WARNING – ADULT MATERIAL BELOW!

Click to download high-res version

What is it? Social Sex is the world’s largest dating network in which adults can meet other men, women and couples in their area for a sexual rendezvous. With more than 20 million members, Social Sex guarantees consumers will hook up with like-minded singles and couples who just want to get it on.

Social Sex makes online dating easy and fun by offering:

• Member-to-member video chat
• Instant messaging with webcams and audio
• Member chat rooms and message boards
• Search options based on geography, sexual preferences and more
• Sex boosters and dating advice
• Erotic stories
• Swingers clubs
• Videos on demand
• XXX book store
• DVD store
• Viagra samples and penis enhancers

Where is it? Social Sex is available internationally at socialsex.com.

How much is it? Social Sex has free memberships available to adult consumers in addition to multiple paid levels.

Story Ideas:

1. Hook ups have never been so easy. Social Sex makes it easy to find other singles and couples who want to get it on. Their search options, message boards and chat rooms make it easy to find the right rendezvous for you.
2. Find partners with similar sexual preferences. Thanks to Social Sex, consumers can find others that prefer to get down just like them, whether they’re LGBTQ, swingers or S&M. With more than 20 million members, Social Sex guarantees consumers will connect with like-minded singles and couples who just want to have fun.

Click to download larger version

What is it? Tote Notes™ is an Android application that allows users to record, transcribe to text, and email notes following important calls with just two taps and their voice. Ideal for busy people, Tote Notes provides automatic prompts for notes on the go that are organized in the user’s email inbox.

Immediately following a phone call, Tote Notes prompts the option to record notes from the conversation. With just one tap, the user can begin recording, and with a second tap, the message is transcribed with Google Voice™ and sent to their email inbox with a subject line that includes the name and number of the contact the note is about. An mp3 of the note is included for the user’s convenience as well.

Tote Notes’ free version provides 30 seconds of recording time for each note and accommodates one destination email address. The pro version allows up to 2 minutes of recording time and a secondary email address, which can be used as a “CC” to another person or email address, such as an assistant or collaborator.

Benefits of Tote Notes include:

• It fits any business or organization. Professionals can easily use Tote Notes as it is, or use the application programming interface to customize Tote Notes to their needs.
• It’s incredibly easy. Two taps and a verbal message is all it takes.
• It never gets in the way. Tote Notes prompts the user following a call and fades away if they don’t need it.
• It can be used manually. If the user remembers a detail from the phone conversation hours later, they can easily view their note history and tap on any contact to record a new Tote Note manually.

Click to download larger version

Where is it? Tote Notes is available now on the Android Market and will soon be available in other selected outlets. Find out more about the app at tote-notes.com.

How much is it? Tote Notes is free, although a pro version is available for $3.99.

Story Idea: Notes for Pros On-The-Go. Tote Notes is perfect for busy professionals on the go. In between phone meetings, they can leave themselves a few notes that are organized in an email inbox and can be CC’ed to an assistant or collaborator!

Tote Notes is perfect for:

• CEO and top executives
• Salespersons
• Executive Assistants
• Business Owners
• Field personnel such as repair and support staff
• Busy Moms
• Students

The era of voice-based computing is here! Tote Notes has arrived at a time in which voice-based computing is becoming a reality. From using the app to record portions of meetings to using it as a simplified or mini-CRM (Customer Relationship Manager) solution, users have found Tote Notes’ flexibility provides a lot of options for every day use.

Click to download larger version

Click to download high-res version

Step Into eCommerce, Today!

What is it? Pure-Ecommerce.com creates and sells complete turnkey, ready-to-go Internet businesses that come with everything needed to run a successful company online, including 40 hours of step-by-step mentoring, consultation and training geared toward the first-time ecommerce business owner. Clients save months of research and are able to purchase a completely set-up Internet business with dropped shipped products, meaning the client holds no inventory. Pure-Ecommerce.com has been in business for 5 years and has created over 250 turnkey Internet businesses for their clients.

