Most people know that Apple has been involved with the education community for decades. Consider that their iTunes U offering on iTunes has a stunning amount of FREE content (mostly audio and videos) from leading universities from around the globe.
But, today, Apple unveiled a FABULOUS new initiative aimed at electronic textbook creation, delivery, distribution, use and pricing. Consider that many of the textbooks that will be offered in the new iBooks store will be under $15 (at least as presented today), students will be the beneficiaries of an array of interactive textbooks for a fraction of the cost of printed textbooks.
All of these books will be viewable on Apple’s iPad, of course.
Add to that the ability of teachers (or anyone for that matter) to create and deliver their own interactive books (textbooks or otherwise) and you have the beginnings of a major shift in education and learning.
If you are an administrator, teacher or student wanting to catch a glimpse of the future of education, be sure to watch this introduction video. AMAZING stuff! Just a note: If you are on Windows, you’ll need to have Quicktime 7 to watch the video.
As a real estate broker for nearly 25 years and with MANY real estate clients who have used THINK-TANK over the years to assist them with branding and marketing consultation, I have also been a fan of Apple for a long time. At the time the iPad was first introduced, I was fascinated with the potential for real estate agents who are more mobile than ever before and not so tied to their offices. After all, agents make their livings being out in the field with prospects. Was this idle speculation or is it coming to fruition?
Apple just profiled a “boutique” real estate firm in Austin, Texas which has embraced the concept full bore. See the details and watch the video HERE.
If you look around this site, you’ll quickly see that THINK-TANK is VERY focused on helping companies find TANGIBLE ways to WOW their customers, clients, employees or prospects. A businessZONE article just featured a story about “6 Ways to Delight Your Customers.” It is very practical, generally inexpensive and VERY powerful. Check it out HERE. If you need additional ways that you can apply specifically to YOUR business, contact us.
I’m not really into model trains or creating Lego models. But, this WORKING model airport completely blew me away!!
My guess is that just about ANYONE (regardless of age) would appreciate the design and “construction” talent that went into this project! Check out the video HERE.
While Apple has, for years now, hosted iTunes U as a way to bring mostly FREE educational videos to students, teachers and others, Google has just now launched its own service called YouTube.edu.
It has sections for Primary & Secondary Education, University and Lifelong Learning. While it may not have the depth and breadth that iTunes U has, it signifies that online learning and extending the reach of an individual educator appears to be the wave of the future. See what you think HERE.
While the new Phillips Vital Signs Camera App may cause you to say, “Very cool, but not groundbreaking,” you may want to consider the revolution that is underway with it. After all, it’s a $.99 app that will actually determine your heart rate and breathing rate just by watching a camera on your iPad. No big deal? Well, just imagine the NEXT innovation that uses such clever technology to reveal even more about your personal health without you visiting the doctor or hooking up some equipment. To get a glimpse of the future, check out the Phillips video here.
Several years ago, Barry Blades, the CEO and President of SixthSenze, Inc. provided a candid look at his reaction to working with us to provide marketing and design services. The video has now been updated to an HD format. Check it out here. We’re surprised by the number of businesses that AREN’T using videos for testimonials, product demonstrations, training or motivation. Are you?
If you read my most recent post, you have a bit of an insight into what was predicted might happen with Apple’s new iPhone release. While the phone itself wasn’t the vaunted iPhone FIVE, the iPhone 4S is a rather significant upgrade to the previous version even though the physical appearance is the same. One of the most interesting inclusions is the “Siri Assistant.” To see how Apple has taken the original concept and woven it into the entire operating system and how this might “assist” you, check out the video here.
While we won’t know until October 4th, 2011 (or so) whether Apple is going to release an iPhone 5, there are rumors floating around that one of the AWESOME capabilities of the new phone is a built-in capability rumored to be called “Assistant.”
If this technology is included, it will once again elevate Apple’s innovation to a new level for all of us including those who are visually impaired. Check out my original post about what I saw then as a major coup for Apple in their purchase of a company called Siri, the company that developed the technology used in Assistant.
To go directly to the video, click here.
We’ll all have to wait and see if this comes to pass. If so, get ready to be dazzled by Apple once again!
If you look around the THINK-TANK site very long, you’ll quickly understand that I am an extreme advocate of sharing Unique Business Cards that help you stand apart. From my trademarked “CardChure” (combination Bus Card and Brochure) to Motion Cards and beyond, setting yourself apart rarely, if ever, happens by having a Business Card that looks like everyone else. Other than a personal logo, your most valuable marketing tool is often your UNIQUE business card. Click on the BUSINESS CARD CATEGORY in the right sidebar to see some samples that I’ve designed.
But, is the future of card sharing becoming more digital and less physical? Possibly. However, just as I think that sending someone a handwritten note in the mail is way more powerful than sending them an email, I still believe that giving someone a “can’t-throw-it-away” Business Card that has a WOW factor to it is brand-building 101.
However, if you are wanting to move to a digital brand, there’s an interesting app that might intrigue you. Here’s the video that shows how it works. The only disadvantage that I see with this and other electronic cards is that often (almost always) the other person has to have the same app installed on their phone for the sharing to work.
Nonetheless, this video will give you a peek at what’s coming in the years ahead.
