GoTalk NOW

What GoTalk NOW is

GoTalk NOW is an augmentative and alternative communication app for people who have difficulty speaking. It runs on iPadOS and lets users build communication books from Standard, Express, and Scenes pages, mixing those page types in a single book. Pages can use layouts with 1, 2, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, or 49 locations, while books can contain unlimited pages.

Users can record their own voice or choose built-in text-to-speech voices; additional voices are available for purchase. The app includes an Imagine Symbol set, and SymbolStix, PCS, and Widgit libraries can be purchased in-app. Communication locations and scene pages can include images, video, music, and invisible hotspots. People can use touch or single-switch and two-switch scanning. Books can be shared over WiFi with other GoTalk NOW users and backed up through Dropbox or to a Mac or PC. A free online gallery stores and shares templates of up to five communication pages. Attainment offers email and telephone support and free webinars. GoTalk NOW Lite is free to download from the App Store; the GoTalk® NOW app costs $119.99, paid once and includes in-app purchases. The App Store listing requires iPadOS 15.6 or later and lists Apple Vision compatibility.

Who it suits

GoTalk NOW suits people who have difficulty speaking and need customizable communication pages with speech output. Its touch and switch-scanning access options, multimedia locations, and shareable books may also be useful to people supporting their communication.

Limits

GoTalk NOW Lite is free to download. The paid GoTalk® NOW app costs $119.99, paid once and includes in-app purchases; additional voices and the SymbolStix, PCS, and Widgit libraries are available for purchase.

Getting started

1. Download GoTalk NOW Lite from the App Store, or choose GoTalk® NOW.
2. Use an iPad running iPadOS 15.6 or later.
3. Create a communication book using Standard, Express, or Scenes pages.
4. Choose a page layout and add communication locations.
5. Record a voice or select a built-in text-to-speech voice.
6. Use touch or configure single-switch or two-switch scanning.

Verdict

Choose GoTalk NOW if you need an iPad communication app with flexible page layouts, speech output, and switch-scanning access. GoTalk NOW Lite is a free download, while the full GoTalk® NOW app costs $119.99, paid once and includes in-app purchases. Consider another option if you need a platform other than iPadOS.