It's About Learning

Tablets on Campus

Dwayne Harapnuik — February 18, 2014 — Leave a comment

I generally will NOT write anything to support or explain an infographic because by their very nature they should convey all necessary information. If an infographic needs explaining then it isn’t a very good infographic. In this instance I think it is helpful to comment on the validity of the data and statistics that this infographic points to. I went to each of the sources cited in the infographic to confirm that the data was legitimate and to also to confirm that I am passing on a useful resource.

Much of the stats regarding student technology use come from the following three sources:

It must be noted that the Adobe report is not cited directly but Jimmy Daly the Online Content Manager for EdTech Focus on Higher Education cites content from this report in two of the blog posts cited in the infographic. To assure that information being presented is as accurate as possible I strive to rely primarily on original sources and look for infographics that do the same. I also compared this infographic to ECAR Student and Technology 2013 infographic summary from the 2013 ECAR Student and Technology Use Survey and confirmed that the statistics in this infographic are reasonably in line with the ECAR statistics.

It is clear from this infographic and the supporting reports the tablet has become the new tool of choice students are relying on to help them learn in the digital information age.

In Infographic android, Apple, campus, college, Google, iPad, mobile, Tablet

Why I Switched from iPhone to Android

Dwayne Harapnuik — March 8, 2013 — Leave a comment

Why I switched from iPhone to Android | TechHive via kwout

Andy Ihnatko, a technology journalist for the Chicago Sun-Times, and author provides the following four major reasons for switching from the iPhone to the Android:

Better keyboards
Larger screen
Collaboration between apps
Customization

While a larger screen has never been a factor for my planned move to the Nexus 4, I couldn’t agree more with Ihnatko on why a better keyboard, collaboration between apps and customization are so important to a person who really uses a mobile device for more than than just simple phone calls, texting and facebook updates. I have large hands and fingers so the little keyboard on my iPhone is and always has been lacking. Accidentally activating Siri is also one of the most frustrating and all too often repeated annoyances.

The keyboard issues on the iPhone are annoying but the lack of collaboration between apps is unacceptable. I have been an Evernote user ever since it was in beta and I use it more than any other app on my mobile devices and computer so not being able to send content, a link or web page directly to my Evernote todo list is a major productivity drain. Getting information and content from one app to another in IOS is horrible and is reason enough to switch.

When you factor in customization options that Android offers and the fact that for just a little more than $310 CDN I can have an unlocked phone that I can use anywhere on any network the decision to move the Nexus 4 makes sense. I also agree with Ihnatko that this move isn’t for everyone. I still would recommend the iPhone for new users or those folks who don’t really do much more than phone calls, texting and facebook. If you aren’t a poweruser who can really take advantage of all the Android offers I still think that IOS offers the simplest solution that just works.

I am looking forward to reading Ihnatko final post.

Read Ihnatko full posts…

In mobile android, IOS, iPhone, Nexus 4, productivity

Facebook Pushes Plot To Kill Your “Phone”

Dwayne Harapnuik — March 6, 2013 — Leave a comment

http://techcrunch.com/2013/03/04/facebook-voip/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Post%20Blast%20%28sai%29%3A%20BII%20MOBILE%20INSIGHTS%3A%20Android%20Will%20Account%20For%2058%20Percent%20Of%20App%20Downloads%20In%202013&utm_source=Triggermail&utm_term=Mobile%20Insights

Facebook Pushes Plot To Kill Your “Phone” App By Giving Messenger For Android VoIP In Canada | TechCrunch via kwout

Josh Constine from Tech Crunch ponders the impact:

… if Facebook could minimize the voice minutes these users have to buy by offering VoIP that’s free beyond the cost of data usage? Suddenly Facebook goes from a nice way to connect with friends to a critical communication service that saves them money.

Anything that has the potential of breaking the monopolistic control of the carriers here in Canada not only has my voie it is something that I will use and promote.

On another note, this is another reason why Android is the platform that will see significant innovative gains in unique areas. There are simply more Android users who don’t want to spend the money that they typical IOS user is willing to spend so the necessity to create a more cost effective solution is much more pressing for Android open source community then it is for the Apple and its walled garden IOS.

I do need to note, Apple’s walled garden IOS is still currently the best mobile infrastructure and it is still the phone I recommend to most average users but the grass is really starting to look greener on the other side of the wall.

Read the full post…

In Innovation, mobile android, Apple, Facebook, Google, IOS, VOIP

Android Is Dominating the Smartphone Market Share

Dwayne Harapnuik — January 10, 2013 — Leave a comment

Source: MBAOnline.com

In mobile android, opensource, smartphone

Why Guy Kawasaki Ditched iOS For Android

Dwayne Harapnuik — December 13, 2012 — Leave a comment

http://readwrite.com/2012/12/11/shock-and-awe-apple-legend-guy-kawasaki-has-become-a-hardcore-android-fan

ReadWrite – Shock And Awe: Apple Legend Guy Kawasaki Has Become A Hardcore Android Fan via kwout

Guy Kawasaki was the original Apple fanboy who was most responsible for starting the “cult of mac” so one could be surprised to hear him state:

“I fell in love with Android on the smartphone, and then I got a Nexus 7 and started using Android on the tablet as well. To me the great irony is that Apple’s slogan was `Think Different,’ but today if you think different you’re looking at Android.”

Thinking different is really just a matter of expecting a smartphone to support LTE (which is up to 20 times faster and 4G), Near Field Communication (NFC), true multitasking, the ability to sort apps alphabetically and something as simple as a standard micro-USB cable that can be used on any device. To be fair to Apple, Kawasaki switched to Android prior to the iPhone 5 which now supports LTE but he isn’t willing to switch back. The iPhone 5 just doesn’t offer any advantages. Similarly Kawasaki isn’t willing to switch back from his Google Nexus 7 tablet to the iPad Mini because there are no advantages.

When you take into account that Android now has 75% of the smartphone market share compared to Apple’s 15% it is clear that many people are also moving in this direction. I have held off on upgrading to the iPhone 5 and am currently trying to decide between the Samsung Galaxy SIII and the Google Nexus 4. If the Nexus 4 supported LTE I would not even be considering the SIII because of it slow operating system upgrade cycles. BUT… LTE coverage in Canada is not the greatest and the Nexus does support HSPA+ 42Mbps speeds which much better supported in Canada. The remaining challenge with the Nexus 4 is getting one. Google has been sold out perpetually and without the ability to pre-order it is difficult to order a phone without constantly monitoring the Google Nexus site.

I have repeatedly stated that I really don’t care who makes the device, I prefer to use the most powerful, fully featured and effective phone or tablet that I can purchase. Right now Android is taking the lead from Apple. As soon as I can order a Google Nexus 4 I will be making the switch. Since my oldest son has assumed control over my iPad 2 and left me with only an aging iPad 1 I will be joining Kawasaki and will be moving to the Google Nexus 7 as well.

Read the full article…

In mobile android