Thanks to their practical features, smartphones are becoming increasingly popular as an aid for the visually impaired. The vast majority of them use devices that feature the Apple iOS operating system: the reasons for this include the input functions and ease of use (Martiniello et al., 2019). With optaro®, we are responding to these usage trends and offering people with visual impairments an ideal addition to the smartphones they are already using on a daily basis.

Smartphones are not only popular with the younger generations, but also with senior citizens. Indeed, around 68 per cent of people over 70 years of age own a smartphone (Statista Research Department 2021).

The optaro® camera module may be used with various iPhone models. The only requirement is that the iPhone supports iOS 16 at a minimum.

We develop products that are future-oriented. That’s why optaro® is primarily available for the current generations of iPhone. In addition, it is also important to us that our devices work smoothly and have a high degree of functionality. To ensure this, we recommend using optaro® with iPhone models from iPhone 12 onwards. However, even older models – up to the iPhone 8 – can be upgraded with optaro®.

The needs of visually impaired people require much more than mere magnifying aid apps can provide. While these apps can help with quick magnification, those with reduced vision usually need an additional visual aid for more comprehensive support in their day-to-day lives. With optaro®, the iPhone is now enhanced with numerous features specifically for the visually impaired, such as a central camera, an ergonomic stand and perfect illumination. This means that the visually impaired only need to reach for their smartphone to have a functional reading aid.