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

Which hand should I hold the baton in?

Which hand should I hold the baton in?

Without the help of an iPad, watch this show filled with sheer enthusiasm and originality. Bravo!
Parents- are you going to give your kid a baton or an iPad if you have the choice?   I will definitely give him a baton :-)

Top Innovation of 2010

My friend sent me this link from CNN news...

http://ht.cdn.turner.com/cnn/big/tech/2010/12/24/2010.top.ten.innovations.cnn.ipad.qtref.mov

An 'iChristmas Concert' - performed with iPads and iPhones

Can you imagine if we don't need instruments any more in the next decade to have an orchestra sitting only with their ipads?  Gee- such as revolutionary concept! yet soon to be realized in the next generation or sooner.  No wonder Apple's stock price has rocketed high, and analysts have forecast a upcoming close to $500s.  What do YOU think?

Free alternative to Clickers

I just read about Dian Schaffhaiser's article in Campus Technology on using a web 2.0 application which takes poll from everywhere free up to 30 responses per question. Check this out - www.polleverywhere.com.

Users can text from their phones or go online to vote, and instantaneously, the results of the poll is displayed and charted. There are three types of polls you can create:

1. multiple choice - give voters choices to vote on, and display results on a chart
2. free text - allow voters to text in any information such as feedback or identification information
3. goal poll - allow voters to text in numbers and a thermometer will display results.  This is good for pledging and fundraising towards a goal.

Upgrade is available for polling more than 30 participants.  Of course, the different plans will offer more control for you to identify and monitor voting process. 

Here's an example of a choice poll I have created, and that I am embedding it in a webpage. I can also embed this to facebook and twitter, or share it via an email.  The coolest thing now is the new feature!!! Check this out -  http://blog.polleverywhere.com/tag/newfeatures to see how you can have your audiences sync to whatever polls you are looking at during your presentation and let them vote instantly.

Make a live audience poll at Poll Everywhere

Google voice is cool!

Cut down on your international call bill, and get a number that rings all your phone. These are all free! Get google voice today.

Accessibility issues with new emerging technology

When the iPad first came out, I am interested to see how this tool can be introduced to seniors who have sight- impairment and are intimated by technologyies.  Thus, I ecnourage my seventy-five-year-old dad to play with it.

The first thing I noticed that was working is how the font size can be 'stretched' out to allow better readability on the screen.  Although it's almost a 'take-for granted' feature for current users of iPhone, iTouch, and iPad, it is something that I see can impact further for many other user sectors.

Senior citizens, like my dad, can absolutely benefit from this application capability to continue his daily interest in pharmaceutical and healthcare.

Here's an article I dawn on: [Campus Technology, dated July 7]http://campustechnology.com/articles/2010/06/29/department-of-ed-lays-down-law-on-kindle-e-reader-usage.aspx

Controversial indeed.  iPad's arrival sets the trends for future e-Readers, at the same time, also urging Kindle and similar products to get better at the competition. In academia, I believe that all technologies would be improved and be equally accessible by all students in the long run.  We will see...

Project Natal - the Technology in 10 years? or sooner?

Have you thought of what technology will become in the next 5 years, or next 10 years? Guess! Some human brains are amazing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYYonyqHIoc&feature=related

Google Docs is cool!

Demo on Google Docs
 

I am creating this document using Google Docs, which is an online freeware from Google.

 

You can create documents that can be downloaded as .doc, pdf, rtf, html and other formats. You can use this for word processing, slideshows, spreadsheets and online forms, and share with your friends through a link, web page or as an attachment to an email. Also, you can also roll-back to any previous versions of the document as needed. I can publish this document on the web as a link, and have set up to post it to my technology blog automatically from Google Docs. 怡

Watch 'Google Docs in Plain English' video

 

How to Add a Share button on your blog or web page

I dawn on Sharethis.com and find an easy solution to add various social networking logos on your web page or blog in order to quickly share your content with your friends.  This is how it works:

1. Simply login to Sharethis.com
2. Register as a new user and enter your information.
3. Click the 'Get the button for this site' link and follow the wizard.
4. After you have customized the ordering of your buttons, click the 'Get the code' button.
5. Copy and paste the code into the template for your website. Make sure you paste between the tags within your code.

 Try now and click on the below ShareThis button.

Flip Videos -Fun and Affordable Video Camcorder

Flip Video is a hip, sleek, light-weight, pocket-size digital video camera with built-in mic and a 2x zoom. It makes video capturing so easy that a third-grader can probably use it without much instruction. All you need to do is to push a button to start/stop recording, plug it into your computer via a USB port and download or upload your movie to the web on the fly. It's great for youTube fans or students who simply need to videotape a lecture. The videos are of good quality and can be shared as email or online. Using their Flip software, you can capture photos from your video and add music to your movie.

Flip has come down in price. You can get a second-generation Flip Ultra Camcorder 120 minutes for a 4GB storage is as low as $149.00, a designable 60 minutes 2 GB Flip Mino is only $179.00. A Flip Ultra HD with a 8GB 120 mins is $199.00 and a designable Mino HD 4GB 60 mins is $229.00.

Other Reviews:
Amazing TechProducts review on Flip Ultra
Computerworld Review on Flip Video

New Embedded Streaming Videos

Here is a streaming video - Mills High School Dragon team in the neighbourhood parade during Chinese New Year 2009(.mov format)

Free Screen Capture Software for Cross-platform

Jing is a TechSmith Corporation's screen capture project for use on cross-platform, taking screenshots and making videos with sounds, which could be easily converted into png images for posting or as swf files for video playback. Jing is a free initiative, which intends to help people communciate more clearly and create engaging presentations for different audiences.

Jing allows users to save the recorded files to their desktops, and also for those who want to share their images or videos on Flickr or FTP to other servers, Jing can certainly accomplish that with a simple click.

A two-minute sample screencast of Jing can be viewed here: http://video.techsmith.com/jing/latest/demo/introvideo/index.html.

For download, please visit http://www.techsmith.com/download/default.asp

Animoto Makes Video Creation Easy

Animoto is a freeware which allows you to create your video with Hollywood video effect, accompanied with a music library for you to choose from. All you need to do is to upload your images. For movies longer than 30 seconds, you will need to buy a $30 All- Access Pass good for a year.

Take a look at this:

How to embed a Talking Picture - Powered by Snapvine.com

Instructions:

Snapvine Publisher API allows users to add voice and tell a story behind their photos. All you need is to get a free account on Snapvine and then add the auto-created JavaScript code to your site. Vistors to your site will see your image with a playbar below it to play the voice over. They can also click the Share button where they will copy the auto-generated code and paste them in their own social network like MySpace. All shared images have backlinks that can take users back to your site.

Beautiful

See more Talking Photos

How To Embed a Map to Your Blog?

View Larger Map

Isn't this cool? Just want to share with you that this is as easy as embedding a video from YouTube.

Instructions:

1. Simple login to Google.com and click Maps.


2. Search for directions or an address.


3. Click the 'Link to this page' on the right above the map.


4. You will then see the HTML to copy.


5. Then simply Paste into your blog using the HTML editor.

Happy Blogging!