Author Topic: VoicePics - A Toy App that encourages toddlers to Babble (Read 31,676 times)

mouser · « **on:** May 12, 2011, 10:15 AM »

I want to give a little teaser for a new toy app i've been working on for very young kids who are just learning to start to speak.

It's based on my MultiPhotoQuotes engine.

Tentatively called "VoicePics", this program runs full screen (across multiple monitors if present) and listens for a child to speak or press a key.

If the program detects something being spoken, it finds the best match for a word it has photos for, and displays some random photos for that word, as well as the word text.
If a key on the keyboard is pressed, a word beginning with the pressed key is displayed, along with some photos for that word.

Users can add their own photos easily, so you can customize it with pictures of mom, dad, sister, brother, dog, cat, house, etc. It will scan labeled photos on startup and add those words to its vocabulary.

It uses the microsoft speech recognition engine, which is ok but not ideal. I wouldn't expect to be able to use this to teach any kid how to pronounce words -- it's more to encourage very young kids to babble and give them the experience of having what they speak affect what it shown in a semi-consistent manner.

If anyone has any kids of an appropriate age, message me and i'll give you a link to a beta version.

I hope people will help by making some additional image packs for the program from royalty free photo sources.

Sample screenshot:

I need suggestions for an official name for this -- the working title is "VoicePics" but i think it needs a better one.

mouser · « **Reply #1 on:** May 12, 2011, 10:39 AM »

I should note that while this toy app is not suitable for teaching your kids how to pronounce words, it is very useful for preparing them at an early age for the frustrations of using a Speech Recognition system.

app103 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 12, 2011, 05:45 PM »

Quote from: mouser on May 12, 2011, 10:39 AM

I should note that while this toy app is not suitable for teaching your kids how to pronounce words, it is very useful for preparing them at an early age for the frustrations of using a Speech Recognition system.

Deozaan · « **Reply #3 on:** May 13, 2011, 12:09 AM »

Quote from: mouser on May 12, 2011, 10:15 AM

I need suggestions for an official name for this -- the working title is "VoicePics" but i think it needs a better one.

BabyBabble

cranioscopical · « **Reply #4 on:** May 13, 2011, 02:18 AM »

Quote from: Deozaan on May 13, 2011, 12:09 AM

BabyBabble

Or, playing off of that, The Babbling Book.

Gothi[c] · « **Reply #5 on:** May 13, 2011, 04:27 AM »

SPEDEROFOHUNCO

Speech Development Robot for Humans under Construction

Target · « **Reply #6 on:** May 13, 2011, 05:11 AM »

FARRFARRFARR?

Ath · « **Reply #7 on:** May 13, 2011, 06:24 AM »

Quote from: Deozaan on May 13, 2011, 12:09 AM

BabyBabble

+2c

mouser · « **Reply #8 on:** May 13, 2011, 07:18 AM »

babybabble is a good name but too many hits on google -- should be a name that is a bit more unique.

cranioscopical · « **Reply #9 on:** May 13, 2011, 01:55 PM »

Quote from: Target on May 13, 2011, 05:11 AM

FARRFARRFARR

Coincidentally, that's a way that I'd like you to go.

cranioscopical · « **Reply #10 on:** May 13, 2011, 01:58 PM »

See Talk

C'est si bien

ChatterView

kilele · « **Reply #11 on:** May 13, 2011, 03:15 PM »

BabyChitchat

Chitchattoddler

cmpm · « **Reply #12 on:** May 13, 2011, 03:27 PM »

Illustrated Word Baby

?

skwire · « **Reply #13 on:** May 13, 2011, 03:51 PM »

Toddler Talk
Baby Vox

Josh · « **Reply #14 on:** May 13, 2011, 03:53 PM »

Toddler speak and spell robot

daddydave · « **Reply #15 on:** May 13, 2011, 04:34 PM »

Given the description of the intended audience as "just learning to start to speak" and since children try to speak long before they toddle, that would seem to rule out any variation of "toddle" or "toddler" in the name.

Well, I just noticed "toddler" in the subject line so never mind.

jaden · « **Reply #16 on:** May 13, 2011, 05:31 PM »

I'd be willing to help test it. My 3 year-old would probably enjoy it and my 4 month old could be a backup if development takes a long time

Here are some name ideas I came up with:

SpeakNC
BabyPrattle
BabyGab
BabyTox
Babyak
PrattlePix
ChatterPix
ShowTot
MiteSight
TykeSee

Deozaan · « **Reply #17 on:** May 13, 2011, 07:06 PM »

Ooh, I like Toddler Talk (or Toddle Talk) and PrattlePics.

Stoic Joker · « **Reply #18 on:** May 13, 2011, 08:53 PM »

To avoid a name that age limits it, how about Little Voice Commander

mouser · « **Reply #19 on:** May 13, 2011, 09:40 PM »

Quote

"Little Voice Commander"

I like that one.

I liked some of the others too, but many, like BabyVox, came up with existing products.

kyrathaba · « **Reply #20 on:** May 13, 2011, 10:04 PM »

GooGooGaaGaa
PrattleRattle
MeSee-Say"Hay!" (Jar-Jar-Binks suggested this one...)
MonkeyHear-MonkeySay
SpunkyStarter
BabbleBooster

cthorpe · « **Reply #21 on:** May 13, 2011, 10:08 PM »

No name ideas, but I got a little guy who can test it for you.

cranioscopical · « **Reply #22 on:** May 14, 2011, 03:12 AM »

Quote from: Stoic Joker on May 13, 2011, 08:53 PM

Little Voice Commander

Nice one!

and, at the drop of a vowel

mouser can begin work on the sequel for the somewhat older child… Little Vice Commander.

daddydave · « **Reply #23 on:** May 14, 2011, 03:48 AM »

Quote from: Stoic Joker on May 13, 2011, 08:53 PM

To avoid a name that age limits it, how about Little Voice Commander

The nice thing about this name is that is conveys the child is actually giving orders.

mouser · « **Reply #24 on:** May 16, 2011, 12:29 AM »

Any feedback from beta users?

Also: I'd love help making some additional image packs appropriate for kids.