Also see:
- Planet Earth – Narrated by kids — from the blog at launchpadtoys.com — by Thushan Amarasiriwardena
On 05/07/2012,
in 21st century, A/V -- audio/visual, cloud-based computing / apps / other cloud-related, convergence, dangers of the status quo, Daniel S. Christian, digital audio, digital learning, digital storytelling, digital textbooks, digital video, disruption, distance education, future, future of higher education, game-changing environment, higher education, innovation, intelligent systems, intelligent tutoring, interactivity, internet, K-12 related, learning, learning ecosystem, Learning from the Living [Class] Room, learning spaces, multimedia, online learning, online media, technologies for your home, television, trends, TVs,
by Daniel Christian
.
Also see:
- A new learning “channel” is developing — posted on April 30, 2011 at FutureLearn.org by Daniel Christian
and…
- Aereo.com
- NimbleTV.com
- Samsung launches their interactive Smart TVs in India
- Why IPTV is the Future
- Interactive eBook Apps: The Reinvention of Reading and Interactivity
- The 5 C’s of connected TV
- Research and Markets: The 2012 Battle for Dominance in the Digital Living Room Report: 400 Bn Households Worldwide to have some form of Smart TV by 2016
DUBLIN–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/55tgll/the_battle_for_dom) has announced the addition of the “The Battle for Dominance in the Digital Living Room” report to their offering. A growing number of devices are starting to connect television sets to the Internet allowing for the delivery of a wide variety of new entertainment services. The Battle for Dominance in the Digital Living Room looks at the battle to connect televsion sets in consumers’ homes to the Internet and the impact this will have on the media industry. The focus is on providing an introduction to the issues involved with connected TVs and a look at the baseline forecasts for connected households. Over 400 million households worldwide to have some form of Smart TV by 2016. - The future of TV isn’t TV, it’s broadband.
- Future of the book for IDEO
Addendums on 5/8/12:
Double vision: TV gets interactive — from thetowntalk.com by Fraizer Moore
Piers Fawkes: The future of TV — from psfk.com by Piers Fawkes
A solid Q&A with such questions as:
- The old hierarchical vertical order of: channel – series – episode, seems to be in danger, letting the horizontal disorder take its place. What do you think broadcasters can do to serve people during this shift?
- The TV channel is being challenged, first by VOD and now by internet based services. How do you think the TV channels’ role will evolve in the next 5 years? Will the traditional push-based model maintain its centrality or will users be looking for search-only and pull-based alternatives?
- A new form of TV means new revenue models. Who do you think will finance the next successful TV show in 10 years and how? Will the new channels’ role generate new business models? How you imagine them?
- To protect our brain from information overload we need to filter and recommendations are a form of filtering. How do you think people’s recommendations will shape the future role of TV channels in the next years to come?
- Artificial Intelligence, Smart Agents and algorithms are directing us into a world of Adaptive User Interfaces capable of recognizing different users and provide them with an anticipated, personalized experience. How do you think the future TV will shape around people’s habits and tastes?
On 04/25/2012,
in Augmented Reality (AR), cloud-based computing / apps / other cloud-related, productivity / tips and tricks, tools,
by Daniel Christian
.
From DSC:
My thanks to Mr. Steven Chevalia at Calvin College for this resource.
On 04/25/2012,
in Apple, cloud-based computing / apps / other cloud-related, Google, IT in HE, Microsoft, vendors, web-based collaboration,
by Daniel Christian
The Google Drive review you’ve been waiting for — from readwriteweb.com by Jon Mitchell
Excerpt:
Google Drive, the long-awaited file storage and syncing service, launch[ed yesterday]. If you follow tech news closely, you’ve seen bits and pieces of the news leaking out over the past two weeks. We’ve tested it and we’ve talked to the team leaders. Forget all the speculation. Here’s what Google Drive actually is.
Full-sized screenshots of the Google Drive iPad app — from readwriteweb.com by Jon Mitchell
Excerpt:
Google Drive launched [yesterday], but the iOS version of the app was unexpectedly not ready. Google says it’s almost there, but it won’t launch for “a few weeks.” But Google provided ReadWriteWeb with a bunch of full-size screenshots of the app, so we could know what to expect.
