Predictable is an App for an iPad.  When installed on the iPad and set-up for use with selected accessories, a functional and attractive speech generating system is created. 

Zyteq is offering components of the system either with or without support packages (see below for more information about support packages below). 

See separate accessories  information and prices.

Predictable, the App, provides text-to-speech message generation with word prediction and a phrase bank as standard features.  The messages are spoken with high quality speech in a range of British, American and Australian English voices.  The App can be accessed directly by tapping on the individual characters and icons or using an external switch of your choice with scanning, or by using the entire display as a switch (tap anywhere) with scanning.  

Speech Output

With an external speaker the voice output is loud and clear.  The Australian voices, Grace and Alan and very clear and sound realistic.  Pitch and speech rate can be adjusted and there is a pronunciation editor to change or customise the way in which words are pronounced by the speech synthesizer.  External speakers are usually required to create speech output that is loud enough when using the iPad as a speech generating device.  Two speakers are offered by Zyteq.  The X-mini II is a small spherical speaker, which is plugged into the audio jack of the iPad.  The Bluetooth speaker is larger but very light-weight, and can be conveniently hooked onto clothing. 

Accessing

Predictable has its own on-screen keyboard with characters well spaced, each key measuring 10 mm x 8 mm.  Spacing between each key is 6mm.  The keyboard layout can be set to ABCD, QWERTY, or a ‘high frequency’ keyboard usually used with scanning.  If accuracy is a problem when accessing the keyboard a stylus may be used.  This can by-pass difficulties created by long-nails, wearing of gloves or band-aids. Zyteq offers the Pogo Sketch stylus.  

In scanning mode, the entire display can be used as a switch.  As the cursor passes over the characters and icons the user can tap anywhere on the display to make a selection.  Using the Therapy Box switch Box, almost any remote or external switch can be used to make selections using scanning.  The switch box is connected by Bluetooth so the switch box and switch can be neatly located with the user, perhaps for head or foot or hand access, and the iPad with Predictable can be positioned separately. 

Portability: Mounting and Carrying

With a suitable mount or carry bag the iPad can be positioned or carried for easy access and day-to-day use.  Zyteq offers a few mounting solutions.  The Friction mount is a heavy duty mount best attached to furniture or square tubing.  The Modhose mount is ‘cheap and cheerful’ and is clamped onto two mounting points and positioned using the flexible hose.  If the hosing pieces become weakened through over-use they can simply be removed from the chain and replaced with a new piece. Mounting plates for Daessy and Monty systems are also available.

This is the friction mount, available for iPad and iPad2.

Below is the modhose mount. 

Below are the mount plates dor Daessy and Monty systems.

Support packages

As these are ‘consumer’ products the provision of this system will be under different terms and conditions to our other specialised speech generating systems (SGDs) from specialist companies.  The supply of these ‘consumer’ products does not include the ready support and assistance we usually make available with the purchase and use of the specialised SGDs.  Support and assistance will be available via the purchase of packages which can be chosen at the time of purchase, or added at a later date if needed.  This type of system is typically found on offer with mainstream products, so you may be familiar with paying for support in this way.  It is a new system for Zyteq and we have explored many options and methods of implementing this type of system.  We hope you will support us in this endeavour by choosing a support package that you think will be realistic for the situation in which the equipment will be used.  Customers ringing with questions where no support package is in place will be asked to purchase one before assistance can proceed.  

This information is also detailed under the SUPPORT section.