ReWinD Blog

Last week I had a chance to help out a teacher that was using the Mac lab at their school to do some very cool things with 5th graders on a science project about the solar system. Their teacher had put together some resources about the solar system and I was there only to help show them how to put all that information into a podcast.

These kids, mostly 10 and 11, spent the period recording their narration of the info they had compiled on the solar system with the built-in microphone on the Intel Core Duo 17″ iMacs they were using. With Garageband, it was really easy for them to record and then go back and insert additional comments to introduce each “chapter” in their narration. Once they were done recording the “voice talent” for their narration, we had them drop in little “intro” and “outro” sound effects / loops as well. The kids had a lot of fun picking out loops to spice up their presentation.

Once the audio was set, the kids then dropped in pictures to illustrate what they were talking about in their podcast. In typical Apple fashion, all they had to do was drop the image from the folder in the Finder right on top of the tracks in Garageband. To place the image at a certain timecode in the podcast, you just click and drag. Once in place, the kids dragged the edges of the image placeholder to make it appear on screen for a shorter or longer time. They were able to listen to their podcast (thank goodness we had headphones for all 25 kids!) and then visually move the images to the appropriate spot in the podcast so that they appeared when they were talking about that topic. It was dead simple and incredibly fun to watch how easily these kids were able to manipulate the content to produce their very own podcast about the sun and the planets in our solar system, complete with pictures.

While simple, it was a really powerful illustration of how technology can enhance learning for young kids. The podcast was merely a way for the kids to interact with the content and really own the material that they were putting together. One of the frustrations with projects like these is that sometimes the technology becomes the focus of the lesson and managing the tools actually gets in the way of the content you are trying to teach. Here is where Apple shines, of course. The technology behind Garageband just faded into the background as this group of 10 and 11 year-olds was able to manipulate all the information they had put together in a way that will help them retain what they have learned.

It was a great experience and makes me really excited about the future of education and technology (my two favorite things!).

Note to teachers: This lesson could be adapted to older students by having them research a topic, write the script, and find pictures on their own. It can also be used to have students find examples of a principle, technique, or strategy where everyone will have unique material that all connects to a common theme. You could then host all of the podcasts or publish them to the iTunes Store for the other students to explore.

Apple, Education, Technology Apple, edtech, Education, elementary, garageband, iTunes, learning, teaching, Technology

There’s been some discussion in the blogosphere about the lack of VOIP features on the iPhone when it has WiFi built-in. I suppose the iPhone is more than capable of running a Skype client (or similar software) but I would say that VOIP is never going to happen on the iPhone for the next 5 years.

Why?, you ask. Well, because that’s the term of Apple’s exclusive agreement with AT&T (nee Cingular). I have a little insight into the issue because AT&T Wireless was a client of mine, once upon a time. This was before they were acquired by merged with Cingular. At the time, AT&T Wireless spent over $1 Billion every year just to maintain their wired network connecting all of their cell site towers (which is why they hired me and a small team to try and figure out how to save 5-10% on network costs). It’s a hidden cost, but each cell tower requires backhaul to the network backbone which is usually accomplished with leased lines like T1’s and T3’s. Sometimes microwave is used, but this is more rare. This $1B+ number didn’t necessarily include all the capex money going into improving the network for 3G services. When we look at the new AT&T, these numbers get even bigger.

When you give a CEO a fixed cost in the billions to operate a network, he’s going to want to find ways to pay for that. The value proposition for wireless carriers is largely based on the coverage of their network and the services provided by that network (hence those “can you hear me now?” and “raise the bar” commercials). There used to be value tied to the number but wireless number portability (I also did consulting work on WNP) changed that significantly (to the benefit of consumers). But today, the carriers compete based on coverage, data services, and plan pricing.

If AT&T allowed the iPhone to use a Skype client that would discourage people from using the network that they spend billions to operate, you would choose a cheaper voice plan with fewer minutes in that scenario. Their ARPU (average revenue per user) would go down and their stock price would tank.