Pure-Ecommerce.com strives to simplify the process while teaching business owners how to create, run and grow their companies. As the former owners of one of the largest online maternity clothing boutiques and with 11 years of e-commerce experience, Pure-Ecommerce.com has the expertise to teach clients how to run a successful e-commerce business from home.

Pure-Ecommerce.com helps make the Internet business a reality from conception to creation through two turnkey website options:

1. Business in a Box: A turnkey Business in a Box is pre-designed and built by Pure-Ecommerce.com, ready to turn over to the client. The following is completed before the client gets involved:

• Concept creation
• Target market identified
• Vendor relationships established
• Website creation, which includes product listings
• Search engine optimization

Once a client purchases the site, Pure-Ecommerce.com works with the owner one-on-one to teach them every aspect of setting up, running and growing their business.

2. Create Your Dream Business: A custom turnkey Dream Business is one in which the client develops the idea or concept and Pure-Ecommerce.com builds it as a Business in a Box. This allows the business owner to play a bigger role in choosing the design, products and vendors.

Where is it? Consumers can find out more about Pure Ecommerce at www.pure-ecommerce.com, by calling (866) 511-6257 or by emailing info@pure-ecommerce.com.

How much is it? Pure-Ecommerce.com sells complete turnkey sites to business owners for a range of prices from $5,000 to $8,000. This price includes extensive consultation and support for the new business owner.

Story Ideas:

1. Post-Recession Revenue Generation. The recession provided many with the perfect opportunity to start their own business. Pure-Ecommerce.com saw their greatest growth since the recession began, and continues to help Internet companies develop in the post-recession economy.
2. Jump Into Business with Training Wheels. Many first-time business owners can figure out how to enter the online world, but don’t know where to begin when running an online company. Pure-Commerce.com’s step-by-step consulting process includes every aspect of setting up, running and growing an Internet business so owners can learn how to make their ecommerce site successful.
3. Gain Income & Flexibility Working From Home. With Pure-Ecommerce.com, anyone looking for additional income – from stay-at -home moms to those looking for a career change – can have the freedom of working for themselves, start with a business that’s already set up and benefit from the experience, knowledge and expertise of someone who has already been there.
4. Pure E-commerce.com Celebrates 5 Years Launching Dreams. Since 2007, Jennifer Varner and Pure-Ecommerce.com has helped over 250 people make their dreams of owning and running Internet businesses a reality. Pure-Ecommerce.com’s turnkey business solutions and step-by-step consulting process allow people with no Internet business experience the opportunity to start and grown their own online companies.
5. Baby Boomers Can Work Anywhere in the World. Pure-Ecommerce.com’s turnkey solutions mean baby boomers can enjoy extra income by running an ecommerce business from wherever they choose to retire. No inventory means all they need is a computer with an internet connection to get started.

Jennifer Varner, President of Pure-Ecommerce.com

What else? Pure-Ecommerce.com President Jennifer Varner began the site in 2007 after gaining experience and success through starting one of the largest online maternity clothing stores. Started from her kitchen table, Jennifer was the ultimate Mompreneur. After selling her company she began the process of helping others achieve their goals of owning their own online business.

Click to download high-res version

What is it? The Retro Dome is Silicon Valley’s home to professional musical theatre, retro movies, live music and comedy. The theatre stands out as a truly unique destination entertainment venue by offering a vast array of theatrical events including original works, revivals of Broadway/Off-Broadway hits and U.S./International touring productions in addition to a diverse collection of favorite classic movies from 1939 through 1999.

The Retro Dome is proud to introduce two new live musicals for Bay Area audiences:

Click to download high-res version

Becoming Britney is a caustic (but loving) PG-rated fable that chronicles the rise, the dip, and the salvation of a foolhardy celebrity phenom. Part parody, part homage, this high-octane award-winning musical manages to elevate itself above standard musical satire and pop culture snark to add a layer of heart.

Becoming Britney, which was honored at the prestigious New York International Fringe Festival, features 14 original songs that pay homage to multiple musical theatre genres; they include a comical waltz between Britney and K-Fed as they both agree the other is, “The Love of My Life (So Far),” a show-stopper called “Push It Out” in which Brit has two babies, and “Out of Control,” a swingin’ jive number about her downward spiral with the help of friends Lindsay and Paris.