Google’s Drive adds to a complicated cloud — from technologyreview.com by Tom Simonite
Excerpt:
A new cloud-storage service from the search giant steps on the toes of startups like Dropbox and opens a new front against Apple and Microsoft.
Addendum on 4/26:
- Is Google’s onerous TOS designed to steal your stuff? –– from PCMag.com by John C. Dvorak
People are far too concerned about Google’s potential for abuse. (From DSC: I disagree; there is room for concern when you hold that much power/data in your hands. Think of political campaigns as but one example. What if someone — or some government or some terrorist organization or drug cartel — pays off some Google employee to nab Person ABC’s mailbox, documents, data? Call me skeptical…but I think anything’s possible these days given the moral fabric of our world.) - Google Drive terms of service: ‘A toxic brew’ — from cnet.com by Rafe Needleman
Google isn’t about to make your private files public, but that doesn’t excuse its sloppy terms of service. Google has inadvertently stoked privacy concerns about files uploaded to its newly released Google Drive by issuing poorly written rules that are more apt to confuse than to clarify. - Hands on with Google Drive — from PCMag.com by Mark Hachman
While Google has positioned its new Google Drive cloud-storage service as one that straddles the consumer and business space, those using it for collaboration will probably get the most out of it.
Also see:
- Just how big is the Amazon cloud anyway? — from gigaom.com by Barb Darrow
- 3 cloud services that make work easier — from Inc.com by Christina DesMarais
Protect yourself against data loss, security blunders, and–that real productivity killer–inefficiency.
Addendum on 4/27/12:
- Google Apps for Education and the New Google Drive — from hackeducation.com by Audrey Watters
On 04/24/2012,
in Adobe, animation, cloud-based computing / apps / other cloud-related, content development, aggregation, repositories, creativity, design, digital audio, digital learning, digital photography, digital storytelling, digital textbooks, digital video, e-publishing related items (EPUB and more), education technology, elearning, graphics, interactivity, multimedia, productivity / tips and tricks, tools, vendors,
by Daniel Christian
.
.Also see:
- The Global Creativity Gap — an infographic from Adobe
.
. -
Pantone unveils 336 new colors — from PSFK.com by Kyana Gordon
-
Education system stifles creativity, survey finds — from The Journal by David Nagel
Is the American education system stifling creativity? That’s the attitude held by a majority of Americans, according to a new worldwide survey focused on attitudes toward creativity in schools, the workplace, and the home.
From DSC:
- This last piece from David Nagel addresses my fears and concerns with our current emphasis on standardized tests, common core standards, etc. The emphasis is on STEM and can lead to a one-size-fits-all type of education that doesn’t allow each student to identify and pursue their own passions enough.
Addendum on 5/2/12:
- Adobe Dreamweaver CS6 — reviewed at PCMag.com
.
On 04/23/2012,
in 21st century, 24x7x365 access, A/V -- audio/visual, change, cloud-based computing / apps / other cloud-related, future, technologies for your home, TVs,
by Daniel Christian
The evolution of a couch potato: How TV and viewers are changing — from hindustantimes.com by Abhishek Baxi
Section headings:
- Remote controls are dead
- Let’s bring social in
- There’s an app for it
- Viewer is the king
Excerpt:
The future of TV will be based on experiences to engage, entertain, and activate viewers stemming from creativity, imagination, and innovations in technology. While traditionally, TV has been a medium of consumption, the Web experience via PC, mobile, or stand-alone devices, has also brought in real-time engagement. While many call it the death of traditional TV industry, it might just be the factor which brings growth.
Addendum/also see:
- Luminous Design – the Future of Smart TV — from innovationexcellence.com
What is the future of Smart TV? How to create a luminous design that will enlighten TV experience across devices, and make it really consistently Smart? Who could tell us the way better than Dale Herigstad? Dale is Chief Interaction Officer at Possible, and an internationally recognized designer and thought leader on the future of interactive and “many-screen” rich media interfaces.
