Handheld Learning - learning with mobile and ubiquitous technologies

I am curious about the racial comment too. Jon anywhere the BJET article is in the public domain?

I'd really like to agree with you on this one Stu but the facts just don't support this viewpoint. One of the consistently largest selling area of magazine printing is on the subject of angling, yes fishing!!! Not sure how much you can keep reading about catching a Chub down your local canal but there it is. Then you've got the hugely popular and not going anywhere soon gossip mags of the Heat variety. Just how many fashion tips can the population take from Kerry Katona?

Hi-Fi, Car and Computer magazines are the same but I take your point about the notion of a single product concept - a bit daft really as the publishers of ZX Spectrum Now! might tell you - although I'm sure they had their day 

I just wonder if the point here is whether Windows Mobile has had it day or Microsoft are too busy fighting off Linux on netbooks to care?


I doubt it's about the phone, there's nearly 1,000 applications on the App Store and counting. Plenty for a magazine to review plus a whole ecosystem of accessories, etc. The thing about Apple products is the way they are attached to a "lifestyle". Could you imagine a magazine about HTC devices (as gorgeous as some of them are)?


I still enjoy print but use web and tech for instant info fixes. The landscape has altered considerably over the past 20 years and we now live in the "long tail" of an ever increasing choice of niches. How long distribution via dead trees will last will depend upon the economics. If flyers and free newspapers in the street were distributed via bluetooth would we choose to accept them? Probably not, which provides these players with their niche.

On another tangent I'm still looking to find my 10 million user niche 

Yes there was also some discussion on this forum:
http://www.handheldlearning.co.uk/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,58/topic,1140.0

But not I think in the direction that Jon is hoping to travel with this thread.

I'm going to ponder more about the racial implications of the "digital native" concept because I'm not entirely certain about how you are applying it. Can you elaborate a little more Jon? What racial implications are you alluding to?

OK - lets stir the waters - one of the problems with these magazines, especially single products ones, are that they get repetative and samey really quickly. They are kind of useful when you first get something or researching options but once you have got the hang of a device they quickly become something unread on the coffee table.

If the iPhone is so easy to use does it really justify yet another publication about it?

On a bit of a tangent, it's kind of interesting that there was a lot of speculation about the death of print when the Web first got exciting and newspapers have definitely felt the pinch, its less obvious with magazines though if a visit to Mssrs is anything to go by! Has new technology meant that niche marketing (which lets face an Iphone magazine is still niche) of magazines are now more viable?

I agree with the idea that creating a "Digital Native/Immigrant" concept is misleading and possibly damaging to the whole learning paradigm shift that is happening. The issue I had with this paper was that it suggest that this concept is pushing the paradigm change rather than technology providing a means for this change to happen.

I also have a problem with the teminology which needs to be examined in terms of its racial implications.

Hi Jon

Been involved in a lot discussions (mainly on this forum it has to be said) about the whole Digital Native concept and I wrote my views in depth here http://www.3sheep.co.uk/2007/11/07/mythmaking-digital-natives-and-immigrants-do-they-really-exist/. From my perspective I see the concept as a bit of a red herring and I think its more useful to look at Digital Technology from a lifestyle enhancement perspective. So for example - if it meets a needs we adopt it, the article explains my views in depth.

Broadly speaking I think it risks creating barriers that don't exist. There are lots of people I know who are older who use technology seamlessly and I've met enough young people to get a sense of 'gadget fatigue' from them.

The problem with 'Digital Natives and Immigrants' is it has become a tabloid-esque headline grabber and polarises into two camps what is actually quite a complex social situation with lots of grey areas.

Graham,

It is fascinating to witness how all sectors of the mobile industry are being reshaped by "smart-phones".  It was not apparent to me before your posting that even periodical media is morphing itself to keep up with the enormous changes occurring  We are living in some exciting times in the mobile industry and HHL is right smack in the middle of the action.

Cheers!

Mark

The US bible journal for Windows Mobile users "Smartphone and Pocket PC Magazine" after 11 years is publishing its last issue before switching horses.

The magazine started life as "Pocket PC" magazine focussing on the Windows Mobile powered Pocket PC sector, then 2 years ago - with the writing on the wall as PDA's fell by the wayside in favour of smart phones - the magazine morphed into its smartphone incarnation before now calling it a day altogether.

The magazine's publisher Hal Goldstein cites Microsofts and its OEMs lack of support for mobile as a reason for the halt in the journal production:



Honestly, I feel Hal's pain here...

Tellingly the magazine's founder is replacing the magazine with a new title "iPhone Life"



More information at:
http://www.pocketpcmag.com/cms/finalissue

I wonder if anybody on the home access programme is paying attention to the market?

 

I routinely use my iPhone in bed just before I sleep.  I turn the brightness down on the screen (it can be overwhleming when the lights are off) and I read the news and sometimes watch a news video podcast (AC 360- CNN Politics) It is a relaxing way to wind down before sleeping.  I use my Nokia phone for mobile television if i want to watch BBC or AlJazeera in real-time

I rarely use my iDevices while in the loo and I find that this is not very hygenic.

I do use my iDevices when I am in a line (que/cue) or waiting for something that will happen shortly (i.e. I am waiting for water to boil and will refer to my iDevice. Or, I am waiting for a friend or wating for someone to do soemthing  (grab cash from an ATM) then I will use my iDevice briefly.

Also, I am out with family or friends and we want to find out th e name of a song that is playing or fact check something, or look up a schedule.

I could share more.

mamk

OK Mark before you answer - I have just noticed your daily commute - so perhaps before you answer - I should point out that maybe you are not the average user!