Category Archives: Mobile Learning

Firefox Mobile OS

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This is something I am quite excited for as its made using HTML5. Firefox OS has an opportunity to really show how awesome FF is. Now, what I would really like to see is firefox to make a PC OS. From Mozilla “Firefox OS is an open source mobile operating system which uses Linux and Mozilla’s Gecko engine to run a user interface and set of applications written entirely in HTML, CSS and JavaScript.” What does this mean? You will be able to build Apps for firefox using HTML5, no more Xcode or Eclipse. Now sure you can build HTML5 apps for apple and google by exporting them via phonegap to xcode/eclipse however this OS is designed for HTML5. Very exciting.

Link to firefox os

Information for developers

Simulator where you can build and test your apps for firefox OS

An article discussing some of the advantages and disadvantages of firefox mobile (although more towards the negative side)

First firefox phones sell out

Android 4.2.2 out now!

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Looks like the latest Android update is hitting Nexus based phones today! I got mine this morning. For those android users without nexus phones – sorry, thats what you get for buying phones with bloatware:)

Here is what the update does:

  • Fixed Bluetooth audio streaming bugs
  • Long-pressing the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth icons in Quick Settings now toggles the on/off state
  • New download notifications, which now shows the percentage and estimated time remaining for active app downloads
  • New sounds for wireless charging and low battery
  • New Gallery app animation allows faster loading
  • USB debug whitelist
  • Bug fixes and performance enhancements

Read about all the updates here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_version_history

Rumor: Motorola X phone said to be a game changer

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The phone many have been waiting for (me since I purchased my galaxy nexus). This is the rumored phone that is said to change everything and set the bar for the next generation of phones.

Here is some of the article: “But then once Motorola either trolled us all or slipped up completely by listing a job opportunity for a director of product management for the X Phone team, we haven’t heard much. Well, until now, thanks to a rumor out of Australian electronics site, SmartHouse. 

According to sources of theirs, who claim to have spoken with Telstra CTO Hugh Bradlow on the matter, the X Phone will be a “game changer.” It’s supposed to be a “real breakthrough” that will put pressure on Samsung and Apple, something no one in the smartphone industry has done in a couple of years.”

The phone is rumored to be announced in May and released in July but usually those rumors are off so I wouldnt hold my breath on those dates..especially if you are waiting for carriers to get it.

Full article

google x phone

Pete & C 2013!

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Here is my presentation (well poster) for Pete & C 2013. This year it is on developing apps for the K-16 classroom. I start by discussing the most difficult ways then get into how to do it using simple and free methods

petec2013

Australian university to issue 11,000 iPads next year

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Some excerpts from the article:

“The University of Western Sydney said in a statement that it plans to distribute 11,000 iPads next year to every new student and member of the faculty “to support learning and teaching innovations across the curriculum and in informal learning environments.””

“The iPad initiative is part of a curriculum overhaul at UWS that will stress “flexible study options” and “a blended learning model,” The Australian reports. Traditional lectures will be augmented by a more interactive learning approach, Krause said.

“Mobile technologies will be a key part of this strategy,” she said. “We want to support our academic staff to make the most of iPads and custom-designed apps in class so that, even in the largest lecture theater, students have access to just-for-me, just-in-time interactive learning experiences.””

My thoughts:

While I am personally more inclined to use laptops over tablets because they do so much more, I think things like this can be very beneficial if implemented correctly – and that is the key. If they just buy professors and students a bunch of iPads, I would not expect much good to come out of them…at least not a large % anyway. Now if they train the professors and students how to use them, provide good resources, and support, then it could be an awesome initiative.

mailto: html code on a mobile device is actually a good thing

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Many times when accessing a website we click on the contact link and it opens up outlook or another email program that we do not use. This is annoying and I cannot stand it. I tell all of my students never to use this code. However one thing one of my students recently pointed out to me is that when viewed on a mobile device, this actually takes you to your default phone email, which is actually a good thing on the mobile device as you are almost forced by google or apple to have a default email. Thus while I hate this on the computer, I love it on the phone. I just thought it was a pretty cool difference and thought I would share.

The code to create this type of link is: <a href=”mailto:someone@example.com”>

Can you ditch your smartphone for wifi only?

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This is a great article by CNET.com. Here are some of the basic reasons why smartphone companies do not allow you to just purchase voice only plans:

*They do not make money on calls anymore. That is why they are now offering unlimited voice calls.
*They make money from data

Here is the part that I found really interesting:

“If you’re willing to ditch Verizon and any of the other major carriers, you could try a new service from Republic Wireless, which costs only $19.99 a month for unlimited talk, text, and data. The carrier buys and resells capacity from Sprint Nextel’s network. But it also uses Wi-Fi networks. And because it uses Wi-Fi to carry the bulk of its data traffic, the company can offer such a low-cost service.

The company launched a beta version of its service about a year ago. But it was quickly so overwhelmed with users interested in the service that it had to shut down. It relaunched its beta service earlier this year. And starting next month, the service will be available to anyone.

The only catch is that, at least for now, it only supports one device, the Motorola Defy XT. That device is available for preorder now and costs $249 (plus $10 activation fee). Other smartphones will likely follow. And there’s even a chance that eventually, customers will be able to bring their own smartphones to the service. But for now, it’s just the Motorola Defy XT.”

You want to make the best cell phone? It’s easy…

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Cell phone manufacturers do not seem to listen to what customers want…well some do but some are just so out there. If I were going to put a device on the market right now that needed to compete with iPhone and such here is what I would do:

* Put in the best hardware – processor (quad core), loads of RAM, best cam available (we know there are 12mp+ out there in the wild), removable storage, etc.
* Use the vanilla version of Android. Seriously why spend tons of money on R+D when there is an opensource OS out there? And why put bad bloatware on it that only slows it down? If you want to add something, create an app that users can choose to use.
* Sell an unlocked version for under $350. And make versions that work on all carriers.
* Sell the phone with carriers but it should be cheap. If an unlocked version of $300-$350 a carrier version should be like $50 (if that) because the cell plan is paying for part of the phone.

And that’s just a start. Just doing those things alone would give you the best phone ever. So MS or any other hardware company that wants to make a phone that can compete with the iPhone or Galaxy SIII, here is what you can do. People do not want bloatware. People do not want expensive phones. People want phones that are powerful. Its not hard to make a phone that everyone will want but for some odd reason no companies seem to want to do it. Maybe fire your people in charge of product development and innovation because they are making junk right now.