On 04/19/2012,
in accessibility / UDL, cloud-based computing / apps / other cloud-related, neurodivergent/special needs,
by Daniel Christian
Description of app:
AutisMate is an autism communication, therapy, and learning tool that promotes communication, functional skills, generalization, task analysis, independence, and social skills in people with Autism. AutisMate allows those with autism to communicate through familiar scenes, large images of their environment that can include video, symbols, and social stories as well. Parents and therapists can easily add their own videos and images, symbols (over 12,000 included), custom voice recordings, and synthesized voices to fully and easily customize the app for its user’s current and future needs. The app was designed specifically for the language, speech, generalization, and categorization challenges that individuals with autism often face. GPS reduces navigation by presenting users with scenes from their current location. Making custom word boards for different categories with symbols or your own images is made very simple, and users can get to them with just a click. There’s no difficult navigation, which children with autism often struggle with, as found in many other speech apps out there today.
I originally saw this at:
- Labor of love: Developer creates iPad app to help his autistic brother — from techcrunch.com by Chris Velazco
When Jonathan Izak graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2010, he decided to put his new degree in Computer Science to very good use. In an effort to help his 10-year old autistic brother Oriel communicate and learn new tasks, he developed a new iPad app called Autismate to try and simplify the process.
On 04/17/2012,
in cloud-based computing / apps / other cloud-related, digital learning, interactivity, mathematics, physics,
by Daniel Christian
Comments (emphasis DSC)
- If you ever wanted to know what four dimensional geometry could be like, install this app. For the low, low price of $2.99, you’ll take an exciting journey into the Fourth Dimension. “Textbook” doesn’t do this app justice, virtually every page is interactive. — Nicholas Nguyen March 19, 2012
- “The app is very cool, and it’s unlike pretty much anything we’ve seen in the App Store.” — Sam Byford, The Verge
- “This is one of my most favorite iOS apps ever.” — George Musser, senior editor at Scientific American and author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to String Theory
- “Fantastic! This is what someone really smart, and who really knows how to teach well, can do with a tablet. And the authors are funny, too, which is a neat bonus.” — DNY
- “Blew my mind. I generally don’t use ‘learning’ apps as they’re mostly gimmicks. This one, though, truly made me think. I hope this developer comes out with more outstanding apps such as this one. Bravo!” — Iceitic
- “Fantastic app. I work at a leading UK university. If only all our material was this well written and presented. Definitely worth buying and then spending a bit of time with over a day or two to get your head around the fourth dimension. Great app!” — JulesFM
Also see:
- fourthdimensionapp.com
- ‘The Fourth Dimension’ for iOS: learn to see in 4D (hands-on) — from the Verge.com by Sam Byford
It’s priced fairly low ($2.99 for a universal iPhone/iPad app) and uses innovative design to explore a single, focused concept, and while you’ll be done with it after twenty minutes or so that actually adds to the appeal. It’s a bite-sized chunk of brain training that’s a lot of fun to wrap your head around, and it probably couldn’t have been produced any other way. That’s about the most you can ask for in an app these days.
On 04/13/2012,
in animation, art, cloud-based computing / apps / other cloud-related, creativity, media/film, music, productivity / tips and tricks, storytelling, tools,
by Daniel Christian
Animator creates incredible musical painting with $5 iPad app [VIDEO] — from Mashable by Christine Erickson
Excerpt:
“I really recommend it to anyone who does storyboards, concept art and animators, filmmakers, producers, whatever — this is the future,” says the video’s lead animator and director, Whitney Alexander. (You can see the full making-of here.)
Also see:
On 04/09/2012,
in cloud-based computing / apps / other cloud-related, history, mathematics,
by Daniel Christian
New IBM app presents nearly 1,000 years of math history — from wired.com by Alexandra Chang
.
Minds of Modern Mathematics interactive timeline.
Photo: Ariel Zambelich/Wired
On 04/02/2012,
in 21st century, 24x7x365 access, 3D, A/V -- audio/visual, analytics, Apple, Artificial Intelligence/Agents/LLMs/and Related, business side of he, changing business models, cloud-based computing / apps / other cloud-related, convergence, corporate universities / corporate training, dangers of the status quo, Daniel S. Christian, digital audio, digital learning, digital storytelling, digital textbooks, digital video, disruption, distance education, e-publishing related items (EPUB and more), education technology, educational games / serious games, elearning, emerging technologies, engagement / engaging students, flipping -- inverted learning, future of higher education, game-changing environment, higher education, homeschooling/homeschoolers, human-computer interaction (HCI), innovation, intelligent tutoring, interactivity, internet, K-12 related, learner profiles, learning agents, learning ecosystem, Learning from the Living [Class] Room, multimedia, new business models, new media literacies, online learning, online media, online tutoring, personalized/customized learning, podcasting, reinvent, social learning / networks, staying relevant, streams of content, student-related, teaching & learning, teaching online, technologies for your home, telepresence, television, the downsides of how people use tech, trends, TVs, videoconferencing, virtual field trips, virtual K-12 schools, Virtual Reality (VR) / worlds / learning, virtual tutoring,
by Daniel Christian
The human voice, as game changer — from nytimes.com by Natasha Singer
Matthew Cavanaugh for The New York Times
Vlad Sejnoha demonstrated Nuance’s Dragon TV system, which obeys spoken commands to
flip channels, for example, or shop on screen on Amazon.com.
