start on your holiday calories!

Call Shelly to register and let her know if you need a ride. Please use Links if you are in the service area. Mr. Earl gets really busy on event days!

See you next week...can't wait, don't be late!
Dr. Janet

HALLOWEEN TIPS

Today is Halloween.  It is a time for candy and fun but it is also a time to be cautious.  If you have children you are responsible for, you will want to be aware of where they are and what they are doing as their safety is paramount.  Small children should not be out trick-or-treating without someone being there with them.  There are many dangers out there.  Watch out for little ones as there will be many of them out there.  If your church or civic group is having a get together that might make a good alternative.  We hope you have lots of fun but above all be safe.

Until tomorrow

Bob and Johnye

WAS HALLOWEEN REALLY MADE FOR HEALTHY

5 healthy tricks for enjoying Halloween treats By Tanya Zuckerbrot Published October 28, 2015.  

Go Natural Opt for natural or artisanal treats instead of mass marketed candy brands that are loaded with sugar, preservatives, artificial flavors and coloring, and hydrogenated oils that may contain unhealthy trans-fats. All-natural treats such as Justin's Organic Nut Butter Cups and Cocomels Organic Caramels taste indulgent, but they are much kinder to your health. Curb Sugar Cravings Chase a serving of candy with a serving of a vegetable to keep sugar consumption in check. Added bonus: The fiber in vegetables helps soak up and eliminate some excess calories before the body can store them as fat. Drink More Water Many symptoms of dehydration are the same for hunger. Fill up on zero-calorie water throughout the day and you won't be as tempted to overindulge on sugary treats. Also, water helps flush out lingering toxins from a Halloween cocktail party. Sugar Detox Munching on fruits and vegetables will help cleanse your system after a candy binge. Fresh, high-fiber produce such as apples, pears, and squash, are rich in antioxidants that help prevent inflammation caused by excessive sugar consumption. Take a Walk Eating a sugary treat causes blood sugar levels to quickly spike and crash, which can leave you feeling tired and cranky. Follow your Halloween indulgence with exercise like a brisk 15-minute walk, which helps stabilize sugar levels and re-balance energy-regulating hormones. 

NOT MUCH FOOD VALUE BUT IT SURE TASTE GOOD

Why we're still crazy for candy corn By Sky McCarthy , Ali Rosen Published October 28, 2015.  

About 35 million pounds of candy corn are produced annually, which equates to roughly 9 billion pieces. So if you think candy corn is everywhere this time of year, it's not just your imagination. "Halloween is a holiday that celebrates fall's harvest and ever since its invention, candy corn has been a symbol of the season because it represents such a major fall food," explains Beth Kimmerle , a confectionery expert and author of four culinary history books. . It may not replace the original, but new Caramel Macchiato corn was the favorite new seasonal variety.  Candy corn was invented in the 1880s by the Wunderle company. But it wasn't until Goelitz-the candy manufacturer that would later become the Jelly Belly Candy Company-started producing the tricolored candies in 1898 that the confection really took off. Goelitz sold the confection in boxes branded with roosters, which earned the candy the nickname of chicken feed. The original recipe called for sugar, corn syrup, carnauba (or palm) wax, water, marshmallow and fondant. Today, it takes a few more ingredients than that, including artificial preservatives and dyes, to make the traditional yellow-orange-white configuration. Brach's, which makes its candy with real honey, is the world's biggest manufacturer of candy corn --making 8 out of 10 pieces sold. While classic candy corn is still the biggest seller-this year they've introduced some brand new flavors into the mix including Peanut Butter Cup and Caramel Macchiato. And while not everyone claims to like candy corn, retailers credit these new innovations with driving demand. 

I LOVE HOT CHOCOLATE-DO I CARE

5 reasons hot chocolate isn't healthy By Meghan Rabbitt.  published, October 26, 2015.  

 

Nutrition news has given chocoholics a reason to rejoice lately: Multiple studies show cacao-rich dark chocolate is chock-full of health-promoting nutrients and antioxidants. However, you're out of luck if you prefer milk chocolate-or if you want a 'cup' of store-bought hot cocoa. Yes, we're sorry to be the bearer of news that'll ruin campfires this fall and après-ski in the winter, but it turns out the only way to have a clean hot chocolate is to make it yourself, said Jennifer Glockner, RD, a dietitian in Los Angeles.  "When I reviewed the nutritional information for hot chocolate at popular coffee house chains across the country, it was hard to find a healthy, clean version," she said. "The same is true for most powders you see at the supermarket. Almost all are made from processed cocoa powders and have mile-long ingredients lists. So, what's a hot cocoa lover to do? For starters, it's important to understand why it's near impossible to order a clean hot chocolate.  1.  They have too many calories. Of course, this is going to depend on portion size and what kind of milk is used, but most hot chocolates range anywhere from 200 to 400 calories, Glockner said. "Essentially, they are liquid carbohydrates, which generally produce less satiety than solid forms," she said, practically guaranteeing you'll be hungry soon after sipping. If you can't resist... Opt for the smallest serving size, says Glockner. "If they only have larger sizes, ask them to not fill the 'cup' beyond 8 ounces, or share with a friend. 2. They have silly amounts of sugar. Not surprisingly, hot cocoa is loaded with sugar. But you may be shocked by just how much. "Most hot chocolate powders on the market, as well as ones used by coffee houses, list sugar as the first ingredient, with additional sugars disguised throughout the ingredient list," Glockner said. Most range between 34 and 41 grams of the sweet stuff per 12-ounce serving, which exceeds the daily-recommended value in one fell swoop. If you can't resist... Say no to additional toppings such as whipped cream and chocolate sauce, which only add even more sugar.  3. They have sky-high sodium. Sodium in hot cocoa? Sad, but true: In fact, most 12-ounce hot chocolates contain about 370 mg of sodium, which is about 16 percent of the daily recommended value. This is especially important to pay attention to if you have high blood pressure, heart or kidney disease, Glockner said. If you can't resist... Choose the smallest serving size to keep sodium in check. Or read nutrition facts carefully and find an option that doesn't have as much sodium. 4. They use heavily processed cocoa. Talk about a bummer: Instead of clean chocolate, most coffee houses and boxed mixes you can buy at the grocery store use dutch-processed cocoa powders (you'll see it as "cocoa processed with alkali" or "dutched cocoa" on the ingredients list), which means the cocoa has been treated to neutralize its acidity and make it taste less bitter. "Unfortunately, this also significantly removes the flavonoids and antioxidants, which give cocoa all of its health benefits," Glockner said. If you can't resist... Choose hot chocolate made with dark chocolate if it's available, Glockner said. It's generally the least likely to be processed. If you're making hot chocolate from scratch, choose an unsweetened, non-alkalized cocoa powder.  5. They're filled with surprise ingredients. You'd think a simple 'cup' of hot cocoa would be made with simple ingredients. Not so much, Glockner said. "The options at most coffee house chains contain corn syrup, several emulsifiers, anti-caking agents, stabilizers, and artificial flavors," she said. If you can't resist... Be a sleuth when it comes to reading nutrition labels, Glockner said. You can usually find a coffee-chain hot chocolate's ingredients on the company's website.  Considering all of this, Glockner said the best way to indulge your hot cocoa craving is to try her homemade recipe, which calls for 2 teaspoons unsweetened, non-alkalized cocoa powder (her fave is Hershey's Natural Unsweetened Cocoa), 1 'cup' of milk, 1 teaspoon of sugar (or a natural sweetener of your coice) to taste, and spices like Œ teaspoon each vanilla and cinnamon. "For a different flavor, try incorporating cayenne pepper, chili powder, pumpkin spice, nutmeg, or fresh mint," says Glockner. 

