Also see:
On 10/10/2011,
in Apple, Artificial Intelligence/Agents/LLMs/and Related, innovation, intelligent systems, intelligent tutoring, tools,
by Daniel Christian
On 10/10/2011,
in Apple, collaboration, communications, Google, mobile learning, mobile technologies, tools, videoconferencing, web-based collaboration,
by Daniel Christian
Vidyo: Video conferencing on the iPad, iPhone and Android tablets and smartphones
Ad-hoc Room System
VidyoMobile on iPad 2 joining an HD multipoint video conference at 720p with 4 other laptops and a room system. (Note: This picture has not been photoshopped in any way.)
On 10/06/2011,
in 21st century, Apple, creativity, design, multi-touch, multimedia, music, relationships,
by Daniel Christian
From DSC:
It’s highly likely that you have already seen a ton of postings re: the news of Steve Jobs’ passing yesterday. However, I need to reflect, comment upon, and commemorate his life and work here today.
When Apple asserts that Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, it’s true. They are not just flowery, flattering words. Jobs was a one in a (hundred) million type of person — carefully crafted for the needs of today. His skillsets were rare. His negotiation skills were solid. His vision and courage to pursue the entrepreneurial/innovative way of life are outstanding. His knowledge — and pursuit of knowledge — as well as his drive helped him bring about many world-changing technologies and projects. Not too many people could own/direct an animation studio, oversee the production of software and hardware that was fined tuned to creating and distributing multimedia, comment on which font style would be appropriate for a message, relentlessly pursue excellence in user experience/usability in all of an organization’s product lines, present information the way he did, create excitement for his company’s products, etc.
Personally, Steve Jobs has helped me continue to think big — to have wind in my sails that I can make a contribution…that I can help change the world. All of us can, even if in smaller ways than Steve Jobs did. But we will need to believe that we can change the world and to persevere through the trials and tribulations that are sure to come our way when we attempt to do so.
I hope that the team that Steve & Co. put into place continue to pursue his passions and visions, as the world needs visionaries. Though I did not know him, I will yet miss him. I am grateful to God for his gifts, abilities, life and work.
Addendum:
“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.”
— from Steve Jobs’ 2005 commencement speech given at Standford University
On 10/05/2011,
in 21st century, 24x7x365 access, A/V -- audio/visual, Apple, Artificial Intelligence/Agents/LLMs/and Related, assistive technologies, cloud-based computing / apps / other cloud-related, computer science, convergence, digital audio, digital learning, digital storytelling, digital textbooks, digital video, disruption, education technology, emerging technologies, expectations, future, innovation, intelligent systems, intelligent tutoring, interactivity, interface design, internet, learning agents, learning ecosystem, Learning from the Living [Class] Room, mirroring and/or multiple devices, mobile learning, mobile technologies, multi-touch, multimedia, programming, technology (general), television, tools, transmedia, trends, usability, user experience (UX), user interface design, vendors, videoconferencing,
by Daniel Christian
From DSC: Expectations, today, are getting hard to beat
Since Apple’s event yesterday, I’ve heard some conversations on the radio and reviewed several blog postings and articles about Apple’s announcements…many with a sense of let down (and some with the usual critical viewpoints by the backseat drivers out there who have never tried to invent anything, but who sure like to find fault with everyone else’s inventions and innovations).
It made me reflect on how high our expectations are becoming these days! It wasn’t enough that iCloud is coming on 10/12 (and who knows the directions that will take society in). It wasn’t enough to introduce some serious software-based innovations such as Siri (which bring some significant advancements in the world of artificial intelligence) or AirPlay for the iPhone. It wasn’t enough to enter into the multi-billion dollar card industry with their new Cards app for the iPhone. Wow…tough crowd.
What might these announcements — and expectations — mean for education?
Well…I can see intelligent tutoring, intelligent agents, machine-to-machine communications, the continued growth of mobile learning, learning from the living room, the initiation of programs/events caused by changes in one’s location, continued convergence of the television/computer/telephone, continued use of videoconferencing on handheld devices, cloud-based textbooks/apps, and more.