Apple’s iCloud will teach Apple’s Smart TV remote new tricks — from patentlyapple.com
6 answers about your next TV, with or without Apple — from forbes.com by Michael Humphrey
10 tech commandments for the TV industry — from thenextweb.com by Martin Bryant
Smart TVs are growing in popularity — from business-news.thestreet.com by Steve Adams
Image from Gary Higgins/The Patriot Ledger
Paul Berrini, a salesman at Hancock T.V.& Appliance in Quincy, demonstrates
some of the new features of “smart” televisions, Wednesday, March 21.
some of the new features of “smart” televisions, Wednesday, March 21.
.
10 AirPlay-ready iPad apps that make Apple TV worth it — from readwriteweb.com by John Paul Titlow
Entertainment and Streaming Media – The Recent Past and the Future — from homesystemintegration.com by Alan Ruby
.
TVs may soon be used to spy on you — from smartplanet.com by Tuan C. Nguyen
Will Microsoft beat Apple and Google to make Connected TV work? –– from econsultancy.com by Sam Dwyer
On 03/30/2012,
in art, cloud-based computing / apps / other cloud-related, collaboration, creativity, productivity / tips and tricks, tools, vendors,
by Daniel Christian
Description (from iTunes)
Paper is where ideas begin. It’s the easiest and most beautiful way to create on iPad. Capture your ideas as sketches, diagrams, illustrations, notes or drawings and share them across the web.
Mobile creation done right.
Paper was designed from the ground up for touch and creating on the go. No fussy buttons, settings or other distractions. Paper works the way you think, like a familiar notebook or journal. Have all of your ideas with you in one place.
Essential tools, settings-free.
Productivity meets beauty. No settings. Always beautiful—like great tools should be. Just pick up a tool and instantly begin to Sketch, Write, Draw, Outline and Color. Draw comes free with Paper.
Purchase additional tools from the in-app store:
- Sketch. Ideas start here. The pencil blends from light to dark for sketching scenes, objects, and thoughts in rough form.
- Write. Words never looked so beautiful. Write messages, add captions, or create lists with this quality ink pen.
- Outline. Think bold. Graph insights, create a storyboard, or outline a presentation with this marker. Black lines stay black.
- Color. Give color to your ideas. Move from a light wash to deep, rich color in one stroke with this watercolor made easy. You’ve got to try it.
Expressive Ink Engine.
Our custom ink engine reacts to your movements to optimize each tool for the process of creation. Get a range of expressions from a single tool without fussing with settings for great handwriting, beautiful coloring, and sketching that just works.
Retina Resolution.
Built for the new iPad’s brilliant display. With a full 2048×1536 canvas, see stunning details in your creations you couldn’t before—like pencil texture and watercolor edge bleed.
Paper the web.
Share your ideas instantly. Stream pages to Tumblr, send them over email, or share pages with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.
Also see:
- 5 apps for working from the iPad — from ReadWriteWeb.com by Jon Mitchell
Excerpt:
Let’s be real about this. You can’t do everything on an iPad. As Shawn Blanc pointed outthe other day, you can’t make iOS apps on it, for example. But you might be surprised by how much real work you can do on it with the right tools. If your work requires generally office-like capabilities, there are definitely iPad solutions.
Here are five road-tested apps for getting things done on an iPad. It’s not meant to be a complete list, but it’s meant to be a flexible one. These are tools that are not tied to any particular method of working. They’ll help any digital worker stay sane and accomplish things, and you might find that the iPad is a surprisingly nice device to use for them.