What do you think is a reasonable price for an AAC app compatible with the iPhone/ iPad that includes over 14,000 images and acts as a voice output communication system? An AAC app of this magnitude typically costs over a hundred dollars. What if I told you that you could get this app for under sixty dollars? Crazy, right? Well, the cost for the Expressive app by Smarty Ears is an affordable $59.99!
I was given this app so I could put it to the test and offer a first person, hands on review of the product.
PROS:
- This AAC app with 14,000 images is a steal for the price.
- The ability to customize it with settings controls and links to add your own photos!
- The main menu page is very organized and user friendly.
CONS:
- It would be even better if the developers could eliminate moving to a new screen to view category members.
Main Page
Now, let’s take a closer look at this affordable AAC app and its customization features. We begin at the opening menu page. Here you will find color coded folders for the following groups: basics, categories, expressions, descriptive, food, people, places, questions, verbs, and time. After you tap the icon, you are navigated to another screen with category member images.
The main page also includes the following, core icons: not, yes, go, be, like, have, want, do, bad, and more.
Settings
The settings allow you to select either “on” or “off” modes for the ‘iCloud’, ‘lock’, ‘capital/lowercase’, ‘speak folder’, ‘automatically erases messages’, and ‘go to home after selection’ features.
Locking the app will prevent users from seeing the bottom tabs that bring you to the settings; allow you to delete or add images and folders; and give you access to other links for Smarty Ears, which includes a tutorial of this app. It is a good idea to lock the app if you want to avoid accidental deletion of images and folders.
The capital/lowercase selection displays the written word for the pictures you select to appear in either all lowercase or capital/lowercase. The Speak folder allows you to hear the name of the selected folder. Finally, the automatically erase feature removes images in the top bar after you play the sentence strip.
You can also change the speaker’s voice by choosing from four different male/female voices. If desired, you can slow down the rate of voicing or speed it up faster.
Another handy feature is the delete key. Simply tap the red “x” icon at the bottom of the screen to enter edit mode for delete, replace, or hide options.
If you need some specific pictures from your own photo library or if you want to add more smarty symbols, you can create new folders and add new images by tapping the green “+” button. In the screenshot below, you will notice a color wheel, which allows you to select a tab color for the folders and images you create. Once you add the picture and text, the app automatically sets an audio recording of the word! This by far is my favorite feature because you can really customize the app to suit any client, regardless of age!
Nanette Cote
Nanette Cote is an ASHA certified speech pathologist, published author, and private practice business owner with 30 years experience.
