November 1, 2024
New Spoken Update Focuses on User Feedback
Spoken - Tap to Talk AAC Sees User-Driven Improvements
Summary: Spoken has launched a new version of its augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) app, addressing feedback with features to improve the user experience.
Marietta, OH: Leading augmentative and alternative communication app, Spoken - Tap to Talk AAC, has released a new update with a strong emphasis on user-driven improvements. The new version of Spoken introduces several features designed to address real-world communication challenges identified by its users.
“User feedback is at the heart of our development process,” said Evan Lauer, designer at Spoken. “The contact form built into our app isn’t just for show. People reach out to us all the time, and we do what we can to address their challenges or incorporate their suggestions. Our new update is an example — it’s almost entirely built around user feedback.”
One of the features that Spoken’s development team think will have the greatest impact is the ability to share audio clips via text, email, or any other messaging app.
“This feature became a priority when we received a particular piece of feedback: one of our users, who is autistic, told us they couldn’t effectively communicate with their sibling using Spoken because they both wear noise-canceling headphones. They needed a way to hear each other without taking those off, so we set to work right away,” Lauer explained. “First off, I just want to point out how cool it is that we’re able to help two siblings communicate and bond. Their situation is relatively unique, though, so we brainstormed ways to resolve their issue that could benefit all of our users. We think the ability to share audio clips from Spoken will do just that. It’s like sending a voice memo over text, just accessible to nonspeaking people.”
Another quality-of-life improvement in the update was inspired by a user who found it difficult to hear Spoken over background music. To address this, the app’s development team took inspiration from Google Maps, which lowers the volume of music or temporarily pauses speech-based media like podcasts before giving directions. In Spoken’s case, these changes ensure the user’s message comes through clearly without needing to switch between apps to pause something.
“We try to look for inspiration everywhere. In this case, GPS quickly sprang to mind for us — a lot of people play music while driving, but you can’t afford to miss the directions. Dampening the music is a simple but elegant solution to the problem. If we hadn’t found this inspiration, we might’ve just paused the music, but it feels a lot more seamless this way,” Lauer added. “Plus, it also showed us that we can differentiate between music and something like a podcast or audiobook, which is helpful, because two voices over top of one another could be confusing or cause you to miss something.”
One feature that wasn’t a user request but will undoubtedly be impactful is the new “Add Words” option on the settings page. This allows users to add new terms to Spoken’s vocabulary so that they appear in the app’s word predictions. By default, Spoken knows over 60,000 words in the English language. Still, there are many fringe words that may be missing.
Another new feature in this update is the “Alert & Speak” option. A user pointed out that the attention button, which lets users signal they are about to speak, wasn’t accessible if they had already started typing a message. In response, Spoken has added a function that allows users to perform both as one action. This can also be made the default action in Spoken’s settings.
Other enhancements include an expansion of the app’s symbol library, which now covers thousands of additional words, making it easier for users to recognize and select terms quickly. Additionally, the app has been optimized for iOS 18’s new eye tracking feature, improving the experience for anyone using it alongside Spoken.
Spoken is available to download on the Apple App Store and Google Play for Android devices.
About Spoken Inc.: Spoken is pioneering in the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technology, with a mission to empower individuals facing speech and communication challenges. Focusing on the surprisingly underserved yet expansive audience of teens and adults with communication difficulties, Spoken’s app leverages advanced AI to predict what its users want to say, facilitating a seamless communication experience unlike anything typical AAC can offer. By continuously innovating and advocating for broader awareness, Spoken aims to unlock new possibilities for users to express themselves freely and confidently. For more information, visit spokenaac.com.
About Spoken
Spoken is an app that helps people with aphasia, nonverbal autism, and other speech and language disorders.