Schools Say Goodbye to White Polycarbonate MacBooks and Hello to MacBook Airs.

Apple has officially announced the “End of Life” for the white polycarbonate MacBook,  computer that has been the standard and workhorse in classrooms throughout the world. The model is no longer on the website. Apple notified consumers last year that his model would be phased out, and only available to educational institutions. Now educational sales have ended.

This white polycarbonate workhorse has been the entry-level MacBook for ages. Recently the MacBook Air ran competition alongside this old faithful workhorse at the same starting price point. Technology departments I spoke with preferred the MacBook Airs for many reasons, but cited “less could go wrong’ as being most favorable. Many teachers like the MacBook Airs sleek form factor and ‘instant-on’. The MacBook Air has been a big hit in educational institutions from the start.

(more…)

By Ryan Orilio, Apple Distinguished Educator

The Kogeto Dot is a $79.99 camera attachment for your iPhone 4 or 4S that allows you to create 360° videos. I got a chance to play with one, and I then passed it among the students in my high school Video Productions class, and this is what we thought about it.

Attaching the Dot
The Dot is very easy to attach to your phone. It snaps on the back of your phone (once you have removed your phone from it’s case) and automatically aligns the mirror above your camera. It is not difficult to remove either, and the plastic of the case seems pretty sturdy. (I wasn’t afraid that it was going to break at any time).
(more…)

I was recently sent a pair of SleepPhones to try out.

I often have trouble falling asleep at night, and I use soft music to help be get to sleep. The problem that I have with my normal headphones are that they are uncomfortable and the buds fall out of my ears.  (I’m tossing and turning a lot.) Another problem I have with my normal ear buds is the shortness of the cord.

Well, SleepPhones are a fantastic solution for teachers and students that use music to help fall asleep. The are extremely comfortable, the cord is extra long, the sound quality is good, and everything stays where it needs to while you are trying to get some rest.  I recommend them.

You can remove the headphones through a velcro enclosure in the back so (more…)

I enjoy using my iPad for everything. Typing on it is pretty good too. I must admit, however, that  if I am going to do any extended amount of typing I would prefer a physical keyboard.  I know others have found this to be true as well.

Some of my friends have purchased iPad cases with built-in physical keyboards. I’ve tried them and warn you against them. While they do protect your iPad and offer a keyboard, they are too bulky.  It ruins the experience of the iPad in my opinion. I know some who have even had trouble with the keyboards themselves as well.

The only protection I use for my iPad 2 is the SmartCover. I think it works just great.  I transport my iPad in its own padded section of my book bag.  That is all I need.  If you still want a case, and I can understand because iPads aren’t cheap, please test them out thoroughly to ensure you will be happy with it.

For extended amounts of writing

(more…)

On the twelfth day of Christmas Wired Educator gave to me…”

A You Rock Guitar!

Boom!

Today is our twelfth and final day of our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway and today’s gift to you is absolutely cool.

I do not play guitar, and maybe you don’t either, but I have always had a secret dream of learning a song or two and rock one out. I’ve also secretly wished that all of those hours pretending of rocking to Guitar Hero and Rock Band would lead toward some sort of musical talent or benefit.

(more…)

“On the first day of Christmas Wired Educator gave away…

Twelve apps for your iPad.”

Keep reading to find out how you can win.

Today Wired Educator is giving away twelve iPad apps. These apps make learning fun, look great, and utilize the iPads unique features amazingly well.

We have reviewed all of these apps on our blog in the past year and now we are giving a bunch of them away today. (more…)

On the first day of Christmas Wired Educator gave to me…

Find out Monday, December 12 as Wired Educator gives away the first of the its twelve prizes to lucky readers. Wired Educator is giving away twelve prizes, over twelve days, to twelve readers.

We will be giving away prizes ranging in value from $.99 cents to over $200.00. Some of the prizes are software and other prizes include some fun hardware. We have quite a variety of fun and something different every day.  You will want to stop by every day to check it out. We might even exceed the twelve as new sponsors join the fun.

This is a fun opportunity for you to win something cool as we count down to Christmas.

So, stay tuned on Wired Educator’s website, Facebook page, and Twitter Account, and play along. You can’t rely on just one of the social media sites. You will need to check all three.

Each day is an opportunity to win.

Good luck.

Rules: You must follow Wired Educator on Facebook, Twitter, and visit their website to win. Each day you will be asked to comment on a specific post, or support the sponsor through social media in some small way.  Basically you are just a click or two away from winning some cool swag.

I really enjoy my iPad and people are always asking for my opinion on which one to buy.

I have made recommendations at conferences, at presentations, over the phone, via email, an emergency call from the Apple Store from a friend, and even in the middle of a sporting event.  I thought it prudent to finally put my recommendation down in a blog and explain it to those that are interested and value my opinion.

First, when should I buy an iPad?  If I am concerned that an Apple product is about to be updated, I always follow MacRumors Buyer’s Guide.  I keep a very close eye on Apple Blogs and feel I have a fairly good grasp of what and when new products may be coming out, but I have found MacRumor’s site to be a fantastic resource for myself and to recommend to others.

Here is Wired Educator’s official and very specific iPad purchasing recommendation: (more…)

Question:

Can I view Flash sites on an iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch?

Answer:

Yes!

How to View Flash on the iPad (…and other iOS Devices)

How can I view Flash sites on an iPad? I have been asked this question often enough. I have recommended iPads to many individuals and schools and occasionally someone asks this very question. Competitors pointed out the inability of the iPad to view Flash at its release, and have tried to make its inability to view Flash as a weakness or fault. Most educators familiar with the iPad realize the new standard for video is and will continue to be HTML5 which nearly everyone is adopting. Flash has been viewed by Apple as old, outdated code that hasn’t even tried to keep up. Flash just isn’t good for tablet devices, some say, citing battery consumption and other problems. Still there are those that would like to view Flash on an iOS device like the iPad and it can be done.

For those seeking possible solutions for viewing Flash on the iPad we have a variety of solutions for you (more…)

Apple quietly launched an 21 inch ‘iMac for Education’ with some attractive price points for educational volume pricing. However, the lower price does come with sacrifices.

According to the report, the iMac has downgraded specs and can be purchased for under $899 in educational volume purchases. Details to be released on order by order status via Apple Educational Representatives. The iMacs will be priced at $999 if the volume purchase isn’t large enough. No idea on how many you will need to order to get the $899 price. At the moment, the price is only for higher education. (Sorry high schools and under.)

Here are the specs: (more…)