OrCam Read 2023 Software Update

Hey OrCam is waiting for your command

We are pleased to announce the latest software update for OrCam Read version 9 has been released and is available for download via WiFi. 

The new features in this update are :
1. The addition of the “Hey OrCam” voice command
2. More accurate laser frame (red box)
3. Landscape or Portrait mode for the laser frame

 

It is not necessary to update, if you do not wish to do so; but many OrCam Read users will benefit from the improved laser frame, particularly the ability to scan sideways (landscape) for A4 documents.   The boundaries of the scan are also more accurate within the laser frame. 

The “hands-free” possibilities of the “Hey OrCam” feature can be useful if you have trouble doing trigger button taps.  When “Hey OrCam” is enabled, OrCam Read listens all the time for you to say “Hey OrCam” plus a subsequent Voice Command, including any of the Smart Reading commands.  Though there are no new Voice Commands added to the set you already have in Version 9, “Hey OrCam” will allow you to use Voice Commands without having to double tap the trigger button to initiate the command. 

So, for example, to check the battery level, you can say “Hey OrCam” and then say “Battery status” and OrCam Read will beep and say “Battery is 50%” (or whatever level it is at).  Not having to double-tap prior to a Voice Command will be helpful for people with tremors or who have difficulty locating the trigger button. 

 

The 'Hey OrCam' feature is not active by default. 


Your OrCam will operate exactly as before the update, unless you switch on the Hey OrCam feature as described in the steps below.
 
If you don’t have an internet connection, or don’t feel confident operating the settings menus as per the instructions below, you are welcome to bring your device to one of our offices and one of our staff can do this for you.  Alternatively, for a fee, we can come to your home and do it there. 
 
If you are already confident with the Settings Menu and have OrCam connected to WiFi at home, here are the steps to enable “Hey OrCam” after the download – depending on the speed of your internet, the download may take 30 minutes or so.

How to enable 'Hey OrCam'

To enable "Hey OrCam" on the OrCam Read you will first need to ensure that you have the correct software installed on our device. 

Once you have confirmed that you have the correct software installed on your device, follow the steps below to enable the "Hey OrCam" feature:
Enter the user settings menu in one the following two ways:
  1. Rapidly double press the trigger button, and after the long beep say, "Enter the user menu".
  2. While holding down the power button, press either volume button and then release the power button.
  1. Once in the user settings menu, press the volume up or down buttons (the + or - buttons) until you hear: "General Settings Menu". There are 8 options to choose from and "General Settings Menu" is the seventh option. Using the plus (+) button moves you forward through the menu while using the minus (-) button moves you backwards through the menu, so it's faster to get to the "General Settings Menu" by using the minus (-) button.
  2. Press the trigger button to select "General Settings Menu".
  3. Press the volume up or down buttons (the + or - buttons) until you hear: "Configure Vocal Commands Settings". There are 14 options in the "General Settings Menu" with "Configure Vocal Commands" being option number 10. So it's quicker to reach this option pressing on the minus (-) button. 
  4. Press the trigger button to select "Configure Vocal Commands".
  5. Enable full vocal commands by selecting that option with the trigger button.
  6. To exit to the previous menu entry rapidly double tap the trigger button.
  7. Rapidly double press the trigger button again to exit the user menu. 

 

How to use 'Hey OrCam'

Once “Hey OrCam” is enabled, it will always listen for that command, until you switch off the OrCam Read, or it goes into Suspend mode.  To wake up the OrCam Read from Suspend, you will need to press the On button briefly.
 
Some people will prefer to adjust the Auto Suspend time in the User Menu to longer than the typical 3 minutes, or disable it altogether.  Disabling Auto Suspend will mean that your OrCam Read will need to be charged more frequently, but the “Hey OrCam” feature itself does not deplete the battery very much – it is just that when OrCam Read is awake, it is using more power than when it is Suspended, just as phones and other devices do.  
 
To change Auto Suspend, use the following Voice Command : “Change the Auto Suspend Time” or access the setting via the User menu.  
 
Here is a list of some useful Voice Commands that work well with “Hey OrCam”:
 
Reading Speed Up, or Read Faster
Reading Speed Down, or Read Slower
Volume Up, or Speak Louder
Volume Down, or Speak Softer
 
Enter the User Menu
Enable the Auto Flash
Disable the Auto Flash
Change the Auto Suspend Time
 
Smart Reading
 
Connect to the Bluetooth Audio Device
Enable the Auto Page Recognition
Disable the Auto Page Recognition
 
Tell the Time
Tell the Date
Tell the Battery Status
 
There are other Voice Commands, here is a full list. 

 

 

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