Soundscape

Microsoft Soundscape was a pioneering wayfinding app designed to help the blind and low-vision community explore the world through 3D spatial audio. Rather than providing traditional turn-by-turn directions, Soundscape announced points of interest, street names, and intersections as if the sounds were coming from the actual location in the physical environment. This allowed users to "hear" the world around them and build a mental map of their surroundings. Key features included "My Location," which announced the user's current facing and nearby landmarks, and the ability to set an "Audio Beacon" on a specific destination that would emit a directional sound to guide the user toward it "as the crow flies." Developed with the Guide Dogs UK, the app was designed to run in the background while the user listened to music or used other navigation apps. In 2023, Microsoft transitioned Soundscape to an open-source project, allowing other organizations like the Scottish Tech Army to continue maintaining and expanding the service for the public good.