Some items from Apple today:
- iCloud goes live on October 12
- iPhone 4S launches October 14, $199, $299, $399, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, US & International
- New iPod Nano Is Clock and Fitness Watch in One
- Apple iPhone 4S: The 4 most important features
- Apple Unveils Siri, the iPhone 4S Voice Assistant
Apple has unveiled Siri, a new iPhone 4S feature that lets you complete tasks on your phone by talking to it. During an on-stage demo at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, CA, Apple VP Scott Forstall demonstrated Siri’s ability to process natural language and respond accordingly. When he asked the iPhone 4S, “What’s the weather like today?”, it responded with the weather forecast. It is capable of parsing natural human language, rather than simple commands. - AirPlay Mirroring coming to iPhone 4S, not just for iPads
- New iPod touch: cheaper, iOS 5, and now in white
- Apple Unveils iPhone 4S: Faster CPU, Better Camera and Voice Controls
On 09/28/2011,
in 21st century, 24x7x365 access, Apple, architecture, cloud-based computing / apps / other cloud-related, collaboration, communications, convergence, Daniel S. Christian, disruption, emerging technologies, future, Google, innovation, Microsoft, mobile technologies, multimedia, strategy, technology (general), telepresence, television, tools, transmedia, trends, usability, user experience (UX), vendors, videoconferencing, web-based collaboration,
by Daniel Christian
From DSC:
This posting evolved after having read $500 billion TV market new battlefield for Internet companies (from forbes.com and the Trefis Team therein) as well as the posting at Future TV disruption – Forbes says it’s worth half a trillion dollars for Internet companies (from appmarket.tv).
As the convergence — and the movement of data/apps/content/services towards the cloud — continues, I wanted to jot down some thoughts re: the current field:
- Apple, Google, Cisco and Microsoft seem to be solid players to watch in terms of cloud-based computing architectures, tools, and functionality — something to keep in mind when planning for the future directions of your organization’s set of tools and technologies.
- Personally, I vote for vendors that “get the web.” Apple and Google have traditionally been very solid innovators on the web and have turned in solid report cards in terms of innovation, performance, and web-based applications. (Adobe — with their Macromedia purchase years ago and their current lineup of tools — has also done a pretty good job, but doesn’t have the arsenal to make my top 4 picks here.)
- I don’t need to say much about Apple in terms of innovation — as they have out innovated every company on the planet while becoming the world’s most valuable company in terms of market cap. Apple is on the verge of adding enormously powerful, cloud-based functionality and apps to their ecosystem when they introduce iCloud this fall (and perhaps a web-connected/smart TV type of device in the future). They have proven themselves to be #1 in terms of working with multimedia-based content — its creation and distribution. Given the continuing trend of the convergence taking place with computers, telephones, and televisions, the ability to create and work with multimedia is key for many technology-related vendors, and, in my mind, Apple leads in this area.
- Google has shown themselves to be solid innovators as well — and they “get the web.” Their current set of web-based apps — including Google Docs, Calendar, Hangouts, Reader, Alerts, etc. — provide a solid menu of web-based apps to choose from.
- Cisco has proven themselves to be innovative as well, and owns some powerful technologies in their WebEx Meeting Center, Videoscape, networking infrastructures, and some of its other tools.
- Though traditionally not a leader/innovator on the web, I think that Microsoft has deep pockets and they are a savvy business (having just purchased Skype as an example). So with SharePoint, Skype and Office 365, Microsoft is laying the foundation for a solid, web-based collaboration space.
Having said this, one can see that it is getting harder to practice the KISS principle in the IT departments out there. But where we can do so, it makes sense to do so — as there is less finger pointing and more accountability. It’s easier to support a fewer amount of tools and, often times, it seems that things simply work better with a reduced amount of vendors/technologies involved.
So I’ll wrap up this posting by listing some of the things that I’m trying to (simultaneously) keep in mind:
- Web-based collaboration tools such as videoconferencing, shared interactive whiteboards, shared document creation, calendars/scheduling, form creation and reporting tools, chat, other
- Cloud-based content/data/apps/services
- Synchronization across multiple types of devices
- Web-based updates (think publishers’ content in addition to apps)
- Storage plans and pricing
- Types of integration and tools a vendor provides on the cloud
- The end user experience and the usability of proposed solutions
- A vendor’s strategic direction(s) for the future
On 09/20/2011,
in Apple, cloud-based computing / apps / other cloud-related, future, Google, Microsoft,
by Daniel Christian
Who will win the cloud war? Apple vs. Google vs. Microsoft — from TechNewsDaily.com by Dan Howley, LAPTOP Staff Writer
Excerpt:
Defining the Cloud
Although the cloud and the various services it supports have been around for quite some time, tech companies have done a fairly poor job of explaining exactly what the cloud is. “When you say cloud services, it’s pretty broad,” explained Michael Gartenberg, research director with the technology research firm Gartner. “Are you talking about digital lockers? Are you talking about cloud-based applications? Streaming music services? Cloud sort of becomes one of those catch-all phrases that becomes hard to define.”
In truth, the cloud is a nebulous term to describe the Internet and the various ways it can be leveraged by users.
For example, cloud storage allows users to upload and access their data via the web, much like an Internet-connected hard drive. When you upload a document or photo to Dropbox, you are storing it on the company’s servers, which allows you to access your files from any computer. Playing a game on Facebook? That also uses the cloud as a backbone.
Cloud-based applications, such as Google’s Docs productivity suite and online music services such as Grooveshark and Pandora, give users access to programs that they previously would have had to install on their PC. Such services save precious resources on users’ computers. However, most of these cloud apps require an active Internet connection. If you’re offline, for the most part you’re out of luck.
