Incurable iGeek

At almost 29, I still answer to my Mum and I figure some things should be announced from a distance.

So,...
Mum, yesterday someone made the mistake of leaving me unattended in a Telecom store... and I upgraded to iPhone 4GS.

(image from mobilemag.com)

Aside from just being downright cooler, it had some interesting functionality over and above earlier iPhones. One of the first features I noticed was the increased speed.

I was able to speed test my iPhone 3G against the iPhone 4GS (3 generations newer) and the speed difference was incredible. It made for a much smoother internet experience and I was able to visit websites with greatly increased ease.

Another feature I like is the ability to use the 4GS as a secure mobile network which my 3G couldn't do. I can now piggyback my iPad or Mac off my cell internet (and data package) when I'm out of range of Wi-fi (wireless internet).

Anyway, I claimed yesterday that it was a work expense. "As the resident ICT geek, it is important for me to stay current in my knowledge of the popular products of today's youth". Hey, it's a handy excuse!

But, today I made good on my claims and used it at school for a large scale production I was working on. I sent children out in different directions with the iPad and iPhone and they came back to me with the quality filming I required (with little or no extra support from me or other adults I might add).

Both the iPad2 and iPhone 4GS gave great clarity both in their picture and in their sound qualities but, most importantly, with the one touch recording, it was completely kid friendly and easy to use. I was able to hand it to them and let them go (after reminding them ever so sweetly that their making it to see 2012 relied heavily on them returning the iproducts in top condition).

My old phone, being an earlier model, was unable to record video without a 'jailbreak' (aka, hacking or, simply put, cheating) Having the iphone and the ipad in the class allows children to be doing various things at once. With a good cases and covers (and some anti anxiety pills), I can send some kids out to complete and video a learning challenge for their blogs with the iphone, have others photographing challenges with the class camera and still other children using Apps (programmes) on the iPad. That means I can have an entire group working on ICT challenges.

Down the track we hope, as a school, to adopt a pod of both items for the children to use but as a trial, both the iPad and iPhone have been very successful and rather popular, in the limited time we have had with them.

Of course, you wouldn't buy an iPhone if you were buying for your school, you would only need an iPod as it has the same features (minus the phone capabilities of course).

There is just so much you can do with these products.
Stay tuned for more posts about some of our cool attachments and Apps we have been trialling in Room 3.