Global Positioning Systems (GPS) have always been fascinating, from their early military applications to becoming essential navigation tools for individuals with blindness or low vision. For years, accessible GPS devices have been available, but often came with bulkiness and complexity. However, the integration of accessible GPS technology into cell phones has revolutionized navigation for the visually impaired. This review, in the style of Phonearena Compare, examines Wayfinder Access, a cell phone-based GPS navigation system designed for accessibility. We will explore its features, usability, and real-world performance to determine if it’s a worthwhile solution for accessible navigation.
Alt text: Author and tech intern comparing a traditional paper map with the Wayfinder Access GPS interface on a mobile phone, highlighting the shift from conventional navigation to digital accessibility.
This article provides an in-depth look at Wayfinder Access, focusing on its interface and functionality. A subsequent article will delve into Mobile Geo and offer a detailed comparison between these two leading accessible GPS navigation systems, allowing you to make an informed decision based on your needs and preferences, much like phonearena compare guides you in choosing the right smartphone.
Understanding Cell Phone-Based GPS Navigation for Accessibility
Accessible GPS products for cell phones offer similar functionalities to their predecessors, but within the convenience of a device many already carry. These systems rely on screen readers installed on smartphones to provide auditory feedback and navigation guidance. Key features include:
- Route Planning and Direction Finding: Effortlessly plan routes to destinations and receive turn-by-turn directions.
- Location Awareness: Instantly determine your current location and surroundings.
- Pedestrian and Automobile Navigation: Receive tailored directions whether walking or driving.
- Spoken Itinerary and Turn Alerts: Stay informed with spoken itineraries and timely alerts for upcoming turns.
- Points of Interest (POI) Navigation: Locate and navigate to various POIs like restaurants, hotels, banks, and gas stations.
- Traffic Updates: Access real-time traffic condition updates to optimize routes.
- Customizable Settings: Configure information presentation to suit individual preferences.
- Screen Reader Compatibility: Seamlessly integrate with cell phone screen-reading software for full accessibility.
Wayfinder Access, developed by the Swedish company Wayfinder Systems AB, is priced at $399. It is compatible with TALKS and Mobile Speak screen readers and operates on Symbian operating system phones using the GSM cellular network (e.g., AT&T, T-Mobile).
Mobile Geo, a product by Code Factory, is priced higher at $845 and powered by Sendero GPS. It is compatible with Mobile Speak screen reader and functions on Windows Mobile-based smartphones, Pocket PC phones, and PDAs, supporting both GSM and CDMA cellular networks.
Both systems utilize screen reader voices for output and phone keys for input. Mobile Geo also offers voice command input in its latest version. GPS receivers can be built-in or external Bluetooth, depending on phone compatibility. A key difference lies in map data access: Mobile Geo uses pre-loaded maps, while Wayfinder streams maps over the cellular network. Wayfinder requires a data plan and cellular service for map access and functionality.
Both Wayfinder Access and Mobile Geo offer free trial periods and comprehensive user manuals available on their websites (www.codefactory.es, www.senderogroup.com, and www.wayfinder.com).
Exploring the Wayfinder Access Interface
Wayfinder Access becomes accessible through your phone’s menu. Upon launching, the main menu presents four primary options navigable via the phone’s joystick (or 5-way navigation buttons):
- Map: This visual map displays your location and allows position selection for routes or favorites. However, it’s not screen reader compatible, with functions accessible through other tools.
- Find: This tool enables location searches for route destinations or saving as favorites for future navigation.
- Favorites: A bookmarking feature storing saved locations with GPS coordinates for route planning or deletion.
- Services: Offers supplementary features like weather information, currency conversion, and public transportation details.
Navigating right from the main menu reveals additional tabs:
- Info Tab: Displays GPS connection strength, latitude/longitude coordinates, altitude, and speed.
- Vicinity Tabs:
- Vicinity All: Reports all nearby street crossings, favorites, and points of interest.
- Vicinity (Street Crossings): Shows only street crossings in the vicinity.
- Vicinity (Favorites): Lists saved favorite locations nearby.
- Vicinity (Points of Interest): Displays points of interest in the current area.
Wayfinder Access also utilizes phone soft keys with context-dependent functions announced by the screen reader. The Right soft key serves as a Back/Exit button. At the main menu, the Left soft key activates the Options menu, providing access to features like the Mobile shop, trial invitations, route management, activation code submission, GPS connection control, and Settings.
The Settings menu offers five tabs for customization:
- Phone Settings: Adjust volume, verbosity, backlight, language, Internet Access Point, and GPS connection.
- Route Tab: Configure transport mode (passenger car/pedestrian), distance units (miles/feet or kilometers/meters), route optimization (time/distance, traffic avoidance, toll road avoidance, interstate avoidance), automatic rerouting, and traffic information frequency.
- Nearby Tab, Comm Tab, Map Tab: These tabs offer further customization, detailed in the Wayfinder manual (www.mywayfinder.com/manual/access/en/main.html). These were not extensively tested in this review to maintain focus and clarity, similar to how phonearena compare focuses on core features in their reviews.
Real-World Testing of Wayfinder Access
Wayfinder Access was tested on a Nokia N82 with knfb Reader software and Mobile Speak for Symbian version 3.6. The Nokia N82’s built-in GPS receiver was used, along with a RoyalTek external Bluetooth GPS receiver. Testing encompassed both Pedestrian and Passenger Car modes across various scenarios.
Installation was straightforward and accessible, downloaded via the phone’s web browser from access.getwf.com. Activation with a purchased code is equally simple.
