RealSAM Navigation Tool: Get Accurate Location and Nearby Points of Interests
RealSAM mobile phones are not just accessible. They are also designed with features that support everyday independence for those who are blind or visually impaired.
The RealSAM navigation tool is available on all RealSAM accessible mobile phones. It has several different features to help you find your way when you’re out and about.
Here are two things you can find out using the RealSAM orientation feature:
1. Ask RealSAM navigation Where You Are
The RealSAM location tool can accurately tell you where you are and what’s around you.
Just press the ‘tap to talk’ button and ask, ‘Where am I?’. Your RealSAM mobile phone will tell you the nearest address and cross street detected by the GPS. Personally, every time I’ve done this with my Pocket, I’m able to get an accurate location. When I’m at home, I’ve had Pocket tell me that, ‘You’re close to…’ my exact address, and an approximate distance from the nearest intersecting street.
I’ve found that if I’ve just started the phone, or if it has been inactive for a bit, it takes one or two tries to get the GPS on point. If at any time you ask RealSAM, ‘Where am I?’ and you get a response that doesn’t sound familiar or you know is not correct, just give it another go, or give it a minute and then try again. This hasn’t happened to me often, but when it does after the second time, the GPS would readjust and function normally, providing accurate location.
2. Ask RealSAM navigation What’s Around You
In addition to pinpointing your location, you can also find out what’s around you with your RealSAM mobile phone. Tap the ‘tap to talk’ button and use these phrases:
- ‘What’s near me?’
- ‘What’s nearby?’
- ‘What’s around here?’
- ‘Local points of interests’
RealSAM will respond with ‘Where you are, nearby points of interest include…’ and list businesses, restaurants, stores, places of worship, and more. For example, from one location in town, Pocket might tell me, ‘Where you are, nearby points of interests include Cullet Guttering Services, Audio Recording, Jean’s Auto Painting, Cindy’s Cleaning Solutions, Spring Theatre, Grace Bible College…’
You can continue to check for what’s around you as you walk or anytime you are somewhere new.
How Can this Orientation Feature Be Helpful to You?
Using the RealSAM orientation feature to find out where you are and what’s nearby will help you navigate any time you are out and about. It can be especially useful in certain situations.
1. Navigating a new or an unfamiliar place
It’s helpful to have a friend or a guide when going somewhere for the first time. It gives you an opportunity to get the lay of the land when someone can describe what’s around. You can get specific directions that will help you become more familiar with that location.
But it’s not always possible to go to a new place with a sighted guide. The RealSAM orientation feature can be helpful, for instance, to confirm that you’ve arrived at the correct location after traveling via public transportation or ride-share. As long as you know the street or address of your destination, you can gain more confidence by confirming your location when you ask RealSAM, ‘Where am I?’
If your destination is a place of business or a shop, and you’re not directly in front of it when you get off your ride, you can see if it can be detected by RealSAM when you ask, ‘What’s nearby?’ For example, if you’re looking for your favourite restaurant, RealSAM will be able to tell you that it’s in your vicinity. This feature will not give you step-by-step directions, but it will help you to get a sense of your surroundings and allow you to make a better decision about which direction to set out for.
2. Meeting up with a friend
You can use this orientation feature when you’re meeting someone. Ask RealSAM, ‘Where am I?’ Then tell your RealSAM to call your friend and relay the nearest cross street and the nearest address.
3. Giving directions
If you need to let someone know where to pick you up, you can tell them what you’re close to and your exact location according to RealSAM.
3. Discover a new point of interest
Have you ever gone somewhere and had no idea that your favourite shop was right around the corner? The next time you go to one of your regular locations, ask RealSAM, ‘What’s nearby?’ and discover interesting new places you can try. You might not be able to go there right then and there, but you can take note of it. Then later, have a family member, friend, or mobility instructor map out a route for another time.
4. Use the RealSAM navigation feature with Be My Eyes
Find out what’s around you using the RealSAM orientation feature, then get sighted assistance from a Be My Eyes volunteer. Using your phone’s camera, they can let you know if that point of interest is accessible from where you are. They can describe your surroundings in detail, read signs you can’t see and give you some directions.
More Assistive Tools on RealSAM
RealSAM mobile phones include additional assistive tools that can help you navigate. Find out more about RealSAM’s Outdoor Locations and the other assistive features:
Accessible Time and Weather on Your RealSAM Mobile Phone