The show features New York International Fringe Festival Award-winning actress Molly Bell* in the title role; Keith Pinto*, Adam Barry*, and Lizzie O’Hara (all Retro Dome favorites); and newcomers, Leanne Borghesi* and Danelle Medeiros.

Becoming Britney opens Friday, February 10 and closes Sunday, March 11. Shows will run Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm.

*Member, Actors’ Equity Association

Click to download high-res image

Thanks For Playing: The Game Show Show! is a new musical comedy that celebrates America’s love affair with TV game shows. Night after night in the 1950s and ‘60s, network game shows kept Americans glued to their sets waiting to see who would become the next BIG WINNER! With original music that borrows from a bygone era, a witty (scandal-filled!) script, audience participation, unpredictable contestants, and fabulous prizes, Thanks For Playing! will bring the game show world to life in this world premier on The Retro Dome stage this spring. More details coming soon!

Thanks For Playing! was written by Scott, Shannon and Stephen Guggenheim, the brains behind The Retro Dome and creators of the wildly popular holiday favorite, “The MeshugaNutcracker!”

Click to download high-res version

Where is it? The Retro Dome is conveniently located near the intersection of three cities: San Jose, Saratoga and Campbell, CA, at 1694 Saratoga Ave in San Jose, Calif. 95129 (at the corner of Saratoga Avenue and Prospect Road).

Where can I get tickets? Tickets can be purchased online (http://www.theretrodome.com, click on “Buy Tickets Online”), over the phone (408-404-7711) or in person. The Box Office window is open Tuesday through Friday from 1:00pm to 4:00pm and by appointment, and phone orders can be placed Tuesday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. During event days, The Retro Dome is open 90 minutes prior to showtime.

How much is it? Tickets range in price depending on the production, movie or event.

Becoming Britney tickets are $44.00 Regular Adult; $33.00 Senior, Student, Accessibility, Military; Group Discounts are available.

Retro Movies range from $7 – $10. Special Events (like sing-alongs and other interactive events) range from $10 – $15. There are discounts available for children and seniors.

More information is available online at www.theretrodome.com, by phone at 408-404-7711 or by email at one of the following addresses:

General Questions: contactus @ guggyent . com
Box Office Questions: boxoffice @ guggyent . com
Rental Questions: rentals @ guggyent . com
Media Questions: erikamontgomery @ threegirlsmedia . com  or emilysidley @ threegirlsmedia . com

Facebook & Twitter: The Retro Dome’s fans can also follow the newest and grooviest performing arts center on Twitter and Facebook.

Story Ideas:

1. How does a pop sensation wind up bald and trapped in her own musical? And can musicals save her soul??? A caustic (but loving) PG-rated fable that chronicles the rise, the dip, and the salvation of a foolhardy celebrity phenom, “Becoming Britney” at The Retro Dome is part parody, part homage. This high-octane award-winning musical manages to elevate itself above standard musical satire and pop culture snark to add a layer of heart.
2. Come on down! Want to experience the thrill of game shows at the height of their popularity? “Thanks For Playing: The Game Show Show!” will give audiences the opportunity to experience the quiz show era of the ‘50s and ‘60s.

Click to download high-res version

What else? The Retro Dome is under the management of Guggenheim Entertainment, LLC. Husband and wife business partners, Scott and Shannon Guggenheim, along with Scott’s brother, Stephen, have reimagined the former Century 25 movie theatre into a truly unique destination entertainment venue.

Becoming Britney Photos:

Click to download high-res version

Click to download high-res version

Click to download high-res version

Click to download high-res version

Click to download high-res version

Click to download high-res version

Click to download high-res version

What is it? Fidex by Animage is a diagnostic imaging system for veterinary practices and research laboratories that combines computed tomography (CT), digital radiography (DR) and fluoroscopy in one machine. Fidex can also be configured as just CT or as a combination of CT with one or both of the other imaging modalities. Combining imaging modalities into one system saves money, space and energy, making in-house imaging a more realistic possibility for many practices. The benefits of Fidex include:

• Access to advanced, high-quality 3-D imaging in-house
• Ease of use
• Small footprint
• Low cost of ownership

Click to download high-res version

Who is behind it? Fidex is made by Animage, LLC, a subsidiary of Exxim Computing Corporation. Animage was founded in 2008 and develops and manufactures state-of-the-art radiological imaging equipment specifically for veterinary practices and research environments.

