JoinMe- a free meeting app for your mobile device?

Here is one free app at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February this year - join.me, which allows for online meeting, chats, file transfer, remote control, and screen sharing sessions anywhere over 3G and WiFi connection. The Software developer LogMeIn has launched this version for mobile iOS devices including iPhone and iPads.

Online meetings can support up to 250 participants, and there's no limits for meetings. Users do not have to register, but simply enter a one-time auto-generated code to enter session. There is nothing to install or download.  If desired for frequent faster connection, you can opt to install the joinme app on your desktop, but it's an option.

There are a premium plan which supports more than 250 participants along with meeting scheduler and monitoring, background customization and more features.

Check out the iOS version: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/join-me/id409811927?mt=8

Just catching up with PSE 9.0 review from an expert

Author Lesa Snider is the chief evangelist of iStockphoto.com, is the author of Photoshop CS5: The Missing Manual (Pogue Press/O’Reilly) and the Kelby Training video titles Photoshop Elements 8 for Digital Photographers and Practical Photoshop Elements.

Here is a her very thorough review by of the new features, including some pros and cons, of Adobe's Photoshop Elements 9.0.

http://www.macworld.com/article/154370/2010/09/photoshop_elements_9_review.html

Looking for Office Suites? QuickOffice or Documents To Go

These are two apps that my colleagues have made reference to as a production tools for editing documents on the iPhone and iPad. Price - QuickOffice is $14.99 (ipad) and Document To Go is $9.99 (lite) and $16.99 (premium) (ipad and iphone).  The apps are very similar, not 100% perfect in either, but seems like they are both very good tools to consider. 

In a nutshell, the interface is a little friendlier-looking with QuickOffice, but Documents To Go seems to be more space-efficient.  QuickOffice allows drag-and-drop transfer of files to and from your iPad over Wi-Fi without actually connect to the computer.  Documents To Go provides file sharing between device and computer via USB cable.  In case you want to save your document and email it to your colleague immediately, Documents To Go does not have any email function, but QuickOffice does allow for that.

More resources:

http://www.tuaw.com/2010/09/16/tuaw-app-shootout-comparing-quickoffice-and-documents-to-go/

http://gigaom.com/apple/ipad-office-suites-quickoffice-or-documents-to-go/

http://gigaom.com/apple/iphone-doc-editing-documents-to-go-vs-quickoffice-pro/

Research on Usability of iPad in Academia

Many schools and colleges have been carrying out research with the iPad.  Educators want to see if this 'consumer product' can also become a productive tool in education, lending new horizons for students.  I'd like to share articles of iPad study on my blog so we can follow the trend and see how the technology will evolve while new needs are being revealed continuously.

Article:  COEHS Faculty Explores iPad Use (Western Illinois University's College of Education and Human Services)

Printing from iPad, iPhone - An article to share

Here are some suggestion if you are interested in printing remotely from your iPhone or iPad.  It's a 'wish-list' feature that some people are watching.  Apple's AirPrint for now only prints to certain models of HP, but as suggested from the article, try Google's Cloud Print.  "Justin Yu, an associate editor at CNet, a technology Web site, recommended a few models at varying prices: the multifunction Canon Pixma MX870 (about $150), Epson’s Workforce 520 ($90) or H.P.’s Officejet 6500A ($75)."  is another venue to check out. 

I would just remind everybody to access the printing cost for ink and estimate the volume of printing before deciding on the model to buy.  Inks are so expensive, and I totally feel for that.  A lot of times, I'd rather go to Costco or Walgreens for print jobs when they have print specials and it's much cheaper than ordering new inks for a project.

Article: 
"Printers adapt to the Web" by Eric Taub, New York Times, February 2, 2011