Description
TouchChat HD for iPad is a full-featured communication solution for individuals who have difficulty using their natural voice. TouchChat is designed for individuals with Autism, Down Syndrome, ALS, apraxia, stroke, or other conditions that affect a person's ability to use natural speech.
TouchChat fits into the category of assistive technology known as Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and includes features that were previously only available in much more expensive dedicated devices. Words, phrases and messages are spoken with a built-in voice synthesizer or by playing recorded message. Five US English and 2 British English synthesized voices are available, allowing the user to choose a voice that fits their own personality. TouchChat also has a unique feature whereby one can simply tilt the device to make the message expand to fill the screen in large letters. This feature allows a person to communicate silently or in a noisy environment. TouchChat gives an individual the ability to navigate through page sets and speak messages. Page sets are linked pages, each of which is divided into a number of buttons. The buttons are programmed to have specific actions. For example, buttons may be programmed to speak a message, navigate to a different page, change the volume or clear the display. Four page sets are included with the TouchChat: VocabPC, MultiChat-15, Primary and Spelling. Each page set targets individuals with different communication needs. Additional page sets including WordPower and Essence are available as in-app purchases.
Text generated with TouchChat pages can be shared on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr or via text message and email. It's simple too, just generate a message, push on the text and choose a service. Touch send and the message is automatically posted.
Text from other applications can be copied to TouchChat so that it can be spoken out loud. Also, text generated in TouchChat can be copied to other applications.
The pages, grid layout, buttons, messages, and symbols are fully customizable. Buttons can be easily rearranged by simply dragging them to the desired new location. Buttons can be copied and pasted into a different location. The styling of a button (colors, borders, fonts) can be copied and pasted into another button.
Provided page sets can be modified to create new custom page sets. Select from over 30 button actions when creating new buttons. Over 10,000 Symbolstix symbols are included for customizing buttons. Use any image or take a photo with the built-in camera. Gestures can also be used to navigate to new pages, speak messages, etc.
Button activation timing can be adjusted to meet the needs and capabilities of the user. Adjustments include button dwell time and button release time. Also buttons can be configured to activate on release.
Users can program buttons to play audio files such as music from the media library or video files from the Photo Roll.
Great measures have been taken to protect custom files. Vocabulary files can be imported and exported to a computer using the iTunes file sharing feature. TouchChat also enables users to subscribe to iShare and store custom files for safe keeping, or choose to share customized pages with an online community.
Note: iPhone and iPod users should purchase TouchChat-AAC for iPhone and iPod.
What's New in Version 1.2.2
v1.2.2
- Improved iOS 5.1 Compatibility
- Problem with image searching and click sound setting have been resolved.
v1.2 Features
-All settings for TouchChat are now located within the application. To access settings open a vocabulary file, then select Menu and Settings. One exception is Turning Editing Capability On, this Setting Option is found in TouchChat section of the Settings App.
-Users can now prevent speech from being interrupted when another speech button is pressed with “Prevent Interruption” option.
-Improved visual feedback when buttons are touched.
-Added the ability to import multiple pages from another vocabulary file.
-Added the ability to duplicate a vocabulary page.
-Users can start and stop speaking by tapping the Speech Display Bar.
-Improved iOS 5 compatibility.
-Significant performance and stability improvements.
-New Female Voice option – Tracy.
iPad Screenshots
Customer Reviews
Good alternative to Proloquo2Go. For now...
I've had TouchChat since it's initial release. It has DEFINITELY gotten more solid as time has gone by and it is finally stable enough where I would feel comfortable recommending it. Still, I can't help feel like something is missing and, at the end of the day, I recommend P2Go nine out of ten times.
The Pros:
- Extremely customizable - can change individual background cells, assign actions to buttons, modify font (size, color, placement), put buttons wherever you want
- Modest price point (cheaper than Proloquo2Go and Speak4Yourself)
- Made by a reputable company who has a long history of making AAC devices.
- Has fixed a LOT of bugs in recent versions and now, finally, appears stable.
- Comes with several pre-done vocab sets (although, truth be told, I always start from scratch anyway, so having vocab sets included doesn't mean a whole lot to me…)
The Cons:
- Quality of the SymbolStix icons is bafflingly bad! Especially compared to Proloquo2Go, the SymbolStix simply don't look great in any version of TouchChat
- Having to purchase separate versions for iPad and iPod (unless you want to scale up the iPod version) is unfortunate, especially when many families have both iPods and iPads.
- SO many options to customize may turn people off.
- Addition of WordPower vocab doubles the price of the app.
it's worth noting that one of TouchChat's greatest advantages over Proloquo2Go (it's ability to be customized) will be neutralized once Proloquo2Go 2.0 comes out. At that time, one of the most convincing reasons to select TouchChat will now be eliminated.
- $149.99
- Category: Education
- Updated: Mar 27, 2012
- Version: 1.2.2
- Size: 615 MB
- Language: English
- Seller: Saltillo Corporation
- © 2011 Silver Kite
Requirements: Compatible with iPad.Requires iOS 4.0 or later.
Top In-App Purchases
- WordPower24 Vocabulary$149.99
- iShare 6 Month Subscription$59.99
- iEssence Vocabulary$99.99
- Talk-About Vocabulary$44.99
