In this solo episode of Blind Level Tech, Evan takes a deep dive into one of the most exciting accessibility tools he has tested recently: the Orion app.
Evan explains that he first encountered Orion through a friend, then tried it firsthand on both an iPhone and Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses. He quickly realized the app represented something he has long talked about on the show: “reactive AI,” or technology capable of describing the world around you in real time.
He gives a detailed breakdown of Orion’s history, beginning with its development in France in 2020, its early object-finding prototype in 2022, wider release in 2024, and major generative AI enhancements in 2025. He notes the addition of venue-specific navigation, voice assistant features, and most recently, integration with Meta glasses.
Evan walks listeners through setup, permissions, connecting Meta glasses, recommended settings, voice behavior, and battery considerations. He also explains the app’s core features:
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Visual Question
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Search Objects
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Search Text
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Nearby Objects
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Nearby Text
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Personal Objects
Throughout the episode he shares real-world examples of using Orion to:
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Find keys, mugs, and lost objects
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Read labels and medication packaging
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Detect dishwasher lights
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Adjust thermostats
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Read office signs
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Identify logos and products
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Understand room layouts
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Navigate unfamiliar environments
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And yes… locate dog accidents on the floor
Evan emphasizes that Orion does not replace a cane or guide dog and should never be trusted for critical obstacle avoidance due to cloud-processing delays. But as a supplemental accessibility tool, he describes it as one of the most useful visual-assistance apps he has ever used.
He closes by inviting listener feedback and teasing an upcoming BLT Byte episode where he will wear the Orion-connected Meta glasses during a trip from home to work to demonstrate the app in real-world use.
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