AAC Software Comparison
by Jane Farrall
Choosing the “right” piece of communication software for a client has become increasingly harder as the broad attributes of communication software on the market have become more similar. Most of them provide the option for communication via text or symbols, all have word prediction, etc. Many of the packages also have the ability to control a computer through mouse and keyboard strokes or the ability to send text messages and emails without ever leaving the communication software. For many people it is the smaller details which influence their decision. For example, it may be critical for a user to have context based prediction as well as frequency prediction. Or the option of a talking web browser within the communication software may be the deciding factor. Alternatively, none of these smaller factors may be important and the user may pick their software based on their team’s previous experience with a piece of software. Or it may be that good manuals and product support are the deciding factor.
This comparison chart covers the broader features and many of the smaller details. If you have a question or comment about something which isn’t covered please let us know and we will add it to the chart.
Jane Farrall
AAC Support Services Manager
Speech Language Pathologist
Spectronics
| Basic Features | The Grid 2 v2.x |
Tobii (VS) Communicator Premium v4.x |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ability to make and customise dynamic communication pages |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| Pre-made page sets included which can be customised for end users | Y – large variety for
different ages and
communication levels. |
Y – small number |
Y – small number |
Y – small number |
| Symbol sets included | PCS, DynaSyms |
See Sense |
SymbolStix |
PCS |
| Symbol sets which can be purchased as add-ons |
None |
PCS WMFs, Widgit
Symbols
(through SymWriter) |
PCS WMFs |
|
| User can create or add to symbol libraries |
Y – by importing pictures |
Y – by specifying folders
where pictures are
stored |
Y – by specifying folders
where pictures are
stored |
Y – by importing pictures |
| Import digital images |
Y – GIF, JPG, JPEG, BMP |
Y – GIF, TIF, JPG, JPEG,
BMP, WMF. Can also do
screen capture
of any image |
Y – BMP, WMF, GIF, JPG |
Y – JPG, JPEG, GIF, PNG,
BMP, EMF, WMF |
| Drag and drop picture files onto cells |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
| Capture pictures from other applications for cells |
Y – by copying
and pasting |
Y – by just capturing
any graphic |
Y – by copying
and pasting |
Y – by copying
and pasting |
| Fill pages from search | Y |
N |
N |
N |
| Fill pages from word list |
Y
|
Y |
N |
N |
| Hide and show cells |
Y |
Only empty cells |
N |
N |
| Multiple user profiles | Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
| Australian/New Zealand English search language for symbols | N |
N |
N |
Y |
| Option of symbols in message window with text | Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| Option of highlighting words/symbols as they are spoken | Y |
Y |
N |
Y |
| Option of symbols appearing as you type | Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| Option of hearing audio feedback as you type | Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| Option for password protection for pages and settings | Y |
N |
N |
N |
| Option for menu or settings lock | Y |
Y |
N |
N |
| Print communication pages for hard copy | Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| Print message window | Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| Ability to edit text in message window | Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| Message window can be saved as a text document | Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
| Message window content can be printed | Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| Pop Ups available | Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| Word Prediction with learning capabilities | Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| Word Prediction type | Frequency,
alphabetical, phrase
level, context prediction,
character prediction |
Frequency, sounds like,
spelt like |
Frequency and
alphabetical |
Frequency |
| Word Prediction with symbol support | Y |
Y |
N |
N |
| Set minimum length for predicted words | Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
| Set number of letters after which prediction occurs | Y |
N |
N |
N |
| Slots | Y |
N |
N |
N |
| Spell checking in message window | Y |
N |
N |
N |
| Abbreviation Expansion | Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| Automatic capitalisation (smart text) | Y |
Y – user needs to input
words to be
auto capitalised |
Y |
Y – user needs to input
words to be
auto capitalised |
| Autoreplace for spelling errors | N |
Y |
N |
N |
| Word morphology | Y |
Verbs only |
Y – but needs input for
irregular words |
N |
| Compatible with SAPI 4 voices | Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| Compatible with SAPI 5 voices | Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| Included Voices | Nuance RealSpeak
Australian Voices, AT&T
Natural Voices USA
