Soundscape Is Back Thanks To Scottish Tech Army

The popular Microsoft app Soundscape has been widely credited for its ability to allows blind and low vision users to navigate their surroundings using location markers and turn-by-turn directions.

But despite the app being a hit in the community, Microsoft took the decision to ‘sunset’ it in 2022, and decided to open source the code so others could continue the work they had begun.

However, this caused deep concern within the blind community, with many listeners writing in to Double Tap sharing their fears for its future. However, those fears have been allayed after a number of new projects started up in 2023 using the open source code Microsoft left behind.

One such project is the namesake itself, Soundscape, and was redeveloped by collaboration from the Scottish Tech Army.

Kirsty Jackson from the Scottish Tech Army spoke to Steven and Shaun to explain how the app was able to be brought back to life.

Download the Soundscape app from Scottish Tech Army on the Apple App Store

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The ‘Other Soundscape’ App

You may have heard about another project by the NCBI (National Council for the Blind in Ireland). It’s called Soundscape Community and is a different app. Listen to the story of Soundscape Community’s development with one of the original founders of Microsoft Soundscape, and members of the NCBI.