Bridging the Gap
SEVEN FIELDS — Rick Hangliter wanted to improve communication with his children, so he invented an iPod application that would stimulate healthy conversation.
“The time we have to connect with our kids evaporates too quickly,” said Hangliter, 44, who has spent many hours in the car traveling to and from sports activities for his sons, ages 9, 12 and 14.
“After experiencing too many quiet car rides, long lines without meaningful conversations at theme parks and dinner conversations that lacked depth, we decided to develop Convershakn,” he said.
The Convershakn app allows players to enter their names, ages and genders and to select topic categories for conversation. With that data entered, a “shake” button is selected on the touch screen to produce talking points for those using the program.
Players also can physically shake the device to activate questions.
Topic choices vary, including things like dating, exercise and family.
Questions range from “What matters to you more in school: being popular or respected?” to “How can I improve my listening skills?”
“Several hundred questions in the app are divided into topics including activities, character, family, faith, money, goals and fitness as well as others,” said Hangliter.
“While there are other question-and-answer games on the market, Convershakn focuses on the development of the child,” he said.
The program is capable of keeping a log of past use, and parents have the option of disabling topics they choose not to discuss.
Although an application developer program is available from Apple for a $99 annual fee, the Pella Windows and Doors regional manager hired a Cranberry-based firm, TrueFit Solutions, to write the code.
Once complete and tested for functionality over about six months, the developer uploaded Convershakn to the Apple website for review and approval.
“Apple checks for functionality and appropriate content. I think most get approved, and it would be rare to be rejected. I would suspect that most rejections are because the app either does not work or it is offensive. Approval took Convershakn about a week even during the holidays,” Hangliter said.
New to the market, the $1.99 app so far has had fewer than 50 downloads.
And to date, the program has too few reviews to establish a rating.
But so far, the reviews are favorable, Hangliter said. “No complaints at all.”
Chris Schueller is one consumer who approves of the product.“Our family loves Convershakn,” said Schueller of Adams Township.“The questions are thought provoking and have sparked some deep and meaningful conversations with our three young boys,” she added. The boys also like the gamelike feel of the app.“They are excited to see what question will pop up, and that keeps them engaged,” Schueller said.Hangliter, who serves in his church as a children's ministry leader to fifth and sixth graders, said his goals also include fostering character development in children.“It is very important to me to raise young men of honor, conviction and integrity. Replacing the silence during car rides and dinner with meaningful conversations has made a big difference in our family,” said Hangliter, who included a biblical element in the app.A portion of the funds earned by Convershakn also will be donated to Christian family nonprofit organizations, he said.Although still unsure if his program will yield a profit, Hangliter has another program in early stages of development.For others interested in developing applications, Hangliter recommends researching existing products and price points in the app store.“You'll want to decide on a business model of charging for the app or selling advertising on your app and charging less or offering it for free,” he added.“Determine how your app will be differentiated from the crowd. Seek a development partner if you do not know how to program the code,” he said.His other advice is to “pray, plan, execute and be patient. Most apps are slow and steady sellers.“Some games geared toward kids can sell at a much more rapid rate,” he said.
