free AAC App

Posted by 14 on the 26th July, 2013

Just to let folks know that there has been a major new update to the AbleNet AAC App Sounding Board. It is a free App anyway and the update is free via the App Store.

Sounding Board has always been an attractive option because (as well as being free) and offering all the 'standard' functions of communication and choices by touching pictures, imported photos, linked boards etc., and output through recorded speech, it is one of the few AAC Apps that also offer (1) audio prompts, and (2) switch and scan access. However it had limitations and a slightly 'dated' look to it, previously.

This latest version is much improved, for example:

• New more modern looking and more intuitive interface
• Now works in landscape mode as well as portrait
• Boards can now contain up to 20 locations (used to be 9) - and you just add messages and leave it to save itself and configure the layout, instead of choosing a pre-determined layout before you start
• Optimised for all versions of iPad , iPhone or iPad Touch
• User data collection faciity (it tracks activations of each board and each individual symbol/picture)
• Can export boards and share the file by email. BUT - note that this does NOT work with boards made in earlier versions of Sounding Board, but only with new boards created in Version 4. (However, don't panic - boards made in your earlier version will run fine after you've upgraded to V.4 - they just won't export.) 
• Can import  boards from other users/devices and/or buy and import pre-made boards as in-app purchases ($0.69 each) So far the few boards on offer are single 9 location boards (not linked board systems); it is not clear what future plans might be for possibly increasing the range of boards available).