Ally Shortcuts: Fast Access for Blind & Low Vision Users

Get answers to your routine questions in a single tap.

September 30, 2025

Introducing Shortcuts in Ally. A phone on the right with a screenshot of the Ally app showcasing different shortcuts such as describe scene, scan text, weather check, and daily briefing which are all useful shortcuts for people who are blind or low vision.

Shortcuts in Ally give blind and low‑vision users instant access to the actions used most—Describe Scene, Scan Text, Weather Check, and Daily Briefing. Add, edit, and arrange shortcuts on iPhone, Android, desktop, Envision Glasses, and coming soon, Ally Solos Glasses.

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Benefits

Save time: Launch key actions from your home screen or by voice.
Make it yours: Rename shortcuts, choose an icon, pick your Ally voice, and define what each action does.
Use it everywhere: Mobile, desktop, Envision Glasses—and Solos support is on the way.
Hands‑free on iOS: Add shortcuts to the Apple Shortcuts app to trigger with Siri.

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Core shortcuts

Describe Scene: Open the camera to hear what’s in front of you.
Scan Text: Read labels, mail, menus, and documents aloud with top‑tier OCR.
Weather Check: Hear current conditions for your location.
Daily Briefing: Get a summary of today or tomorrow’s appointments.

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Set one up (example: Translator)

Open Ally > Preferences > Shortcuts > Add Shortcut.
Name it and optionally add an icon.
Choose call or message.
Pick an Ally voice (e.g., Tom, Zoe, Lea).
Define the action (e.g., “Translate what is being said into English and translate what I say to their language”).
Toggle Add to Home Screen; on iOS, toggle Add to Siri.
Save and use from your home screen or from Siri.

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Ideas to try

Translate on the fly: “Translate speech or text around me into English.”
Headlines mix: “Give me today’s UK and Netherlands headlines.”
Commute brief: “Read my first three calendar events and travel time.”
Identify cash and colors: “Recognize banknotes” or “Detect colors.”
People and objects: “Find people nearby” or “Locate my backpack.”

Daily Briefing in action

Connect your calendar and get a spoken overview of your day—times, locations, and context—so you can plan without scrolling small text.

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Availability

Available now: iPhone, Android, desktop, Envision Glasses.
Coming soon: Ally Solos Glasses for hands‑free activation.

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Why it matters

Shortcuts turn everyday tasks—reading a label, checking the weather, confirming an appointment—into quick, independent actions you can trigger in seconds.

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Get started

Add the four defaults: Describe Scene, Scan Text, Weather Check, Daily Briefing.
Create one personal shortcut (e.g., Translate) and a news or commute brief.
On iOS, record simple Siri phrases you’ll remember.
Place your top shortcuts where they’re easiest to reach.
If you use Envision Glasses, mirror your favorites for hands‑free use.