But I think there is still an opportunity here and that AT&T should actually embrace the VOIP trend. The key here is that 21st century carriers can turn the value proposition around and make the phone number valuable again. What they need to do is integrate your wireless number with VOIP services so that you can bounce back and forth from 3G, GSM, and WiFi networks while always being accessible at your personal number. This requires a significant amount of engineering in the handsets and throughout the network (both in the backbone and out at the nodes) to enable seemless network hopping. Still, if AT&T would integrate their wireless service with their inherited VOIP service (from the pre-SBC AT&T) they could offer customers the best of both worlds. Cheap calls when in range of WiFi and great coverage when travelling or driving down the road.

Still, when you have are spending billions every year, it’s scary to look at technologies that could disrupt your business. But I think that this is an opportunity for AT&T to actually develop stronger relationships with their customers by offering choice and flexibility. They just need to come up with a way to bill for VOIP usage (at a much lower rate) and have it appear on your regular phone bill.

I can’t help myself from making one more industry insider comment. Most suprisingly to those outside of the telecom industry, modifying the billing systems is usually the hardest part in offering new services.

Apple, Technology 3g, Apple, att, cingular, gsm, iphone, skype, Technology, VOIP, wifi, wireless

I religiously download all the freebies from the iTunes Store every Tuesday. Today, there are a few new items, including a free demo of Vortex, an iPod game (if you’ve got a 5G video iPod). This is the first time that I can recall seeing a free iPod game on the iTunes store. Personally, I think it’s great. The previews on the iTunes Store give you a small clip of the game in action, but I’d rather play a couple levels before I decide to plunk down $4.99.

Also free this week…

• President Bush’s “State of the Union” address
• The Democrat’s response, by Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia
• SOTW - Lonely by Your Side by Azzido da Bass
• DD - Brown Skin by Richie Spice
• Latin - Imaginate by Gallego

Apple, Entertainment Apple, games, iPod, iTMS, iTunes, vortex

I was reading this article over at ZDNet about the iPhone’s missing features (this is actually part two, and is actually a pretty good list) and one item in particular caught my attention. Under software, #3 is “multi-threaded applications” so that you can browse the web while talking on the phone.

Now, I’m going to betray my background as a former wireless telecom guy. When PDA smartphones first appeared, my first reaction was, “I want to be able to use my Palm Pilot while I talk on the phone.” When bluetooth was first being imagined, I was really excited about the new technology because it was going to enable wireless headsets, which have now become ubiquitous. You could check your calendar while you were talking to someone on the phone that wanted to make an appointment with you. In my mind, a smartphone needs a bluetooth earpiece to go with it.

So, I was pretty excited about the bluetooth earpiece that Apple showed with the iPhone. It looks small, simple, and stylish and is bound to be the fashion statement / status symbol that white earbuds are today. BUT, if I can’t use the address book, calendar, and/or surf the web while I talk on the iPhone it’s going to ruin the whole experience.

I’m pretty sure that O’Grady is just guessing at this point, but it sure would be nice to know what features are accessible while making a call. There might be some technical limitations around using the GSM and EDGE features simultaneously, but I expect a lot from Apple here.

Apple, Technology

Just a quick note to say that Garmin has made their Training Center software available for download. Mblog put up a note that says that in order to import your history from the Windows software, you should make sure to upgrade to version 3.2.1 first.

Did I tell you I was really excited about GPS on the Mac in 2007?

Apple, Technology Apple, fitness, garmin, gps, mac, macintosh, software

Welll, I only scored 5/20 on my Macworld predictions. But then, I don’t think anybody anticipated that the entire keynote would be about AppleTV and the iPhone with no news about the Mac at all. What did I get right? Here’s a list…

• Airport update to 802.11n (Airport Extreme)
• Firmware update for 802.11n capable Macs (even though it’s going to cost $1.99)
• iTV got a name (AppleTV) and a release date (February)
• Another studio joined the iTunes store with full-length movies (Paramount)
• iPhone

I’m also going to take credit for a long-shot prediction that Apple would create a product to compete with Microsoft Home Server. The new Airport has a new Airport Disk feature that allows you to turn it into a NAS device simply by plugging in a USB drive. The lack of gigabit ethernet still bugs me though.

