We updated the Voice4u Android based on our friendly user feedbacks.

Here is highlights of this update:

1. Improved the license verification process when launching the application. It should now work much smoother.
2. Cut the application volume by optimizing the pre-loaded images without sacrificing their qualities.

Next update (version-1.7), we will improve the copy function!

What else is going on now? – Voice4u Cloud

We are currently developing the Voice4u Cloud System, which enable us to share voices & pictures of Voice4u with more than one device, across iOS and Android OS. And of course with your friends!. For iOS devices, it is possible to copy a set of icons to multiple iOS devices [how to copy Voice4u data], but impossible to do from iOS to Android or vice versa. The Cloud System will make this happen. It will work as a solid backup system. So, no more hassles to changing devices, or changing operating systems.

How do I update?

It is straightforward. Please follow these steps (this is the standard way to update Android applications).

1. Tap on the Notification menu at the top and drag it down.
2. Find Voice4u. Just tap on that and you’ll be taken into the Android Market or Amazon App Store (depending on which store you purchased Voice4u) and be presented with a list of all installed programs that have an update.
3. Tap on Voice4u to begin the update.
4. Next, tap Update. The program will remind you it’s replacing the current version. Tap OK.
5. Now you’ll be shown all the things the application has access to. Tap OK.
6. New Voice4u will be installed and you’ll be up to date.

You can find more information about Voice4u for Android here: http://voice4uaac.com/android.

- Voice4u Team

Voice4u now fully works on Kindle Fire, which is one of t he most popular Android tablets from Amazon. Voice4u is available through Amazon App Store.

What’s Kindle Fire?

Kindle Fire is the latest model of Amazon’s tablets. It’s like a basic Android tablet computer (no camera or microphone) and the display is in color. You can watch videos and run some Android apps on it. The other Kindle models are black & white only, meant for just reading books. Plus, you may record your own voice by plugging an external microphone, which is good for Voice4u!

For more on kindle fire, check this out:
http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Fire-Amazon-Tablet/dp/B0051VVOB2

In this version, we fixed the following problems.

1. Voice abruptly cuts off midway on Kindle Fire. → FIXED
2. App crushes if attempting to use a camera on Kindle Fire → FIXED. A camera button is hidden on a device with no camera.
3. App crushes if attempting to record voice on a device without microphone → FIXED. Voice can be recorded with an external microphone

If you see incompatibility issues like this on other devices, please let us know them immediately. We love to fix them for you!

See screenshots here:
http://voice4uaac.com/apps/kindle

Whats next?

We have just finished developing Voice4u for the NOOK Tablet and are preparing to publish onto the NOOK Market. We will keep you posted on this.

What’s NOOK Tablet?

It is the latest model of tablets from Barnes & Noble, which is also powered by Android OS. According to B&N, it is their “fastest, lightest, most powerful tablet with the best in reading & entertainment”. You can enjoy movies, TV shows and music from Netflix, Hulu Plus, Pandora & more. There are over 2.5 million books, magazines, comics & kids’ books. Last but not least, thousands of must-have apps are available. One of the top-notch features is that you always get in-store support for FREE!!

Check this out for more information.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/nook-tablet-barnes-noble/1104687969

We posted screenshots of Voice4u for NOOk here:
http://voice4uaac.com/apps/nook

What else is going on now? – Voice4u Cloud

We are currently developing the Voice4u Cloud System, which enable us to share voices & pictures of Voice4u with more than one device, across iOS and Android OS. And of course with your friends!. For iOS devices, it is possible to copy a set of icons to multiple iOS devices [how to copy Voice4u data], but impossible to do from iOS to Android or vice versa. The Cloud System will make this happen. It will work as a solid backup system. So, no more hassles to changing devices, or changing operating systems.

How do I update?

It is straightforward. Please follow these steps (this is the standard way to update Android applications).

1. Tap on the Notification menu at the top and drag it down.
2. Find Voice4u. Just tap on that and you’ll be taken into the Android Market or Amazon App Store (depending on which store you purchased Voice4u) and be presented with a list of all installed programs that have an update.
3. Tap on Voice4u to begin the update.
4. Next, tap Update. The program will remind you it’s replacing the current version. Tap OK.
5. Now you’ll be shown all the things the application has access to. Tap OK.
6. New Voice4u will be installed and you’ll be up to date.