& UK), Acapela HQ
USA Voices, DECtalk,
VeriVox,
Microsoft Voices |
Acapela UK or US Voices |
Acapela US Voices |
Nuance RealSpeak
Australian Voices |
| Australian RealSpeak Voices | Included |
Add on for $285 |
Add on for $249 |
Included |
| Link digital sound files to cells | Y – MP3 and WAV |
Y – MP3 |
Y – WAV, WMA and MP3 |
Y – WAV |
| Drag and drop sound files onto cells | Y |
N |
N |
Y |
| Import DynaVox Series 3 and Series 4 page sets | Y |
Y |
N |
N |
| Import Boardmaker files | Y |
Y |
Y |
N/A |
| 2nd conversation message window | Y |
N |
N |
N |
| Extra page sets for purchase | Y – Word Power Symbol
and Word Power Text |
Y – Word Power and
Picture Word Power |
||
| Page download site | ||||
| Access Options |
DynaVox Series 5 Software v1.04 on DynaVox V or Vmax |
The Grid 2 v2.x |
Tobii (VS) Communicator Premium v4.x |
|
| Direct access | Touch enter, touch exit,
audio touch,
mouse pause |
Touch cell to accept,
Accept on timeout, hold
finger on cell to accept,
accept first cell touched |
Mouse click, Mouse
dwell, Trigger selection
when mouse
button released |
Direct Pointer (mouse
click or key click),
Direct Touch |
| Mouse alternatives | Mouse pause (for use
with head pointers)
and joystick |
Headpointer |
Mouse Dwell |
Direct Pointer dwell |
| Zoom or magnification | Y – direct access and
scanning |
Y – direct access |
Y – direct access and
scanning |
Y – scanning |
| Scanning | Automatic (linear,
row column, block
row column, column
row , left right, left
centre right, six zones,
top bottom, custom
patterns) 1 switch,
1 switch dwell,
2 switch, inverse |
Automatic (linear, row
column, column row,
block), 1 switch, inverse,
elimination, overscan |
Automatic (linear, row
column, column row), 1
switch, 1 switch dwell, 2
switch, inverse, 2 switch
hold to advance |
Automatic (linear or
groups), 1 switch, 2
switch, inverse |
| Switch Interfaces | Not required – devices
have inbuilt switch ports |
The JoyCable 2 USB or JoyBox USB |
Crick USB switch
interface, JoyCable 2, DJ
Switch Interface Pro,
IntelliSwitch, keyboard or
mouse buttons |
Switch adapted
mouse, Crick USB switch
interface, IntelliSwitch |
| Auditory Scanning | Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| Separate auditory scanning voice | Y |
Y |
N |
Y |
| Directed auditory scanning through a private channel | Y |
Y – if hardware allows |
Y – if hardware allows |
N |
| Exclude empty cells from scanning | Y |
N |
N |
N |
| Audio browsing | Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| Auditory browse through alternate access | N |
N |
Y |
Y |
| Interface with eye tracker | Vmax can interface with
EyeMax add-on |
Y – MyTobii P10 |
Y – MyTobii P10 |
Y – MyTobii P10 |
| Page editing can be done by end user in all access methods | Y |
N |
N |
N |
| Morse code | Y |
N |
N |
N |
| Computer Interaction and Control Features |
DynaVox Series 5 Software v1.04 on DynaVox V or Vmax |
The Grid 2 v2.x |
Tobii (VS) Communicator Premium v4.x |
|
| Interact with other software (open, send commands, etc) | Y |
Y |
Y |
Very limited – can open
other programs but not
control them |
| Radar mouse | Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
| Radar/Crosshair mouse brake | Y |
N |
Y |
NA |
| Radar/Crosshair mouse fine tuning | Y |
N |
N |
NA |
| Radar clockwise and anticlockwise | N |
Y |
N |
NA |
| Crosshair mouse | Y |
Y |
Y |
NA |
| Pre-made On-screen keyboards for sending text and commands to other software | Y |
Y |
Y |
NA |
| Extend selection method to desktop and other applications | Y – touch enter, touch
exit, audio touch and
mouse pause |
Headpointer |
N |
NA |
| Other Features |
DynaVox Series 5 Software v1.04 on DynaVox V or Vmax |
The Grid 2 v2.x |
Tobii (VS) Communicator Premium v4.x |
|
| Calls through mobile phone | N |
Y – but limited |
Y – but limited |
NA |
| Calls through land phone | Only through speaker
phone or TSPhone
through in-built ECU
component |
Only through speaker
phone or TSPhone if ECU
has been added |
Only through speaker
phone or TSPhone if ECU
has been added |
Only through
speaker phone |
| Send and receive text messages | Y |
Y |
Y |
NA |
| Send and receive emails | Y |
Y |
Y |
NA |
| Free email address | Y |
N |
N |
NA |
| Send emails and text messages from any page | Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
| Address Book | Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
| Control web cam to take photos and use for on-line communication | Y |
N |
N |
N |
| Skype pages | Y |
Y |
N |
N |
| ECU | Y |
Optional through
Control Micro
or Control Star |
Optional through
Control PROG or TIRA-2 |
N |
| Dedicated Media player | Y – MP3s only |
Y – MP3s only |
Y – sounds only |
N |
| Launch movies from buttons | Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| Movie file types | AVI, MPG, MPEG, WMV |
AVI, MOV, MPG (Uses Windows Media Player to play movie files. You may need to add extra codecs before particular movie files will play.) |
AVI, MPEG, MPG, MPE,
WMV |
AVI, WMV, MPG |
| Drag and drop movies onto cells | Y |
N |
N |
Y |
| Inbuilt talking web browser | N |
Y |
N |
N |
| Create button showing time | Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