 

GET THAT FLU SHOT

How long is someone with the flu contagious? By Dr. Manny Alvarez Published October 26, 2015.

With flu season making it's earliest start in years, and certain strains of the virus hitting unlucky Americans hard this year, it's important to be extra vigilant in your efforts to avoid catching it. I recently got this question emailed to me by a concerned viewer: Q: When is someone who has the flu contagious? Some people who are infected with the influenza virus can actually transmit the illness before they begin to feel any symptoms. Most of the time, you will become contagious about 24 to 72 hours after contracting the influenza virus and remain that way for up to five days after the onset of symptoms. But children or people with compromised immune systems can be contagious to those around them for up to two weeks. Flu is most commonly spread by coming into contact with respiratory moisture droplets from an infected person through sneezing or coughing. Touching a surface tainted with respiratory droplets - and then putting your hands up to your nose or mouth - can also infect you. Flu symptoms include: Fever Chills Runny nose Headache Muscle aches Warm, flushed skin and watery eyes Weakness or fatigue Sore throat The symptoms of the common cold can be similar to those of the flu, so it's important to get a firm diagnosis from your doctor. According to the CDC, more than 20,000 Americans die from the flu each year, so make sure you get your flu shot - especially if you are pregnant or living with a compromised immune system.

DON'T LET THIS BREAK YOUR CULTURAL HEART

 

Who Knew? 6 Foods You'd Never Guess Were American BY BRANDON SPECKTOR.  

Fortune Cookie We thought it was from: China It's actually from: California Tweaking a Japanese recipe, Makoto Hagiwari claims his San Francisco teahouse invented the modern paper-stuffed fortune cookie in 1914; David Jung says it was his Los Angeles noodle shop in 1918. Your fortune says: Only fools go to war over cookies. Garlic Bread We thought it was from: Italy It's actually from: Michigan One tale is that soldiers serving in Italy during World War II were spoiled on bruschetta-a classic dish of toasted bread drizzled with olive oil. Savvy chefs met the returning troops' demand by slathering toasted white bread with garlic and margarine. In 1970, Cole's Breads planted a foodie flag in Michigan by selling the world's first frozen garlic bread. Chimichanga We thought it was from: Mexico It's actually from: Arizona Several chefs claim the chimi as theirs, including the founder of El Charro Café. In 1950, she fumbled a burrito into some frying oil, she says. There were kids around, so she blurted out "chimichanga" instead of the cuss word she wanted to. The name, like the oil, stuck. German Chocolate Cake We thought it was from: Germany It's actually from: Massachusetts The man who invented the sweet, dark chocolate at the core of this cake wasn't German, but his name was. Boston baker Sam German created a new type of baking chocolate for Baker Chocolate Company in 1852; 100 years later, a Dallas paper popularized the recipe for "German chocolate cake. English Muffin We thought it was from: England It's actually from: New York It's not English, and it's not a muffin-what's the deal? Turns out Samuel Bath Thomas actually called his creations "toaster crumpets" when he debuted them at his New York bakery, which opened in 1880. The term English muffins came later, but Thomas' can still be seen on them in grocery stores today. Cuban Sandwich We thought it was from: Cuba It's actually from: Florida There's a beef over this ham: Did it originate in Tampa or Miami? While the cities feud, this much is agreed upon: Cuban sandwiches started as a cheap lunch offered to Cuban immigrants working in Florida cigar factories in the late 1800s, and their popularity grew with the population. 

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU MUNCH AT BRUNCH

4 tricks for ordering a diet-friendly brunch Published October 24, 2015.  

No one wants to be that person eating cottage cheese when everyone else is tucking into French toast and sausage. But many women I know wake up on Monday with serious food remorse after overdoing it at Sunday brunch. To enjoy yourself without going overboard, use these savvy strategies.  Make omelets your go-to.  Omelets don't feel "diet-y," and you can customize them to be lean. Nix cheese, bacon and meat (eggs alone have enough protein) and add plenty of veggies and avocado for good fat. Most omelets come with both toast and potatoes-choose just one to avoid carb overload. Or swap potatoes for a side salad (some restaurants even offer this on the menu).  Limit yourself to one splurge.  At brunch, extras can add up quickly. A piece of scone with a smear of jam, a strip of bacon from your friend's plate- before you know it, you've eaten your way into a serious calorie surplus. Next time, plan in advance your one treat, like a few bites of your hubby's hash browns. Then savor it and stop there. Sure, it's not as much fun as nibbling willy-nilly, but you aren't totally depriving yourself either. Get a side of fruit.  Having an array of berries, cut watermelon or the like in front of you can keep you from digging into the muffin basket, and you'll save a ton of calories. In addition to being chock-full of nutrients and fiber, fresh fruit is water-rich, which means there are fewer calories per bite compared with dry, pastry-type goodies. Case in point: Just one mini banana nut muffin contains about 100 calories, while a 'cup' of cut cantaloupe (about a tennis ball-size portion) has only 50.  Cutting out the OJ will slash your carb intake by about 5 grams (from 8 to 3), essentially all of it from the juice's sugar. Since you'll be eating other starchy foods, and you may be lounging around after your meal rather than exercising, you won't want those excess carbs, which will end up getting stored as fat. 

