Microsoft Surface

Well I gave up on the Dell Venue Pro.  Apparently the model that I attempted to use was the problem.  I exchanged it for a Microsoft Surface at the end of last week.  Life is good!  The small screen is good for portability, but it is small. 

I finally learned how to use the pen today!  I "knew" it had to have some added value.  In OneNote, I can write just as I would with paper and pen.  I can also "erase"  using the end of the pen - as well as have the written info converted to text.  I am concerned that it might be easy to lose the pen when only attached at the magnetic point on the side of the tablet.  I'll have to be careful.

Like the Dell, the battery life is fairly short.  It almost lasted the 4 hour meeting this afternoon.  Of course, I have everything "turned on" that uses battery life. 

I am using it as my only computer on the Sloan-C/MERLOT Emerging Technologies in Teaching Conference here in Dallas.  The tablet fits easy in my purse.  The next step is to finish building it and to transfer files from the old laptop.

Dell Venue Update

As it turned out, the first Dell Venue tablet I received at the beginning of February was defective.  Dell replaced the tablet and I picked it up on Tuesday.  So far it is working.  It is similar to the iPad, but a has all of the power, software capabilities, and storage of a desktop.  I still do not like the attached keyboard, but hopefully will get an upgrade.  When all of the files from the older model laptop are moved to the Dell Venue, I will turn the laptop back into IT.

I did pick up a rubber tipped stylus to use with it from Best Buy this week.  The screen size is so small, that they stylus helps when making selections.

While it was frustrating to attempt to get the first Dell Venue to work for 4 works, I have to commend DellCares on Twitter.  They constantly reached out to me to resolve the problems.  DellCares was an amazing experience.  Kudos to those who were so supportive as well as the University IT support person - Matt!!

I wanted the new tablet to use as I am finishing up the first round of edits for the 5th edition Informatics and Nursing textbook.  I wanted the ability to take high resolution screenshots.  The replacement came just in time. 

Tablet Contender - Microsoft Surface

A couple of my colleagues are using the Microsoft Surface tablet.  There are two versions of the tablet, Surface RT and Surface Pro.  Today, the Surface RT costs $340 and the Pro costs $799.  A comparison of the two tablets is at http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/which-surface-is-right-for-you

Microsoft continues to have the majority of the operating system market.  The Surface tablet really can replace the, now old-fashioned, desktop computer.  The Microsoft Surface tablet is a giant step towards Bill Gates initial vision of putting a computer on every desktop, except it goes further.  The tablet is more like putting a computer on every laptop.

Microsoft acknowledges that the operating system (OS) takes a considerable amount of storage at http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/storage 

The size of the operating system is where the Google  OS is so different.  The Google OS is a component of the web browser.  When you turn on a Google Chromebook, it takes less than 5 seconds for the home screen to appear.

MERLOT Mobile Apps to Search for Online Learning Resources

MERLOT (multimedia educational resources for learning and teaching online) now has mobile apps for the iOS (iPad, iPod Touch, & iPhone) as well as Android devices!!  Download the app from the mobile app store so that you can search for online learning resources.  It is a fantastic app!!  If you want to search from a laptop or desktop computer, go to http://www.merlot.org.  MERLOT is includes a translator so that all of the learning resources are available to the international community.

I am the Health Sciences Editorial Board editor.  If you are interested in learning more about MERLOT or if you are interested in assisting with the peer review process, please contact me at jeanne.sewell@gmail.com.

Projector Integration Innovation for Apple Devices

Tracy sent me a link to an article that describes plans to integrate a projector into Apple devices like iPhones and iPads.  The link is at http://appadvice.com/appnn/2011/08/apples-plans-for-projector-integration-are-groundbreaking-exciting-possibly-ready-to-go

What is even more innovative about this function is that it would allow gesturing.  Very interesting.

Now, just in case you might not know it, you can project using an iPhone or iPad, but it takes a separate device (the size of a deck of cards and weighing about 4 ounces).  Examples include:

• Optoma Pico PK101 Projector [PK101] - about $179
• MicroVision SHOWWX+ Laser Pocket Projector - about $294

It is clear that our nursing grad students are going to give me a workout this fall semester as they explore innovations that can be used in the healthcare setting with their iPads.  Can't wait!

Online Meeting app

Recently, I shared information about join.me, a free app that allows for monitor sharing. This past weekend I learned about an app that allows for a online meetings - FuzeMe. A free trial service is available. To learn more go to http://www.fuzemeeting.com/

What is unique about this app is that it works with all mobile devices. The invitation data is imported from your device contact list. The monthly fee for the regular product makes the app less desirable for educators. At any rate, the app is worth exploring.

More iPad apps

I have experimented with additional iPad apps over the past few days.  Martha continues to send me new ideas.  I now have the New York Times, USA Today, Pandora Internet Radio, Google, Flickr, Walgreens (pharmacy), and Zosh.

The newspapers work perfect on the iPad!  They are very easy to read and navigate.  On Pandora radio, you simply enter an artist, song, or composer.  Pandora works on the iPhone and the iPad.

Google is a Google search app that works with voice recognition software to conduct voice searches (iPhone and iPad).

Flickr is photo sharing, same as on the PC.

Walgreens allows you do all of the online pharmacy functions.  You can auto-renew prescriptions and receive email alerts when they are ready.

Zosh (http://zosh.com/) allows you to print, sign, and fax forms using an iPhone or iPad.

I look forward to hearing your experiences. 

iPad

I picked up the iPad today!  Will be reporting updates as I learn them.  So far, there is much similarity with my iPhone.  All of the iPhone apps that I have synced with the iPad using iTunes.