You can find more information about Voice4u for Android here: http://voice4uaac.com/apps/android.

- Voice4u Team

Thanks to your warm support, we would like to announce that we have made tremendous achievements and progress in developing more functions to Voice4u. As many of you may already know, we have won the best Android Application Award in 2011 in Japan. We take users’ feedback seriously and have been continuously putting an effort to make the app better.

As in our mission, our wish has always been “a better life for people with disabilities”. We hope to support as many people as possible and we would like your help in reaching out to people in need. This campaign is to bring awareness of autism and let people know about Voice4u.

As you are an important influencer in the community, we would like you to share how you are using Voice4u in your photos and videos.

Visit Voice4u website to learn more about the contest and how to get involved it!
Read More

We optimized Voice4u to Android tablet, which now allows us to use in sideways (landscape screens).

Here is highlights of this update:
1. Landscape screens for Android tablets
2. “More” tab frees from the Menu Button.

1. Make it easier to use on Android tablet

Just like the iPad version of Voice4u, you can use Voice4u on Android tablet sideways (landscape screen). As soon as the app is updated, it starts on landscape screen and you can enable screen rotations by turning on the switch in the application preferences (“More” tab > “Preferences” > Tap “Enable Screen Rotation”).

Here are screenshots of landscape screens:

This new feature is applicable to tablet devices. For phones and music player type devices, Voice4u can be used vertical ways (portrait screen).

2. Free from the Menu Button

Now you can use Voice4u WITHOUT using the Menu button on the device. You can do everything with tapping the screen.

Most of the current android devices come with the menu button, usually next to the home button and the back button. By pressing the menu button on a certain screen, it can show several optional menus on the screen. In the previous versions of Voice4u, we had to press the menu button to show screens for “About Us”, “Sending Feedback”, “Application Preferences (Settings)”, and “Trash Box” (to recover deleted icons).

This Menu button had been a good option for tech-savvy users, but we all agreed that it was not user-friendly experience for all Voice4u users. So, we simply added a new “More” tab, just like the iOS version of Voice4u. You can now access to above four screens through the “More” tab.

What’s Next?

The next update (version 1.6) will fix another compatibility issues for Amazon Kindle Fire. The major issue found is that some of sounds are cut-off midway when playing them. Plus, we need to refine interfaces because the Kindle Fire doesn’t have either camera or internal microphone. But we confirmed that it’s possible to record voice with external microphone (e.g. earphone-mic for iPod touch) and grab photos from Google Image Search. Hope we can fix these issues as soon as possible!

How do I update?

It is straightforward. Please follow these steps (this is the standard way to update Android applications).

1. Tap on the Notification menu at the top and drag it down.
2. Find Voice4u. Just tap on that and you’ll be taken into the Android Market or Amazon App Store (depending on which store you purchased Voice4u) and be presented with a list of all installed programs that have an update.
3. Tap on Voice4u to begin the update.
4. Next, tap Update. The program will remind you it’s replacing the current version. Tap OK.
5. Now you’ll be shown all the things the application has access to. Tap OK.
6. New Voice4u will be installed and you’ll be up to date.

You can find more information about Voice4u for Android here: http://voice4uaac.com/android.

- the Voice4u team

Based on feedbacks recently received, we fixed the incompatibility problem with Samsung Galaxy Player. We hope it makes compatible with other models of Android tablet, too.

Here is highlights of this update:
1. Compatible with Samsung Galaxy Player
2. Improved the Recording System
3. UI update
4. License Verification System

1. Compatible with Samsung Galaxy Player

Basically, we changed the application settings and also fixed a problem with using the camera of Galaxy Player. Here is a photo of Galaxy Player & Voice4u. It looks very cool just like the iPod touch, and has a slightly bigger screen and works very very fast! We love this!

*** A tip on using the camera. ***
Please take a photo sideways. Otherwise, a photo will be unexpectedly rotated. Simply rotate your device by 90 degrees. Also, make sure to put the objects in the middle of screen.

Then, your new icon will be fine just like this:

About Samsung Galaxy Player

• Samsung Galaxy Player 4.0 (Samsung)

2. Improved the Recording System

While we are attempting to get through the review of Amazon App Store, we had to fix several problems of the recording system. The system did not work with some models used by Amazon’s review committees and we made it work. Also, we changed the system to stop recording/playing sound on incoming calls.