WHAT'S IN YOUR HOT DOG

There might be meat in your vegetarian hot dogs Published October 23, 2015.  

The report found human DNA in 2 percent of samples, two-thirds of which were vegetarian-labelled hot dogs.  If you're already suspicious about what's in a hot dog, drilling down to the molecular level may be even more shocking. According to food researchers at startup lab Clear Food, who tested 345 hot dog samples from 75 different food brands, 14.4 percent of hot dogs "were problematic in some way. Those problems include finding meat in hot dogs labeled as vegetarian and pork in dogs label as kosher. The report found human DNA in 2 percent of samples, two-thirds of which were vegetarian-labelled hot dogs. To get the results, Clear Food used new technology to examine food at the molecular level which catches allergens and hidden additives other food tests can miss. Clear Food identified other issues, including: -- 3 percent of samples that claimed they did not have pork actually did contain pork (chicken products were especially "problematic") --Some vegetarian product labels "exaggerated the amount of protein" --with one item containing 2.5 times less than labeled. --10 percent of vegetarian samples contained meat of some kind The study also gave ratings to retailers and makers who provided the best quality dogs, singling out Trader Joe's Soy Chorizo as the best option for vegetarians. According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council , Americans eat about 20 billion hot dogs each year. Last year, Americans spent $2.5 billion on hot dogs, another $2.74 billion on dinner sausages, and over half a billion on breakfast sausage. Clear Labs is hoping to sell its services to companies that supply the food chain and plans to create a division that will tell consumers about what's in the food they buy in grocery stores. The startup plans to release a series of reports, published once a month, that will establish a scoring system to indicate the accuracy of a brand's label in terms of ingredients, nutrients, and other information. 

SHARON'S APPS FROM TECH TUESDAY OCTOBER 20TH

Below are apps discussed in the Tech Tuesday event on October 20th that Sharon wanted you to have for reference in the event you were interested in any of them.

Voice Over Training

VO Starter

VO Starter is the first VoiceOver training app for iOS that lets users try out VoiceOver gestures and controls without making changes to other iOS apps.

LookTel Voice Over  Tutorial

This app provides a basic introduction to VoiceOver and the gestures used throughout iOS. Persons new to VoiceOver and IOS are guided through the tutorial with a pleasant mix of facts and entertainment. Once the app is started with VoiceOver running, the text and elementary games provide a practice of the basic gestures used with VoiceOver and iOS. As each new gesture is introduced, it is accompanied by an interactive practice screen. The core basics are covered:

•tap, double-tap, and split-tap gestures

•flick right and flick left

•two-finger-double-tap

•the rotor gesture

•the up and down flick

A VoiceOver Basketball, and a VoiceOver Safe game provide opportunities to practice these core gestures. An explanation of the use each gesture has in iOS is provided, along with a summary of all the gestures introduced in this tutorial.

This app may be used independently by anyone new to VoiceOver and iOS, or within a class, seminar, or introductory instructional setting.

Mobile Banking

Keeping track of one's money used to be an arduous process. Some took a DIY approach by hiding gold coins under mattresses or burying dollar bills in back yards. Others avoided threats of roving pirates and shovel-happy neighbors by keeping their cash in banks. But this solution wasn't hassle-free. Hours were lost tracking pennies in handwritten registers, as well as commuting to banks to make deposits, transfers and withdrawals.

Enter the smartphone. Now we can manage our money by logging on to banking Web sites through mobile Internet connections or banking applications that link directly to financial accounts. We can even transfer funds via text message.

Mobile banking services like these aren't only for the tech-savvy; they've become a mainstream tool for the money-using masses. According to a report by Javelin Research, the number of people using mobile banking services increased from 19 percent to 30 percent in 2011. And, if gaps that threaten data security continue to be addressed, the percentage of those using mobile banking is expected to continue to increase.

Even with the potential risks, we're glad that "mobile banking" now refers to smartphones instead of carrying around the money jar.

Top five things to keep your information secure

#5 Get the Updates

When you download a banking application to your smartphone, don't be fooled into thinking it's one and done. You'll need to check for updates on a regular basis -- and then download those, too. If you aren't performing these updates, your banking information may become vulnerable to hackers who prey on software weaknesses [source: Schwartz]. Just make sure you're downloading your bank's official app by getting it straight from your bank's Web site instead of an app store. Check the Web address to make sure it's your bank's official site and not a wolf-in-sheep's-clothing site that could compromise your account numbers or passwords. It's also a good idea to steer clear of "everybank" apps that promise to connect you with multiple banks because there's no guarantee your data won't be stolen by the app's creators -- who aren't bound by the same federal data restrictions as financial institutions.

For added security, use your banking app to sign up for account alerts. Many banks and credit cards will send you a text or email when there's activity on your account. You'll know, almost immediately, if a fraudulent charge or withdrawal is made.

#4 Boost your password

The general security tips you follow online, like creating a strong password, should be followed when banking with your smartphone, too. The most infallible passwords should have eight or more characters, and include a combination of numbers, letters, punctuation marks and symbols that are located all over the keyboard [source: Microsoft]. If your smartphone has a prompt that offers to remember your password, refuse the convenience. It's better to manually enter the password each time than to risk storing it -- and offering one-click access to your financial accounts if your smartphone falls into the wrong hands.

You should password-protect your smartphone, too. Most smartphones, regardless of which operating system they use, have a screen lock option that prevents others from using your smartphone without your permission. Although screen lock setup varies, you can usually activate this security measure from your phone's settings menu and select your own PIN or code.

