Tango
by DynaVox Technologies
Fast, efficient and natural communication with innovative hardware and intuitive software design
Ex-demo Tango units now available at 50% off while stocks last!
Put every young person’s personality front-and-centre so they can naturally initiate interaction, develop language skills and express thoughts, feelings and ideas with the world around them!
“WOW! The Tango is a therapist’s dream. It was refreshing to work with a team of individuals that listened and implemented ideas and suggestions to a level that far outreached my expectations. I believe this device will offer a new world of communication to people with complex communication needs.” Pati King DeBaun, M.S. CCC-SLP
“The Tango has such an elegant, almost ‘minimalist’ look, with a small number of buttons. But don’t let that fool you! It has a wide range of features that support both language development AND interactive communication. I’m excited about the ease in combining social scripts, generative language, and quick talk… all on a single device with a small button set!” Dr. Caroline Musselwhite
Communicate Naturally
All young people have a desire to share similar experiences – whether talking with friends on the playground, participating in group activities in the classroom or sharing stories about their day at the dinner table. Because most young people are full of energy, their communication technology must be able to keep up. The Tango makes fast, efficient and natural communication possible within all of these different settings, and puts every child’s personality front-and-centre!
See larger images of the Tango
“What a combination! Phrases, words, and spelling all organised for efficiency and precision. The potential for communication and literacy is staggering.” Dr. Karen Erickson, Director of the Centre for Literacy, UNC/Chapel Hill
“What do I think of Tango? It lets me show you how I see the world, so you can catch a glimpse of my soul. I’m able to show you through sights that capture me, sounds that stir me, and words to tell my story.” Dan Herlihy
Features
Natural-sounding Speech
The Tango boasts some of the most natural-sounding voices in the industry, ranging from young child to young adult. It features enhanced digitised (recorded) messaging, along with synthesised (computer-generated) speech, all available in different voices that can easily be changed as you grow. Additional speech capabilities of the Tango allow users to:
- Record an adult voice and make it sound like a male or female child’s voice with Voice Morphing technology
- Choose your tone, whether you want to whisper, whine or shout in different settings
- Adjust the pronunciation of synthesised words and saving them to your dictionary so they’re there to stay.
Simple Innovative Structure
The Tango is designed to complement natural interaction. Its small, lightweight size and discreet look means there are no physical barriers between communicators. So, you can devote your attention to the message being shared, not the speech device being used to share it.
The Tango’s six-button structure supports fast communication by eliminating the delays and distractions sometimes experienced by AAC communicators and their communication partners. The Tango’s easy-to-use six-button structure:
- Organises language into sets of six buttons
- Simplifies navigation and speeds up composition
- Encourages focus for individuals with learning challenges
- Guides fingers over a contoured surface as they make selections
Rate Enhancement
The Tango provides users with quick access to various common language elements, from the alphabet to whole sentences, with Pop-ups.
- PopTalk: Find over 200 of valuable common phrases, or create your own for fast access during daily conversations
- Spelling Pop-up: Spell out a novel message using the simple alphabet keyboard with word prediction
- Voice Pop-up: Adjust volume, or use Voice Morphs to easily turn a phrase into a natural whisper, whine or shout
Enhanced Interaction
The Tango’s innovative design enables individuals to experience the power of communication before confronting the complexities. It enhances interaction as they:
- Adjust the pronunciation of synthesised words and save them to the dictionary
- Assign “cover” buttons to different Talk Topics – For example, you can edit the cover button for “Mealtime“ to say “I want something to eat.“ This allows you to speak an initial phrase quickly, and immediately follow it with a supporting statement.
- Customise buttons on the Home screen:
- Reorder buttons
- Limit the number of visible buttons to 6, 12 or 18
- Disable navigation buttons for a specific user
Phrase-First Language
Innovative and intuitive, the Tango’s Phrase-First language structure was developed by a team of experts who recognise the importance of precise communication, but also see the value of efficient communication.
The Phrase-First language structure is the first where symbols represent whole phrases, rather than single words, the Phrase-First language structure supports prompt and natural communication. Its predictable organisation of phrases simplifies navigation and message composition. The Phrase-First language structure also supports language and literacy development.
