Digit-Eyes Audio Scanner and Labeler

Last updated on 20 April 2012. Originally submitted by Darrell Shandrow on 1 August 2010.

Posted in:

Lifestyle

Description of App

Digit-Eyes reads barcode labels. It enables people without vision to scan UPC / EAN codes and hear the names of over 25 million products. Users can also make their own barcode labels on the Digit-Eyes website and print them on inexpensive address labels. These barcodes may contain text that VoiceOver reads aloud or they can be used to record audio on your iPhone or iPad that is played back whenever the bar code is scanned.

Blind? Dyslexic? Digit-Eyes is for you! With Digit-Eyes, you can

Record your own labels. Visit the Digit-Eyes web site to print specially coded quick-response (QR) barcode labels, apply one to your calendar or a box of leftovers, scan, and record a message. To listen to the recording, just rescan the label. This is how Nancy keeps track of her appointments; how Jeanette labels her canning and how Randy keeps the fridge clean.
Make text-based labels. Visit the Digit-Eyes web site to type up to 100 characters per label, print the specially coded quick-response (QR) barcodes on address labels on your local printer and apply them to your file folders or CDs. To listen to the text, scan it with the Digit-Eyes application on any iPhone or iPad. This is how Will’s secretary labels his folders and how Ana snoops through her friends’ CD collection.
Buy pre-printed washable labels. Sew them into your clothing and record whatever you want to about the garment: color, fabric care or what it should be worn with. Even when the labels have been washed, bleached, sent through the dryer or dry-cleaned, you’ll still be able to scan them with the Digit-Eyes app on your iPhone or iPad and hear what you recorded about the garment. This is how Davey makes sure he is wearing matching clothing and how Elizabeth can easily sort the laundry.
Use the manufacturer's product code to find out what the item is. Digit-Eyes includes a feature that enables you to identify many groceries, CDs, and other consumer goods by scanning the UPC and EAN codes on the products. Just point the camera of your iPhone or iPad at a package label, scan the code, and wait for Digit-Eyes to call our database and tell you what the item is. This is how Deborah picks out her yarn, how Kevin finds the beef stew, and how both get ready to record their audio labels.
Read standard inventory tags in code 39 or code 128 format. This is how Michael knows which printer is which at work and how Ben does the shelf stocking in his store.

Use of the free Digit-Eyes website comes with the product. The website contains extensive tutorial material designed for users of the iPhone and iPad who are not sighted. The product purchase also includes free online support and tutoring.

Digit-Eyes is available in English, Danish, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Norwegian, Spanish and Swedish.

Digit-Eyes
www.Digit-Eyes.com
The solution is in your hands.

Version

1.2

Free or Paid

Paid

Compatibility

This is a native iPhone and iPod Touch app that is displayed in 2x mode on an iPad

Device(s) App Was Tested On

iPhone 3GS

iPhone 4

Accessibility Comments

This app is developed from the ground up to be fully accessible to blind users by way of Apple's built-in VoiceOver screen reader. The company's founder, Nancy Miracle, demonstrates a high level of understanding about blindness and the needs and wants of blind people.

VoiceOver Performance

VoiceOver reads all page elements.

Button Labelling

All buttons are clearly labelled.

Usability

The app is fully accessible with VoiceOver and is easy to navigate and use.

Link to Digit-Eyes Audio Scanner and Labeler in the App Store

Visit developer web site

User Options

4 AppleVis user(s) have recommended this app for VoiceOver users.

0 AppleVis user(s) have reported that they have contacted the developer about accessibility issues with this app.

Comments

#1 Version 1.1.3

Submitted by mazebr on 22 December 2010.

Created for visually impaired users, navigation is highly accessible with hints available for beginner iPhone users. Advanced users can turn hints off in the iPhone accessibility settings.

#2 Scanning barcodes

Submitted by Jayson Smith on 21 November 2011.

My dad just bought this app. He's having trouble finding barcodes on products. He's tried a few cans as well as a Hamburger Helper box. He got two cans to scan once, but doesn't know what he did. Where are barcodes typically located? Anyone have any other hints/tips/suggestions? This is on a 4S. Thanks.

#3 For info on how to find bar

Submitted by Sandra on 21 November 2011.

For info on how to find bar codes see http://www.digit-eyes.com/cgi-bin/digiteyes.fcgi?action=scanningTips

#4 Pre-printed labels

Submitted by Jayson Smith on 1 December 2011.

My dad ordered their pack of pre-printed labels nearly two weeks ago, paying via Paypal. As of this moment he still has not received them. He sent in a question using their Contact Us form earlier this week asking what the status was. So far, he's heard absolutely nothing from the company. Has anyone else had this experience, or have any suggestions? Failing that, do you have any recommendations for labels I can buy and print myself using their website? Thanks!

#5 Label Delay

Submitted by DPinWI on 1 December 2011.

I had a similar delay. I called the number on the website, and got a prompt call back from Nancy Miracle, the head of the company. She was great, and got my labels out quickly.Give her a call and she will get this sorted out.

#6 I thought that Digit Eyes was

Submitted by Sean Terry on 2 December 2011.

I thought that Digit Eyes was going to be updated to be able to tell you not only the name of an item, but, the tracks on a cd, or the instructions and recipe on a box of food. This was said like in July of last year. or even earlier. What in the world is going on with that?

#7 bar codes

Submitted by Melissa Roe on 2 February 2012.

