For greater than six years, Microsoft Analysis has been honored to develop the Soundscape analysis mission, which was designed to ship details about an individual’s location and factors of curiosity and has guided people to desired locations and in unfamiliar areas utilizing augmented-reality and three-dimensional audio. Whereas not a conventional turn-by-turn navigation cell app, the Soundscape analysis mission allowed us to discover ways in which audio can improve mobility and increase navigation experiences with out the necessity to observe instructions on a small show.
Starting January 3, 2023, the Soundscape code shall be obtainable as open-source software program, in order that anybody can proceed to construct on, and discover new methods to leverage, this novel function set for the rising navigation alternatives in as we speak’s world. As Microsoft Analysis continues to increase into new accessibility innovation areas, we hope the open-source software program launch of the Soundscape code helps the group in additional growing confidence and utility of spatial audio navigation experiences.
Additionally on January 3, 2023, the Microsoft Soundscape iOS app will now not be obtainable for obtain from the App Retailer, though current installations can proceed for use till the tip of June 2023. We’re grateful to all of those that have tried and located worth within the Microsoft Soundscape app and respect all of the suggestions and tales you’ve got shared with us through the years.
By the Microsoft Soundscape journey, we had been delighted to find the many beneficial experiences Soundscape enabled, from empowering mobility instructors, to understanding the function of audio in adaptive sports activities, to supporting blind or low-vision people to go locations and do important actions for his or her lives. By making the Soundscape code obtainable as open-source software program, we hope the curiosity and potential continues to develop. Documentation on construct and use the system from the brand new GitHub Soundscape web page shall be shared on January 3, 2023.
Continuously requested questions on Soundscape
Q: What’s altering for Microsoft Soundscape?
A: It’s now time to transition the Soundscape analysis mission to the subsequent section, the place we are going to share it to permit for broader growth. Soundscape code shall be obtainable on GitHub as open-source software program on January 3, 2023.
Q: What is going to occur to the Microsoft Soundscape app on iOS?
A: As of January 3, 2023, the app is not going to be obtainable for obtain. Present installations can proceed for use till the tip of June 2023.
Q: Will the Azure providers that allow the Microsoft Soundscape app proceed to be supported?
A: Sure, till the tip of June 2023. Past that, entities can construct new cloud-based providers from our open-source launch.
Q: Will person suggestions on the Microsoft Soundscape app proceed to work?
A: Sure, till the tip of June 2023. We are going to concentrate on bug fixes and repairing service disruptions, however we is not going to tackle requests for brand new options or capabilities.
Q: Will the Soundscape open-source launch run solely on iOS, or will it additionally help Android?
A: The unique Microsoft Soundscape app solely helps iOS, and that’s additionally true for the open-source launch.
Q: Why has Microsoft Analysis determined to launch Soundscape as open-source?
A: As we evolve our analysis portfolio, it’s pure to finish or transition some initiatives. We really feel the group can profit from the novel experiences we developed for the Soundscape analysis mission, and that’s the reason we’re releasing the code as open-source software program.
Q: What is going to occur to the Microsoft Soundscape Authoring app?
A: Use of the Microsoft Soundscape Authoring app will finish on January 17, 2023.
Q: Are different Microsoft choices implicated on this change for Soundscape or following the same path right now?
A: No, this modification is particular to Soundscape. There isn’t any impression or implication on different Microsoft choices.