Key Technologies, Inc.
411 South King Street, Morganton, North Carolina28655
Toll Free: 888-433-5303Voice: 828-433-5302 Fax: 828-433-6298
Website: E-mail:
“NOVA chat’s: Top Dynamic AAC Devices and More!”
Kenneth P. Whitley, MA, CCC-Sp.
February 21, 2014
I. The NOVA chat series
A. Integrated Android tablet-based dynamic display AAC device series
B. Three models/sizes; NOVA chat 5, 7, & 10
C. Three versions per size: Standard, Plus (adds literacy features w/WP) and Dedicated
(Medicaid/Medicare Plus version…all tablet features other than AAC are locked out)
D. Fully integrated sound amplifier w/attached handle (handle on NC7 & NC10, optional on NC5)
E. Features the NOVA chat AAC software including over 30 default vocabulary files
F. Comes standard with over 4,000 SymbolStix icons and numerous photographs.
G. PCS symbol set (symbols found in Boardmaker) available as optional accessory
H. Accessible via:
1. Touchscreen
2. Switch scanning (up to two switches)
a. Visual scanning
b. Auditory scanning – one voice for prompt and one voice for message
I. Built-in,functional camera on all versions of the NOVA chat 5 & 10’s.
J. Ivona is default speech synthesizer. Acapela available as add-on option. Recordings may also be used
K. Lithium-polymer battery for all day power
L. 4 color body shells included
M. NOVA chat Editor software included (Windows only) and USB cable included (for data transfer)
IV. NOVA chat 5 - Smallest of NOVA chat series. 5” touchscreen, weighs only 0.95 lbs., measures 5.8” x 3.5” x 1.5”
V. NOVA chat 7 – Mid-size NOVA chat. 7” touchscreen, weighs only 1.4 lbs., measures 7.48” x 4.74” x 1.62”
VI: NOVA chat 10 - Largest NOVA chat device. 10” touchscreen, weighs only 2.2 lbs., measures 10.5” x 7.5” x 1.5”
VII. NOVA chats use NOVA chat AAC software
A. Each NOVA chat device includes manyready-made vocabulary files, featuring…
1. Vocabularies for both children and adults
2. Vocabularies featuring predominantly picture icons with text
3. Vocabularies featuring predominantly text
4. Vocabularies ranging from 4 buttons per page to 80 buttons per page
5. Ready-made vocabulary files include communication files as well as scenes for further teaching
B. All NOVA chats may be customized for individual usage, either directly on the device or via a
computer through the use of the NOVA chat Editor software.
C. NOVA chat Editor software is one of the most user friendly dynamic programs to learn and use
D. Buttons may easily be edited, created, removed. Customizations may be for communication or
teaching new concepts (new message pages, new scenes)
E. Scenes – Great for teaching new material as well as placing material in natural contexts
VIII. Health Insurance “Dedicated” (Medicare/Medicaid/Other Heath Insurance) vs. “Open” versions of NOVA chats
A. “Dedicated” versions are only able to function as Speech Generating Devices (SGD’s). Only able to operate
and utilize the built-in AAC program (in this instance…the NOVA chat software)
1. Negative: User cannot access anything outside the NOVA chat program
2. Positive: User cannot access anything outside the NOVA chat program
B. Users of the “Open” versions of the NOVA chat may use it as an AAC device plus have access to all of the
Android tablet’s other capabilities/features (WiFi, internet, text messaging, e-mail, use of other apps, etc.)
1. Positive: User can access everything outside the NOVA chat program
2. Negative: User can access everything outside the NOVA chat program
C. A “Dedicated” version may be unlocked to become an “Open” version via a $50.00 fee. The unit may then
be relocked and unlocked as desired via a password (Kiosk and Menu Lock Modes).
D. The NOVA chat Editor program (Win CD)
1. Included with every NOVA chat along with a USB cable
2. Allows NOVA chat programming/backing up to occur on a PC and then transfer to the NOVA chat
3. Permits transferring of music, photos, videos, etc. to “Dedicated” NOVA chats.
IX. Now, what else can NOVA chats do?
A. English/Spanish America NOVA chats
B. MP3 Files
C. E-mail/Social Media
D. Launch other Android Apps from a communication page button
X. New English/Spanish America NOVA chatversions
A. Available in all three models/sizes; NOVA chat 5, 7, & 10
B. Available in all three versions: Standard, Plus, and Dedicated
C. Available in either Ivona or Acapela speech synthesizers
D. Ivona includes standard English voices and 4 additional Spanish voices
E. Acapela includes standard English voices and 3 additional Spanish voices
F. Provides all standard English vocabulary files found on English-only NOVA chats
G. Adds 6 new Spanish vocabulary files including…
1. MultiChat 15 Spanish4. Tecado (a Spanish Keyboard)
2. MultiChat 15 Bilingual5. Sintaxis 4x4 English & Spanish
3. Vocab PC6. Sintaxis 4x5 English/Spanish
H. English/Spanish America software update available for English-only NOVA chats
XI. MP3 Files - Short recordings of music, special effects, and other sound files (up to 1 Meg only)
A. Add music or other sound content to NOVA chat buttons.
B. Directly on “Open” versions
C. Through the NOVA chat Editor software on “Dedicated” versions
XII. E-mail & Social Media
A. Only in an “Open” version
B. User may create and send e-mails and other messages within NOVA chat via...
1. Gmail or other e-mail accounts
2. Twitter
3. Others may work as well
C. Cannot directly view received e-mails or messages within NOVA chat
XIII. Launch other Android Apps via a NOVA chat button
A. Only in an “Open” version
B. Examples
1. Music players
2. Video players
3. Games
4. Any Android app
C. User can return to NOVA chat via the touchscreen
D. User cannot return to NOVA chat via switch scanning
XIV. Support of NOVA chat AAC devices
A. Unlimited toll free technical support from both Key Technologies, Inc. and Saltillo
B. Free speakerphone/conference trainings from Key Technologies, Inc.
C. Free onsite trainings for groups and evaluation centers from Key Technologies, Inc.
D. Free online webinar videos from Saltillo
XV. In summary, please remember...
A. NOVA chats are fully-integrated, tablet-based, powerful, user-friendly dynamic-display AAC devices
B. Each NOVA chats are shipped with many, and varied, message files
C. Accessible by both touch screen and switch scanning
D. MP3 files and other content may be incorporated into NOVA chat message files
E. NOVA chats are covered by Medicaid, Medicare, and health insurance
1