# iMean

> Text-based communication app with word suggestions for assistive use. (iPhone/iPad app by Burgeon & Flourish, LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/imean/id364906155 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Burgeon & Flourish, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1328887299)
- Category: Education, Productivity
- Price: $4.99
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 3 App Store ratings · 12 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.4 · 10 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2010-04-01
- Data updated: 2026-08-29
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/imean/id364906155/reviews.md

## What is iMean?

iMean turns iPad and now iPhone into a letterboard with large easy-to-read keys and word suggestions. I developed it to help my autistic son communicate and formulate his thoughts and for us it has been a huge success (he was 15 when we launched this app and he is now in college). Richie Meade-Miller did the programming.  My son enjoys the word suggestions not just for speed but because they make him read. Our customers include many typers living with nonspeaking autism, as well as people with stroke.

We have found iPad makes it easy to switch into this app from reading or watching a video so we can discuss what we are studying and then switch back again. 

Unlike icon-based systems this app is dedicated to text and the subtleties of expression and immense developmental potential that using text and formulating abstract thoughts offers many people on the autistic spectrum. 

The app saves what's been spelled and features large YES and NO buttons in the main view. 

iMean's word prediction offers up to three possible word suggestions as the user is typing. These can be selected with one tap of the finger. This speeds communication and also fosters visual scanning and reading as the user looks at the words and considers whether they are what she or he is trying to spell.  

There are four views, a large keyboard in alphabetical order, a full-screen qwerty keyboard, a numeric view for entering numbers and an editing view that makes use of the standard iPad QWERTY keyboard as well as the Apple-built edit, select and copy functions which can be used to transfer the text to other applications such as word processing and mail.

iMean has the ability to speak the text that is entered.

 Comments and feature requests are welcome via info@burgeonandflourish.com.

## Key features

- Large, easy-to-read keys
- Word suggestions for speed and reading practice
- Dedicated text-based communication
- Large YES/NO buttons
- Text-to-speech functionality
- Multiple keyboard layouts (alphabetical, QWERTY)
- Editing and copy functions

## Chart rankings

- #190 in Top Paid · Education (US App Store)

## Recent user reviews (10 of 12)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/imean/id364906155/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Fantastic App for Nonspeakers!

*2023-05-17*

This app makes your phone a communication device that speaks your words! You can use it in ABC or QWERTY mode and it has a screen for doing math problems. You can also save everything you type and export it to a computer. This simple app was created by a nonspeaking typer and his family and made available to our community for the unbelievable price of $5. You can also get it for your iPad. It’s all you need to set you free!

### 5/5 — Ms

*2014-09-06*

This app is great!  My husband had a stroke that affected his speech and he isn't able to talk. Being able to type words on his iPad is wonderful and he doesn't feel so helpless!  Thanks so much!!

### 5/5 — Mr.

*2012-12-30*

For people who have no verbal abilities but who are literate and who also may use Facilitated Communication, this app is truly a gift.  It opens up so many options for 'speaking' in day to day situations.  It's easy to use! Being able to use this app on the very portable iPad is a huge advantage over the older & more cumbersome pieces of technology. A thousand Thanks to whoever developed this app for the iPad!

### 4/5 — Just needs a few enhancements

*2011-12-26*

My son with CP loves using iMean to communicate. He loves having a voice and on a device that can do so much. But, there are a few annoyances in iMean.

First is the small space bar. He often hits Z or Y when atempting to use space. It would be great if that were just slightly larger.

Second is that there is no indicator on the sentence display that a space was successfully registered. An underline or centered dot would show that space was hit.

Third, there are no space, backspace, or clear buttons on the numeric keypad. My son uses iMean for his math homework and has to constantly switch to the alpha pad for those functions.

And last, it would be nice to be able to disable the phrases interface. We never use it, but frequently end up in it accidentally.

We love iMean and will continue to use it for as long as it is supported.

### 5/5 — Great value and performance!

*2011-09-22*

I am an AAC specialist and use this app in my clinic.  Keyguards are now available for it via www.laseredpics.biz.  They are very reasonably priced and service is prompt!  I'd love to see color options available in an update, if possible.

### 2/5 — It didn't speak

*2011-06-07*

I bought this app to try it out, but when I typed "hi" and press the gray box to say it, but it did not say it.