Where is it? Animage is based in Pleasanton, Calif. and has installed Fidex systems around the world. You can read complete product specification and view sample images at animage.com.

Click to download high-res version

Story Idea: Animage’s Fidex can help veterinary practices. This diagnostic imaging system combines modalities saves money, space and energy into one system to make in-house imaging a realistic possibility.

A step beyond your traditional beauty salon, Z – Beauty Lounge offers hair & skin care services in additional to a charming boutique environment where you can pamper yourself and relax in a comfortable atmosphere. All of our staff are highly experienced and offer you the absolute best in skin & hair care.

Where is it? 700 S. Winchester Blvd. Suite 30, San Jose, CA 95128

Find out more at www.z-beautylounge.com.

Mark Guthrie
Westface Financial and Insurance Services

Click to download high-res version

Who is it? Mark Guthrie is the co-founder of Westface Financial and has more than 25 years of financial industry experience, which includes launching the Northern California financial advisory firm, serving as CEO of the publically traded online financial services marketing firm InsWeb, holding senior management positions in securities and insurance operations for the financial services firm Industrial Indemnity, and serving as a college professor of business and international finance.

Mark holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in finance and international finance. Mark is a public speaker in seminars, workshops, conferences, and has appeared on TV News segments as a financial expert.

What is it? Westface Financial offers financial advice to families and small businesses in all areas of financial management including investments, debt management, college funding, business succession planning, asset protection, and retirement planning. The firm’s approach to helping clients is unique because they not only focus on asset management, but also on client’s hidden financial inefficiencies.

Their areas of expertise include:

• Financial Modeling and Planning
• College Funding Planning
• Business Succession Planning
• Retirement Planning
• Estate Planning
• Asset Risk Management
• Asset Management and Protection
• Equity and Fixed Income Portfolio Construction
• Insured asset offerings such as annuities, variable annuities, cash value life insurance
• The firm has advisors licensed to transact, financial planning, securities, and insurance (Auto, Home, Umbrella, Life, Annuities, Disability, Long Term Care)

When? Westface Financial works with clients in all phases of their lives:

• Getting started with their long term plans when children are first born
• Dealing with saving for college, managing the expenses, and helping parents navigate the complex world of college financial aid and asset prioritization
• Advising small business owners on how to protect their ownership interest and build effective succession plans
• Helping to build and protect the retirement nest egg and optimizing the spending strategies during retirement
• Ensuring an efficient estate plan to make the wealth transfer to children and grandchildren effective and tax efficient

Where is it? Westface Financial works with clients throughout Northern California. They have clients throughout the SF Bay area, Sacramento, Truckee and North Lake Tahoe. More information about them is also available at www.westfacefinancial.com.

Why? Studies show that most families are inefficient with their money and don’t have enough to maintain their lifestyle during retirement. Families need help with the complex and confusing world of investment and insurance from an experienced, independent, caring advisory firm.

How? Through face to face meetings with clients, Westface advisors offer a unique focus, process, and set of planning tools to help educate, analyze, and recommend actions for the family finances.

Season 1 Book Cover - Click to download high-res version

What is it? The Chapel Chronicles is a comic book, line of comic strips and assortment of greeting cards & collectibles featuring Chapel Smith, a quirky 11-year-old girl who favors hats with personality. The 44 pages of The Chapel Chronicles, Volume One contain 32 colored, four-paneled hand-drawn comic strips. Created by 14-year-old Emma T Capps, The Chapel Chronicles follow Chapel in her adventures with her babysitter/nemesis Fred, household chores, pop music, and her prickly hedgehog companion Sir Rupert Tennyson Bollingsworth the First.

