A smartphone mobile application has been recently launched which will help the visually-impaired people to use all the features of mobile phones and other such devices based on Android technology.

Known as 'SimplEye,' the application was launched on the eve of World Sight Day by a Delhi-based enterprise. The custom-designed application by Kriyate is equipped with Braille typing feature and promises to assist the visually-impaired in using all features of a smartphone.

The application, which is now available for all android-based devices was launched by Minister of State for Rural Development, Upendra Kushwaha at the Jawaharlal Nehru University here. The app can be downloaded for free from Google Play store.

A user can navigate, take notes, listen to the news or even use a Braille keyboard to reply to messages as it removes all the clutter from the screen to present only one element at a time.

Braille technology is assistive technology which allows blind or visually impaired people to do common tasks such as writing, browsing the Internet, typing in Braille and printing in text, engaging in chat, downloading files, music, using electronic mail, and reading documents. It also allows blind or visually impaired students to complete all assignments in school as the rest of sighted classmates and allows them take courses online. It enables professionals to do their jobs and teachers to lecture using hardware and software applications.

For the technology to work, a voice narrates which element is put on screen. The user can interact with this element using simple gestures. For instance, swiping up/down scrolls through the elements in order. Swiping left takes the user one step back.

As per the update, over 70 visually impaired students in JNU have already started using the application. However, the application would also help in using library e-resources such as e-books, e-journals and e-newspapers.