Recent Blindy AI apps of dubious quality
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Jo Billard
Jo Billard
Daughter of the stars
So this is a rather interesting conversation so far. To answer Harmony Finders’ question, what Misty means by “accepting crumbs” is essentially accepting very crude or mediocre apps—apps that could be vastly improved if the time and effort were put into them. And we’re not just talking about AI apps. We’re talking about apps intended for blind users in general. As for Hornbeck’s comment, I appreciate the desire to make an audio app visually appealing for sighted users. However, what I was actually referring to is something slightly different. I don’t understand why sighted developers who say they have created an audio-only app feel the need to add graphics, photos, and other visual elements. If an app is truly audio-based, why should those visual components be necessary in the first place? Most of the time, when those elements are added, the app itself ends up being difficult—or sometimes impossible—to use with VoiceOver. In many cases, the graphics and other visual elements interfere with accessibility. That ends up defeating the entire purpose of an audio-focused application. And even when apps are meant to be audio-only, some of them still end up not being accessible. That was part of what I was referring to earlier. I was also speaking about something I’ve wished existed for a long time: an app store specifically designed for blind and visually impaired users, where the apps on that platform are created with that community in mind from the beginning. Regarding another comment Harmony made, I know you mentioned that you don’t think people would intentionally create apps that don’t work well. But you might be surprised how often that actually happens. There are usually two reasons for it. Sometimes it’s simply about money, because profit becomes the primary motivation. Other times it’s about appearances—people wanting to look like they are doing something helpful or innovative when, in reality, they don’t fully understand what they’re building. And yes, if I find an app that isn’t worth keeping, I won’t keep it. If I believe others should know about it, I’ll share my experience. But I’m not someone who will automatically accept something that isn’t genuinely useful.
Hornbeck
It is interesting for me to hear that Blind people seem to be accepting crumbs from the sighted people table. Most tech savvy Blind people I know are quite discerning, and won't put up with crap. I see certain problems in technology field For The Blind, by The Blind, or anything else. But most people I know don't put up with mediocrity like that. And let's say they do, and somebody like PicciBot puts out an inferior product, thinking that, well, they're blind, and will take anything, eventually users will find their crumbs useless, and won't use it, or pay for it. PiccyBot is one misty mentioned, so I'm bringing this one up specifically. Frankly, PiccyBot has been sitting on my home screen for a while, and the one time I took it out for a drive yesterday I did like it. If I don't, I won't use it, or pay for it. Who wants to spend 40 bucks a year on something useless, instead they could go somewhere for a nice dinner. I don't see where we as a rule have become a dumping grout for bad, badly designed, and useless apps. I just don't. 
Hornbeck
Hello daughter of the stars Colon regarding making audio based apps visually presentable, that would be exactly what I would want to do if I put one out. Even if something like Ramblio is what it is, there may be a small minority of sided people who happen into the app. I would not want it to look anything less than desirable, or ugly. Even if the intended audience, in great number of users is totally blind it's like making a mainstream app look great, but being accessible since a small number of users is blind, and probably won't use a great looking app anyway? 
Harmony Finder
Mystic Miss Misty
Mystic Miss Misty
Daughter of the stars
This is a really interesting question, and I thought about something recently that I wanted to share lately. I thought as often come to my mind, especially recently. What if there was a way to create an App Store, specifically for blind and visually impaired people? I’ve talked about this with someone, and she said that it would be impossible, considering that when it comes to iOS, the Apple App Store is the only App Store there, and when it comes to android, the Google play store is the only one. But what if there is a way to create a App Store that supports both iOS and android, that is for blind as well as officially impaired people . Another thing that I don’t understand, and I suppose I could make a post about this, but I wanted to put this as part of my comment as well, is that when it comes to audio apps, apps that claim that they are audio only, they have graphics, and visual things involved, and even when it comes to some audio apps, they’re not Greg accessible when it comes to VoiceOver. That has never made sense to me. It’s an audio app. All you would have to do is label the buttons to wear a VoiceOver can detect them. And why would you want to put graphics, and photos, and other things for sided people in an audio app that claims to be audio only? I suppose because some sided people only take things in visually, which I suppose makes sense, but still. Add any rate, what are your thoughts on this? And thank you for posting this Miss Misty.  I apologise for dictation not cooperating. I know it says officially impaired, what I meant to say was visually impaired. 
Hornbeck
The constantly barefooted Ray!
Hornbeck
Harmony Finder