iPad App Lets You Share Your World with Autistic Children

While there has been an explosion of media attention given to the hundreds of apps that focus on allowing children with autism to communicate with others, a new app for autism strives to achieve the reverse -- bringing the outside environment into the autistic child's world.

The iPad has become a commonly used tool for allowing those with speech-language impairments to communicate and helping to teach those with special needs. Searching "Autism" in the iPad App Store yields 902 results, a number which has been increasing rapidly. The popularity of using iPad apps for this purpose is not surprising given that traditional alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) dedicated devices cost up to $15,000.

A new app named AutisMate allows parents and therapists to create interactive representations, or scenes, of an autistic child's environment. Since children with autism tend to be visual learners, these scenes can be used to teach them how to communicate and interact with the world around them. Jonathan Izak, creator of the AutisMate app and founder of SpecialNeedsWare, says, "By sharing a simplified representation of the world with autistic children, we are allowing them to communicate and learn important life skills more effectively and comfortably than ever before."

Izak began developing AutisMate for his 10 year old brother Oriel, who is on the autism spectrum and has struggled with other communication apps. "The grid designs used by Proloquo2go and other alternative communication options were created for a wide variety of speech impairments, not specifically autism. They require generalizing and categorizing, which are often a struggle for those on the spectrum," says Izak.

Proloquo2go was the first fully featured augmentative communication app available, and is the long time leader in the AAC app market. Apps like Proloquo2Go allow users to navigate grids of symbols to express themselves, which has been effective for high functioning individuals with speech impairments.

AutisMate, on the other hand, allows parents and therapists to create interactive scenes of their own environment using pictures, video, and voice recordings that can be created on the iPad itself. The app also leverages GPS technology to further reduce the navigation abilities required to use the app. Amy Lackey, a speech pathologist and educational coordinator of the Manhattan Children's Center, notes that, "Most communication apps require some level of understanding of categories, whereas the scene-based approach of AutisMate provides object-picture association that many students form around common objects within their homes, schools, and other familiar settings.”

The iPad has become such a popular device for helping those with special needs that Apple will be releasing a new feature named Guided Access with iOS 6, the next version of the iPhone and iPad operating system that will be released in the fall. This feature keeps users from navigating out of a specific application, which is useful when using the iPad for therapy. In announcing the feature at Apple's World Wide Developer Conference, Senior VP of iOS software at Apple Scott Forstall said, "we’ve been surprised by the numbers of children with autism who’ve been flocking to our devices; especially our iPads. We want to make that experience even better."

This article comes from:http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/7/prweb9728113.htm

iPad App Lets You Share Your World with Autistic Children

FLORHAM PARK, N.J., July 23, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- While there has been an explosion of media attention given to the hundreds of apps that focus on allowing children with autism to communicate with others, a new app for autism strives to achieve the reverse -- bringing the outside environment into the autistic child's world.

The iPad has become a commonly used tool for allowing those with speech-language impairments to communicate and helping to teach those with special needs. Searching "Autism" in the iPad App Store yields 902 results, a number which has been increasing rapidly. The popularity of using iPad apps for this purpose is not surprising given that traditional alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) dedicated devices cost up to $15,000.

A new app named AutisMate allows parents and therapists to create interactive representations, or scenes, of an autistic child's environment. Since children with autism tend to be visual learners, these scenes can be used to teach them how to communicate and interact with the world around them. Jonathan Izak, creator of the AutisMate app and founder of SpecialNeedsWare, says, "By sharing a simplified representation of the world with autistic children, we are allowing them to communicate and learn important life skills more effectively and comfortably than ever before."

Izak began developing AutisMate for his 10 year old brother Oriel, who is on the autism spectrum and has struggled with other communication apps. "The grid designs used by Proloquo2Go and other alternative communication options were created for a wide variety of speech impairments, not specifically autism. They require generalizing and categorizing, which are often a struggle for those on the spectrum," says Izak.