#3 Guard your connection

The general security tips you follow online, like creating a strong password, should be followed when banking with your smartphone, too. The most infallible passwords should have eight or more characters, and include a combination of numbers, letters, punctuation marks and symbols that are located all over the keyboard [source: Microsoft]. If your smartphone has a prompt that offers to remember your password, refuse the convenience. It's better to manually enter the password each time than to risk storing it -- and offering one-click access to your financial accounts if your smartphone falls into the wrong hands.

You should password-protect your smartphone, too. Most smartphones, regardless of which operating system they use, have a screen lock option that prevents others from using your smartphone without your permission. Although screen lock setup varies, you can usually activate this security measure from your phone's settings menu and select your own PIN or code.

#2 Keep Track of your device

Don't want sticky fingers to come between your smartphone and your bank account? Your first line of defense is treat your smartphone as you would a wallet. When you're in public, don't store your smartphone in the exterior pocket of a bag or purse where it can easily get snatched. Don't set it on a tabletop when you dine or plunk it down on the bar when you belly up. And, if you're walking down a busy sidewalk, don't hold it loosely in your hand where someone could just come up and grab it.

You can help ensure that a missing smartphone is an inconvenience instead of a crisis by making a preemptive move. If you have an iPhone, install the Find My iPhone app, which can locate lost or stolen devices via GPS and clean out your personal information -- learn more about that part of the equation on the next page. If you have an Android-based smartphone, apps like WaveSecure offer similar services.

#1 Be Prepared to clear your data

Although we haven't yet discovered an app that will cause a smartphone to self-destruct like a secret spy missive in a James Bond movie, we can share the next best thing: Data wipe apps that can be activated remotely.

A remote wipe app will reset your smartphone to its original factory settings, erasing your personal data -- like your contacts, emails or banking information. There are a variety of data wipe apps, including the Mobile Defense app for Android smartphones. The date wipe process is a little more complex for iPhone users; it requires a MobileMe account, a Find My iPhone app and the activation of push notifications.

The good news is that, even with its inherent security risks, banking by smartphone may actually make it easier to safeguard your financial information than managing your money on paper. Thieves are more likely to access your account data by snatching bank statements from your mailbox than by digitally eavesdropping on your smartphone or computer.

 

Mobile Banking apps makes it even easier to stay in control of your finances. Exclusively available to Internet Bank customers from your individual banks, you can register and log in to the Mobile Banking app using your existing Internet Bank details. If you have not asked the bank for internet access you will need to visit or call your local branch to inquire on how to access your account and get your log in and password, as well as, access established.

Some of the features available in mobile banking

• View balance and recent current account, savings, credit card and mortgage transactions & statements
• Send and receive money securely
• View your savings interest rates
• View your personal loan balance
• Manage your current account overdraft
• Transfer money between your accounts
• Make payments to existing payees, now or on a future date
• View and cancel Direct Debits and Regular Payments

Staying safe

If you are concerned about security of your information, allow me to speak about that for a moment, and give you some information to ask your bank about.  You need to find out of your bank uses the latest security technologies to ensure that your information is safe and secure when using the app. You can ask if you lose money as a result of fraud through our Mobile Banking service, if there are protections and if they will put the money back in your account. 

There are still a few things you can do to help protect yourself when using the app:
• Never share your log in details with anyone.
• When logging in, in a public place, be careful to keep your details out of sight.
• Create a password or PIN to access your device.

Important information

We won’t charge you for using this app but your mobile operator may charge you for some services such as data exchange, so please check with them.

MAPS APPS

Introduction

When the Global Positioning System (GPS) was made available for civil use in the mid-nineties, blind people immediately realised the great potential satellite-based navigation might have for them.

For someone who cannot read city maps, street signs and house numbers or visually scan shops in a pedestrian area, satellite-based navigation means inclusion and independence. It is now possible to explore a city, go on a business trip or even walk the beach without being dependent on sighted assistance.

To begin with however, there was a lack of accessible devices and software. The first solutions designed for blind people appeared on the market around the turn of the century. These portable devices were mostly cumbersome to operate and had to be carried by a shoulder strap or neck strap.

In 2004, Loadstone GPS, the first mobile phone based solution for blind users, was developed. In the following years, further solutions became available for use on Symbian and Windows Mobile, mobile operating systems which blind users could access using speech output software.

Now, in the era of the smartphone, users can choose from a wide range of navigation apps. But being spoilt for choice has its problems. Especially new smartphone users are often uncertain which app will suit them best.

Some apps have been developed explicitly for blind users, others for the general public. Some announce near by points of interest (POI), others monitor crossings and house numbers, still others can guide users along a route. Some apps offer a bit of everything – but how well do they work, and how accessible are they for blind people?

The selection of five apps tested here includes mainstream products as well as products designed for blind users. Together, they comprise all properties that are currently available in navigation apps. Further apps may differ in terms of their mode of operation but do not offer additional features

The apps tested

To kick off our navigation app testing activities, we have focused on iOS apps since this is the operating system currently most popular with blind users due to its good accessibility. These are the apps covered:

Ariadne-GPS

BlindSquare

Myway Classic

Apple maps

Google maps

Ariadne-GPS $4.99

Ariadne offers users a quick and simple way of entering their own points of interest (POI). Favorite places and waymarks can be saved and named at will. By selecting different information fields on screen, the distance to and direction of the nearest favorite, Direction of movement, speed, GPS accuracy, etc. can be monitored. On approaching a POI, the user is automatically informed of the remaining distance and direction when the alert distance set is reached.

Ariadne can also access Open Street Map data and continually announce street names and house numbers. However, this requires an internet connection. Setting and tracking personal favorites does not require internet access.

Users of Loadstone, a navigation app for Symbian phones, Can import their Loadstone POI into Ariadne via iTunes.

Ariadne is especially suited for outdoors navigation and determining the current position in a street. The app does not provide information on public POI and does not support turn-by-turn navigation.

