There is a growing community worldwide of users, testers, and developers of Loadstone-GPS. This kind of self-help and collaboration on a global scale is a very new approach - especially given the fact that the software is free and open source. At the moment, a lot of blind persons around the world are using Nokia cell phones because there are two professional - albeit expensive - screenreading software products available for the S60 Symbian platform: Talks from Nuance Communications and Mobile Speak from Code Factory, which make these devices accessible by output of synthetic speech and also allow the use of third party software such as Loadstone GPS.

It would be desirable to have a screenreading software for the new Android platform as well. The best solution would be an open source development such that blind persons from tdeveloping regions of the world could have access as well. Such a solution could perhaps include the offer of an affordable, accessible, and optimal mobile hardware. The device would need to have good tactile keys and a high-quality loudspeaker and should be protected against moisture and dust. Although a display would not really be necessary, there should be a connection port for a screen. An optimized receiver of satellite signals for pedestrian use, an electronic compass, and perhaps a pedometer and a gyro instrument could be integrated or offered in an external wearable Bluetooth box. Additional hardware like a PC keyboard, a headset, a small external control, a portable Braille display, loudspeaker, or a large display for people with low vision could also be connected via cable or Bluetooth.

"Through Android, developers, wireless operators and handset manufacturers will be better positioned to bring to market innovative new products faster and at a much lower cost. The end result will be an unprecedented mobile platform that will enable wireless operators and manufacturers to give their customers better, more personal and more flexible mobile experiences" (the Open Handset Alliance website ).

Nokia, Google, and other companies from the mobile tech sector could help to quicken the evolution of accessible, satellite navigation solutions and mobile internet access for blind and visually impaired persons around the world. Some of the members of the Open Handset Alliance perhaps have the knowledge and goodwill to program a free & open source Android program version with the Loadstone functionality and a free screen reader software or providing support/resources for that. Google's $10 Million Android Developer Challenge could also be an incentive for other developing teams. The Loadstone community will surely give all the needed information about users' wishes and certainly many suggestions as well.

"Speaking" mobile technology is a great chance for [blind and visually impaired persons] to obtain access to satellite navigation and other useful applications, web based applications, communication, information, education, learning- and location-based services. This will open new opportunities for the job market and for participation in social networks and in society, especially for those from poor countries, where access to fixed phones or landline Internet is rarely available but cellular radio networks are common.

The intentions of the OLPC-project (one laptop per child) could perhaps be a kind of model for this idea and the Android platform could open the door for the blind & visually impaired people. Then they would be more independent of trading policies and the mostly expensive prices of the few global vendors of assistive technology.