Proloquo2Go was the first fully featured augmentative communication app available, and is the long time leader in the AAC app market. Apps like Proloquo2Go allow users to navigate grids of symbols to express themselves, which has been effective for high functioning individuals with speech impairments.

AutisMate, on the other hand, allows parents and therapists to create interactive scenes of their own environment using pictures, video, and voice recordings that can be created on the iPad itself. The app also leverages GPS technology to further reduce the navigation abilities required to use the app. Amy Lackey, a speech pathologist and educational coordinator of the Manhattan Children's Center, notes that, "Most communication apps require some level of understanding of categories, whereas the scene-based approach of AutisMate provides object-picture association that many students form around common objects within their homes, schools, and other familiar settings."

The iPad has become such a popular device for helping those with special needs that Apple will be releasing a new feature named Guided Access with iOS 6, the next version of the iPhone and iPad operating system that will be released in the fall. This feature keeps users from navigating out of a specific application, which is useful when using the iPad for therapy. In announcing the feature at Apple's World Wide Developer Conference, Senior VP of iOS software at Apple Scott Forstall said, "We've been surprised by the numbers of children with autism who've been flocking to our devices; especially our iPads. We want to make that experience even better."

AutisMate is the first product of SpecialNeedsWare, a tech startup geared towards helping those with special needs. AutisMate is currently only available in the iPad App Store, but the company has stated it intends to release an Android version in the future as well.

"This one is different from all of the rest," noted Joan Green, M.A. CCC-SLP and author of The Ultimate Guide to Assistive Technology in Special Education. "It can be a game changer for many individuals with complex communication needs. I am impressed with the creative developers who are truly trying their best to meet the needs of the user and consult with many communication professionals."

Contact: info@specialneedsware.com (212)-253-0003 http://www.autismate.com

About SpecialNeedsWareSpecialNeedsWare is a mobile technology company that seeks to take advantage of modern technology to help individuals with special needs. The company recently released AutisMate, a revolutionary, scene-based iPad app for individuals with autism.

This article comes from:http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ipad-app-lets-you-share-your-world-with-autistic-children-2012-07-23

Apple buys tracts at site of proposed operations center

 In new signs that Apple Inc. is moving ahead with a proposed Austin operations center, the technology giant has closed on the purchase of three tracts of land at the site, and a general contractor is reaching out to minority subcontractors for a chance to work on the project.

Apple Inc. hasn't confirmed that it's bringing its proposed new operations center to Austin, but city and Travis County officials say all signs indicate it's a go.

Apple — which is in line to receive millions in incentives for the project — is proposing to create 3,635 new jobs in Austin over the next decade and invest hundreds of millions of dollars as part of its plan to create a major operations center here. The facility would run most of its business operations for North and South America.

An Apple spokeswoman did not respond to an email Wednesday.
Apple's incentive agreement with the City of Austin calls for the company to spend $282.5 million in two phases on its campus, which would be on a 38.8-acre campus at West Parmer Lane and Delcour Drive in Northwest Austin. The site is adjacent to Apple's current campus at Riata Crossing. Apple currently occupies about 550,000 square feet in Riata Crossing and nearby Parmer Business Park.

In late June, Apple closed on the purchase of three tracts at the proposed site, county property records show. The sellers were Chicago-based McShane Development Co. and MetLife Real Estate Investments, through their Riata Vista limited partnership. Joe Llamas, vice president of McShane's South Central region based in Austin, said the company had no comment.

Apple's expansion would include a pair of four-story office buildings, each with 140,816 square feet, according to a notice the city is sending out to local minority subcontractors to outline opportunities to participate in the project. Cadence McShane Construction, a McShane Development affiliate that will be the general contractor on the project, and the city's Small and Minority Business Resources Department will host a meeting next week for minority subcontractors.

A notice for the meeting says the site work will include "concrete paving for surface parking, a detention point with retaining walls and landscaping." Cadence McShane will solicit proposals in August for the site work and the building shell.

City, county and state officials have signed off on about $35 million in incentives to try to persuade Apple to locate its operations center here. The city's agreement says Apple must make "reasonable" efforts to give local certified minority-owned and women-owned businesses an opportunity to supply materials and services for the operations center.