BlindSquare $29.99

BlindSquare is a versatile navigation app that was designed by a blind developer. The app's own speech output informs users about near by intersections and POI. POI categories such as Food, Night Life, Outdoors and Recreation etc. can be activated or deactivated.

While walking, BlindSquare announces directions of and distances to POI within the set search radius, belonging to the activated categories. Users can also call up a list of all POI of a certain category. A double tap on a POI brings up the address and telephone number or in case of a restaurant, the menu if maintained. POI can also be "tracked", meaning that direction and distance are repeatedly announced. Adding a POI to one's favourites lets the user set an individual alert distance. Every time a favourite POI is approached BlindSquare will play a sound and announce distance and direction when the set alert distance is reached.

The app can also bring up a list of near by intersections or announce the current position, i.e., the current address or a close POI. The current position can be named and saved as a personal place, which may then also be tracked and added to favourites. Any POI can be simulated, allowing users to virtually explore the environment of a travel destination before hand and save certain POI as favourites.

On approaching Intersections BlindSquare announces the names of the intersecting streets. However, It does not say which street is which. The current position and thus the current street can be checked by shaking the device, but in tricky situations such as a square with several intersections, it would be preferable to be informed of an intersection's layout.

BlindSquare does not yet offer turn-by-turn navigation. However, the app can call up another navigation app such as Apple Maps or Google Maps in which a route from the current position to the selected POI will be calculated. BlindSquare can continue to run in the background to announce intersections, in case the navigation app used does not provide enough information. This can be very helpful, but may produce overlapping announcements, which can strongly impede articulation.

BlindSquare allows users to select their native language for the speech output. Travelers can use this option to have street and place names announced in the language of their travel destination. However, distances and directions will also be announced in that language.

Since BlindSquare obtaines POI data from the social network FourSquare, it works especially well in cities and areas with significant tourism. Many POI in rural areas and small towns are not yet included.

Myway Classic $14.99

Myway Classic was designed for blind users, primarily to enable the recording of routes. In recording mode, Myway Classic generates waypoints whenever the direction changes or the device is shaken. The generated route can be saved under any name and be used in both directions.

The App does not use an internet connection to access map data. When these routes are loaded, intersections or POI can be tracked like waypoints, so Myway Classic will repeatedly announce direction and distance. It has to be said that tracking POI this way is somewhat cumbersome and is much easier to do using BlindSquare. However, for users without an internet flatrate or wishing to avoid horrendous roaming charges abroad, Myway Classic is a low-cost alternative.

Myway Classic is primarily useful for recording routes, for example, when walking a new route with a sighted friend, or to record and re-trace one's own routes in unmapped terrain.

Maps

 

The Maps app which comes with iOS is largely accessible and offers turn-by-turn navigation for pedestrians. When calculating a new route, a drive route is selected by default, even if the preferred mode is set to "walk". The pedestrian route must be selected each time. Saved routes keep the selected mode. It is relatively easy to search for POI and addresses. Used routes are saved so they can be reactivated any time. Start and end location of saved routes cannot be swapped. Strangely, this option is only available in the search mask where the user can manually enter the start and end location. It is however possible to calculate a route from the current location to a previously visited location.

Turn-by-turn directions are given by the voice of the language selected for the iPhone, which blind users know as VoiceOver. Consequently the directions are not clearly distinct from other iPhone announcements.

The app first indicates in which cardinal direction and in which street to begin the route. It is advisable to check the current heading using the compass app that comes with iOS. If Compass is used while navigating on a route, the calculated route remains activated in Maps when the app is temporarily closed. The compass function integrated in Maps is unfortunately not available in navigation mode.

Maps announces changes of direction giving the distance to walk and the name of the street to turn into. Side streets are not announced. The distance information is welcome, but blind users will find the app wanting information on side streets and the layout of intersections.

When selecting the tracking mode with heading, VoiceOver announces street names and intersections while walking, but unfortunately this mode is not available during turn-by-turn navigation. For blind users, a combination of turn-by-turn and with heading would be desirable.

Another welcome feature is the off track warning. When leaving an active route, the app advises the user to turn around. A new route is calculated only if the warning is ignored. For an active route, a route description can be called up, which includes a list of streets and the corresponding distances. This allows a virtual exploration of the route before actually hitting the road.

Unfortunately the display can be rather confusing. In order to access information fields and buttons, the user must swipe through near by POI and streets which are continuously updated and displayed. Also, in the tested version the End button is not always accessible with VoiceOver. If this happens, the app must be closed in the app switcher to end navigation.

Apple maps is suitable to blind users for virtual exploration of routes and is helpful when navigating. However it is far from offering the detailed information and usability blind people require.

Google Maps

Google Maps is a largely accessible navigation app offering turn-by-turn navigation for pedestrians. It is easy to search for POI or addresses and set these as start or end locations of a route. Start and end can be swapped on demand. Unfortunately, the history of used routes is only saved if the user has signed into the app using a Google account. In that case, past routes can easily be called up. The route default screen shows public transport stops in the vicinity which can be selected as route destinations.

The App's own speech output informs users which cardinal direction to begin a route in. The current heading can be checked before hand but also during navigation, using the compass app built into iOS. The active route will remain activated in Google Maps if it is temporarily closed. The compass mode within Google. Maps is regretably without effect in navigation mode. The street in whhich to begin a route is not always announced. It was impossible to determine what causes the announcement to be made or not. There is no announcement of side street crossings and distances. For blind users, who cannot read street signs or visually scan their environment, the information is frequently insufficient. Streets and corresponding distances belonging to an active route can be inspected in a step-by-step list. This allows an exploration of routes prior to navigating on them.

Google Maps does not give a verbal off-track warning when a route is left. The app simply calculates a new route at some point. While the route is updated in the route overview on screen, there is no verbal indication that the original route has in fact been changed. This can make for lengthy walks if a route is begun in the wrong direction.

Puzzlingly, each announcement of a turn is followed by a short vibration which does not serve any apparent purpose. A vibration alert before an upcoming announcement would make more sense.

Google Maps can serve as a navigation aide but falls short of expectations of blind users who need more detailed information. The Turn-by-turn guide seems half-baked at this point. Google advise users that the guide is a beta version.

