Available now, the new RealSAM Smart Speaker solution is the first dedicated hub for blind and visually impaired people offering its subscribers access to thousands of books, newspapers, podcasts, radio stations and information from a range of UK sight loss charities.
The RealSAM Smart Speaker is a fully voice-controlled media player tool that, once subscribed to, is available to use on Google Home or Alexa products. Utilising AI technology, the service is designed to improve the independence of people living with visual impairments and sight loss.
World first
With content from leading UK sight loss charities including Henshaws, Galloways and Torch Trust, the platform is the world’s first smart speaker information hub for people with sight loss.
Users can search for information on the service by category, title or keyword, then further search for articles, chapters or even specific episodes of their favourite podcast.
Louise Humphreys, UK country manager RealSAM, says: “We are committed to working with those with sight loss to build solutions that make a real difference to their day-to-day lives.
“The development of our new smart speaker solution was a direct result of customers telling us of their frustrations of needing multiple devices or applications to meet their needs.
“Utilising our clever technology and working with our charity partners we are now the world’s first news entertainment and advice platform for anyone with sight loss seeking accessible audio content on smart speakers.”
To access the RealSAM Smart Speaker content, customers simply sign up to the subscription service to access an Action that is added to your Google Home, or a Skill that is added to your Alexa.
Collaboration
Along with targeting customers with visual impairments, the team at RealSAM is encouraging UK disability charities to get in touch to discuss how their content could be made available to a wider audience.
The organisation is calling on charities who are creating podcasts or web-based newsletter, have upcoming events or general information and advice to get in touch. This content could be added to the RealSAM Speaker subscription to reach the visually impaired community.
“We recognise that sight loss charities have limited resources and have had to adapt how they deliver support in 2020 and beyond, increasingly using digital means,” explains Louise.
“Charities who are eager to access their supporters and beneficiaries through audio content can partner with us.”
RealSAM AI technology goes beyond the voice controls normally used on smart speakers through its ability to be multi command controlled. This allows a user to ask a series of building questions – not just a single question and answer, a tool that is particularly useful for anyone needing to operate technology fully by voice.
The RealSAM Smart Speaker subscription is available with advanced sign-up now for £9.95 for an annual subscription for existing RealSAM customers, and an annual launch offer deal of £19.90 for new customers. Currently available on Google Home, and on Alexa devices from Feb 2021. Ask your Google device to ‘Talk to RealSAM’.
Charities looking to find out more about the content partner programme should visit this website.