Auggie
(Augmentative Communication Device)

The Auggie with its native Windows 7 :) (Remember!  It's *just a PC running Windows*. So everything that loads/runs on your desktop PC will work on my Auggie!

Here's the new Auggie (Windows 7) in a blue Carry Case on my Tablet Stand, running my included PTP-PC AAC software (Carry Case is included, your choice of black, red,  blue, or pink)

(click any pic for larger image)

1/17/13 Note:  Be aware that, in some cases, I use a refurbished tablet, that is fully warrantied (1 year) and fully functional, but might have some blemishes.  That is because the less expensive tablets running Windows 7 are not made anymore, as when I first started this project years ago.  New Windows 8 tablets would increase your cost to about $1500!

Here's my daughter, Courtney, with the Auggie in landscape mode on left and portrait on right.,
using the included Tablet Carry Case

(click any pic for larger image)

The iPad has made, and continues to make a HUGE impact on our fields of AT (Assistive Technology) and AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication).  It's finally pushed people out of, what I call, the 'big boys' mentality.  That is, there *are* other devices than those for $6,000 and up.  I climbed on the iPad 'bandwagon' right away, when it was released in April of 2010, and have been making accessories that mke it *truly* accessible and safe.

What was/is it about the iPad that 'breaks the mold'?  One thing is the great 'form factor' (weight, size, battery life).  Ease of use and easy availability of apps, as well as the price of those apps, has definitely made the iPad endearing.

However, in the time since its introduction, many people found that the iPad is not the tool for *their* needs.  There is a list of reasons why this is; click here to read them at the bottom of this page.  But the biggest impediment was that everything for the iPad *must* go through Apple.

So, responding to *your* requests, I'm importing my own tablet that fits the form factor, but does what 'YOU' have asked me for, to have it running Windows 7.  Now it's just like *any* PC in your domain.  Remember, my Auggies are *just PC's running Windows*.  If you keep that in mind, you'll answer a lot of your own questions.

For actual specs, click here to view my comparison of the iPad 1 and my Auggie (the iPad 2 was recently released by Apple; it's lighter and faster and has both forward and rear cameras).

(click any pic for larger image)

Tablet Carry Case in our Tablet Stand

Tablet Carry Case showing Tablet Speaker (adhered by our included Super-Velcro)

You can:

• Use our own, included, AAC software, PTP-PC, with its Neospeech high-quality voices and Mayer-Johnson PCS pictures
• Lock the app so that the user cannot exit back to the Home screen (like they can on the iPad)
  
• Surf the Internet! (Wifi on board)
  
• Load software from a CD (Accessory pack comes with external USB DVD/CD player)
• Play any DVD movie! (see above)
• Operate by direct touch, *trackball, *joystick, *switch(es), *head tracking, or *any* existing alternative method
• Since it's actually a PC running Windows, you can load  BoardMaker w/Speaking Dynamically Pro on it! See prices below.
• Wireless switch access through on-board Bluetooth (2.1) Switch Interface or Bluetooth Super-Switch (for learning/training, or operation of AAC software), OR complete control of the Auggie (via my CrossScanner).

Auggie on Mini-Arm	Auggie, from rear, on Mini-Arm
Click here for my Tablet Mounts

For specs, please click here

Included:

• Dock adapter with 3 USB ports
• Carry Case (black, red, blue, or pink; you MUST specify as color in the Comments section during ordering or on your P.O., or else you will get black)
• Tablet Stand
• Tablet Speaker (The internal speaker of the iPad or our Auggie is NOT sufficient for AAC use.  My Tablet Speaker doubles the volume)

Optional Accessory Pack includes:

• Compact keyboard w/built-in trackpad (13" x 6 1/2")
• External USB DVD/CD player
• Carry Case for everything
  

Purchase

H-58 - Auggie.....$999 (you MUST specify black, red, blue, or pink for your Carry Case in the Comments section during Checkout, or on your P.O., or we will send black)	Order
H-58-ACC - Accessory Pack - $399	Order
H-58-AP - 2 year Accident Protection (click here to read terms and conditions) - $350	Order
SW-20 - BoardMaker w/Speaking Dynamically Pro.....$749 (same price as Mayer-Johnson, the developers of this product)	Order

Insurance Versions - Speech Generating Device (SGD)
(HCPCS Code: E2510 - The "dedicated" below means the device can be set to be *only* an SGD, for insurance claims)

H-58-D - Dedicated SGD (HCPCS: E2510) Auggie.....$999	Order
H-58-D-SDP - Dedicated SGD w/BM-SDPro on-board (HCPCS: E2510) Auggie.....$1748	Order

Possible reasons for *not* getting an iPad

• 1) If you're a switch user and want complete control over the device, the iPad simply won't allow total control by anything other than finger touch/swipe (or pointer that is 'electrified' as per my 'secret').
• 2) If you need joystick, or trackball, or head tracker, or eye control, or any other type of alternative input 'global' control (except for switch control *within* a switch-friendly app).
• 3) You don't want to mess with iTunes at all.
• 4) You must purchase programs (apps) by Purchase Order, not credit card.
• 5) You need access over the operating system and file system, menus, and other User Interace aspects.
• 6) If your user messes around with the Home button, thus exiting the app he/she is supposed to stay in.
• 7) If your user cannot slide the Slide To Unlock slider to get *into* their iPad (I make a nice training app for this called Slide 2 Unlock at the App Store.  If you're using my Bluetooth Switch Interface or Super-Switch, just clicking it will turn on your iPad and get past the Unlock screen :)
• 8) And most of all,  your IT dept. simply doesn't want to deal with Apple or iPads.