### 4/5 — not what i thought it would be

*2011-05-12*

I wanted just a large text writing tool on a clear screen. This app has a copy of large letters KEYBOARD on the screen so that fingers can find the letters easily. 

 My child can see the and type on regular keys, we just wanted to see the typing (TEXT on the SCREEN) in a larger font.  My mistake in reading the app.

### 5/5 — Better than ever!

*2011-03-20*

For a very brief time the imean did not work well after the recent ipad update.  It is working perfectly now and is a wonderful tool for helping a young autistic boy I know communicate.  This would also be great for anyone who cannot speak for any reason.  It is easy to use, fast, and facilitates language skills.  Highly recommend this!

This application should be available to anyone who cannot talk ... hospitals should use it to communicate with people who have had throat surgery or cannot talk because they have a ventilator.  It works smoothly and beautifully and the new voice feature is perfect.

### 5/5 — Voice output shoots this app to the top of the list!

*2011-03-19*

My non-verbal typer son has used iMean since it came it out because the word prediction is great and easy to use and also because the program stores the the typer's writings. Now the app has voice output! This one has it all now -- yes/no button choices on the keyboard page, great word prediction, storage and voice output! Thank you iMean for the latest and greatest update!

### 5/5 — Love it!

*2011-01-25*

This app is completely worth the price! I am a speech pathologist and I work with children with brain injuries. Many of my patients are unable to communicate verbally early in their recovery. Most of these kids also have physical limitations which make it very difficult for them to access the standard keyboard on the iPad. This app provides a large keyboard, word prediction and the best part...the tap&hold function!! This function makes a HUGE difference in accuracy for these children with motor impairments. The only thing that would make it better is if it could "speak" the message.   
One suggestion I would make to the developer is to make this app easier to find. I stumbled upon this when searching for a larger keyboard for about an hour...I still don't know how I finally found it!

## Frequently asked questions about iMean

### What is iMean used for?

iMean is a communication app designed to help individuals, particularly those with autism or who have experienced a stroke, express themselves through text. It provides a large keyboard and word suggestions to facilitate communication.

### How does iMean help with communication?

iMean offers large, easy-to-read keys and intelligent word suggestions that can be selected with a single tap. This speeds up communication and can also encourage reading and visual scanning as users consider the suggested words.

### What are the different keyboard views in iMean?

iMean features four distinct views: a large alphabetical keyboard, a full-screen QWERTY keyboard, a numeric view for entering numbers, and an editing view that utilizes standard iPad QWERTY and Apple edit functions.

### Can iMean speak the text that is entered?

Yes, iMean has the capability to speak the text that is entered by the user, providing an auditory output for the typed messages.

### What is the price of iMean?

iMean is a paid application, available for $4.99. This one-time purchase grants access to all its features.

### On which devices can iMean be used?

iMean is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices, offering flexibility for users across different Apple platforms.

### How often is iMean updated?

The latest version of iMean, 1.94, was released on May 17, 2023. Updates are provided by the developer to improve functionality and add features.

### Does iMean have ads?

No, iMean does not contain advertisements. It is a paid application designed to provide an uninterrupted communication experience.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.94 — 2023-05-17

Now works on iPhone!
This version brings the code up to date with recent Apple app changes.
Fixes a bug which caused the text to display incorrectly on some models.

### 1.93 — 2023-05-17

Now works on iPhone!
This version brings the code up to date with recent Apple app changes.

### 1.91 — 2017-09-15

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Our first update in 4 years! Thank you for your patience.
Compatible with iOS 8-11
Many more languages added for text-to-speech (other language keyboards coming in a later update).
When switching to the text window, the cursor now goes to the end of the last text saved
Share button from the text window allows selection to be shared as email, text message, etc.

### 1.6 — 2013-10-04

iOS 7 compatibility: fixed an issue where the app would rotate and go off the screen if you navigated away from it and came back.

### 1.5 — 2011-03-19

Speech! iMean now comes with one male and one female voice! Touch the gray area to start speaking. Highlight a section in edit view to have iMean speak that text. Speech has been our most-requested feature and we are proud to offer it as a free upgrade to our existing customers!

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## More apps by Burgeon & Flourish, LLC

- [Of Two Minds](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/of-two-minds/id1511020301)

All apps by Burgeon & Flourish, LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/1328887299

## Related topics

[imean](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/imean)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-29.*