The agreement also specifies that Apple retain 3,100 existing full-time jobs. And it sets forth minimum average annual salary requirements for the new jobs for each of the 10 years, with an average compensation of at least $54,000 at the end of the first year; at least $63,000 at the end of the fifth year; and a minimum of $73,500 at the end of the 10th year. Apple has said most of the jobs would be local hires.
This article comes from:http://www.statesman.com/business/real-estate/apple-buys-tracts-at-site-of-proposed-operations-2418742.html

iThousands' apply at Foxconn ahead of rumored iPhone, iPad mini build

According to Chinese electronics blog M.I.C. Gadget, "thousands" of people gathered in front of Foxconn's Chengdu plant to vie for a large number of "summer job" slots that have only one stipulation: applicants must have good eyesight.

Sources claim that openings still remain but are filling up fast and note that a smaller "iPad mini" may possibly be rolling off the assembly line. This is contrary to a previous report which had the rumored 7-inch tablet set for manufacture at Foxconn's plant in Jundiai, Brazil.

Foxconn's Zhengzhou factory is also hiring workers and sources there say the plant is currently producing Apple's next-generation iPhone albeit on a very small scale. The insider claims that the production line's over 100 workers rolled out a mere five units during a recent night shift, and goes on to explain the upcoming iPhone is said to be in the "trial production stage."

While AppleInsider cannot validate these claims, the report is consistent with earlier rumors that said Apple's sixth-generation iPhone is currently being manufactured.

Apple's rumored next-generation handset is expected to launch some time this fall with a larger 4-inch display and newly-designed "uni-body" chassis. A smaller version of the company's popular iPad is also widely rumored to debut later this year with recent "leaks" pointing to a 7-inch screen and slightly modified case design. A report from The New York Times claims the so-called "iPad mini" will be priced below $499 to meet entry-level market demand.

This article comes from:http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/12/07/17/thousands_apply_at_foxconn_ahead_of_rumored_iphone_ipad_mini_build.html

Apple Releases iOS 6 Beta 3

Apple released iOS 6 beta 3 yesterday, which includes some new Maps settings and Mail icons, among other things.

As noted by MacRumors, the release comes about three weeks after the last beta version. In the brief release notes, Apple said only that beta 3 includes "bug fixes and improvements," but MacRumors set up a thread to chart add-ons as they are discovered.

That thread revealed that iOS 6 beta 3 improvements include auto brightness that increases gradually instead of instantly and pictures next to privacy settings. There are also new Maps settings that allow for volume, distance, and label customization, while the Mail app has new icons for junk, trash, and archive.

The iOS 6 beta 2 update did not appear to include any new features. When updating to the new version, however, the icon was animated with spinning gears.

Apple unveiled iOS 6 at its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in June. It will include a revamped Maps app, Siri on the iPad, as well as Facebook integration, and FaceTime video chat over cellular networks.

That revamped Maps app ditches Google Maps in favor of an in-house offering developed by Cupertino. Apple's iOS 6 is expected in the fall, likely with the release of the next-gen iPhone. The last version, iOS 5, came out in October alongside iCloud.

This article comes from:http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2407186,00.asp?kc=PCRSS03069TX1K0001121

Retina display technology for the rumored Apple HDTV?

Will new Retina display technology be found in Apple's rumored HDTV? Founder and CEO of DisplayMate Technologies, Raymond Soneira, thinks so. Essentially, he believes that Retina display screens will be used across all premium products from the Cupertino-based company, citing color accuracy as a reason:"Starting with the new iPad 3, images on all future Apple devices and displays will appear visually identical and with extremely accurate colors and images.

Why does Apple need to introduce its own Apple Television with an actual TV screen as opposed to just relying on an Apple TV streaming box connected to some other brand of TV? Because all existing TVs produce inaccurate and inconsistent colors and images that will be poor matches to Apple's own iPhones and iPads.

