SEEING AI

Microsoft Corporation. (2018). Seeing AI (Version 3.0) [Mobile application software]. Retrieved from https://apps.apple.com/us/app/seeing-ai/id999062298

Price: Free

Rubric Score: 15/22

Age and intended audience: 4+, For anyone struggling with any vision impairment

Review: Designed for the blind and low vision community, Seeing AI offers individuals an auditory description of the world around them. Using the camera through a smart phone or tablet, Seeing AI has diverse features including Short Text (audible narration of text as soon as it appears in front of the camera), Handwriting (the camera will decipher handwritten text as in a manuscript or letter), Photos (audible description of photos on a smart phone or tablet), and Products (by scanning a barcode, the user can gain product information). With five app updates in just the last calendar year, Seeing AI constantly strives to add new features to assist the visually impaired. With these updates, some features require newer models of iPhones and iOS updates. While the app does not offer any creative features, it allows the visually impaired to experience the world around them. The app presents itself as a very adult app; however, any visually impaired user who can navigate a smart phone or tablet, regardless of age, can benefit from audible narration when they cannot see text, products, images, or light for themselves.