Intelligent camera app from Microsoft useful for people with visual impairment

   For the blind and low vision population, technology can help them toward greater independence and quality of life. Microsoft researchers recognized the kinds of questions they might try to address with a supportive app.

How long do the cooking directions say I need to wait before this is ready? What denomination currency is being handed back? Where is my favorite brand soup on the shelf? Which door sign says Conference Room?

A Seeing AI app from Microsoft was unveiled on Wednesday and it goes in that direction.

The free app is for the blind and low vision community; it narrates the world around the person—those nearby, text, objects. It is designed to recognize faces of people you're with, as well as facial characteristics, approximate age, and emotion.

How it works—it uses the smartphone camera to tell visually impaired users what's in front of them. With this intelligent camera app, you just hold up your phone and hear information about the world around you.