I have gotten the same feedback from one of my pALS with the LG enV Touch.  I am currently using an Android phone (Motorola Blur) via AT&T.  I imagine Verizon has something similar.  It is a backflip keyboard with physical keys that are actually larger than the buttons on the on-screen keyboards on the smaller handhelds (e.g., SayIt Sam Communicator, Cyrano, etc).  There is a free app called Speaking Pad from apps4android.org  http://apps4android.org/speaking_pad.htm  If you upgrade to the Cupcake speech (cost is $0.99), you get a female voice with much better quality.  My pALS have been intrigued by this app and like its simplicity.  It is quite limited - you can type, talk, and erase.  You can change the rate, pitch and volume of the voice.  You cannot save phrases.  When you use the on-screen keyboard instead of the flip one, there is a very good word prediction engine.  I know you were looking for Verizon, but I do know that Verizon can support Android phones. 
 
If you are interested in the Motorola backflip, here's a link http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-sales/promotion/motobackflip.jsp
 
Lisa

On Thu, Jun 10, 2010 at 2:29 PM, Betts Peters <xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Hi Lisa,

 

I know a PALS who uses the LG enV Touch from Verizon and likes it a lot.  I haven’t used it myself, so I don’t really know how easy it would be for someone who is new to texting.  However, according to cnet.com, it does offer multiple options for text entry on the touch screen, including handwriting recognition, multitap or T9 on an alphanumeric keyboard, and a QWERTY keyboard.  There is also a slide-out QWERTY physical keyboard.

 

Another potentially useful feature of the enV Touch is that it has a simple text-to-speech function.  Within the Notepad tool, there is an option to speak what has been written.  Again, I haven’t been able to try it myself, but my client says it works well.  Another client had the LG Voyager, which I believe is the precursor to the enV Touch, and the Notepad TTS function on his phone produced good-quality speech.

 

Betts Peters, MA, CCC-SLP

Assistive Technology Services Coordinator

The ALS Association, Oregon & SW Washington Chapter

310 SW 4th Ave, Suite 630

Portland, OR 97204

503-238-5559

800-681-9851

Fax: 503-296-5590

Website: www.alsa-or.org

 

ShopToDefeatALS.com - start your shopping here and support the fight against ALS!

WalktoDefeatALS.org - visit today to sign up for the Walk!

 

From: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of lisa
Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 10:41 AM


To: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: texting phones from Verizon line

 

Sorry,

 

The patient’s speech is not intelligible on the telephone any longer.

 

His partner and family want him to start using texting.  They are up for a new phone and I was hoping to point them toward a few models that have a good (i.e., larger)  keyboard or those that have been successfully used with other pALS.

 

Thanks for asking for the clarification.

 

 

 

Lisa M. Bruening, M.S., CCC-SLP

Patient Services Coordinator

The ALS Association

 Northern Ohio Chapter

phone: 216-592-2572

toll free:  888-592-2572

fax:  216-592-2575

 

Check out our webpage:  www.alsaohio.org

 

Become an ALSA Advocate!  It's easy! 

Go to our website and follow the tab for Public Policy. Click on Advocacy Action Center and sign up today!

 

Where Patients Matter Most


From: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Antoinette Verdone
Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 1:32 PM
To: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: texting phones from Verizon line

 

Lisa,

 

I am not 100% clear what you are asking for?

 

Can the patient speak?  Why does he want to do text?

 

Antoinette Verdone, MSBME, ATP

Assistive Technology Specialist

The ALS Association, Greater New York Chapter

42 Broadway, Suite 1724

New York, NY 10004

Phone: 212-720-3054

Fax: 212-619-7409

Email: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx

www.als-ny.org

 

"One cannot consent to creep when one has the impulse to soar"  -- Helen Keller


From: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of lisa
Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 1:19 PM
To: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: texting phones from Verizon line

 

Hi!

 

Any suggestions on a verizon phone for a pALS with poor speech to upgrade to a texting phone?  He has “ok” hand use right now, but it is beginning to be impacted.

 

This will be a TOTAL change for the pALS as he has never texted or used technology (computers included).

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

 

Lisa M. Bruening, M.S., CCC-SLP

Patient Services Coordinator

The ALS Association

Northern Ohio Chapter

phone: 216-592-2572

toll free:  888-592-2572

fax:  216-592-2575

 

Check out our webpage:  www.alsaohio.org

 

Become an ALSA Advocate!  It's easy! 

Go to our website and follow the tab for Public Policy. Click on Advocacy Action Center and sign up today!

 

Where Patients Matter Most

 

 

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--
Lisa G. Bardach, MS CCC-SLP
Communicating Solutions, LLC
2314 Yorkshire Road
Suite 200
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
phone (734) 973-9670
fax     (734) 975-6970

ALS of Michigan, Inc.
24359 Northwestern Highway, Suite 100
Southfield, MI 48075
248-354-6100 x227