That leaves 15 predictions of things that I still expect to see from Apple. I hope we hear about them soon, because I’m about to buy a new Mac and I was waiting on MWSF to make up my mind. Now I’m in a holding pattern waiting for the inevitable hardware updates and a Leopard release date.

Apple 802.11n, Airport, AirportExtreme, Apple, iphone, iTMS, iTunes, MacWorld, microsoft, Paramount, wifi

I wrote a short bit just before MacWorld (isn’t that iPhone cool? even with the limitations) about how Garmin was going to release Training Center for the Mac. Well, they kept their word and handed out copies at the show. We’re still waiting for the download to be made available, but it should be coming Real Soon Now.

A few days ago, Chet’s Corner on the Garmin Blog let out that they were planning on doing a lot more with Mac support this year. In particular, we should see Mac OS X apps for doing firmware updates on your Garmin gear. It was also mentioned that the POI loader will be made available on OS X as well.

This will be a big deal for Mac users because you will no longer need to find a friend with a PC in order to update your gear to the latest revisions. You will also be able to do some things with custom POI’s that you couldn’t do before. Frankly, this is looking like it’s going to be a good year for Mac users and GPS.

I’ll post about Garmin again as soon as the Training Center download is made available.

Apple, Technology Apple, garmin, gps, mac, software

Apple, Technology Apple, iphone, MacWorld

I figured I needed to put my thoughts down on digital paper just so I could see how wrong I am about what Apple has in store…

• We’ll definitely see iLife ‘07 - pricing will be the same and it will be released immediately
• Major upgrade to iWeb
• Major changes to .Mac to pump up the publishing features from iLife 07 and a little more online storage
• iWork will be updated for ‘07, but no spreadsheet app yet
• Leopard will get a release date and all the new features will be shown off. No reason to hold back now that Vista is out. Oh, and it will be awesome!
• ZFS will be bootable in Leopard
• Airport Express will get updated to 802.11n
• firmware upgrade for MacBook Pro C2D to use 802.11n
• iTV will get a name and a release date - it better have all of the 10 features I asked for.
• More feature film studios for the iTunes Music Store to go with the iTV announcement
• New iSight camera
• New displays with iSight built-in, but the old ones will still be available.
• New Mac mini with Core 2 Duo
• eSATA on the iMac and MacBook Pro
• new nVidia GPU options on the Mac Pro
• new Intel GPU on the Mac mini and iMac
• Dual quad core workstation CPU’s on the Mac Pro
• Single quad-core desktop CPU on the 24″ iMac
• iPhone - yawn

And then there’s the things I want to happen, but probably won’t…

• Apple Lossless tracks from the iTunes Music Store
• Something to compete with Microsoft’s Home Server
• Apple external hot-swap hard drive enclosures (ala Icy Dock) for use with the iTV and Macs. You know you’re going to need this when ZFS ships for Leopard.
• Apple USB TV tuner/CableCard adapter to get content for use with your iTV
• A multi-button wireless laser mouse

Apple, Technology

I’ve been thinking about how Parallels has said they are working on DirectX and 3D support for their VM software for the Mac. The basic reason for doing this is so people can play games. Sure, there are some other Windows-only 3D apps out there that people want to use on the Mac, but games is where most people would use this tech. So, I’m just wondering… could Parallels package this “special sauce” with WINE and make a compatibility layer for individual programs to run on the Mac? Just think if Parallels could license this out so that a game developer could release a Windows-only game with the WINE configuration files so that it would install and run correctly on the Mac.

I’ve heard all the arguments about how such a proposition might end game development for the Mac platform and I don’t think it matters. For other classes of software, people will want the OS specific hooks that come with a good Mac application - applescript, growl, iApps integration, keychain, etc. But with games, people don’t care about how the software interacts with the rest of the OS - they just want to play the game.

If Parallels can solve the Direct3D puzzle on the Mac, they should buy Crossroads and license out this Mac-compatibility sauce and get a piece of every single PC game sold from here on out.

Apple, Entertainment, Technology Apple, direct3d, emulation, games, mac, parallels, software, virtualization