The iPad Mini Rumors Continue

     Steve Jobs may not been a fan of the idea of a mini iPad, (Too small to be a tablet and to big to be a smartphone) but there is obviously a market for a smaller iPad.  Take a look at the tablet market.  Most successful tablets are in the 7 inch range.  The question seems to be, "Do you want mobility or do you want screen size?"  I used an iPad when they first came out because of the coolness and sexiness factors.  I switched to a MacBook Air because I found if I had to carry a device the size of an iPad, I might as well have a fully functioning computer in hand.  Away from work or home, my iPhone is my computer.  For me, the iPad is just too big for what it can do. 
     Four of my classrooms are equipped with iPod Touches as part of a 1-to-1 initiative.  Cost was a major consideration when the project was initiated.  The iPad was just too expensive for our budget. The only complaint I have about the Touches is the screen size, although it does not seem to be an issue for the kids. I have found these devices work more effectively in our 20th century classrooms (student desks, print media, notebooks, papers, school supplies) than giving each kid an iPad or laptop.  I know, I know, we need to reconfigure our classrooms if we are going to transform education, but the iPad Mini would be a device to help bridge this transition to the 21st century.  I can't wait to take one for a test drive.
     You can read a post written by Tom Kaneshige in CIO.com below:

http://www.cio.com/article/711178/The_iPad_Mini_A_Late_Game_Changer_?page=2&taxonomyId=3052

A Chicken in Every Pot, A Device on Every Desk

Check out this story from the Daily Herald in suburban Chicago highlighting an iPad/macBook Air initiative in District 93 in Illinois.  Younger students will be receiving iPads, while the older kids will get MacBooks.  The district has decided to lease the devices as the technology is changing so rapidly.  Hats off to Superintendent Bill Shields for his vision recognizing that it just doesn't make sense to make kids sign up or wait in line for their turn to have access to technology in their schools. 

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120705/news/707059664/

Can anyone really compete with the MacBook Air?

A number of companies have launched, "ultra-laptops" intended to go after the MacBook audience.  Really?  Anyone out there that owns a MacBook Air knows it about so much more than the "fashionista" factor.  It's not just how thin it is, it's the speed, operating system, software, and intuitiveness. As an Air owner, you'll have to pry my fingers off mine before I would consider the new HP, Dell, or Vizio laptops.  To the latest release of look-alikes - good luck catching up with Apple.  It's a tall order.   You can read the Business Week article here:

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-01-12/hp-dell-go-after-apple-s-fashionista-buyers-with-ultrabooks.html