Chris Overcash

Last Sunday was pitch day and since we had a 2 person team and my partner Jay was busy coding away, the pitch was up to me.  Unlike a lot of the other teams, we didn't have designers and MBAs cranking out professional quality decks.  I resorted to using the tools I had available to me... an iPad, my creativity and heart.

This was my first time public speaking, I had only 2 hours to create the slides, write the talk and rehearse.  It was tough but definitely worth it.  I couldn't have done it without the support of all of the mentors at PHLSW, especially @gloriabell!  Thank you all for your amazing support, such a fantastic community here in Philly.

Now help me name the project! Tweet @covercash either Give-a-Jawn or one2many (or if you have other suggestions, let me know!!!)

Later in the day I put a call to my bank on speaker phone and noticed how I was holding my iPhone as I navigated their voice tree ("PUT ME THROUGH TO A GOD DAMN REP" isn't a valid option in case you were wondering).  I was holding the phone upside down, talking directly into the mic just like I'm doing in the picture.  Whenever I talk *AT* my phone, this is the most natural way for me to hold it.  To prevent accidental activation when the phone is in a pocket or bag, require a quick tap of the volume button when the phone is turned upside down.  Apple recently repurposed a volume button to act as shutter release in the camera app so using it for something other than volume control might not be out of the question.

I also thought about having the iPhone listen for a specific voice command when turned upside down, perhaps "Siri".

::flips phone:: "Siri, do you think Apple would have users say your name every time they want to interact with you?"

"Probably not." It has a very robotic, sci-fi feel to it, something you'd expect to see in a Droid Bionic commercial.

Apple is really good at training users slowly transitioning user behaviour so expect Siri to get a more natural feel over time.

::flips phone:: "Siri, is this an acceptable way to end the post?"

"Probably not."

We're in Gateway country now, baby!

Sent from Overcash's iPhone

Sent from Overcash's iPhone