| Create button showing date | Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
| Smart buttons with changeable labels based on other variables | Y |
Y – limited |
Y |
N |
| Ability to program reminders | Y |
N |
N |
N |
| Calculator | Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
| Support Options |
DynaVox Series 5 Software v1.04 on DynaVox V or Vmax |
The Grid 2 v2.x |
Tobii (VS) Communicator Premium v4.x |
|
| Phone support available from local supplier | Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| On-line help | Y – extensive |
Y – limited |
N |
Y – extensive |
| Manual | Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| Topic guides / Additional training sheets | Y – large number |
N |
N |
Some |
| Other Information |
DynaVox Series 5 Software v1.04 on DynaVox V or Vmax |
The Grid 2 v2.x |
Tobii (VS) Communicator Premium v4.x |
|
| Price | Bundled with device |
|||
| Operating systems | Windows XP |
Windows XP and Vista |
Windows XP and Vista |
Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7 and Mac OS X |
AAC Software Comparison
When this chart was first started, the DynaVox Series 5 software was available as a separate product, called the Speaking Software. This is no longer available and the software can only be purchased installed on a V or Vmax. This may be seen as a disadvantage by many people. However, the advantage of this is that the software and the hardware work very well and reliably together – in addition, the speakers are great, the switch ports are inbuilt, the device is very rugged and the battery lasts longer than a typical laptop plus many more positives. The DynaVox software also comes with a very large number of pre-programmed pages which are designed using current research in the area and which exemplify best practice. Their on-line support and training is extremely comprehensive.
The DynaVox Series 5 software also has the most comprehensive suite of communication features e.g. complete word morphology, context prediction, slots. It is the also the only package which an end-user can program themselves no matter what their access method is. However, programming from scratch (not modifying existing pages) can be more complex than it is in some other packages particularly if you want to use the Page Editor. The on-screen keyboards also are often more intrusive and less streamlined than they are in the other packages. The mouse functions in the on-screen keyboards have great features but can be difficult to program if you are making your own on-screen keyboard from scratch.
The Grid 2
The Grid 2 has a couple of real strengths which are not available in the other packages. The in-built talking web browser is one of these – this is a great option for many users. The range of pre-made on-screen keyboards are also very clean and clear and well made. Overscanning as an access method can also be really valuable for some people. The pre-made text based communication page sets are also well designed and very usable for many people who have good literacy skills and who primarily want to use spelling for input. The Media Player and support for Skype are also very well thought out.
However, in completing this chart we used The Grid 2 on a couple of different computers – and having had difficulties with conflicts with one of those computers we would strongly recommend that you run the 30 day trial on the actual computer you wish to use The Grid 2 on before purchasing. The manual is often inconsistent or incomplete and the on-line support often comes up with the same or similar answers to many different questions.
Tobii (VS) Communicator 4 also has some really good strengths. In particular, page programming is very intuitive. Smart buttons make programming many functions extremely easy and streamlined. The manual is excellent but the programming is so simple that many people may never need to resort to the manual. The pre-made on-screen keyboards are very versatile, streamlined and comprehensive. The pre-made text based communication page sets are also well designed and very usable for people who want to use primarily phrases and spelling for communication. The phrase bank can be modified by any user, no matter what their access method is. The Media Player and MSN Chat pages are a great addition.
While the manual is very good there is no on-line support database.
Boardmaker with Speaking Dynamically Pro
Originally, Boardmaker with Speaking Dynamically Pro was not going to be included in this comparison chart as it is a straight communication package and doesn’t offer any on-screen or computer control. However, a number of people asked for it to be included as it is often part of their considerations when selecting a communication package. So many support people are very familiar with Boardmaker that Boardmaker with Speaking Dynamically Pro seems a logical choice.
If any of the extra computer control features, or email or text messaging are important considerations then Boardmaker with Speaking Dynamically Pro does not even need to be considered. However, if you primarily want to build dynamic communication pages with symbols then it is certainly worth considering.