oMoby was originally developed to be a shopping tool, but it has become something quite different for blind and partially sighted people. It can find information, reviews and prices for almost any product. To search using oMoby, you just take a photo of whatever it is you want to search for, then oMoby identifies what that photo contains, and displays the result in text that's accessible to VoiceOver and Zoom. In other words, take a photo, and oMoby will tell you what you've taken a photo of. It's pretty neat!
where to get it:
Download oMoby from the iTunes App Store
Developed by:IQ Engines
Platform: iOS (any device with a camera)
Why is oMoby App of the Month?
Simply put, oMoby's ability to identify objects without the need to capture labels or barcodes makes it one of the most useful apps we've come across yet. The accuracy of its image recognition is a technological triumph. The developers at IQ engines are aware of oMoby's value to blind and partially sighted people, and they have provided accessibility fixes in the two most recent updates. Thanks to those updates, VoiceOver automatically announces progress while the photo you've just taken is being analyzed, then speaks the result. Here's the coolest part - oMoby is a totally free download.
User comment:
Will Thoms says:
oMoby lives on the first page of my home screen because it comes in handy in so many situations.
This morning I received a stack of CDs in the post, and using oMoby, I could identify the two that I'm planning to give as presents without needing to unseal them. Yesterday, it identified the logos on the front of two t-shirts that I haven't gotten round to labeling with RFID tags yet. Since having oMoby, I've become one of those people who buys multi-packs of crisps, then sets aside the flavours I'm not too keen on for when I have visitors. It's even identified mystery currency for me in the past, enabling me to be confident about handing over the right money and not having to rely on people's better nature every time.
The hardest part was getting the hang of taking photos. Now that I've got the hang of taking photos, the hardest part is resisting the temptation to snap absolutely everything and see how oMoby copes.
The technology at work here feels very futuristic; the type of thing I would've laughed off as magic if you'd told me about it 10 years ago.
Tips and tricks:
Here are a few tips to get you started if you've never taken photos before. It's worth noting that these have been gathered from a number of totally blind oMoby users, so while they might not make for brilliant photos to look at, they should get you consistent results.
-
Place the object you want to identify on a flat surface. If possible, make some space around it so that oMoby can clearly understand which object you want to identify.
-
Open oMoby, and prepare the app to take a photo. It's best to prepare before you line up to take the photo so that you can hold your iOS device steady. Movement when the photo is being taken can cause blurriness. Double-tap "Take photo", which you'll find just above the home button of your iOS device. This will load the view finder screen which is where you'd usually use vision to line up your shot. If you don't have any usable vision though, don't worry, it's still doable.
-
Now, you'll want to align the camera of your device with the centre of the object you're photographing. On iOS devices, the camera is in the top right corner of the back plate, so you'll need to line up accordingly.
-
Once you're roughly aligned, lift your device straight upward, being careful to keep the camera pointed at the center of the object you're photographing. As a general guide, 30 cm would be enough elevation to get a clear shot of an object the size of a CD case. Over time, you'll get the hang of knowing how much elevation is necessary - practice makes perfect.
-
Now that you're in position, you can double-tap the "take picture" button, which is just above the home button again. Remember to hold your device as still as possible when you do this.
-
If oMoby returns a result that just says "blurry", raise your device by 5 cm and try again. The chances are that more elivation will get you a clearer photo.
Got a suggestion?
We want to hear from you, our users. Which apps and websites should we be writing about on the TechKnowMore blog? Is there an app you can no longer live without? What website is at the top of your favourites list?
Drop us an email on DigitalAccess@rnib.org.uk to let us know, and your favourite service could be featured in the very near future!