Eyes-free texting app developed.

Georgia Tech researchers have developed an app which allows people to text without looking at the screen. BrailleTouch uses the Braille writing system which would make it familiar for blind people to use, but the researchers hope it could be developed into a system for sighted people looking for an alternative text-entry method.

Early studies with visually impaired participants proficient in Braille typing have demonstrated that users can input at least six times the number of words per minute when compared to other research prototypes for eyes-free texting on a touch screen. Users reach up to 32 words per minute with 92 percent accuracy with the prototype app for the iPhone.