BeAware

Use your iPhone as a reliable bridge in conversations, errands, and daily routines. Open BeAware, tap the mic, and watch spoken words appear as large, readable text in real time. Adjust the font size and contrast for visibility, and scroll back if you miss a line. When you need to respond fast, use Shortcut Messages: store phrases like “I read lips,” “Please speak one at a time,” or “Type your reply here,” and send them with a single tap. This keeps exchanges smooth at the cashier, the doctor’s office, a reception desk, or a noisy café.

Working sessions and classes are easier when the workflow is clear. Place your phone toward the person speaking and keep BeAware running to follow the discussion as text. If the pace is fast, fire a shortcut such as “Slower, please” or “Repeat the last point.” For one-on-one interviews, set the device between you and the other person; for group settings, seat it closest to the primary speaker. During video calls on a laptop, prop the phone near the speakers so BeAware can caption the audio coming from your computer. Keep common meeting replies in a dedicated shortcut set—introductions, clarification requests, quick acknowledgements—to reduce friction.

Waiting for your name to be called or for an announcement? Set up targeted alerts so you don’t have to stare at the screen. Define keywords like “order ready,” “boarding,” “gate change,” or your name. Leave BeAware listening while you wait, and it will notify you with a clear banner and vibration when a matching phrase is detected. This is useful at airports, clinics, restaurants, or service counters where spoken notices are easy to miss. Tweak alert intensity and style so you feel them in a pocket or notice them across a room.

Shape BeAware around your routine by organizing shortcut libraries for different contexts: healthcare (symptoms, insurance questions), travel (directions, seating, assistance requests), workplace (status updates, deadlines), and social outings (introductions, quick clarifications). Update phrases over time so your most-used replies are always one tap away. The project is free and open source, so you can review the code, suggest improvements, report issues, translate interface text, or contribute features. Your feedback helps guide what the app builds next—whether that’s better caption controls, smarter alerts, or improved shortcut management.