Conclusion: (Yes, I'm starting with that first, since that is the part of most interest, I would imagine ;-)  It's just almost impossible to get past the brilliant and larger screen of the iPad.  No, it doesn't run 'standard' programs.  And yes, there are far fewer special needs programs available for it.  No, it doesn't have switch input, or *any* input for that matter!  But gosh, it's lightweight, instant, and does have tens of thousands of apps, with special needs developers jumping on its bandwagon everyday!  I do have some reservations, some rather large, such as:

Can't run Flash apps on the web (try something 'simple' like Disney.com!)
Can't run *my* AAC software (boo-hoo), PTP-PC, which I use on all my Auggies

But there are the 3 excellent AAC programs I cite below.  And I now make a variety of case, mount, and stand, and speaker solutions for the iPad.

And I'm working on a carry case so it can be protected, carried, via shoulder strap, and *used* while on the go.

So my biggest determinants were the screen, and another one that you probably *never* would have though of!  Volume of an AAC device is critical, especially in *any* type of noisy environment.  And in my opinion, the iPad is *not* loud enough by itself.  Hence a need for an external speaker.  I do this with my Auggies.  There are some nice iPod speakers but they are all wired and run on AA or AAA batteries, and they drain pretty quickly.  So I investigated Bluetooth speakers and came up with a winner!  You see, Bluetooth never caught on with computers because each time either the speaker or the computer turned off, you *usually* had to re-'pair' the speaker to the device.  A real pain and *not* do-able by our users!  But the iPad is basically a big iPhone/Touch and it stays paired to the Bluetooth speaker, regardless of which was turned off/turned on first/last.  It's great!  So I am now offering a specific Bluetooth iPad Speaker which is small, LOUD, rechargeable, and works great! 

The ability to use such a speaker is what really 'turned the corner' for me on the iPad.

I still like my Auggies, especially my mid-range one, for use with switch/alternate input devices, especially since I package my PTP-PC software and all the Mayer-Johnson Boardmaker pics with it.


In watching one of the AAC (Alternative and Augmentative Communication) online forums, I have noticed a 'euphoria' over the new iPad.  It almost seems like people think that this device has changed the 'playing field' for AAC.  Now I do agree that it's *great* that a consumer-oriented device has finally come out that is touch-oriented and compact/all-in-one, and has a definite 'cool' factor to it!  And several companies/people have made AAC 'apps' that are truly affordable.

Before I go on about the *device* differences, I do want to say a word of commendation for the existing AAC apps (application) I'm aware of for the iPad (and iPod Touch and iPhone).  The Proloquo2Go, from what I've read, is a great app, and comes with a complete library of pictures and all the features you'd want from an AAC app.  Another AAC app that I've read about, for these 3 Apple devices, is Voice4U, which is a full featured AAC app (once again, only from what I've read) but with about 140 pics in its  library (you can add your own).  Another take on AAC design is from TapToTalk.  To the user, it behaves like most AAC software.  But the design phase is handled through their website!  Great idea!  And finally, there is a text-oriented (on-screen keyboard with word completion) named iMean.

* A "netbook," like the netbook at Lenovo.com, is a small, usually 8.9" screen, PC running Windows (XP, Vista, or 7), running under $1000.  A "convertible" further enhances a netbook for our uses, as it describes the 'flip-able' screen that lays flat to form a 'slate' computer, as pictured above.  Flip the screen the other way, and it looks like a mini-laptop, with a keyboard and built-in trackpad.

**3G explained: Current iPads (4/24/10) have built-in Wifi only.  Netbooks also have built-in WiFi.  But new iPads coming out in a bit will have "3G" capability.  Actually, Netbooks have had that option for about 2 years, with an USB 'dongle' from Verizon and others, for about $60/mo.

The term WiFi means that somewhere within about 150 ft of you must be a 'hot spot'.  A hot spot is a AC-powered device that is plugged into the Internet through your cable company, phone company, or Internet Service Provider (more technical than that, but will suffice for this explanation), and has an antenna which transmits/receives the 'Internet'.  Now *your* device, be it iPad or netbook or notebook or desktop computer would have to also have WiFi, which means that *it* has wireless Internet capabilities, which *everything* has these days (except for desktops, usually).

Now more on the hot spot.  There are 2 types, "unsecured", which means it's open access, most anyone can use it, and "secured" which means that you'll need a password (key), or you'll need to login and pay (or have prepaid cell phones, like T-Mobile and its Starbucks' hot spots).

Hopefully that explains WiFi.

The iPad has Wifi, so as long as you meet the above conditions, you're good to go.  No other fees.

The *new* 3G iPad that will be coming out shortly will *also* have "3G" capability.  That is, the *cellular* network (ATT has one as well as Verizon) that allows phones to achieve email/web/maps/etc., that today's phones are capable of.  3G is a "data" network as compared the older "voice-only" network for cell phones.  And *that* is what will cost extra.  It will be only ATT as carrier and will cost a monthly fee.  But then the iPad, just like the iPhone and Touch, will be able to hook up to the Internet not just near hot spots, but anywhere there is a cell signal.

More on 3G, if you want it:  Cell phones from over about 5 years ago did voice only or data sent in a voice manner (too technical for this discussion).  There was some limited email capabilities but no real "Internet".  That's because the old cell network wasn't capable and/or was very slow, as it wasn't a true "data" network"; it was voice, transmitting sounds in a manner consistent with how it's been done in the last 20 or so years.  The phone companies had to build an entirely new wireless network around the world.  The current one is of a type called "3G" (you can Google it).  It allows 3G capable phones, like the iPhone, to connect to the Internet, at reasonable speeds, because it is a true "data" network, sending voice *as* data (1's and 0's) at very fast speeds.

And 4G is not far around the corner (faster).

*** Menu button - The iPad, like the iPhone and iPod Touch, has a very accessible menu button that takes you to the menu screen of the iPad itself, where you launch apps from.  This is a real problem for some users that enjoy opening/closing applications.  In other words, if you are in Proloquo2Go, for example, and excellent AAC app, the user can press their menu button at any time and they will *exit* the app!  Not good.  With my PTP-PC AAC program on the netbook (or PC), I can lock them into the AAC software.  I don't believe you can do this with the iPad.  *This is a major consideration*!