mLearnCon News and Updates

Report: PreK-12 Mobile Learning Hindered but Growing

Mobile learning in preK-12 is growing at a double-digit rate, but according to new data released by market research firm Ambient Insight, several factors are hindering it from even more rapid adoption, including "saturation" of older forms of technology in American schools.

Excluding mobile computers (laptops, netbooks, tablets), the market for mobile learning technologies in the United States was $632.2 in 2009 across all sectors. That gave the United States the lead in mobile educational technology adoption for the first time, surpassing Japan, South Korea, and the UK, according to the new report, "The US Market for Mobile Learning Products and Services: 2009-2014 Forecast and Analysis." And that figure will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.3 percent until it reaches $1.46 billion in 2014.

Read the full article and get the report HERE

Mobile Flash Fail: Weak Android Player Proves Jobs Right

by Avram Piltch | Laptop

I’m the last person on earth who wanted to believe Steve Jobs when he told Walt Mossberg at D8 that “Flash has had its day.” I took it as nothing more than showmanship when Jobs shared his thoughts on Flash and wrote that “Flash is closed and proprietary, has major technical drawbacks, and doesn’t support touch based devices.” After spending time playing with Flash Player 10.1 on the new Droid 2, the first Android 2.2 phone to come with the player pre-installed, I’m sad to admit that Steve Jobs was right. Adobe’s offering seems like it’s too little, too late.

At LAPTOP, we’re still testing mobile Flash on a variety of handsets, but the early returns are a mixed bag, with some sites performing really well and other “unoptimized” videos and games causing restless thumb syndrome. When Flash 10.1 for Android is good, it’s great, but when it’s bad, it can make even the harshest Apple critic want to e-mail Steve Jobs an apology video playing in HTML 5.

Read the full article HERE

Android tablets coming from everyone everywhere

Who isn't readying an Android tablet?

In the past week or so, just about every technology company out there has announced or has been rumored to be carrying a Google (GOOG) Android-based tablet. Here's a list I've compiled below:

HTC is using Israeli-based N-Trig to build their Android tablet for shipment in time for holiday shoppers according to TheMarker. The timing may be tied to a dubious rumor but N-trig is separately working with HTC on multi-touch tablets and HTC is one of the leading suppliers of Android devices in the world.

Chang Ma, vice president of marketing for LG's mobile-devices unit told the WSJ, that LG's Android tablet will set itself apart from Apple Inc.'s iPad by focusing on the ability to create content, rather than simply display it.  It will also have "high-end features and new benefits," many of which will focus on productivity, Mr. Ma said. "It's going to be surprisingly productive. Our tablet will be better than the iPad."  Those are some mighty big words.

Read all about it HERE

GeekDad Opinion: Enough ABCs From iPhone / iPad App Developers

By Daniel Donahoo | Wired

Here at GeekDad we are fortunate to spend time reviewing and exploring the increasing number of applications design to entertain, educate and amuse our children. The sudden rise in accessible touch technology through smartphones and tablets combined with the business model provided through App Stores to developers has turned application development into a modern day equivalent of a gold rush. Everyone is out there, developing apps as quickly as possible – hoping to strike it rich with a well designed flatulence application – and consequently flooding the market with sub-standard applications that see them back up their tent and leave the electronic frontier as quickly as they came.

Consequently, there are a lot of apps for kids that are not well thought through, not developmentally appropriate, or simply way too generic! And, in my professional life and personal life having reviewed and played a lot of these games I think it is time to ask developers to start focusing on quality, rather than quantity.

Read More http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2010/08/geekdad-opinion-enough-abcs-from-iphone-ipad-app-developers/#ixzz0xexXt5uU

The 18 Best iPhone Apps

Seeking the best productivity tools, utilities, and games for your iPhone? Here's our selection of the best apps exclusive to Apple handsets. To see multiplatform apps and titles made just forAndroid or BlackBerry, read the other articles in this package.

Productivity Tools

CalenGoo syncs with your Google Calendar and even has a similar look. Other neat features include the ability to invite people to events, plus an integrated task list.$7

Re-creating a desktop browser on the iPhone's screen, Atomic Browser has tabs, ad blocking, multitouch gestures, a passcode lock, Facebook/Twitter integration, and more. Free basic version, $1 premium version

Through Instapaper you can save Web articles you browsed on your iPhone for later reading, using a browser bookmarklet. The Instapaper Website reformats your saved articles (sans Flash ads and clutter) for quick reading on the desktop. $5

See the others HERE