It is activated by simple, intuitive gestures - pointing your finger and tapping / swiping the touchpad or voice commands If one thing has slowed wearable tech’s rollout into the mainstream over the last decade, it’s consumers taking issue with price tags. Even established, non-accessibility-focused companies like Google and Fitbit have grappled with whether to impress consumers with functionality and features or appeal to their practical sensibilities with a low price point. Use the reader while traveling abroad, commuting through the city, or in a library to scan for books and signs faster. Tell the device to “Read amounts,” “Read the instructions,” or “Read the title” to let it know which part of the text to focus on. Use the “Start from” command to tell it to start reading from a specific section.

Be My Eyes’ Be My Eyes app for Android is another quality app, albeit plagued with much of the same issues as its iOS counterpart: internet reliance, no gestures or voice commands, and limited language options. If you have low vision and are out shopping, you can use the OrCam Read to read shop names, identify products on the shelf and read price tags. This is especially important in the age of COVID-19, allowing you to inspect products before touching them. You can also use the device to help navigate stores safely by asking it to read social distancing signage. Again, it does not require internet, so there is no need for WiFi to operate the device.OrCam is a company that leverages developing technology to help people who are blind, visually impaired, or have reading difficulties. The company’s flagship product, the OrCam MyEye, is a wearable device that allows people to do tasks they would otherwise have problems with. Thank you to VisionAid for letting me trial this product for a few weeks. I have not been asked to write a review and this isn’t a sponsored post. I personally wanted to share this product so it can benefit others. Despite it being the most affordable OrCam product, it is expensive. I’m fully aware it is a groundbreaking piece of kit, I just see so much potential and the price could make it unaffordable for people who really need it.

Many people wonder whether a dedicated reading pen like OrCam Read is worth the investment, given that there are free mobile apps available that can scan and read text aloud. In the case of the OrCam MyEye 2, there are certainly enough features and functionality to go around. It’s worth noting that the MyEye does a lot more than reading text aloud; it can instantly and accurately identify products, money notes, digital text, and even recognize faces — all in real-time and with no internet connection required. Finally, you will know that you are purchasing a high-quality product based on our extensive research and experience in the field. We stand behind everything we sell, and our foremost goal is to help you achieve greater independence. OrCam also specializes in other assistive technology tools and devices for people with vision loss, including the OrCam Read, also known as the OrCam MyReader. These devices help people maintain their independence, and the brand is praised worldwide for its work.

This new and unique feature helps you orient within your surroundings. It announces and directs you towards objects that are 6 to 30 feet away. Another unique feature of the OrCam Read is the new Smart Reading feature. With Smart Reading, you can use simple voice commands to locate information in a document. Find a word, headlines, amounts, dates, and more on any printed or digital reading materials such as books, bills, correspondence, newspapers, magazines, catalogues and menus. The device can be used at home, at school, in the office, or during the commute. The device works well even in poor lighting conditions. It doesn’t require internet connectivity to work, so you can even use it offline. This lightweight, handheld device uses a smart camera and AI technology to instantly read out text from any printed surface or digital screen.