Release notes
What's new in each version of Fathom.
Version 1.2.0
New
- Point at something — a label, a sign, a dial, a door, a screen, handwriting — and Fathom names it, then reads what's written on it.
- Setup is now tap-to-answer. A few quick questions about your sight and how you get around, every one skippable, no microphone required.
- Notifications, if you want them — a few tips, a monthly usage note, occasional news from the developer. Never anything safety-related; hazards always stay in the app, spoken and by touch.
Improved
- Fathom now runs the camera and depth sensors at their optimal rate during Lookout and Go instead of full speed, for less heat and better battery life on longer walks.
- Pointing is harder to trigger by accident — a relaxed hand resting near the camera no longer starts a scan.
- Refined contrast and visual polish throughout, including better support for larger text sizes.
Version 1.1.1
Improved
- Auto-start on the Home screen is now one clear setting, so what you turn on is what actually happens.
Fixed
- Fathom runs cooler and lasts longer on your battery during longer Lookout and Live Task sessions.
- Fixed VoiceOver sometimes talking over Lookout's narration.
- Live Task reconnects more smoothly, with fewer drops mid-conversation.
Version 1.1
New
- "Read this with Fathom" via Siri or the Action Button now works reliably — signs, labels, mail, anything on screen.
- New onboarding walks you through Snapshot's core moves (read text, name an object, ask a question) and how to run Fathom hands-free.
- Haptic strength and Awareness level are now part of first-run setup. Skip them if you want to.
- A "Cloud AI & Privacy" screen in Settings shows what leaves your device and what stays on it.
Improved
- Voice profile is opt-in now. Fathom only listens when you ask it to.
- Cleaner recovery when things go wrong, and a clearer message when you hit your monthly cloud limit.
Version 1.0
Fathom is a spoken navigation aid for blind and low-vision users. Built around VoiceOver and meant to be used by ear.
Free
- Lookout — spoken description of what's ahead, updating as you move.
- Snapshot — a one-shot scan of the scene in front of you, read aloud.
- On-device safety layer — obstacle alerts with haptics, step and drop-off warnings, and object detection. No internet needed.
Fathom Plus
- Go — turn-by-turn navigation to a destination.
- Task — step-by-step help with a hands-on task.
- Live Task — ongoing two-way guidance while the camera watches.
- Assistant — tell Fathom your goal and it builds a plan, then walks you through it.
Built around you
- No account, no sign-in. Works on the first launch.
- Every control is labeled for VoiceOver.
- Cloud AI is opt-in. A consent screen explains what leaves your device before anything is sent: camera frames and the text of your requests go to Google's Gemini; your speech is transcribed on your phone first, so raw audio never leaves it. You can also run Fathom fully on-device.
- iPhone Pro models get LiDAR-based step and drop-off detection. Other recent iPhones use camera-based detection instead.
Fathom is an assistive aid, not a replacement for a white cane, guide dog, or orientation-and-mobility training.