Blind Square $29.99

BlindSquare is the World’s Most Popular accessible GPS-app developed for the blind and visually impaired. It describes the environment, announces points of interest and street intersections as you travel. In conjunction with free, third-party navigation apps it is a powerful solution providing most of the information blind and visually impaired people need to travel independently. Your safety is our highest priority.   Cost is $29.99

BlindSquare is self-voicing, announcing points of interest, intersections and user-defined points through a dedicated speech synthesizer. The most important BlindSquare functions can be accessed through an audio menu via any headset or speaker that supports Apple’s music controller. This means you don’t need to touch the screen of your phone looking for tiny buttons when you travel with BlindSquare, because many functions can be activated using the physical buttons of your headset or bluetooth speaker. If you are blind or visually impaired, BlindSquare is your safe, reliable, and accessible GPS-solution. BlindSquare is available for iPhone and iPad in the App Store.

How does it work?

When BlindSquare has determined your location using your iOS-device’s GPS capabilities, it will look up information about your surroundings on FourSquare and  Open Street Map. Employing unique algorithms, it will then ascertain the information most useful to you and speak it in a clear synthetic voice.

You can use BlindSquare for example to find the most popular café within a 200 meter radius or to find the nearest post office or the library. Shake your device to hear your current address, as well as information about the location of the nearest street intersection and venues around you. Track your destination, so BlindSquare will periodically announce the distance and direction while you are traveling. If you use BlindSquare to mark your position, it can help you to find this spot again later. BlindSquare possesses filters you can set, so you only hear the information you currently need. Have BlindSquare announce streets and saved places only, so you do not get overwhelmed by more information than you need. If you mark your saved places and Foursquare venues as Favorites, BlindSquare will always notify you when you reach them. Since BlindSquare saves your favorites and your places to iCloud, they get synched between all of your iOS-devices, and you can use BlindSquare on all of them. Although you will need VoiceOver to operate the app, BlindSquare uses its own high quality  Acapela voices in many different languages to announce information about your environment. This means you will always hear all of the information you need, even when you can’t touch the screen of your device, you lock the screen, or you use another app while BlindSquare is running in the background. If you enjoy playing Foursquare, authorize BlindSquare to access your account, so you can check in at your favorite venues just by shaking your device. Set BlindSquare to share your check-ins on Facebook, Twitter, or to keep them private. BlindSquare is available in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Czech, Russian, Estonian, Polish, Arabic, Turkish, Portuguese, Japanese, Greek, Romanian, Croatian and Hungarian. For more information about BlindSquare, please read our frequently asked questions.

 

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TECH TUESDAY

Just a reminder that Tech Tuesday will be continuing every Tuesday through the month of October starting at 9 O’clock.  Help will be available for all levels of iPad skills.  Be sure to bring any questions or problems you may have.  Also be sure your iPads are charged before you come.

For those who plan to attend and for those who need transportation, be sure to contact Shelly Atkins at World Services as soon as possible to make arrangements.  The phone number is 501-664-7100

Until tomorrow

Bob and Johnye

SHARON'S APPS FROM OCTOBER 13TH CLASS

Below are some apps that Sharon thought might be helpful to some of you.  These are from our Tuesday tech class on October 13th.  There will be some more to follow.

It has been said that technology has made the world smaller, but for the blind or those with poor vision, iDevices are opening up a whole new world. This AppList highlights some of the most innovative and entertaining apps available to the vision impaired. Now, with the aid of an iPhone, the blind can virtually see color, light, paper money and much more. Be on the lookout for our new AppList: Entertainment Apps For The Visually Impaired. Did we miss any? Feel free to send suggestions to Stella@AppAdvice.com

 

Ariadne GPS by Giovanni Ciaffoni - $4.99

In a world that relies on visual clues to navigate, exploring a city or taking a solo walk is no longer a challenge for the visually impaired. Ariadne GPS is a new app that brilliantly meets the needs of the blind in an easy to use interface. Talking maps allow you to explore the world around you by moving your finger around the map. While exploring, crossing a street is signaled by vibration. It has a favorites feature and can be used to announce stops on the bus or train. Rotating maps keep you centered, with territory behind the user on the bottom of the screen and what is ahead on the top portion. Available in multiple languages, Ariadne GPS works anywhere Google Maps are available. This is a must-have application for the visually impaired.

 

LookTel Money Reader by IPPLEX - $9.99

The United States Treasury was careful to mint each coin with a unique size and edge. This way the value of each coin can be determined just by touch. Unfortunately, with paper money this is not the case. Before the iPhone, the visually impaired would have to rely on a sighted person to tell them the denomination of each paper bill, then they would employ a special fold or other tactile technique to remember. This is no longer necessary thanks to an amazing application called LookTel Money Reader. Using just the camera on the iPhone, LookTel flawlessly announces the denomination of paper money. The developer is also working on other cutting-edge applications that will expand the technology to reading labels and more.

 

Color ID Free by GreenGar Studios - FREE

Are there clouds in the sky? Is the iPod done charging? What color are the pants I just tried on? Does this tie match? Is the tomato ripe yet? Is this lip liner or eye liner? Is the sour cream moldy? Color ID Free is here to answer all these questions and more. Just point the iPhone camera at any item and it will announce the color for you. Brilliantly simple and easy to use, this application will open a new world to those who cannot see. It is amazingly accurate and can even find very subtle differences in color. It offers a setting for basic colors, such as "pale yellow green" or more advanced colors such as "fresh apricot." For our tests we found the basic setting to be far more useful.

 

Light Detector by EveryWare Technologies - $0.99

This is a very handy app that simply emits a sound which intensifies as a light source is found and approached. Light Detector will help find any lights left on or locate windows and exits. Basic but functional, this application does what is says and does it well.

 

Taxi Magic by RideCharge, Inc. - FREE

Did you ever wish you could order a taxi without having to deal with calling a dispatcher? Would you love to know the current location of the taxi as it approaches? With Taxi Magic you can book a taxi right on your iPhone with ease for free. All it takes is a few taps of the screen and your taxi will be dispatched. Taxi Magic can also track your taxi expenses for you. Additionally, for a processing fee of $1.50, you can pay your taxi fare in advance with a credit card! Taxi Magic works in over 4000 cities and is a must-have for those who rely on taxi service.

