Blog IT

Notebook marketshare

Joe Wilcox of Microsoft-Watch analyzes the latest notebook marketshare data from the NPD Group. He specifically looks at the revenue breakdown and Apple's long term decision to compete at the high-end market for notebooks. Despite Apple's relatively modest marketshare (~10%), they capture 30% of the revenue amongst notebook manufacturers. (via MacRumors; read more)

AI uses iTouch to deliver content

American InterContinental University Online is embracing Web 2.0 ideology by making it possible for learners to check grades, read and post announcements, interact with their learning management systems, as well as downloading instructional content.

AIU is using the iPod Touch to provide these new services. This is an excellent example of accommodating multiple learning styles. Moreover, AIU is aligning educational products and learner needs, rather than imposing a technology on people just because it was convenient for the institution or the service provider.

YouTube video of iPod Touch in action:

Texas university giving freshmen iPhones and iPod touches

Abilene Christian University in Texas began exploring uses for mobile devices in the summer of 2007 and ran a pilot study with faculty and and educational technology developers to determine how the iPhone could be used by students. Read article.

Intelligent Business Decision

Well now - here's some intelligent business thinking. The Cox School of Business at SMU has seen the light and replaced their PCs with Intel Macs. For those of you who don’t know, I’m a huge Apple (mac platform) fan. I’ve owned several macs (3) over the last decade and am also a proud owner of the iPhone. So what? Well, for one thing, the new Intel Macs offer the user the ability to have dual operating systems co-exists on their computer. This means that Windows Vista (or XP) can live right next door to the Mac operating system. Try to do that on a PC! :-)

Top 10 uses of an iPod you'd never expect

- Jo Best, Silicon.com
You may be used to seeing people listen to iPods on the train. You may even use one yourself in the gym or while walking the dog. However, the rise of the iPod has prompted generations of developers - and creative end-users - to exploit possibilities other than simply listening to music or watching videos. Here is a selection of the best, worst and oddest uses silicon.com has come across.

Office 2008 for Mac to come this year

Microsoft has announced that the new version of Office for Mac will arrive in the second half of this year. Read full article.

Apple announces iPhone

MacWorld 2007's keynote, as summarized by Kottke, revealed the long-anticipated iPhone, shipping in June '07. So great, that gives me 6 months to get used to my new Blackberry Pearl before dumping it for an iPhone. :/ 

Apple isn't just for teachers anymore

-Roanoke Times, VA
Radford University officials are brimming with excitement about a new service coming to campus in the fall: iTunes U. Read full article.

iPods as classroom tools are growing trend among national college campuses

-LIZ ABEND, Pepperdine Graphic
Far from Malibu, two Georgia universities have turned the familiar iPod into an education and research tool, now a common practice in many colleges and a handful of high schools across the nation. However, Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Ga. have been practical in creating more versatile uses of the iPod on their campus. They have organized a group of faculty to invent new uses for the available iPod technology. Read full article.

Boot Camp Turns Your Mac Into a Reliable Windows PC

-By WALTER S. MOSSBERG
For mainstream computer users doing typical tasks, Apple Computer's Macintosh models have huge advantages over the prevalent Windows computers from companies such as Dell and Hewlett-Packard. The Macs have sleeker hardware designs, a superior operating system, much better built-in software, and virtually no exposure to viruses and spyware. Apple's flagship model, the iMac, is the best consumer desktop on the market. Read full article.