The Armenian «Lionsharp» Company has created a software for presentations called Voiceboard. It is a tool that enables you to prepare presentations or to add 3D models web sites, videos, maps and more in the presentations made by the Powerpoint software. When presenting the final product, the software is possible to manage by Android operation system working phone, special «Nod Ring» ring, remote control and the voice. The main software is installed on the computer, and the above-mentioned devices are intended only for managing.
Founder of «Lionsharp» Company Gevorg Hovsepyan, in the conversation with “Aravot”, said the program designed for Android, as well as the other devices allow controlling the entire system. “For example, if you have maps, you can go through all these maps through your phone, the same for the 3D model and other cases. In other words, they allow only managing everything, and the main program is installed on the computer.” He also added that soon the version designed for the iOS operating system will also be available. When downloading the software, the user can use all its features for 14 days free. “14 days later, you can add a piece to each presentation. This is the only restriction. Those willing can subscribe to us, pay 5 USD per month and use all the features of the software,” said Gevorg Hovsepyan.
The other co-founder of the Company, Nigel Sharp, added that now they are more working on attracting clients that will help to improve the software. “In the future, the price may go up.” According to Gevorg Hovsepyan, they have thought about creating the software two years ago, when they founded the «Lionsharp» company. “We were trying to figure out on what program we should work. And the idea came from the fact that each time we had to go up to the whiteboard to write something. We thought whether it is not possible to do the same thing with the help of voice and gesture-controlled system. At that time, we were considering the Voiceboard as a tool for thinking (brainstorming tool), in other words, something to replace the whiteboard. So, we started programming as a brainstorming tool, then we presented it in a variety of events and collected opinions from people that it would be better to have a tool for showing presentations, which is controlled by voice and gestures.”
The software, according to Nigel Sharp, was first demonstrated in Yerevan in 2013. “We demonstrated a voice and motion-controlled system presentation by using our thinking tool. The software immediately attracted foreign investors’ attention and they came to Armenia. After a series of meetings with them, we started working on the creation of a tool for presentations. We realized that creating a system of thinking is a very hard work, while the presentations is easier and we can do it.” The 10 employees of the «Lionsharp» Company operating since 2013 have prepared 8 examples of Voiceboard in the last 2 years, and now, the available version is created in the period after January this year. The software is released 3 weeks ago and had several hundred downloads.
In Nigel Sharp’s words, in the meantime, they have also managed to update the program, add new features and solve a number of problems. Gevorg Hovsepyan added that the users’ feedback is very positive. “Mostly people who are interested in new technologies are writing. They say that this program enable you to use materials that were unavailable until now.” Although the creators of the program are from Armenia, the program does not have Armenian settings. Gevorg Hovsepyan conditions it with the lack of demand. “Whether the Armenian version will be available in the future or not, it depends on the market demand. At this point, we do not think that the Armenian-speaking market demand is so big to create the Armenian settings.” Nigel Sharp said he had talked to a number of schools. “The are interested in Voiceboard as a language learning program and they want to see the Armenian settings.” Voiceboard is the sole issued program, but «Lionsharp» keeps working on the creation of other programs. Gevorg Hovsepyan said that they have already created a door that is opened by voice and password. “It is not excluded that that this door system may become our other product.”
Ashot ISRAELYAN
Photo by «Lionsharp»
