💫 Passionate about supporting the blind & partially sighted community
💫 Home of RealSAM Pocket and Re Find out more at www.realsam.co.uk
RealSAM Pocket is the fully voice-controlled mobile phone, media player and assistant for people with sight loss. RealSAM Pocket launched in the UK in 2018, in partnership with the RNIB and O2, as an easy to use mobile phone with features to help Blind and Visually Impaired people. These features include unlimited access to audio books, newspapers, magazines, podcasts and radio stations plus an inbuilt magnifier, navigation support and video access to Be My Eyes. In 2022, RealSAM Pocket launched in the US wth new features including optical character recognition to read printed or handwritten text and object recognition. With a range of contract and pricing options available, there is a RealSAM Pocket product that's right for you.
06/12/2025
You can hear when winter starts.
The air sharpens, pavements glisten before the rain hits, and radiators begin their familiar tick-tick chorus.
While others talk about grey skies and shorter days, blind and partially sighted people notice the change differently— through sound, texture and temperature.
In our latest blog, we explore the unique way Britain’s winter reveals itself to the ears, not the eyes.
Read it on our website here and let us know— what does winter sound like to you?
04/12/2025
We’re proud to share our new collaboration with RNIB, Virgin Media O2 Business, and Samsung - a partnership built on a shared commitment to improving everyday accessibility for blind and partially sighted people across the UK.
Together, we’re showcasing how RealSAM Pocket, powered by RealThing AI’s conversational technology, helps users stay connected, informed and independent through intuitive voice-controlled accessibility.
🌍 3 December is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities ( ) — a global reminder that accessibility and inclusion matter every day.
At RealSAM, we believe everyone deserves access to stories. That’s why our RealSAM BookClub brings blind and low-vision readers together through accessible audiobooks, monthly picks and a welcoming community.
📚✨This , we’re celebrating inclusive reading, accessible technology and a world where everyone can enjoy books without barriers.
Pour a warm drink, get cosy, and settle into our festive selections for December.
This month our picks are…
❄️Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie — a classic Christie mystery full of twists, suspicion, and holiday intrigue
❄️A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens — the timeless tale of redemption and the spirit of Christmas
❄️One Day in December by Josie Silver — a sweeping, emotional holiday romance about love, timing, and fate
Whether you choose one or enjoy all three, these stories are the perfect companions for winter nights and twinkling lights.
This month, Christmas has gotten ahead of itself as we managed to overtake the November discussion post with December's picks! Guess that's what you call a sneak peek 🤭🤭
But first... let's not forget discussion time!
🍁 November Discussion Time
It’s discussion time! Our November reads took us from life’s biggest choices to diamonds and detectives — and back to the small moments that matter most.
Our November picks were:
📘 The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
📗 The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman
📙 The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
Join the conversation by commenting on the post dedicated to your chosen book — or use these prompts to spark discussion with friends and family offline.
We’re all feeling it — tired eyes, endless scrolling, a world that never switches off.
But while the rest of the UK talks about “digital detoxing”, many blind and partially sighted people have already found a calmer way to connect...
Listening.
In our latest blog, we explore why audio isn’t just an accessible option — it’s a mindful, imaginative way to live. From RealSAM BookClub to RNIB Talking Books, discover how stories sound different when you really stop to listen.
Visit our blog to read “The Great Unplug: Why Blind Listeners Are Already Living the Digital Detox Everyone’s Talking About"
Representation matters — and these incredible UK voices are proving that accessibility isn’t a barrier, it’s a spark.
From adventurers to advocates, we’re spotlighting blind and low-vision changemakers across the UK who are reshaping how we travel, create, and connect.
Their stories remind us that inclusion is more than design — it’s leadership, courage, and creativity.
Read the full post on our blog via the link below and tell us: who inspires you most?
Side-by-side photos of Royal Navy veteran and baker Penny Melville-Brown. Photo on the right taken by Joshua Bratt: https://joshuabratt.co.uk/
03/11/2025
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, by Alexander McCall Smith
Warm, gentle, and full of wisdom, narrated by Adjoa Andoh.
What it’s about:
In Botswana, Precious Ramotswe uses observation and kindness to solve everyday mysteries. A beloved classic about community and character that celebrates patience and empathy— a perfect feel-good listen for the season.
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The voice controlled smart phone & media player for people with sight loss
RealSAM In Your Pocket is the UK’s first fully voice-activated smart phone, media player and personal assistant for its two million people living with sight loss*.
The result of a two-year collaboration between the RNIB, O2 and Australian Artificial Intelligence developers, RealThing AI, In Your Pocket features a simple accessible voice interface, where users can ask ‘SAM’ for help in everyday life. This includes turning on its inbuilt video magnifier when reading labels while shopping, or its custom-built navigation software that allows users to bookmark landmarks when travelling alone and be guided back with direction and distance. SAM also connects directly to Be My Eyes, an online community of over two million volunteers who help people with sight loss through a live video call.
Recently launched on the Galaxy xCover 4s and now IP68 rated, In Your Pocket is waterproof, with an extended battery life and faster processor. Prices start at £25.99 a month as part of a two-year contract, offering unlimited access to RealSAM In Your Pocket’s entertainment library, UK calls and texts and a choice of data plan with O2.
All customers are offered 121 telephone support with setting up their handset and have access to a UK based helpline staffed by both a sighted and visually impaired team. – Call 0333 772 7708 to reserve yours now or visit www.inyourpocket.net
*RNIB Eye health and sight loss stats and facts, April 2018
