Proloquo 2.0 gives Mac users who cannot speak a voice

[news 28]

Proloquo 2.0 gives Mac users who cannot speak a voice - Published on 05/23/08

 

AssistiveWare today announced the release of Proloquo 2.0, a major new version of the industry-leading communication solution for Mac users who cannot speak. Version 2.0 adds a lot of value: It now includes LayoutKitchen, a panel editor that allows users to create their own image-based communication panels, it adds the natural-sounding Infovox iVox voices for a language of choice, it has enhanced export to iTunes and many more improvements.

 

Amsterdam - AssistiveWare® today announced the release of Proloquo® 2.0, a major new version of the industry-leading communication solution for Mac users who cannot speak. Version 2.0 adds a lot of value: It now includes LayoutKitchen, a panel editor that allows users to create their own image-based communication panels, it adds the natural-sounding Infovox iVox voices for a language of choice, it has enhanced export to iTunes and many more improvements. Yet, this Universal Binary upgrade is free for existing users as many of the people who rely on this software only have access to funding every few years.

 

Proloquo provides a talking word processor, quick access scrolling vocabulary lists with drag and drop vocabulary construction for people who can read and write, and much more. Also released today, LayoutKitchen 2.1, which is already included as a keyboard editor for the KeyStrokes and SwitchXS on-screen keyboards, makes it easy to create colorful communication panels with photos and symbols for Proloquo. The natural-sounding Infovox iVox voices cannot only be used with Proloquo, but can be used with other software as well, including the Mac OS X built-in speech features.

 

Proloquo is used by adults and children who have difficulty speaking clearly or cannot speak at all due to, for example, Cerebral Palsy (CP) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). To get an idea of how Proloquo is used in practice and the difference it makes, see the new short video "Communication is the central thing" available as episode 7 of the "Exploring the Frontiers of Assistive Technology" video podcast series, which can be found in the iTunes store's podcasts section.

 

Proloquo 2.0 and LayoutKitchen 2.1 are free updates for existing users. They are Universal Binary and require Mac OS X 10.4 or later. They provide full Leopard compatibility. Infovox iVox voices are currently available for the following languages: American English, British English, Czech, Finnish, French, Canadian French, German, Icelandic, Italian, Danish, Dutch, Flemish, Spanish, American Spanish, Polish, Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, Norwegian, Turkish and Swedish. Proloquo itself is localized in English, French and German. Existing Proloquo users can contact us for an Infovox iVox activation code for their current language.

 

Pricing and Availability:

Proloquo costs $299 USD in North America and 249 Euro excluding VAT elsewhere. For more information, fully-functional downloadable demos and to listen to samples of the voices please consult the product pages.

 

AssistiveWare web site: http://www.assistiveware.com

Proloquo page: http://www.assistiveware.com/proloquo.php

Download Page Proloquo: http://www.assistiveware.com/pldownload.php

Short video "Communication is the central thing": http://www.frontiersofassistivetechnology.com?video=Walter

Screenshots: http://www.assistiveware.com/images/ProloquoImages.zip

Proloquo Icon: http://www.assistiveware.com/images/PLicon128.gif

 

 

AssistiveWare is the worldwide leader in innovative assistive technology software for Mac OS X that gives people back their lives. This includes award-winning KeyStrokes® and TouchStrokes® virtual keyboards, SwitchXS® scanning on-screen keyboard, LayoutKitchen® panel editor, and Proloquo® multi-purpose speech solution. The ConvenienceWare product line makes the advanced technologies developed by AssistiveWare available in cool and convenient applications that can make the life of Mac users easier. AssistiveWare and ConvenienceWare are trade names and trademarks or registered trademarks of Niemeijer Consult. VisioVoice, SwitchXS, KeyStrokes, TouchStrokes, LayoutKitchen, GhostReader and Proloquo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Niemeijer Consult. Infovox iVox is a trademark of Acapela Group. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.

 

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David Niemeijer

CTO, co-CEO

 

 

d.niemeijer ( -at -) assistiveware.com

 

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