RE: Initial Planning & Coordination

Project Description & Merits

The purpose of our project is to create mobile applications for the visually impaired using the Senseg platform. This tablet allows something called haptic feedback, which is very beneficial to both visually impaired and other touchscreen users.  After much research, we hope to create an application that uses differing aspects such as voiceovers and screen vibrations rather than having to look at the application itself.

• Your team has extra freedom to design general mobile apps. Even though keep close tie and sharing with team 8, you should start separating your post from team 8, and develop your own specialty.
• By default, you will use Senseg tablet as your platform, which provides haptic feedback. However, if you want to work on iOS platform, your team is allowed to do so (there will be NO haptic feedback). You just need to make decision early. Android & iOS are quite different from each other. You will have to go through different learning curves, and develop different skill set.
• VoiceOver is a feature of iOS, and developers can easily integrate it into the apps. That's one of the main reason that iPhone has become the most popular device among the visually impaired. You should find out what is the similar function in Android, and how it works if you choose to use Senseg device. 
• What are your potential contributions in a specific area for the visually impaired?

Group/Team Communication

Our group consists of Kate Slate, Gabriela Wahba, Lola Roberts and Leslie Landis. In order to split up research tasks, we will be working in two subcategories as well. Gabi and Lola will act as partners. Kate and Leslie will act as partners. We will be communicating via Facebook. We have created a group chat where all concerns, discussions and work outside of the classroom will be met. Our written documents will be created via Google Docs and shared with one another, in order to collaborate on all assignments. From Google Docs, we will transfer our work to the blog site.

• Great.

Prior Work/Resource Inventory

For resources, we have all the information gathered from last year in the second dimension blog. There are also free tutorials online on how to use Xcode/Swift and Android Studio/Java. 

• You should continue your own research, and gathering new info, and post them in the 2nd Dimension blog.

Technology Analysis

This project requires knowledge on how to use the Senseg technology and how it can be used to create mobile apps. This project also requires programming and coding to create the base of the mobile apps. Over the summer, our team has been and will continue watching tutorials and learning the fundamentals of working with the technology at hand. 

• The analysis needs to be more specific. List them in details such as 
• Android studio, Java, and Senseg API (for Senseg platform) 
• Xcode and Swift (for iOS)

            In addition, you will need some special skills according to your chosen applications. 

Competence

JAVA language -

Android Studio - Gabriela (in the process of learning)

Senseg SDK programming - we need to learn this

Xcode/Swift

• The "technology analysis" is about what you need, and the "competence" is about waht you have.

Safety

No issues, since most work will be done via software. 

• Since it is software design, in general, there is no safety issue. If you use Senseg device, it does use high voltage to create electrovibration, you might want to follow up the safety issue with Senseg. Understand what type of safety mechanism has been implemented in the device.

Equipment, materials, budget

We need computers with the Android Studio software installed in and the Senseg tablet. As of now, our budget is $0. 

• Our school do have two versions of iPads which you can use for downloading and testing your apps.

• There is a risk factor here, since we has only one tablet for two groups (assume both groups use the same platform). It's an expansive device ($1,000).
• You should also follow up with Senseg about the availability and development of the device (Any new version? Price?).  

Schedule

Our goal is to have tasks divided by the middle of the week and to start brainstorming app ideas by the end of the week.

• Based on your summer research, you have already came up a list of possible apps (of course, you can revise them!). You should go deeper to understand what are the skills required to implement those ideas.
• You should install the Senseg SDK ASAP to start the work if you choose Senseg.
• There is an example code in Senseg SDK. You should use all your Java skill to fully understand it.
• A simple, working Android app has been developed during the summer to run on the Senseg tablet, and the code is available. Your team should get the code and start studying it.   
• A working iOS app has been developed last semester to run VoiceOver function. You can acquire it and start studying the code.