I am in Montreal for the International Mobility Conference. It is prudent to
turn off data roaming abroad and to limit the length of cellular use. This
means not getting all sorts of notifications and apps that utilize data back
home.
Since the Seeing Eye GPS relies heavily on data from a server, I have had to
keep its use to a minimum. What I have done is to calculate my route when at
the hotel on WiFi and then when I leave and lose the network, I still get
directions, it just won't recalculate the route if I go off track.
When exploring tonight in the old port of Montreal, I couldn't use my phone
at all with no WiFi. I relied completely on the PK GPS. There are lots of
small streets, shops and restaurants. Everything worked beautifully. I was
with 3 sighted people and I led the group to our restaurant and back to the
hotel, not to say that I didn't wonder a couple times about where to turn.
One problem area where no type of GPS would help is in the underground malls
that extend for many blocks in this part of town. This is where we could
really use that indoor navigation that isn't quite here yet. In the
meantime, I'll stick to the surface streets with Braille and GPS to guide my
way.
I have been coming to Montreal for many years and have recorded dozens of
user points over that time. It was fun to see those so-called footprints and
to be reminded of certain places and people I was with. I have now added
more points to that ongoing history.
Mike
Michael May, CEO
Sendero Group, Davis California
Developers of accessible GPS
Sendero Phone: 888-757-6810, extension 101
Home Office: 530-757-6900
Email: MikeMay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:MikeMay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sendero web: http://www.senderogroup.com
General GPS web: http://www.AccessibleGPS.com
Mike May Personal: http://www.CrashingThrough.com