Consumers will love the fact that everything including their personal photos, TV shows, movies, and videos will all look exactly the same on all Apple devices."Interestingly, he also claimed that the Retina-based Apple HDTV will support only a full-HD resolution.

"There is tremendous confusion (from consumers to Wall Street analysts) as to exactly what a "Retina Display" is in terms of resolution and Pixels Per Inch. Some analysts are saying that an Apple Retina Display Television is years away because the display technology won't be ready for years. That is simply not true... Existing 1,920 x 1,080 HDTVs are already "Retina Displays" in terms of visual sharpness at typical viewing distances.

So, when Apple launches its own Apple Television it will almost certainly have a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 and it will be a True Retina Display Television. The timing of an Apple Television will be up to Apple, but the display technology is already here."

There are two things that I think need to be considered. Firstly, color inconsistency is usually caused by different batches--and sometime different manufacturers--of display panels. Unless Apple is willing to calibrate these screens like professional monitors, it is almost impossible to ensure uniform hues across all its products, even with its Retina display technology.

Secondly, while standard full-HD panels could possibly match Retina display's level of sharpness for film-based content, they usually have issues displaying smoother text and graphics in games and animation, based on my experience. A 4K-resolution panel could be the solution, but is very costly at the moment.

This article comes from:http://asia.cnet.com/retina-display-technology-for-the-rumored-apple-hdtv-62217922.htm

China pips Apple on iPhone 5 launch

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Apple Inc's next-generation iPhone has not even been released yet, but opportunistic sellers on China's largest e-commerce platform, Taobao, are already accepting pre-orders, complete with mock-up pictures and purported technical specifications.

The hotly anticipated iPhone 5 is widely expected to be released sometime between August and October this year, although Apple itself has been tight-lipped about it. Sources have said the iPhone 5 would have a bigger screen than previous models, while Taiwanese media reported the phone's voice recognition software, Siri, would have more powerful functions.

Sellers on Taobao, a unit of Alibaba Group, are accepting orders for the iPhone 5, in some cases asking for a deposit of 1,000 yuan ($160) for the new phone. One seller, "Dahai99888", who started accepting pre-orders this week, is asking for full payment upfront, at a cool 6,999 yuan ($1,100).

Taobao sellers that Reuters spoke with said they planned to buy the iPhone 5 in Hong Kong or the United States and then bring it to mainland China. Apple products are often available in Hong Kong before they are released on the mainland.

The sellers could not promise a specific delivery time. The pre-order activity comes despite the mystery around the iPhone 5 and highlights the intense demand for new Apple products in China.

Apple has not confirmed the specifications, details or price of the latest iPhone but the Internet rumor mill has been in overdrive, churning out photo renderings and pictures of purported iPhone 5 engineering samples, and speculating endlessly on its technical specifications and functions.

Apple did not respond to requests for comment. "Demand is high, yesterday someone just bought two phones. Altogether we have about two dozen orders," said one seller on Taobao who went by the nickname Xiaoyu.

Demand for Apple products in China is so high that many consumers buy smuggled goods in order get them before the official China release. Earlier this year scalpers queued overnight outside a Beijing store for the latest version of the iPhone 4, only to pelt it with eggs after Apple decided against selling the phone at the store because of security concerns.

"It's not so easy to bring the phones from overseas, there's a limit to how many you can carry in ... If we could bring in a few thousand that will be great!," said Xiaoyu.

One enterprising seller posted a list of 17 possible new iPhone 5 features and gave a percentage probability that they would be included in the new device. For example, bio-metric capability has a 20 percent chance of being a feature on the iPhone 5, according to this seller.

Apple, which recently settled an iPad trademark lawsuit with a Shenzhen technology firm, said on Tuesday it would release its latest iPad in China on July 20.

Apple has five stores in mainland China and plans to open flagship stores in the major Chinese cities of Chengdu and Shenzhen, according to government officials.

This article comes from:http://news.yahoo.com/china-pips-apple-iphone-5-launch-071605454--finance.html;_ylt=A2KJjbxpmP5PIBgAxSDQtDMD