We at Vision Forward would like to welcome everyone to start their 2025 off on the right foot with another fantastic episode of Tech Connect!
We already covered how to use the new Envision Ally on your computer, but today our Assistive Technology Specialists, Cory and Luke, are demonstrating how the Envision Ally app can be particularly useful for blind and low vision iPhone users.
Although Envision has not yet officially released their new AI powered Ally, they have provided us with beta access. That way we can test what it already does well, but more importantly this beta is our opportunity to make our voices heard while there is still time to improve certain features. So if you have any suggestions be sure to post them in our comments section!
By now we all know just how useful an AI companion can be. Envision Ally sets itself apart by encouraging its users to take an active role in designing the personalities of various AI, each intended for different uses. For example you might decide to make one AI who is prone to flowery tangents, and another AI which delivers quick, clear instructions. The first AI would be ideal for creative pursuits or entertainment, but the second AI might be better if all you need is directions. Envision allows you to easily create and switch between whatever your particular needs are.
One of the best reason to use Envision Ally on your iPhone instead of your computer is to make use of its portable and very powerful camera! Anytime you want more information about your surroundings, simply whip out your iPhone and use Envision's powerful AI to answer any questions you might have. This can be particularly useful if you misplace something like your keys. After taking a quick look, the AI can explain where and how far something is. If you happen to be cooking, you can put your iPhone in a stand and use its camera as a product identifier and to read instructions or answer questions all using vocal commands. It may seem trivial, but we recognize that using handsfree controls can be a real game changer because you no longer have to stop everything and wash off your hands every time you need to move on to the next step of a recipe.
0:00 Start
1:45 Summarizing Envision AI. What sets Ally apart from other AI? Customized Personality!
5:26 Identifying products with handsfree controls and advice for cooking with AI!
9:24 Unpacking how useful Envision was in this Kitchen demo, and some British currency jokes
10:35 How smooth is it to interact with and operate? Mute button, Walkie Talkie, Keyboard.
12:45 Demo using Envision to help find things in a camera's field of view
14:50 Analyzing Envision Ally beta access, suggested improvements
18:00 Free on-demand ACVREP Credits, Upcoming Livestreams, Product Reviews and AI generally
If you have any additional questions about the Envision Ally, or AI generally, please add those down in the comment section and we will endeavor to help!
