Seeing AI
Accessible, versatile reading app for iPhone and Android devices with a range of recognition features.
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Product description
Seeing AI is a free app from Microsoft for iPhone and iPad that can read text, identify products and describe objects around you. When you launch the app, Seeing AI will immediately begin reading aloud any text detected through your camera. You can access other features such as document reading and product recognition through the channel selector toward the bottom of the screen.
Seeing AI highlights
Seeing AI can be helpful for:
- Finding and reading signs.
- Sorting post and reading letters.
- Scanning your computer screen for short periods in situations when you don’t have access to a screen reader or magnifier.
The text recognition in Seeing AI is excellent. I use the ‘short text’ feature to identify food items, such as the contents of tins, or to determine if the post is worth reading. I can then use the ‘document’ feature to read important mail. The text recognition within images is better than the standard access features on social media so I often get Seeing AI to read screenshots or images to me, rather than relying on the standard access features.
Note for magnification users: The pros and cons are listed next to each other.
Pros
- Seeing AI is one of the most accurate recognition apps.
- To enable voice access, you can configure Siri shortcuts. For example, once configured, to launch the document channel, once configured, you can say “Siri, recognise document”.
Cons
- Seeing AI is only available on iPhone and iPad.
- Some functions require an internet connection.
Ease of use
Easy
Set up time
Estimate: 10 minutes
Price range
Free
Please check the suppliers website below for current and accurate pricing.
Learn more
- Find more information on Seeing AI including helpful videos
- Check out this guide to Seeing AI and overview of reading apps on the Guide Dogs website.
- There is more information available on the AppleVis website about Seeing AI.
Manufacturer details
You can find more information about this product by contacting the manufacturer.
Microsoft Disability Answer Desk
Phone: 0800 026 0584
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Our tech reviews have been selected and created by sight loss experts and people with lived experience from: Blind Veterans UK, Glaucoma UK, Guide Dogs, Henshaws, The Macular Society, Retina UK, RNIB, Thomas Pocklington Trust, Technology Association of Visually Impaired People (TAVIP) and Visionary with key input from a panel of professionals, with lived experience, from the following organisations: Berkshire Vision, Outlookers, Seescape, Sight Advice South Lakes, Sight Concern Worcestershire, Sight Airedale and The Braillists Foundation
