I always thought AAC was just a digital music format, but apparently the abbreviation also stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, a field dedicated to helping the hearing and speech impaired grasp language. By combining a new language structure with consumer-electronics sensibilities, AbleNet is hoping its speech-generating device, Tango, can help people who rely on AAC to communicate. Designed for children and teens, the handheld allows quick access to nearly 2,500 phrases, organized into subcategories, to help a user find the right words. If Tango doesn't have the appropriate expressions, you can record additional items and earmark them with a new image captured on the device's built-in camera. Unfortunately, at $6,899, Tango is pricey. Bill Gates, if you're reading this, how about pitching in? — Trevor Noren

AbleNet debuts Tango! handheld communication device, via Engadget