The Tango groups words in a clever, predictable way with 30 customisable Talk Topics like Morning, Dressing, Mealtime, Homework and Bedtime. Each Talk Topic includes:
- Phrase Banks: Find more than 2,000 common phrases organised by topic for daily communication. Each Talk Topic includes Phrase Banks with:
- 12 Action Phrases
- 12 Thing Phrases
- 12 Positive Phrases
- 12 Negative Phrases
- 12 Questions
- 12 Story Phrases
- Word Banks: Build sentences with 90 nouns, verbs, modifiers and favourites organised by topic and arranged in lists. Choose from:
- 72 topic-related words
- 18 user-selected words
- Core Words: Create crisp sentences, or combine these 90 Core Words with Topic Words to build more complex sentences.
- 90 Core Words (static across topics)
- Spelling: Create a quick novel message on a powerful Pop-Up keyboard with word prediction.
- Unlimited opportunities to build novel messages.
Broad Appeal
The Tango offers features that appeal to children and young adults of different abilities and interests.
- Features fun symbols developed by animation illustrators from the education and entertainment industry
- Build and share stories with the Story Wizard
- Take photos with the first ever built-in camera on a speech device
- Save and organise photos in on-device Photo Albums
- Assign them to buttons
- Record messages with the images
- Share stories, events and memories even more vividly with parents, teachers, friends and neighbours
Quick Access Functions for Fulfilling Communication
The Tango consists of 12 functions that enable users to easily transition between different communication modes. They include:
- Talk Topics: Find words grouped in a clever, predictable way like Morning, Dressing, Mealtime, Homework and Bedtime. Choose a Talk Topic and build messages with options for:
- Phrases
- Words
- Core Words
- Spelling
- Core First: Build literacy with easy access to 90 key words for word-by-word message composition
- Photo Album: Capture experiences with the built-in camera, and organise photos in Photo Albums to share accounts more vividly
- Stories: Create stories you can share with others using the Story Wizard, which helps you build words, phrases and sentences that support whole stories
- Lists: Find large banks of vocabulary favourites with hundreds of lists like ‘pets’, ‘farm animals’, ‘planets’ and more with the touch of a button
- Take Photo: Take photos that are instantly cropped to the right size for the built-in camera. Then, add them to Photo Albums or assign them to buttons
- Custom Topics 1: Personalise content that includes languages and images for faster and more meaningful communication
- Custom Topic 2: Expand personalised content
- EZ Sets 1: Access phrases quickly for use with different Talk Topics
- EZ Sets 2: Expand fast access to phrases
- Tangoramas: Explore creative language with location based visual scenes that illustrate places like the classroom, playground and doctor’s office
- Recent Items: Find and repeat recently-shared messages
Cool Easy Customisation – Now and Later
The Tango offers a wide range of content, symbol and voice options that meet the unique needs of different age groups. Each Tango includes a Character Card preloaded with content, symbols and a voice appropriate to that character. Character options include:
The Tango also lets you keep the hardware you’ve come to know, even as you grow. You can begin with young Danny – and all the symbols and content that suits that age group. Then, as you mature, you can go from Danny to Dan – and all the symbols and content that match that older character – just by swapping Character Cards. Contact Spectronics for more information about the character replacement service.
Access Methods
Tango’s easy-to-use features are also easily-accessible to individuals with different physical abilities. Explore your Tango’s unique features with these access methods:
- Direct Selection: Selection is made upon contact with the touch screen. Choose from:
- Instant activation
- Press and hold
- Plug-and-Play Scanning: Includes seven patterns for diverse needs, and automatically starts when the switch plugs in
- Scanning: Scanning Highlighting is used in a specific pattern so individuals can use a switch (or other device) to make a selection when the desired object is highlighted. Selection can be made with a variety of customisation options that include:
- 1-switch scanning: step scan, step and hold, step and hold with delay
- 2-switch scanning: step scan, step and hold
- Auditory Scanning: all buttons scannable, volume control
The Tango also features a removable keyguard.
