Universally compatible with
all Apple devices
TapToTalk
TapToTalk is an iPhone app in the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) realm. That means it's made to give a voice to somebody who doesn't have one. It runs universally on the iPhone and iPod Touch, but it also runs great on the iPad. They also have versions for Android, Nintendo handhelds, Nook, Blackberry PlayBook, Mac and PC.
You can download the app for any and all of those platforms for free. However, in order to customize the app and to get real functionality you'll want to use the TapToTalk Designer on your computer for a cost of $99.95 per year per child, or a one time cost of $179.95. Read more about their current pricing here. In my opinion, their pricing is reasonable.
TapToTalk is a very viable communication app. It has been very well thought out and it comes with lots of support through the developer, Assistyx LLC. Their online support for TapToTalk is vast and it includes both video tutorials and pdf documents.
All the customization of TapToTalk takes place through their website via the TapToTalk Designer. The Designer is the meat. The free app is just a shell, but it's a very nice shell. When you download the app you get a small starter kit of icons/sounds that demonstrates the ability of the app. For the sake of this review Assistyx was kind enough to give me full access to the Designer so I could customize the app and check its capabilities.
I must admit, I find TapToTalk quite capable. The voices are natural, but if you don't like the voices you are free to record your own. And, although I don't like the fact that I am unable to make any kind of changes to TapToTalk through the app, that very premise ensures the user doesn't accidentally make changes. And I like that.
The artwork used in TapToTalk is professional. And you can use your own pictures and your own voice in the app if you prefer (all through the Designer, of course).
TapToTalk is expandable, but the interface limits you in a couple ways. First, you cannot have more than 12 icons on any screen, i.e. in any single album, but you can have an album behind an album which in essense allows you to stretch the choices. And the more icons you use in an album, the smaller the 'big' selected icon is. There's no scrolling in this app either. Depending on your point of view that may be a good thing. There are some categories (albums) where I want to have 20 items, not just 12.
You also can't hide any icons. But you can share albums with anyone else who has a Designer account and uses TapToTalk.
All in all, I have to say that TapToTalk is a wonderful AAC app. It looks good and, after using it, it may just become your favorite. Nice work, Assistyx.
