Comments on: iPhone review confirms the future of learning

By: Naomi

Naomi — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 01:04:47 +0000

Very interesting point about mobile devices in education – Reminds me of a recent news coverage of a Japanese school using Nintendo DS in English classes. For the first 10-15 minutes of each class, kids are given Nintendo DS with English-lesson software installed and practices spelling English words. The school claimed that the kids were performing better in tests this way.

By: Antoine of MMM

Antoine of MMM — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:45:12 +0000

While I agree that the iPhone is a good device. I thought that this article would touch on the iPhone exxploiting levels of interactivity that previos mobile devices only glazed over. The touchscreen UI and web apps can open the ebook platform up and the idea of a browser as the interaction layer could lead to more usable and relevant web portals regardless of device.

I do think cost is an issue but that it can be overcome by careful planning, training and lower device and development buy-in costs.s.s.

By: Carnival of the Mobilists #80 at mobilejones

Carnival of the Mobilists #80 at mobilejones — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 13:35:05 +0000

[...] Judy Beck, Golden Swamp, provides a refreshing look at the iPhone. iPhone Review Confirms the Future of Learning highlights the features of the iPhone and its novel UI which “will help kids learn.” [...]

By: Judy Breck

Judy Breck — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 16:38:13 +0000

The present financial ramifications are interesting but not relevant, except perhaps remotely, to what the iPhone demonstrates about the future of learning. The iPhone shows the vast virtual world can be delivered into students’ hands. We spend $3 billion + every year on textbooks in the USA alone. iPhone show a handheld can deliver the virtual content of the Internet which is far superior to what textbooks can deliver.

Bottom line: we could buy a lot of iPhones – even at the present extravagant rates – for students with the billions we spend on outdated textbooks.

By: Eric B

Eric B — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 15:22:37 +0000

Judging by yesterday�s selloff, I think potential customers are starting to realize how expensive the iPhone will be. If you sign the mid-range $99.99/mo service plan after purchasing the 8GB iPhone model, that alone will set you back $3000 during the two-year contract (without any accessories)!

Other potential hurdles:

* You must be an AT&T customer to use the iPhone. With a market share of 20%, that means 80% of wireless customers must cancel their current contracts to sign with AT&T. Being a Sprint customer, I would have to pay a $175 cancellation on top of the $3000 price tag for the iPhone. AT&T�s exclusive contract runs through 2009.
* Only 4 & 8GB of hard drive space? My tiny video iPod holds 30 GB for less than $200.
* Recent surveys have shown that the majority of IT departments will not even consider the iPhone due to its PC incompatibilities & exclusive AT&T contract. That will dampen business spending & all but eliminate demand for the higher-tier contracts.

This is the ultimate �sell the news� scenario. On Jan 9th 2007, Steve Jobs announced the iPhone at the Macworld Conference & Expo. The stock has since been on fire rising 50% to $125, adding $30 billion to the company’s market capitalization. Will the iPhone really hold that much value for Apple? This huge runup comes after a fantastic finish to 2006 after Apple�s stock bottomed out at $50 in October. Thus, nearly everyone holding Apple is sitting on huge gains.