What’s the Best Voice Assistant for a Blind Person?

For someone who's blind, the iPhone with VoiceOver really is considered the gold standard in voice assistance. It just works seamlessly!

My mom has severe visual impairments and she uses both Android and an iPad. Overall, I find the iPad easier for her because Apple offers in-store assistive training. However, if you’re into tinkering, Android is great for custom setups. You can even automate features that announce callers or read messages. Plus, getting him a voice assistant like Alexa can provide a lot of convenience for reminders and entertainment! Don't forget about apps that can assist with reading documents and using WhatsApp with audio notes instead of text.

My work colleague is blind and uses an iPhone with VoiceOver along with a couple of apps. The RNIB provides excellent resources and some specialized phones as well. It's a solid choice! Just ensure he's comfortable with the apps.

I definitely recommend the iPhone with iOS! The VoiceOver feature is unmatched, though it might take a little time to learn. I have some experience with it and have found it really effective for users with visual impairments.

If you're considering Android, I know the Pixel series has options for making and answering calls with voice commands. I helped set it up for an elderly relative, and it works well! Just be aware that while it handles calls nicely, accessing WhatsApp messages with voice may be tricky; I couldn't get it to narrate them myself.