Podcast Summary: The Blind Life Podcast – Ep. 42 “New Partnership! Be My Eyes + InnoSearch Make Online Shopping Accessible”

Host: Sam Seavey
Release Date: May 15, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Sam Seavey introduces and reviews the newly launched phone-based shopping feature from InnoSearch AI, an e-commerce platform designed to empower blind and visually impaired users with fully accessible online shopping. Sam provides a hands-on demo of the new system, shares practical insights, and discusses both the advantages and minor limitations of this innovative tool.

Main Points & Discussion Breakdown

1. Introduction to InnoSearch AI’s New Accessibility Feature

• InnoSearch AI is highlighted as a comprehensive, accessible e-commerce platform—now enhanced with a phone-based shopping assistant.
• The new phone feature enables shopping for over a billion products—even booking flights—via a dedicated phone number, without needing Internet access.
  “Now you can shop for all of those products over the phone. So if you don’t want to use the website, maybe you don’t even have Internet access. Now we can call a phone number and shop on InnoSearch.” — Sam [00:28]

2. Availability & Phone Numbers

• Service is available in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia.
• US Toll-Free Number: 1-855-shop-GPT

3. Live Demonstration: Shopping by Phone

• Step-by-step simulation of ordering a standing desk via the InnoSearch AI phone assistant.
  • Sam requests a specific model (Near Hub OD20 standing desk).
  • The AI assistant presents several product options from different retailers, including price, seller, and ratings.
  • Sam requests additional options, filters by brand (“Flexispot”), and asks for product details and user reviews.
  • The selection process remains conversational and intuitive.
  • The assistant adds the selected item to the cart and proceeds to secure checkout via Stripe, asking for name, address, and payment.

Notable Quotes:

• “Your cart and shipping address are linked to your phone number. So if you’re disconnected, simply redial to continue.” — InnoSearch AI Assistant [01:50]
• “Can you read a couple reviews for me?” — Sam [04:34]
• “Packaging, instructions, tools, setup and quality are impressive. Packaging is tight. Instructions are clear. Setup took two hours. Solo easier with help—quality materials, quiet motor, recommended if you’re 5’9” or taller.” — InnoSearch AI reading user review [04:39]

4. Checkout Process & Practical Observations

• First-time callers are prompted to provide shipping and payment information.
• Shipping and name info are saved for future calls; credit card info must be entered every time for security.
• Payment processed via Stripe through a voice interface.

Quote:

• “The next time you call from that number, they will already have that saved. Unfortunately, you do have to put in your credit card information every single time. I’m sure that’s a safety thing...” — Sam [06:32]

5. User Experience Insights

• AI voice is natural-sounding, not robotic.
• Conversational, plain English supported.
• High level of detail available for products, including star ratings and free shipping/returns.
• Manual credit card entry may be tricky for screen reader users who need time to switch to the dialer.

Quote:
“All of us that use a screen reader on a mobile device know how awesome it is to put numbers in during a phone call. So it’s just something to keep in mind...” — Sam [07:29]

6. Value-Added Promotion

• Sam shares a special affiliate link for listeners, providing $10 in shopping credit for new users.

Notable Quotes & Key Moments (with Timestamps)

• Sam introduces the phone service:
  “Now you can call a phone number and shop on InnoSearch.” [00:28]

• AI assistant explains process:
  “Your cart and shipping address are linked to your phone number. So if you’re disconnected, simply redial to continue.” [01:50]

• Product selection dialogue:
  “Can you tell me the next couple of options?” — Sam [02:48]

• Review reading:
  “Packaging, instructions, tools, setup and quality are impressive...” — AI Assistant quoting user review [04:39]

• Checkout experience:
  “You have one item in your cart totaling $167.99 not including taxes. I am now transferring you to stripe for payment.” — AI Assistant [05:13]

• Sam comments on security:
  “Unfortunately, you do have to put in your credit card information every single time. I’m sure that’s a safety thing...” [06:32]

• Advice for users:
  “All of us that use a screen reader on a mobile device know how awesome it is to put numbers in during a phone call. So it’s just something to keep in mind...” [07:29]

Episode Tone & Closing

Sam remains upbeat and practical throughout, expressing enthusiasm for the solution while noting its minor challenges for the screen reader community. The demo is accessible, the language informal and friendly, and the episode is packed with actionable details for blind and visually impaired listeners eager to enhance their independent shopping experience.

Further Information

• Get the $10 shopping credit by following Sam’s affiliate link in his video description.
• For more accessible tech content, check out The Blind Life’s main website and YouTube channel.

Contact & Community:
Questions are encouraged via comments. Sam invites listeners to subscribe for more accessible tech reviews and tips.

End of Summary