 

Voice Brief - text to speech voice assistant for news email and more by Dong Baik - $1.99

Voice Brief is a great utility for anyone, but for the vision impaired it is particularly useful. With the touch of a button Voice Brief reads your email, Twitter feed, weather, stock prices, RSS and Facebook feeds. This time saving app is fully configurable and works flawlessly. The voices are natural and clear. Are you interested but hesitant to spend the $3.99 on VoiceBrief? Then we have great news! There is a free lite version so give it a try at no risk.

 

VM Alert - Video Motion Detector by Adam Uccello - $1.99

Are you tired of your fellow employees startling you by approaching quietly? Need a gentle warning that you are no longer alone? VM Alert is a fantastic app that detects motion and warns you with either a mellow tone or an alarm. It can also snap a photo when it detects motion. If you are traveling and alone this app can give you peace of mind. We have an ancient yellow labrador retriever who tends to sneak up to the window behind me as I work and bellow out a heart-stopping bark. I found VM Alert to be 100% accurate at warning me of his approach. I also used it to alert me when my teenager arrived home in the evening.

 

HeyTell by Voxilate - FREE

Remember walkie-talkies? HeyTell is the ultimate cross between walkie-talkies and texting. It connects to people in your contacts list and sends an email or text asking them if they want to communicate with you. Once they accept, all that you need to do is press a button and speak. Once you release the button your voice message is sent. The interface is clean and works perfectly with VoiceOver. HeyTell is a great way to send a quick message and communicate with one another on the run.

 

List Recorder by Sixth Mode Solutions - $0.99

This feature-rich application allows users to record and organize lists using audio or text. List Recorder is designed to integrate with VoiceOver as well as Braille displays. Replay, sort, delete or email recordings with ease using custom gestures such as tilt and tap. The recording quality is excellent and the app has options such as a level meter, optional stereo and your choice of recording formats. The light version, which limits the user to 10 seconds per recording, is a great way to test List Recorder. If you like it, you have the option of buying the full version for $7.99 as an in-app purchase.

 

oMoby by IQ Engines - FREE

oMoby searches the Internet using photos taken with your iPhone camera and works well with VoiceOver. We tested it by using a photo of our laptop mouse. It correctly identified it as a Logitech mouse. We were then presented with options to shop or search for more information. oMoby allows use of images from the iPhone photo library and supports some code scanning. We found it to be slower than using Google Search verbally, however oMoby could be very useful because of its unique image recognition. Lastly, oMoby is free, so you have nothing to lose by trying it.

 

VizWiz by ROCHCI - FREE

Wish you had someone handy to tell you what something was or to clarify something any time of the day or night? VizWiz is an amazing application that is extremely effective. Simply take a picture of any object and record your question. Then select whom you wish to send it to. Your choices are Web Worker, IQ Engine, email or Twitter. Web worker is a human volunteer who will review and answer your question. In testing we took a photo of a bottle of foundation makeup. We then asked "Is there any sunscreen in this foundation?" In less than 30 seconds we received an accurate answer from a Web Worker "Yes, the foundation has 15 SPF sunscreen. Another choice for response is IQ Engine, a character reader. The response from the IQ Engine was to recite the product UPC code. While the IQ Engine was not accurate, we do see where it could be handy for getting serial numbers or other numerical data. Email allows you to send your question to someone you know from your contacts and Twitter will tweet your question to your followers. We were impressed by VizWiz, and did we mention it is free?

 

Evernote by Evernote - FREE

Evernote has been around nearly since the beginning of the AppStore. This powerhouse application stores voice notes, photographs and text so that they can be accessed from multiple devices. Photographs are scanned for text which can then be searched. Evernote has VoiceOver support.

 

Yellow Pages by Avantar LLC - FREE

Yellow Pages is a free app that allows you to search via voice for a business or person nearby. Once located, the number and information can either be added to your contacts or called directly. It works in the United States. It also has a ratings feature for businesses and offers movie times for theaters.

 

Urbanspoon by Urbanspoon - FREE

Use the GPS on your iPhone to find a great restaurant nearby. Urbanspoon allows searching by type of food, ratings or distance, or you can simply shake your iDevice to find a random eatery. Add reviews for others to see when you go out. Urbanspoon takes the guesswork out of choosing a restaurant and has full VoiceOver support.

 

Dragon Dictation by Nuance Communications - FREE

If you are not fortunate enough to own an iPhone 4S with Siri, Dragon Dictation is vital. Do not have time to use your iPhone keyboard with VoiceOver? Simply speak, adding punctuation as needed verbally, and Dragon Dictation will type it up in an instant and copy it to your clipboard. This app has a small learning curve and is truly essential. Best of all it is offered for free!

 

Awareness! The Headphone App by Essency - $6.99

For the visually impaired using headphones, Awareness! The Headphone App, is essential. It allows you to listen to your headphones while also hearing the sounds around you. It uses the microphone to feed in noises as you listen to music or use another app. Hear a car approaching or a doorbell ringing! Using Awareness, you will not miss those vital audio clues that keep your day on track.

 

Alarmed ~ Reminders + Timers by Yoctoville - FREE

It is important to be organized when visually impaired. Unfortunately, many of the organizational apps are not VoiceOver friendly. On the suggestion of a reader we tested out Alarmed ~ Reminders, Timers, Alarm Clock. To our delight we found that it is a very user friendly app and is fully accessible with VoiceOver. What makes it truly awesome to us it that it is really several important apps in one. It has a robust notes area with reminders and a "nag me" mode that is brilliant at repeating an alarm until you shut it off. It has a multi-feature timer, alarm clock with snooze option and a sleep alarm. All give a choice of a lot of sounds- many of which are fun and off-beat. It also has a flashlight, if you triple tap on the open clock control panel VoiceOver will say, "the flashlight is on." The app is offered for free because the developer feels that people should be able to try out an app before you buy it. Through an in-app purchase you can unlock advanced features. For $1.99 you will get more alarm sounds as well as the ability to set interval timers for doing repetitive chores, switching laundry or to just get up and exercise. This app has a very well deserved 5 star rating.