The Chapel Chronicles are:

• Universally appealing. Chapel’s wit and unique voice make her a character that is appreciated by fans of all ages.
• Wildly imaginative. Whether Chapel is wrestling with plastic wrap or begging her parents for a puppy, each comic is bound to deliver something unexpected.
• A refreshing perspective. Most comic characters (even the ones about kids) are written by adults. Chapel is authentic because her author is a kid, too.
• Bilingual. Emma T Capps writes The Chapel Chronicles and author commentary in both English and Spanish, utilizing her fluency in both languages.

The first season of the Chapel Chronicles is available as a comic book in both magazine and manga size. Consumers also have the option of two covers, the original (see above) or special edition Gaga design (see below).

Click to download high-res version

Click to download high-res version

Who is it? Emma T Capps is a 14-year old award-winning author, artist and cartoonist who created The Chapel Chronicles comic book, line of comic strips and greeting cards & collectibles. Emma has had 25 works of art and writing published in national magazines such as Stone Soup, Creative Kids, and Skipping Stones. She won a Gold Medal in the 2011 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards for her comic book Jam Days, in addition to a Merit Award from California for her poetry collection Postcard Dreams.

Emma exhibited her comics at the Alternative Press Expo in San Francisco in October 2011 and was the youngest exhibitor at the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art’s MoCCA Fest in April 2011. She donated all her MoCCA proceeds to 826 Valencia, a San Francisco-based nonprofit youth writing center where she also teaches a comic book workshop. Emma recently graduated from 8th grade at The Nueva School in Hillsborough, California and is now being homeschooled. She is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Where is it? Readers can read Chapel’s latest adventures and find out more about creator Emma T Capps at www.chapelchronicles.com, or visit the Chapel Chronicles Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ChapelChronicles.  Weekly installments of The Chapel Chronicles plus an online store with The Chapel Chronicles 44-page book (available in manga & magazine size) and Chapel-themed gifts, cards and collectibles can be found online at www.chapelchronicles.com/catalog or from our comic store partners (which can be found here).

When is it? The Chapel Chronicles are updated every Friday in English & Spanish, with author’s commentary for each strip in both languages at www.chapelchronicles.com.

How much is it? Weekly comics are free online. The Chapel Chronicles, Volume One, a collection of 32 fully-colored hand-drawn comics, is $4.99 for the manga size or $5.99 for the magazine size. Consumers have the option to choose the standard cover or the limited-edition Lady Gaga cover. Jam Days, Winner of a National Gold Medal in the 2011 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, is $2.99.

Click to download high-res version

Story Ideas:

1. Savvy teen turned author and artist. At just 14 years old, Emma T Capps is already an award-winning author, artist and cartoonist, and is learning to balance her business endeavors with school and everyday life. She has parlayed her comic creation, The Chapel Chronicles, into a popular weekly webcomic and a series of gifts & collectibles – and there’s much more on the horizon.
2. Meet Chapel: Wit and wisdom from an unlikely heroine. Chapel Smith may be an 11-year-old girl with a penchant for unusual hats, but she’s also wise beyond her years. Check out the weekly webcomic by 14-year-old Emma T Capps for Chapel’s adventures dealing with everyday issues – like chores, parents, and pop music – with a dose of wit and a wild imagination.

Season 1 Book Cover, Special Edition Gaga Design - Click to download high-res version

Click to download high-res version

Click to download high-res version

Click to download high-res version

Click to download high-res version

Click to download high-res version

Click to download high-res version

Click to download high-res version

ClearCause Foundation

What is it? ClearCause™ Foundation is a 501c3 organization dedicated to keeping American children and students safe on foreign soil by holding youth travel, exchange and study abroad programs to the highest standards. The organization wants to engage youth, students and families in decisions and policy affecting their safety abroad while celebrating strong achievers and safety advocates.

Roughly 45 million American children and students have the opportunity to travel, exchange, volunteer or study abroad every year. Despite student travel status as a $17+ billion industry in the United States, the youth-travel, foreign exchange and study-abroad industry lacks appropriate federal regulations to prevent abuse, abandonment, and even deaths among children and students traveling abroad in the care of third parties.

