The company had no announcements to make (and that sentiment didn’t change when I pressed reps for comment), but it will be an interesting question to see answered in the coming months. If Apple wants school districts to buy an iPad for every student, it’s going to take more than just a great presentation. When we spoke to Phil Schiller, he told us that he thinks the numbers work out favorably for school districts if you weigh the costs of textbooks and classroom computers against iBooks content and iPads. “It’s affordable for schools,” was the message.
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AppleWorks Support
I wasn’t aware Apple’s support pages for the app were still up until yesterday. It’s especially fun to look at this today, as Apple re-engages the education sector, albiet in a very new way.
The New iTunes U
The updated iTunes U includes a new universal iOS app, integration with iCloud and iBooks, and new tools to build courses and assign content to students. Apple’s expanded availability to include K–12.
Apple’s Textbooks Video Live
Apple in Education
We hope that educators are going to look back on today’s announcements as fondly as our earlier work.
Today’s announcements have Jobs’ fingerprints all over them.
‘Discerning Good From Great’
They say good is the enemy of great, and I agree. Some ideas, as good as they are, should be left alone so that when a great idea comes along there is a place for it. Discerning the difference between a good idea and a great one takes practice and the support of trusted friends and advisors.
4.5 Million Signed Google’s Anti-SOPA Petition
While this is great news, I hope we all were reminded today that we can be vocal about any legislation, not just bills that would break the Internet.
via Reddit
Old Mac of the Month: The PowerMac 8100/100 AV
Editor’s Note: This month’s post is by Erik Schmidt, who is a software product manager who lives with his wife and two boys in Santa Cruz, California. He can be found on Twitter as @erikschmidt and at his blog, Luxury Bauble.
The PowerMac 8100/100 AV wasn’t the first Mac I used, or the first that I owned. It certainly wasn’t the last. But it stands out as the one computer that truly transformed my life.
It’s Working
Members of the Senate are rushing for the exits in the wake of the Internet’s unprecedented protest of the Protect IP Act (PIPA). At least 13 members of the upper chamber announced their opposition on Wednesday. In a particularly severe blow from Hollywood, at least five of the newly-opposed Senators were previously sponsors of the Protect IP Act.
The newly-opposed Senators are skewed strongly to the Republican side of the aisle. An Ars Technica survey of Senators’ positions on PIPA turned up only two Democrats, Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), who announced their opposition on Wednesday. The other 11 Senators who announced their opposition on Wednesday were all Republicans. These 13 join a handful of others, including Jerry Moran (R-KS), Rand Paul (R-KY), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR), who have already announced their opposition.
Blacking Out
Much of the web is going dark tomorrow in protest of the SOPA and PIPA bills. 512 Pixels will be joining this protest, but to really make a change, contact your Congressional representatives.
Ungeniused 016 - Miracle Fruit
It may not feed the hungry or raise the dead, but miracle fruit has the power to seriously screw with your tastebuds. This week, Myke and I get tongue tied talking about Synsepalum dulcificum.
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A Closer Look at SOPA and PIPA
I wanted to take some time to delve into the text of both of these bills, and outline their potential consequences as I am able to understand them. As you can imagine, this is a complex issue, and as a result this is going to be a complex post. I highly encourage you to set some time aside to read this thoroughly. Grab some caffeine, we are going to be here for a while.