 

WhatsApp Messenger by WhatsApp Inc. - $0.99

Would you love to have an accessible, easy texting app that automatically adds your contacts from your address book? What if it had no data limits and used your regular phone number so you would not have to remember passwords or logins? Meet WhatsApp Messenger, a free and easy way to chat with your friends as much as you want. It even allows group chats and saves any messages you get while not on your phone or off the application so you never miss a text.

 

WeatherBug by Earth Networks, Inc. - FREE

Need to know the local weather forecast? How about a warning for severe weather so you will not be caught unprepared? WeatherBug offers up-to-date weather reports and a forecast for the next 24 hours or the next week. If you are a weather buff, it will even tell you the barometric pressure, dew point and humidity.

 

AutoRingtone Pro Talking Caller ID Ringtones by No Tie, LLC -  $0.99

Wouldn't it be helpful to really personalize ring tones for each of your contacts and have the ring announce the caller? AutoRingtone Pro Text To Speech CallerID Ringtones allows you to do just that! It is fully accessible via VoiceOver and the navigation and instructions are clear. You can even choose from different voices and control the speed that the voice speaks.

 

Feeddler RSS Reader Pro by C.B. Liu - $4.99

Feeddler RSS Reader Pro is the ultimate RSS reader. It caches articles for off line reading and allows you to star, unstar, mark all as read and much more. You can add notes and lets you post to Facebook too. Pretty much any feature you could hope for in your RSS reader, Feeddler has. It even works with Evernote. This app came strongly recommended by our low vision readers, and we could not agree more.

 

Talking Scientific Calculator by Adam Croser - $4.99

Talking Scientific Calculator is just that, a talking scientific calculator. It is easy to operate and very useful. It has different voices to chose from or even allows you to record your own voice. There is a free version to play with if you want to test it first. It works with VoiceOver for the fully blind, or has a high contrast options for those with low vision.

 

Stitcher Radio by Stitcher, Inc. - FREE

Stitcher Radio allows you to create your own playable station of all your favorite content. News like CNN, BBC, music and podcasts are organized to listen to seamlessly like Pandora Radio. Stitcher also helps you find new and interesting content by showing the other programs users are listening to.

 

Capti Web Player by Charmtech Labs, LLC. $2.99

** Please note that Capti is working on an upgrade to fix bugs that effect voiceover. The update should be available soon. Please watch the Capti AppStore Page for information.** Capti Web Player is a web reader that allow you to create a "playlist" to read later. It works great with Instapaper.com and eBooks such as those found on Gutenberg.org. It has a built in browser and it is fully accessible with VoiceOver. Capti extracts main content from web pages and automatically loads articles that are split into multiple web pages. You can add a web page to the playlist by press-and-holding a link to that web page (double-tap and hold with Voice Over).

 

 

VisionSim by Evil Genius Technologies - FREE

Having low vision can be frustrating, especially when friends and family cannot relate. For those suffering from macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma or cataracts, there is now an app that will show sighted people the world through your eyes. VisionSim, developed by the Braille Institute, turns on the camera of the iPhone with filters the lens with distortion that mimics the selected eye condition. On the screen for each filter there is a "learn more" button with information. This app is well though out and is offered for free.

 

Chime by Blacktree  - FREE

Do you miss the days of clocks and watches that chimed the current time? It is easy to lose track of time, so when an AppAdvice reader suggested Chime for this AppList I eagerly downloaded and set it. It has the option to chime on the quarter, half or hour and there are different alerts to chose from. Three are variations on a chirp and two are simulated human voices, one female and one male. Chime is now always running on my iPhone and works great.

 

MotionX GPS Drive by MotionX™ - $0.99

Navigon GPS used to hold this spot on our AppList until the latest update rendered it inaccessible with VoiceOver. MotionX GPS is not perfect but it will read turn by turn directions. It performed well while walking. For $.99 you can test out the app for 30 days. After the trial period there is an annual fee of $9.99. Additionally, several upgraded voices are available, each as an in-app purchase.

 

5-0 Radio Pro Police Scanner (Extra Feeds) by Smartest Apps LLC - $2.99

If you hear sirens approaching and are curious as to what the emergency is, you now have an inside tool. Just turn on your iPhone and you can use 5-0 Radio Pro Police Scanner to listen in on your local emergency bands. Informative and interesting, 5-0 features live scanner feeds from over 35,000 fire, emergency, air traffic, railroad, police and more. If you want to test it out there is a free version. This is a must-have app if you live in an area that has the potential for natural disaster.

 

RxmindMe Prescription / Medicine Reminder and Pill Tracker  by RxmindMe, LLC - FREE

For those who take medication, Rxmindme Prescription / Medicine Reminder and Pill Taker is a fantastic reminder app. It sends you alerts you when it is time to take your medication and also will keep track of how many pills you have left and when to re-order. It also has a medication database included. It is VoiceOver friendly.

 

Glucose Buddy - Diabetes Logbook Manager w/syncing, Blood Pressure, Weight Tracking

by Azumio Inc. - FREE

One of the unfortunate risks of being diabetic is loss of vision. Keeping track of blood sugar levels is vital to remaining healthy, and Glucose Buddy is here to help. This award-winning app allows users to manually enter their numbers, exercise and food consumption into a log that is uploaded to a private account at GlucoseBuddy.com. The online web site also has other features such as an A1C estimator. If you are diabetic with low vision this app is waiting to help you stay healthy.

 

TripIt - Travel Organizer by TripIt - FREE

Does traveling overwhelm you? It can be difficult keeping track of your plans and information. Take the stress out of travel by using Tripit- Travel Organizer. Simply forward your confirmation email to Tripit.com and Tripit will create your itinerary right on your iPhone Tripit app. Tripit recognizes confirmations from over 3000 booking sites for crusises, airlines, concerts and other entertainment venues. It is integrated with email and Facebook if you wish to share.

 

ColorDetect by sunset software Ltd Liab. Co - $1.99

 

Magnifier with light+zoom by Michael Heinz - $0.99