3. UI Update

We updated several user interfaces (UI). For instance, here is a new look of the very last step of adding a new icon:
(To play sound, just tap the image.)

4. License Verification System

*** This ONLY affects if you purchased Voice4u through Android Market. *** We added a license verification system to the app, which will protect from illegal copies. It also allows us to save Voice4u in SD card, which saves the main storage space of your devices. The system automatically validates licenses just once a month and you wouldn’t even notice it. Please launch Voice4u immediately after updating/installing it onto your device (while it is connected to the internet). We hope this won’t be too much trouble.

That’s it for the highlights. If you hit any issues with the new version, please let us know immediately and we’ll fix it right away

What’s Next?

The next update (version 1.5) will support horizontal (landscape) screens, which will be similar to the iPad version of Voice4u.

How do I update?

It is straightforward. Please follow these steps (this is the standard way to update Android applications).

1. Tap on the Notification menu at the top and drag it down.
2. Find Voice4u. Just tap on that and you’ll be taken into the Android Market or Amazon App Store (depending on which store you purchased Voice4u) and be presented with a list of all installed programs that have an update.
3. Tap on Voice4u to begin the update.
4. Next, tap Update. The program will remind you it’s replacing the current version. Tap OK.
5. Now you’ll be shown all the things the application has access to. Tap OK.
6. New Voice4u will be installed and you’ll be up to date.

You can find more information about Voice4u for Android here: http://voice4uaac.com/android.

- the Voice4u team

Today’s release is bug fixing. The previous version (2.0.0) had a problem on using icons that don’t have voice, which made the application crash. We fixed this problem and make it possible to create icons with/without recording voice.

On the iPhone and iPod touch, simply tap the “Next” button on the voice recording screen if you don’t need to voice when creating an icon. On the iPad, we added a little button, “Skip Recording”, like this screenshot:

If you tap the button, the small speaker icons turns into like this and you can make a new icon without recording your voice.

Before tapping the button or recording voice, the screen looks like this:

For more information about Voice4u iOS
http://voice4uaac.com/apps/iphone/

How do I update?

As usual, update is absolutely FREE, including those who are in the free license program.

Using iTunes

1. In order to update the applications, you will need to download the update to your computer, via iTunes, and then sync your iPhone to the computer so the updates are completed. Click on your Applications menu and, at the bottom, you will find the number of updates available. Click on that link and choose the updates you want to install.
2. Plug your iPhone to your computer. Click on your iPhone name on the left hand menu of your iTunes and then choose the Applications tab.
3. Under that menu, you can choose to update and install the applications by synchronizing the new applications between your computer with your iPhone.

Directly on your iPhone/iTouch/iPad

1. Your iPhone/iTouch/iPad will also warn you when there are updates available by showing a number next to the Apps button on your iPhone dashboard. You can update your applications directly by following the steps on your iPhone/iTouch/iPad
2. Click on the Apple Store Icon
3. Click on the Updates tab on the bottom right corner of the screen
4. Find Voice4u and tap it. Or, Simply tap the Update All button on the top right corner of the screen
5. You have to log-in. Please type your iTunes password.
6. After this your update would start automatically in a few minutes and done!

- The Voice4u Team

Finally, version-2 is out and waiting for download. We put together millions of feedback from our friendly customers into this brand new version of Voice4u. It is optimized for all iOS devices and unlocks so many wonderful new features. Check it out now!

Voice4u has become a universal application. A universal application is a single app that is optimized for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad devices. Previous versions of Voice4u used to run on the iPad in compatibility mode. When you install (or update) the new version of Voice4u onto your device, the program automatically detects the type of device and will run the designated system.

The new Voice4u on iPad is designed for both horizontal and vertical screens. You can use Voice4u in any orientation even when adding a new icon.

Thanks to quite a few feedbacks, Voice4u gained the ability to manually change the order of icons or categories. In previous versions, we had to tweak the word/phrase of icons to sort them, for example, “1 Wake up”, “2 Eat breakfast”, “3 Go to school”, “4 Study”, … and etc. You don’t need to do so anymore! With this feature, creating a schedule, recipe, or social story will become much easier.

You can also switch modes between “Multi Mode” and “Single Mode”. By activating the “Multi Mode”, you can use multiple icons on a single screen WITHOUT switching screens. Take a look at this short video demonstrating this feature.

