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Podcast Episode 11 – Baker’s Dozen Edition

Matt — Mon, 10 May 2010 21:10:08 +0000

Show Notes:

Pick of the week:

Paid Google Books Coming This Summer to a Browser Near You

Matt — Tue, 04 May 2010 19:34:58 +0000

According to the Wall Street Journal, Google will be releasing “Google Editions” this summer. This service will compete directly with Amazon Kindle, iBook and B&N’s bookstores. While not entirely surprising, it is great to see a company that knows how to manage and organize content getting into the book business. Hopefully this service will be an “everybody gets to play” type of service where authors will be able to directly market to consumers taking out the middle man of the publishers. What could be even more compelling is if Google editions is combined and tightly integrated with ChromeOS tablets and Android devices. You can get more details in the video below.

Microsoft Courier: A Kindle, Ipod Touch and Netbook all in one

Matt — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:42:49 +0000

Yesterday, Gizmodo leaked details about a secret Microsoft project called Courier. The Courier is a dual screen device that folds in the middle to produce a notebook like experience. Each screen is said to be about 7 inches and it supposedly also has a camera built in.

What makes this device really compelling however is the way that this form factor has been combined with a combination of stylus and finger inputs. Large movements in the UI can be achieved using fingers and more precise movements, such as drawing and writing are accomplished with the stylus. There is a video at the bottom of the post showing off how Microsoft has combined these two input methods seamlessly.

The entire package is very slick and compelling. Since I am an edtech guy though, I’m always asking myself where this fits in the edtech device landscape. In my opinion, this type of device has the ability to be a game changer where other devices have failed to have a major impact.

A Kindle, Ipod Touch and Netbook all in one

The Courier has the potential to replace a number of devices in my edtech toolbox. If the size is correct, it has the ability to replace both a netbook and an Ipod Touch in one device. The 7 inch size seems like a sweet spot between actually being able to get work done and being portable enough to take with you everywhere.

Some will disagree with me, but I think this type of device also has the ability to eclipse devices like the kindle and sony readers. I think the inventors of the book form factor had something going with their two panels of text. Two panels fit well in your hands and the two panels allow your eyes to easily distinguish between to areas of text.

Yes, I can hear some of you saying, “But it’s not epaper! It’s back-lit and will strain your eyes!” Yes it is back-lit, but really? How many hours a day do most of us spend in from of a back-lit screen? We got to work and work on a back-lit screen and then we go home and watch TV and play video games on back-lit screens. When you look at your cellphone, you are looking at a back-lit screen. I believe that form-factor, and things like color and resolution will easily offset whatever minimal uncomfortableness a back-lit screen causes.

I believe that the Courier has the potential to be a very powerful educational tool. The “scrap booking” type interface makes this type of device ideal for research. Which is something that the ipod touch and kindle have always failed at doing well. The pen input makes this device into a powerful illustration and lecture tool, especially if there’s a way to do wireless video.

At any rate, I am excited to see Microsoft producing this kind of innovation and thinking ahead of the market. Check out the videos below and let me know what you think.

What might be the roots of the Courier.

Podcast Episode 05 – Edmodo founder Jeff O’Hara and Kindle DX

Chris — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:17:29 +0000

This week we had a guest, Jeff O’Hara, via skype, co-founder of Edmodo.com. The rest of the show notes will be published within 24 hours.

Interview with Jeff O’Hara – (2:44)

Amazon Kindle – http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/06/live-from-amazons-kindle-event-in-nyc/ – (29:00)

Open textbooks – http://www.flatworldknowledge.com/ – (38:40)

Self Publishing Textbooks – https://www.createspace.com/ – (42:45)

Picks of the Week

Jeff’s Pick – 2 picks -1. Joikuspot – turns your 3G Nokia or Samsung phone into a WIFI hot-spot, 2. The iPod Touch which i use with Joikuspot – (46:30)

Matt’s Pick – http://Ustream.com – (51:00)

Chris – Windows Live Photo Gallery – (59:00)

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