Passenger Car Mode Experience
Testing began in Passenger Car mode using the phone’s built-in GPS. Inputting a home address via the Find application was quick, and Wayfinder swiftly provided turn-by-turn directions using a clear, recorded female voice. The voice prompts for turns and distances were accurate. Accessing Guide and Itinerary tabs provided additional trip information through the screen reader.
While generally accurate, Wayfinder occasionally directed slightly past the destination or offered minor inaccuracies, particularly in rural areas. Address searches were sometimes unsuccessful. “Urban canyon” effects in cities like Washington, DC, and Chicago occasionally impacted signal reception, mitigated by the external Bluetooth receiver.
The voice guidance provided turn directions but lacked street names, which could cause momentary confusion at complex intersections. While Guide and Itinerary tabs offered street name information, voice prompts including street names or highway ramp details would enhance clarity.
Pedestrian Mode Performance
In Pedestrian mode, the recorded voice guidance is disabled, with screen reader providing turn-by-turn directions and navigational information.
Alt text: A visually impaired author using a white cane and holding a GPS device, engaged in a discussion with a friend about navigation choices, illustrating real-world pedestrian GPS usage and decision-making.
Testing in pedestrian mode revealed accurate route guidance, but distance announcements to intersections were often inaccurate. Destination arrival announcements could be off by 10 to 80 feet. Using the external receiver improved accuracy and mitigated urban canyon effects.
In Washington, DC, the external receiver was essential for reliable GPS connection due to building density. Points of interest (POI) search for restaurants and banks worked effectively, guiding to destinations within approximately 15-40 feet. Distance to intersection announcements remained inconsistent. Similar experiences were noted in Chicago, with urban canyons presenting a greater challenge even with the external receiver.
Accessibility for Users with Low Vision
Wayfinder Access is compatible with ZOOMS and Mobile Magnifier screen magnifiers in addition to TALKS and Mobile Speak screen readers. Screen magnifier features enhanced the visual presentation of Wayfinder menus and information screens. However, the Map feature remained impractical with screen magnifiers due to limited useful visual information despite magnification and color adjustments. Outdoor use with screen magnifiers proved challenging due to glare and screen washout from ambient light. Generally, users with low vision will primarily rely on screen reader speech output for Wayfinder Access navigation.
Documentation and Support Resources
The Wayfinder Access user manual is available online in accessible HTML format (www.mywayfinder.com/manual/access/en/main.html), compatible with both screen readers and screen magnifiers. Further information and Blind Cool Tech podcasts about Wayfinder and other GPS products are accessible at www.wayfinder.com and www.blindcooltech.com.
Built-In vs. External Bluetooth GPS Receivers: A Comparison
While built-in GPS receivers offer convenience, external Bluetooth receivers provide advantages in accuracy and battery life. Built-in receivers significantly drain phone batteries in under two hours during GPS use. External receivers have independent batteries, preserving phone battery life. While requiring an additional purchase (ranging from $60 to $150) and carrying an extra device, the extended battery life and improved accuracy often outweigh the inconvenience. External receivers, though needing sky exposure initially, can be placed in pockets or bags after satellite connection. Consult Wayfinder or Mobile Geo websites for external Bluetooth receiver recommendations. This comparison echoes the detailed accessory comparisons often found in phonearena compare reviews, helping users understand the trade-offs.
Author’s Verdict: Embracing GPS in Daily Life
Initially intrigued but hesitant to adopt GPS for daily use due to bulkiness, cell phone-based GPS, particularly Wayfinder Access, has changed this perspective. The convenience of GPS on a device already carried daily is compelling. Passenger Car mode is especially valuable for travel, offering an additional layer of navigation alongside traditional methods. Traffic updates are also a practical benefit. Pedestrian mode enhances navigation in unfamiliar cities and point of interest searches are highly useful while traveling.
The Bottom Line: Wayfinder Access – A Practical Accessible GPS Solution
Wayfinder Access offers an accessible and user-friendly interface, easy to learn for those familiar with screen readers. Its speed in searches and responsiveness are commendable. However, verbose descriptions when scrolling through Favorites and point of interest directions using degrees might require adjustment. Headphones or Bluetooth headsets are recommended for clarity in noisy environments and for privacy.
While valuable navigation aids, GPS systems are not replacements for canes or dog guides. As Sendero Group emphasizes, independent travel with GPS requires prior orientation and mobility skills training. GPS should be considered a supplementary navigational tool, not a sole reliance.
Explore Wayfinder Access and Mobile Geo through their free trial periods. For Wayfinder Access 14-day trial, visit access.getwf.com via your mobile browser. Mobile Geo trial information is available at www.codefactory.es. Loadstone, a free shareware cell phone GPS for Symbian phones, can be found at www.loadstone-gps.com.
Product Information
Product: Wayfinder Access.
Manufacturer: Wayfinder Systems, Kunsgatan 5 S-111 43, Stockholm, Sweden; phone: 866-467-4761; web site: www.wayfinder.com.
Price: $399.
Product: Mobile Geo.
Manufacturer: Code Factory, S.L., Rambla Egara, 148, 2-2 08221, Terrassa (Barcelona) Spain; e-mail: [email protected]; web site: www.codefactory.es.
Distributor: Sendero Group LLC, 429 F Street, Suite 4, Davis, CA 95616; phone: 530-757-6800; web site: www.senderogroup.com.
Price: $845.
If you would like to comment on this article, e-mail us at [email protected].