ClearCause was founded by Allen and Sheryl Hill, parents of Tyler Hill. Tyler was just 16 when he died a preventable death on a student travel trip to Japan in 2007. ClearCause is committed to minimum standards and public reporting that is reliable, mandated, enforced, reviewed and optimized. The nonprofit organization is working to keep American children and students safe through:

• Cross industry collaboration on federal guidelines and minimum standards of the youth travel, student exchange and study abroad industry to help protect young Americans from injury, being scammed, denied health care, mistreatment, abandonment, abuse, rape or death while abroad.
• An easy-access crisis response mechanism that instantly connects young travelers with their families, emergency contacts, US consular, timely police or FBI protection, appropriate medical care and legal representation before being expatriated.
• A federally mandated, user-friendly database of ethics, tragedies, casualties and illnesses on youth travel, cultural exchange and study abroad programs so that Americans can make informed decisions about the safety of a youth travel, foreign exchange or study abroad programs.
• An engaging and fun app to qualify and train students on program selection and safe practices abroad – Traveling Youth & Students Standards of Safety, TY&S SOS app or the SafeTY app – Safe Traveling Youth.
• The SimpleTruth campaign – Remembering America’s children who died or were incomprehensibly damaged abroad.
• Recognitions of stellar performers within the Industry.

Click to download high-res version

ClearCause Coalition

What is it? ClearCause™ Coalition is a nonprofit 501c4 public policy organization working closely with ClearCause Foundation to support safe global youth travel, foreign exchange and study abroad – TYS SOS: Traveling Youth & Student Standards of Safety.

The coalition wants federal oversight with minimum standards and public reporting, and is dedicated to keeping children of America and students traveling and studying abroad safe by holding programs responsible for them to the highest standards possible through thoughtful policies and requirements. As with the ClearCause Foundation, the Coalition wants to engage youth, students and families in decisions and policy affecting their safety abroad ands celebrate strong achievers and safety advocates.

ClearCause Coalition is working on state and federal levels with like-minded organizations and individuals to pursue the following goals:

• Federal oversight & guidelines perform an important role in gathering information on the function of travel abroad programs and ensuring, through oversight and questioning of management officials, that corrupt practices do not take place; insure efficient use of resources while maximizing benefits towards the intended goals or services of the abroad programs.
• Funding for a federal statute-mandated, independent, user-friendly database of incident and casualty information naming the responsible agency, similar to information now available regarding hospital and nursing home safety.
• Clear, uniform rules, regulations and standards of best practices and conduct for the industry with severe penalties (consistent with current and future state and federal laws) for violations. No minimum standards exist today.
• A ‘911’-like emergency response mechanism that instantly connects young travelers, families, industry chaperones, local medical providers, local authorities and national/international agencies when the safety of a young traveler is threatened.
• A universal Bill of Rights and Responsibilities for young travelers, families, chaperones, host families, educators and others principally involved in global educational experiences.

Click to download high-res version

Where is it? More information about ClearCause Foundation is available at www.clearcausefoundation.org. Information about ClearCause Coalition is available at www.clearcausecoalition.org. ClearCause’s headquarters are based in Minnesota.

How much is it? Advice, resources and more from ClearCause are completely reliant on public support and charitable contributions. Consumers can donate their time and resources here and/or sign the petition here.

Consumers can join the ClearCause Coalition to weigh in on hot topics, receive ClearCause communications and advance ClearCause Coalition’s efforts with a $25 membership fee.

Story Ideas:

1. What every parent should know before their kids go on abroad programs. No federal protections, minimum standards or public reporting exists to keep kids and students safe abroad.  Unfortunately not all youth travel and study abroad organizations are created equally. ClearCause™ Foundation offers advice and tips for parents and students for program selection while informing the young traveler of potential scams, abuse, abandonment, and other risks.
2. Why youth and student abroad programs need regulation. Student travel alone has a status as a $17+ billion industry in the United States, despite that, the youth-travel, foreign exchange and study-abroad industry lacks appropriate federal regulations to prevent abuse, abandonment and even deaths among children and students traveling abroad in the care of third-parties. ClearCause™ Coalition is working to keep America’s students safe through thoughtful policies and requirements.

