Verbal interfaces

The trickiest part of the Blind Phone is the verbal interface. To use it, you would have navigate through the phone’s functions by listening to the menus, much like an IVR system you would get when you call the bank.

The trouble is that the bank systems are way too slow to use on a regular basis without some way of using shortcuts, so that all has to be worked out. And then the verbal interface has to be programmed into the operating system on the phone.

The start is getting that designed. While it is obviously something I am very passionate about, I have to be realistic about the amount of time I can put into this, and to get it right will take quite a rigorous design process. Something perfect for the academic approach.

So I had a chat with John Turner and Phil Twronga form Westminster University. They are involved in a course for Mobile and Wireless Computing, and are interested in taking on the verbal interface design as a master project for one of their students.
Hopefully they will be able to find a post graduate student who will be interested in working on a ‘live’ product. Let’s see!