Hello,
I recently purchased the digit-eyes app back around christmas, when it was briefly dropped in price. I've had absolutely no luck locating bar codes on products so I can find out what items are, even with sighted help around. I tried scanning a bag of chips, cans of sodas, and things like that, with sighted people around. They pointed the camera at the code, and we tried using the hints with the digit-eyes website, but so far there was absolutely no progress. I thought that it was just me, I was pointing the camera in the wrong direction. I tried and tried to find bar codes on products but there was just no success at all. With some one sighted there, I thought they could give me tips on how to locate bar codes, and even with her help, the app just wouldn't work. The other day, my husband bought some candy from the store. He bought two different kinds of snickers and wanted to know which one he was about to open. I laid the candy flat on the counter, and tried some of the camera tips that they recommended. I tried it close up, from a distance, and turning the bar numerous times to get a result and after a few minutes I just couldn't get anything. I finally just joked with my husband and told him to take a bite of the candy and he'd find out much faster.
Anyway, I really admire those who created this app, but the app just isn't working. Keep up the great work and hopefully there can be more improvements. We must always hope for positive things to come. That's why I've just resigned to know that until there is more work on the app, I won't be able to use it. This has, however, made me more cautious at what apps I purchase from the app store. I usually either browse the applevis site, or ask other blind friends before I just go out forking out the money.
I'm sure the app is great when put to use, and if I could better my use of it, I'd love it. I do know that the cameras work on my IPhone 4 because we were using them on skype, and taking pictures of different things... so the camera does work. I even tried turning on lights in my house to get better results. I'm just not sure which way to go next.
Alright then, everyone have a lovely day. Take care.
Melissa Roe

#8 Suggestions

Submitted by AnonyMouse on 2 February 2012.

I highly recommend the Vis-Wiz if you are trying to identify a food product and such. First, of all. It's free. The results are very accurate. However, it won't do the audio clip on a barcode. Just something to think and try. Vis-Wiz is a no brainer. Just take a picture of the product no worry to find that pesty barcode. I've also had better results on barcode with the real-time scanning with Oh Moby which is also free. No alighing it nor taking a picture. Just wave the phone around and it will find for you. Just several options for you.

#9 Problems with scanning

Submitted by Nancy Miracle on 22 April 2012.

Hi Melissa,

We'd like to work with you on this -- the problems you are reporting aren't usual.

I know you must have purchased this a while back because the holiday special was for December, 2010 - January 2011. However, even if it was purchased a while back, it is still eligible for an upgrade.

If you'd like to have some help, could you please accept the free upgrade and then drop us a line at support@digit-eyes.com ?

Thanks
Nancy Miracle

#10 Updates and changes

Submitted by David on 20 April 2012.

Digit-Eyes have just announced some major changes to this app:

Many of our users have asked for more data about products - content, preparation instructions, etc.

We are delighted to announce several changes in Digit-Eyes:

a) After a successful scan, Digit-Eyes will now display the extended information about the product. Depending on what the manufacturer discloses, this may include ingredients, preparation instructions and more. Furthermore, you still have the ability to search Google with a single click or to access price comparison engines with one click.

b) The product can now be purchased as separate elements. If you only want to read code 3-of-9 inventory labels, the cost is just $1.99. If you want to create and record audio labels (washable or printed), the cost is $9.99. If you want just the UPC / EAN feature, that is $9.99 as well.

c) The price of the entire product suite is reduced to $19.99 for all features.

If you already own the product, the upgrade to include extended information is free.

We've also added the ability to use the "shake" gesture to start and stop recording and added an option to fast forward through a recording.

Is this useful? Not all of the 26 million items in the database have extended information, but many do and the database grows daily!

Using the “more information” feature to scan our favorite object in the lab pool (a can of spam), we were able to find that the Spam is supposed to be cut into six slices. Each slice has 180 calories, 140 of which are from fat. The instructions from the folks at Hormel, however, seem a little incomplete. Their preparation instructions recommend frying the Spam, but don’t say at what point in the process you should contact your cardiologist. At any rate, it is nice that you can now find all this out with a single click after scanning with Digit-Eyes.

I don't use the app myself, so I will be very interested to hear what others think of these changes. So, if you are a Digit-Eyes user, please add a comment letting us know what you think.

#11 The update is great.

Submitted by DPinWI on 20 April 2012.

I was sold on buying the iPod Touch 4g after hearing nancy Miracle demonstrate Digit-Eyes. I preordered the iPod and I bought the app back when it was 30 bucks. I don't regret being an early adopter because I have gotten so much use out of it. For me, it was the "killer app" that made buying the iPod justifiable. Since then, I've added many other apps to my arsenal, but Digit Eyes still gets lots of use.

I tried the new feature today. I scanned a box, and quickly got the name of the product, and then full cooking instructions and ingredients. I know not everything will be in the database, but it hit a home run on the first attempt.

I don't record my own labels much. I have a sheet of QR codes, but the crappy iPod Touch camera works inconsistently with them. Not the app's fault. For things I'd like to label, I now have Looktel Recognizer. For pre-labeled stuff, I use Digit Eyes. So i can't comment on the new playback features.

Thanks Nancy. A great app just got better.

#12 Attention to Details

Submitted by DPinWI on 8 May 2012.

I was scanning a bunch of stuff in my pantry this afternoon. At one point, I thought, "Did I just hit the wrong button?" I went on with my scanning. Once you get the hang of where the codes are likely to be, and what angles and distances work best, it's fast. Anyway, I got a nice email a while later asking why I'd suggested deleting a product from the database. Ooops. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I really find this product useful, and I am constantly impressed by the people behind it.