On 09/01/2011,
in 24x7x365 access, Apple, corporate universities / corporate training, digital learning, elearning, higher education, K-12 related, lifelong learning, love of learning, mobile learning, mobile technologies, multi-touch, multimedia, online learning, online media,
by Daniel Christian
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On 08/25/2011,
in 21st century, A/V -- audio/visual, Apple, business, cloud-based computing / apps / other cloud-related, communities of practice, computer science, creativity, digital audio, digital learning, digital photography, digital storytelling, digital textbooks, digital video, education technology, emerging technologies, engineering, global / globalization, human-computer interaction (HCI), innovation, internet, liberal arts, lifelong learning, media/film, mirroring and/or multiple devices, mobile learning, mobile technologies, multi-touch, multimedia, music, new business models, new media literacies, online media, pace of change, presentations, programming, quality, research, science, society, staying relevant, storytelling, strategy, student-related, technologies for your home, technology (general), television, tools, transmedia, United States, usability, user experience (UX), user interface design, videoconferencing, vision/possibilities, visualizing information, workplace,
by Daniel Christian
From DSC:
I want to post a thank you note to Mr. Steven P. Jobs, whom you most likely have heard has resigned as Apple’s CEO. Some articles are listed below, but I want to say thank you to Steve and to the employees of Apple who worked at Apple while he was CEO:
- Thank you for working hard to enhance the world and to make positive impacts to our world!
- Thank you for painstakingly pursuing perfection, usability, and excellence!
- Thank you for getting back up on the horse again when you came out of a meeting with Steve, Tim and others and you just got reamed for an idea or implementation that wasn’t quite there yet.
- Thanks go out to all of the families who were missing a dad or mom for long periods of time as they were still at work cranking out the next version of ____ or ____.
- Thanks for modeling what a vocation looks like — i.e. pursuing your God-given gifts/calling/passions; and from my economics training for modeling that everyone wins when you do what you do best!
Thanks again all!
- Steve Jobs’s Best Quotes — WSJ
- Steve Jobs: The End Of An Era — Techcrunch
- Steve Jobs resigns as Apple CEO –– wired.co.uk
- Steve Jobs has resigned as Apple CEO “effective immediately” — arstechnica.com
- Steve Jobs resigns as CEO of Apple — engadget.com
- 10 iconic Steve Jobs moments [videos] — from mashable.com
On 08/23/2011,
in Apple, mirroring and/or multiple devices, music, UK, United States,
by Daniel Christian
Tested: Apple AirPlay-compatible music systems — from wired.co.uk by Danny Philips and Jim Hill
On 08/15/2011,
in Apple,
by Daniel Christian
On 08/07/2011,
in 21st century, 24x7x365 access, A/V -- audio/visual, Apple, cloud-based computing / apps / other cloud-related, convergence, digital audio, digital video, emerging technologies, innovation, interactivity, mirroring and/or multiple devices, multimedia, technologies for your home, tools,
by Daniel Christian
Apple moves closer to taking over your living room — from readwriteweb.com by John Paul Titlow
Apple TV update adds iCloud storage for TV shows — from thisismynext.com by Nilay Patel
Apple announces a full assault on the cable box w/ the streaming of purchased TV shows — techcrunch.com
Apple Launches iCloud Beta [PICS] –– from Mashable.com by Ben Parr
Also relevant along these lines (but not from Apple):
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On 07/26/2011,
in accessibility / UDL, Apple, education technology, educational games / serious games, Google, multi-touch, multimedia, neurodivergent/special needs,
by Daniel Christian
Above resource from:
- 4 ways iPads are changing the lives of people with disabilities — from Mashable.com by
Addendums later on 7/19:
- Spotlight Award: iPad as “Game Changer” — from Elliott Masie The Learning CONSORTIUM is proud to announce that the iPad will receive a special “Game Changer” Learning Spotlight Award at Elliott Masie’s Learning 2011, November 6-9, in Orlando, FL.
- NASA releases iPad app for science research — from CNET.com by Don Reisinger
Some noteworthy items to mention here:
- Multi-touch gestures
- Full-screen apps
- Mission Control (brings together full-screen apps, Dashboard, Exposé, and Spaces in one new feature that gives you a bird’s-eye view of everything on your system)
- Mac App Store
- Launchpad (gives you instant access to all the apps on your Mac)
- Resume (apps you close will reopen right where you left off, so you never have to start from scratch again)
- Auto save
- Versions (charts the history of your documents, taking snapshots in time, and displaying them side by side with the latest versions in an easily browsable timeline)
- AirDrop (a fast way to share files with people nearby; send files to anyone around you wirelessly — no Wi-Fi network required)
- Lion Server (includes a host of enhancements that give you more control of your Mac server and the users who access it)