Computer Connectivity
The Tango connects to a PC as an alternate keyboard, providing computing power and access to everything from word-processing programs to the Internet. To access your PC, just connect your Tango to a PC, type any word or phrase and it will appear on your computer screen to meet your needs – whatever they are. The USB cable is included.
Related Products
Equipment Trial
This product is available for trial through Spectronics’ Equipment Trial Scheme.
Please click here for more information about this scheme and for equipment trial forms.
Videos about Tango
- DynaVox Mayer-Johnson's videos on the Tango (at vimeo)
- ABC NEWS (US) coverage on Person of the Week: Richard Ellenson - who created a kid-friendly speaking device called "Tango"
- Tango How-to Video Clips
SpecificationsexpandClick to collapse
- Physical Dimensions
Weight: 1.07 kg (2.35 lbs)
Dimensions: 4.8 cm (1.9”) thick x 32.5 cm (12.8”) wide x 11.2 cm (4.4”) tall
Screen size: 14.8 cm x 5.4 cm (Width x Height)
Button size: 2.3 cm x 3.9 cm (Width x Height)
Symbol size: 1.8 cm x 2.4 cm (Width x Height)
- Durability
Battery: Li-ion polymer battery, 3.7V DC
Battery life: Eight hours of typical use, including taking pictures, changing volumes, etc.
Water Resistant: Rigorous pour testing
Shock Resistant: Fully drop-tested, Rounded corners
- Storage Capacity
150 Talk Topic Areas: Preloaded with 30 Topics
More Than 10,000 Phrases: Preloaded with nearly 2,500
More Than 20,000 Words: Preloaded with more than 4,500
30 Photo Albums: Holds up to 400 photos, use photos for thousands of icons
Synthesised Phrases: Virtually unlimited capacity
Digitised Communication: More than 25 hours
- Built-in Peripherals
Built-in Camera: Create icons or albums
Built-in Flash
Noise-Balancing Microphone
SD Card Reader: Add content or back up data
Compact Flash Slot
External Microphone Port
External Speaker Port
Personal Audio Port: For auditory scanning
- Connectivity
Connects to a Computer: Plug in and use to type or input
Connect a Keyboard: Use a USB keyboard when desired
- Access methods
Direct Selection: Instant activation, Press and hold
Removable Keyguard
Plug-and-Play Scanning: With seven patterns for diverse needs. Auto start when switch plugs in
One-Switch Scanning: Step scan, Step and hold, Step and hold with delay
Two-Switch Scanning: Step scan, Step and hold
Auditory Scanning: All buttons scannable, Volume control
- Speech
Text to Speech: Customised Acapela speech engine
Enhanced Digitised Speech: Maximise emotion and comprehension
- One year warranty
View / DownloadexpandClick to collapse
- Tango Lab
- Tango Link
- TANGORAMAS
- Tango Lessons
- Tango Guides to Maximising Communication
- Implementation Toolkit for Tango
- Tango Brochure (580 MB)
- Tango Product Information Sheet (847 KB)
- Tango for Children Word Locator (1.8 MB)
- Tango for Teens Word Locator (1.5 MB)
- Tango Language Hierarchy and Word Map (4 MB)
- Tango Quickstart Guide (3 MB)
- Customising Your Tango Quickstart Guide (1.5 MB)
- Tango User Manual (13.5 MB)
- The Blink Twice Tango Warranty
See how this DynaVox device helps your conditionsexpandClick to collapse
Cerebral Palsy
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Autism
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Intellectual Disability
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Online Training and WebinarsexpandClick to collapse
- Free Product Training and Webinars for Tango by DynaVox Mayer-Johnson
Tango is targeted at the following age ranges:
- Early Childhood
- Early Primary
- Mid Primary
- Upper Primary
- Secondary School
- Adult
Tango is designed to foster development in the areas of:
- Communication
For more information on "Tango" read the following articles:
- Person of the Week: Richard Ellenson, ABC NEWS, July 2006
- The Lessons of Classroom 506, by Lisa Belkin, New York Times, September 2004
For answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and technical support visit:
Prices
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