I have just been reading the 2010 Summer issue of Mobile Learning News published by MoleNET which investigates Mobile Learning.
According to MoleNET, the hottest release that everyone seems to be talking about is the Apple ipad, a sort of mix between a laptop and a phone, which uses a touch-screen interface and an operating system that phone users will be familiar with: iPhone OS. I see they cost about £429 each.
One article explains how a lot of cutting edge mobile technology has developed from disability solutions technology. One example is the Penfriend, a device like a pen that creates microdot identified labels that can link to audio files. You can stick a label on something and record what you want to say about it using a microphone on the penfriend. Then any time the label is scanned using the same penfriend device (which has an oid reader on the opposite end to the microphone,) it will play back the audiofile. This could be useful for making audio labels for displays, or so that students could each record written reports relating to particular objects. Each penfriend apparently costs £65 and is available from the RNIB shop
Mobile technology is one of the things we are investigating at work for our 23 things programme: more to follow on mobile technology, thing 11 and thing 12 next post!
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