DynaVox out of Pittsburgh, PA has released the Maestro device for people with various communication disorders. The tablet device can speak with different voices and multiple languages (English, Spanish, German, French), is able to interface with other devices, and because it’s a real Windows 7 machine, you can run whatever else you want right on it. It has a camera that can serve as an eye tracker, different input options, Bluetooth, a 64GB solid-state disk drive, and comes with DynaVox InterAACt Series 5 communication software. And judging by the size of the built-in speakers, this may serve as a perfect cross between a netbook and a ghetto blaster for the 21st century.
More about the Maestro from DynaVox:
InterAACt™ Language Framework – Designed to support communication, language and literacy development, InterAACt is a complete, research-based language system that ensures that every augmented communicator has immediate access to commonly used every day vocabulary and makes it easy locate vocabulary quickly and efficiently for unique situations requiring special communication. Large screen – The vibrant screen is 53% larger than most devices of similar function (8.4 inch screens). Portability – The Maestro weighs just 2.75 pounds with a three-hour battery and less than 3.5 pounds with an eight-hour battery. Durability – A molded magnesium case, solid-state drive and water-resistant front case ensure that the Maestro can stand up to the demands of daily use. Communicate with increased audio clarity, voice projection and intelligibility using enhanced voices that are natural-sounding and easy to understand. Accelerate communication using rate enhancement techniques like concept-based Phrase Prediction. Modify existing pages and create new ones using any input method. Utilize Microsoft-compatible software applications on a standard (open) device and access the Internet. Manage your music with M3P functionality that supports mp3, wav. and wma audio files. Store multiple user profiles on a single device. Import existing content from 3100, MiniMo, MightyMo, DV4, MT4, and M3 devices, as well as pages created using any member of the Boardmaker Software Family.
Press release: DynaVox Introduces the DynaVox Maestro™ Speech-Output Device…
Product page: DynaVox Maestro…