What else? ClearCause’s Donate a Latte campaign is based on the principal that if everyone donated $2 – the cost of a latte – the organization would be able to make a huge difference. They encourage supporters to “Latte-It-Forward” – or contribute what they would spend in a day, week, or month on coffee to help protect our children as they see our world.

ClearCause was founded by Allen and Sheryl Hill, parents of Tyler Hill. Tyler was just 16 when he died a preventable death on a student travel trip to Japan in 2007. Since Tyler’s death, the Hills have worked tirelessly to establish the necessary safeguards to keep our children safe abroad. They proposed the Traveling Youth & Student Standards of Safety (TYS SOS). For more information about Tyler Hill and TYS SOS, visit www.tylerhill.org.

Click to download larger version

Give Your Child a Voice

What is it? TapToTalk™ is an application that lets parents, teachers, and speech and language professionals (SLPs) turn handheld devices like smart phones and tablets into AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) devices to help nonverbal and partially verbal children communicate. TapToTalk is changing lives because it is:

Portable. TapToTalk runs on virtually all popular handheld devices, including iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch®, Nook Color, Nintendo DS products, Android™ phones and tablets, Blackberry™ Playbook®, plus PCs, Macs, netbooks, and tablet computers.

Customizable. TapToTalk Designer easily customizes a child’s TapToTalk. Users can choose pictures from TapToTalk’s library or their own images, add text and sound and arrange in albums. Because TapToTalk Designer is cloud-based, parents, teachers and SLPs can work together to create a customized TapToTalk that is just right for each individual child.

Affordable. Parents and professionals can download the TapToTalk application for free to try it out. Then they can choose a one-year account to TapToTalk Designer for $99.95, or choose a “forever” account for $179.95. TapToTalk can be run on as many devices as the customer would like, at no extra charge. TapToTalk also offers a 30-day no-risk refund policy.

Socially Acceptable. No more unwieldy, expensive AAC devices. TapToTalk offers the capability of a professional-grade AAC device on the handheld devices families and schools already own and use.

Click to download

Where is it? Consumers can find out more about TapToTalk by visiting www.taptotalk.com, or by calling (408) 335-7373.

How much is it? The TapToTalk application is free to download. TapToTalk Designer is $99.95 for one year, or $179.95 “forever.”

Story Ideas:

1. Giving children a voice. Families of children who are nonverbal or partially verbal struggle each and every day with meeting their child’s needs. The desire to be understood without the benefit of language can lead to frustration and despair. But a new application that you can download right onto your smart phone or tablet is changing lives, one picture at a time. TapToTalk is an application that lets parents and teachers turn a handheld device like an iPhone, iPad or Nintendo DS into an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device, to help nonverbal and partially verbal children communicate.
2. Not all AAC apps are created equally. With dozens of communication apps on the market, how do you know which one is right? TapToTalk is not a toy – it’s a powerful, professional-grade AAC application that can be used on the devices parents, teachers, and speech and language professionals already own and use.
3. Technology in the classroom. Meeting the needs of all learners is an ongoing challenge in schools across the country. Learn how some teachers are using assistive technology like TapToTalk to help nonverbal and partially verbal students communicate.

Click to download larger version

What else? Phil Bookman is founder and CEO of Assistyx, the company that developed TapToTalk. Phil has extensive experience starting, growing and running successful technology companies. In addition to his career in high-tech, Phil spent a decade working as a mental health professional, both in private practice and as a program manager at Rehabilitation Mental Health Services and the County of Santa Clara. He serves as president of the board of directors of AchieveKids, a not-for-profit agency that runs special education schools for special needs kids.

Lenny Greenberg is founder and Chief Technology Officer of Assistyx, and brings 20 years of experience leading organizations in planning and developing advanced technology-based products to the company. Lenny is a recognized leader and pioneer in the development and implementation of learning management systems and e-Learning industry standards.