Shifting to an Android phone

The Windows phone issued by my work, which I have been using for many years, has now been retired –RIP. A month or so ago, I resurrected my son’s old Samsung Galaxy 5 and have now sorted out some of its ins and outs. The phone is already dated as it was released five years ago. However, I am finding it adequate for the things I use a phone for. 

Porting across and updating any app with a cloud based storage option has been easy. Using my google gmail account name means all the apps in the google ecosystem, recognise who I am and there is a seamless shift across to gmail, youtube, google photos, blogger and any apps attached to this account. Ditto with facebook, whatsapp etc. Uploading postings on to facebook and inaturalist have been straightforward as well.

Galaxy store does not seem to have a good search function and I have switched to google play or use chrome browser to download other favourite apps.

One function I am learning how to use is to track my weekend tramps using the NZ topo maps app. Still experimenting and will report progress in a future blog.

Another function I will need to put some time into, is the AR/ VR via mobile phone. My work with our students still indicates a digital divide, with many of our students studying in levels 1 - 4 not having access to a laptop, PC or WiFi at home. Almost all have a phone, with many only able to afford the most basic smart phone. Therefore, there is still a need to ensure various 'blended learning' initiatives, are still mobile phone capable. 

Christchurch research month 21 August presentations

Teaching and learning for technology is the theme for today 's lunch time presentations from department of engineering and the trade innovation institute.

Dr. Yao Li begins with a presentation on the power of Android. Introduced Android including architecture and apps and potential uses for teaching. Android now up to 4.1x called jellybean. Up to 2.3 only on cell phones, from 3.0 honeycomb for tablet only and latest two icecream sandwich and jellybean on both tablets and phones. Architecture has Linux kernel with access to libraries. Apps have 4 components, activities, services, content providers and broadcast receiver. Teaching Android programming with a focus on engineering. Opportunities for research include real-time performance, security, power efficiency and interface with Android accessories including multimeters, oscilloscopes etc.

Dave Maples then presents on "power systems 1 by distance" . Teaching the course with students located at two campuses using Abode Connect And the smart podium. The smart podium used as a whiteboard. Important to preload all teaching material prior to session And have screens pre configured, prepare for session failure - use the chat window, exchange material on cell phone. Should be used in conjunction with Moodle not to replace. Word files need to be PDF and multimedia files as flv. In general students found learning to be possible.

Flip Leijten unble to present, so I presented his findings from the peer learning project, a continuation on a small project (peer learning with welding students) while working on using videos to study trades based learning. Flip's study extended the peer learning intervention to carpentry, electrical and painting and decorating students.

More tablets launched

A slew of tablets have been launched over the last few weeks in the US of A and feature on Android tablets blog. Of note on the blog,  is a comparison of the main contenders between the recently launched ipad 2 and others including the Motorola Xoom, HTC Flyer, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, BlackBerry PlayBook,  HP TouchPad and LG Optimus Pad.

The Ipad2 due to be launched in NZ at the end of next week but none of the others have made an appearance here yet. Most are more expensive then the bottom end ipad. For instance, Motorola Xoom selling at US$800. Samsung Galaxy Tab possibly to arrive in March / April but will be more expensive than the ipad. The Playbook, when it arrives (no date available) might retail under NZ$500 and no sign of the HP Touchpad (US$899) of the LG Optimus Pad either. So options in NZ still pretty limited.

Looking for net tabs / ipad alternatives

As a follow up from blog in August, I did a trawl through possible places to look for ipad alternatives when I am in Hong Kong or Singapore later this month.  Not sure if I will have time as I only have a day in Hong Kong but will be based in MongKok, which has several likely possibilities for tech. toys.

In Singapore for not quite 5 days with two days taken up by conference and a day at least (perhaps two) with working on the last edit of my thesis with my supervisor, Stephen. Also will have to fit in the obligatory hello to my mother-in-law and various aunties! So time will be of the essence. Good thing about Singapore is shops are open late so should be able to get at least a short hour or so at either of Sim Lim computer / mobile phone centre or at Funan IT Mall on Bridge Road.

An item reported in August reports on 9 alternatives , another with 7 and android forum turns out to be good place to find out more about the large number of Android tablets now available. I found links there to a comparison of various 'lower end' tablets and a link with release dates.


On the ipad end of the market, the Samsung Galaxy Tab seems to be leading the flock with a comparison between the ipad and the galaxy tab from pcworld,  Augen tabs do not seem to have withstood deep scrutiny and no physical sign, as yet of the Asus eee Pad or the MSI windpad and the Blackberry Playpad not as yet launched.
 
So might be a case of having a good look and to do some hands on play with various models including ones with 7" screens and resistive rather than capacitive screens. If I have time, will also do a read up on the various technical specifications, difference between VIA and rockchip processors plus have a chat with various techy types at mlearn 2010 who will have advice to offer. This will provide a better understanding of capabilities of net tabs and form the basis of next year's 'elearning' project applications.

Alternatives to Ipad

I had a chat with automotive tutor – Peter Sauer – who is interested in making use of the tablet as a resource tool in the automotive workshop. There is already a large computer screen and computer set up in the automotive workshop but the students rarely make use of it as it is parked in a corner of the workshop and using it means everyone else in the workshop is able to see what the user is looking for / at. Ipod touches may be a solution but the screens are too small. The mobility of the tablet along with the screen real estate will provide opportunities to use some very effective automotive reference resources to be accessible in the workshop. Some of the resources include 3D models of engines which can be ‘exploded’ out and the details of each engine part scrutinised.


The cost of ipads makes it expensive for apprentices to purchase. Also, we will probably need a robust tablet which will stand up to the hard surfaces in an automotive workshop. The screen will also need to withstand being continually prodded by greasy fingers! So the hunt is now on for an appropriate device which is not too expensive but robust. There are alternatives to the ipad including 7 here and 10 here plus a NZ specific report.

Android OS tablets seem to be about to take off and there is a blog with the latest news on various Android OS tablets about to be launched. We might have to source these on the internet as I can not see many of these devices making it on to the NZ market. I will need to keep an eye out for them when I am in Hong Kong and Singapore in October. I am only in each country very briefly, so will need to do some research before I go, to work out the best places to view and do some hands on try out with any that are available by October this year.

The Palmpad using Web OS might be also launched by then, although early 2011 seems to be a more likely date. I have always been a fan of the Web OS on palm devices having used 4 palm devices. So it will be interesting to see what comes about.

Windows 7 powered tablets seem to have struck a bit of a challenge, with several reviewers, including this one, providing poor reviews. So, there seems to be many about to be launched and a few already available.  The ipad will still be the standard most people will use as a reference point for other tablets.