Here are some highlights we previously shared. In case you missed out, check it out now!

• What’s New in New Voice4u? (5): Use Multiple Icons on a Single Screen (with video)
• What’s New in New Voice4u? (4): Reordering Icons and Categories
• What’s New in New Voice4u? (3): Grid Style Layout
• What’s New in New Voice4u? (2): Support All Derive Orientations
• What’s New in New Voice4u? (1): Optimized for All iOS Devices

If you already own Voice4u, you do NOT need to purchase Voice4u again. This update is FREE as usual.

If you buy Voice4u for the first time (after the new version is available), you can install it onto multiple iOS devices (iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch) with a single purchase. For schools or therapists who need to take care of a lot of Voice4u users, we suggest to look into the Volume Purchase Program as an option.

For more information about Voice4u iOS
http://voice4uaac.com/apps/iphone/

How do I update?

As usual, update is absolutely FREE, including those who are in the free license program.

Using iTunes

1. In order to update the applications, you will need to download the update to your computer, via iTunes, and then sync your iPhone to the computer so the updates are completed. Click on your Applications menu and, at the bottom, you will find the number of updates available. Click on that link and choose the updates you want to install.
2. Plug your iPhone to your computer. Click on your iPhone name on the left hand menu of your iTunes and then choose the Applications tab.
3. Under that menu, you can choose to update and install the applications by synchronizing the new applications between your computer with your iPhone.

Directly on your iPhone/iTouch/iPad

1. Your iPhone/iTouch/iPad will also warn you when there are updates available by showing a number next to the Apps button on your iPhone dashboard. You can update your applications directly by following the steps on your iPhone/iTouch/iPad
2. Click on the Apple Store Icon
3. Click on the Updates tab on the bottom right corner of the screen
4. Find Voice4u and tap it. Or, Simply tap the Update All button on the top right corner of the screen
5. You have to log-in. Please type your iTunes password.
6. After this your update would start automatically in a few minutes and done!

Happy holidays!
- The Voice4u Team

It has been two years since the first Voice4u has been created. Since then, it served in over 35 different countries.

“I can now speak with my child.”

“I am currently using Voice4u and practicing talking with the family.”

“My child told me what he wanted for the first time in his life.”

These are some of the heartwarming comment we have had from customers.

“I would like to be able to share icons I have made.”

“I want to use Voice4u on my Android tablet in horizontal screen.”

“Can I print my icons just like classic PECS icons?”

Were some of the requests we have received. We are working night and day on answer to your requests.

The new version of Voice4u is coming out soon (sorry for the delay). We added many new features and fully optimized for the iPad, which made Voice4u easier to use. Here are the highlights if you may have missed:

• What’s New in New Voice4u? (5): Use Multiple Icons on a Single Screen (with video)
• What’s New in New Voice4u? (4): Reordering Icons and Categories
• What’s New in New Voice4u? (3): Grid Style Layout
• What’s New in New Voice4u? (2): Support All Derive Orientations
• What’s New in New Voice4u? (1): Optimized for All iOS Devices

It’s our second birthday and we would like to thank you for your support!

- The Voice4u Team

The new version provides an option to switch modes: “Multi Mode” and “Single Mode”. By activating the “Multi Mode”, you can use multiple icons on a single screen WITHOUT switching screens. Take a look at these short videos demonstrating on this feature:

Tutorial #15 – Build a sentence

Tutorial #9 – Create Multiple Choices

Demonstration on iPhone & iPad

This “Multi Mode” switch can be controlled through the application’s setting screen. On iPad, this can be also accessed on each category, and Favorites screens. Of course, You can always go back to the classic Voice4u style mode, “Single Mode”, by turning off the switch.

Enjoy the video!

- The Voice4u Team

With this feature, creating a schedule, recipe, or social story will become a way easier. Let’s take a look at a few screenshots.

iPad

(1) Turn on the “Edit mode” switch. (2) Hold the icon you want to move. (3) Drag it to a position that you want to move.

iPhone, iPod touch

(1) Turn on the “Edit” switch. (2) Holde the right edge of the icon you want to move. (3) Slide it to a position that you want to move.

By the way, we are preparing printable & online manuals of Voice4u. The manuals will be available when the new version is published.

- The Voice4u Team