In addition to opening up Pintley to Android users, this version of the app brings dozens of updates, including:
With the evolution of mobile technology, the next step of education is naturally bringing eLearning to mobiles. The main four mobile operating systems are: iOS, Android, RIM & Symbian. As we know, the final product of the majority of eLearning projects is Flash. As of today, Symbian supports Flash Lite, and Google (with Adobe's help) has done a wonderful job of making a full version of Flash work on Android devices. That leaves Apple's iOS and BlackBerry's RIM as the only platform not to support Flash, with the exception of BlackBerry's tablet, called the PlayBook. You can take the time to write custom apps work like your eLearning, but that costs too much in both time and money.
So what other solutions does that leave us with. As many know, I've been very skeptical of HTML5 technology, mainly because so many are saying its the silver bullet solution to compatibility issues. Well, I'm still not sold on that, but I do think it is a great tool to have at your disposal, especially in the eLearning world.
Last week I was given a demo of a new eLearning tool, Rapid Intake's mLearning Studio, that produces both a Flash based course for desktop and laptop computers, as well as an HTML5 version that works on iOS, Android and soon RIM. The beauty is that you don't have to write two versions of the same course.
Here is a live link (http://rapidintake.com/mobilebeta/sample_beta1/player.html) to a course they produced. Go ahead, take a look at the Flash version on your computer, then pull out your iPhone, iPad or Android (2.2+) device and take a gander at the HTML5 version. The technology is still in the development stages, so if you have any trouble accessing it from your Android, try this link (http://rapidintake.com/mobilebeta/sample_beta1/indexMobile.html) instead.
Here is a link (http://www.rapidintake.com/products/mobile/mobile-learning-studio/) to their product page. Take a look, and feel free to contact them with your questions!
This story was contributed to VentureBeat by Paul Grim, a General Partner at venture capital firm SunBridge Partners. Grim blogs on wireless issues at Grim Times.
For the better part of 20 years, Mac lovers fumed in frustration as Apple languished in sub-5% PC market share territory. Wintel dominated. Big, ugly, buggy, clunky, and everywhere. It seemed as if graphic designers were the only people stubbornly refusing to admit defeat and join the rest of the planet in using Windows.
But then Steve Jobs came to the rescue — and over time, people actually started buying Macs again. And then the iPod! and iTunes! Somehow Apple found a way to reinvent and completely dominate an entire category of consumer electronics. The company seemed to change overnight — and became the leading-edge technology giant it always knew it was supposed to be.
And then the iPod begat the iPhone – and lo, the consumer beheld it and said it was good.
Windows Mobile, Symbian, Brew, RIM, all the closed-deck nonsense pushed by the carriers — they were the dinosaurs in the path of the iPhone asteroid. Even AT&T’s awful network couldn’t stop the juggernaut. Apple had irreversibly changed the wireless industry, for the better.
And then onto Apple’s coattails stepped the Google.
When Google bought the little startup Android in 2005 and eventually launched it into the market, people were extremely skeptical. Previous Linux-based and open platforms had failed miserably, and why would developers want to work on Android when there were already 100,000 apps in Apple’s App Store and growing?
Then HTC and Motorola latched onto Android in a big way (the former to come out from the white-label shadows, the latter to get its mojo back). Droid, Hero, Desire, Droid Incredible, Droid X — all of a sudden it was like a veritable Jawa swap meet. Yes, the Android market was a scatty mess, the apps were fewer and barely legal in some cases. But Android was getting ready to take over.
Back in January I pointed out that Google’s Nexus One was not a big deal, but Android was; Nexus was the concept car, not the iPhone killer. Some believed Android would win because the iPhone was chained to AT&T, whereas Android wasn’t chained to any network. This was partly right, however it goes far beyond that. Once it was clear that Android was building a critical mass, handset OEMs saw their chance to beat Apple and stay relevant. The smartphone segment suddenly had exploded — up to 50% of all new shipments were now smartphones, and in another year it will be closer to 100%.
You may laugh at that last statement, but it is more likely to happen than not, and all because of Android. I realized this when I saw the LG Optimus, an Android smartphone now on T-Mobile for $30. Thirty bucks for a smartphone. Remember when the Motorola RAZR became ubiquitous? It wasn’t popular at the start when it cost $300, but when it became cheap it was everywhere.
Apple may certainly come out with a very low-end iPhone; the company is indeed incredibly adept at segmenting markets with 2-3 different versions of a product and relentlessly driving down prices on all of them. But will Apple ever have 20 versions of the iPhone? 50? Of course not. Will it ever license the platform to OEMs? Are you kidding me? This is why Android will completely dominate the wireless world. It is spreading like a virus throughout the ecosystem as you read this (see chart above). Apple will always be the Maserati of smartphones — leading-edge, trendy, stylish, downright awesome. But Android will be the Ford Taurus — maybe a little dull in comparison, sometimes clunky, but dependable, cheap and everywhere you look, just like Windows in the last Apple Holy War (except for the dependable part).
Mobile app developers don’t necessarily have to choose between these platforms, and mostly aren’t. It’s a far cry from several years ago when you’d have to port your app to dozens of different handsets — now just 2 or 3 platforms and you’re done. However, if you had to prioritize your focus, Android in the long run is the right place to be. Apple’s distribution platform is much better currently, but the numbers game is more important. If you want ubiquity, sell to Ford, not Maserati.
Because Android is truly an open platform and as Developer I can do as I freaking please is why I HEART Android!
I've been married for a little over a week and it has been a wonderful beginning mostly due to the caring of close friends, love shown by family members, and even kind words from a complete stranger. That is the good news.
An exciting update, since Apple has decided to allow iPhone/iPad Apps developed with Flash CS5 an update for TheProducer (Lite Edition) has been pushed to those who downloaded the App, AND TheProducer (Full Version) has been released and is ready for purchase in the iTunes Store.
It is with literal tears in my eyes I write this next paragraph. I've decided it is time for me to leave my startup: TRImagination. It has been an very exciting and insightful journey over the last three years. I wish my business partners, the bests. You are amazing people and good friends. I will stay on until I complete the development of the TheProducer (Desktop Edition) and TheProducer Spanish (Desktop Edition). Who knows what is in store after that, but I know that I want to simplify my life, spend more time with my new wife, and who knows what will come next...
I have to disagree with Chris Anderson and Michael Wolff. While Apps are the popular thing right now, there is too much fragmentation between Operating Systems. iPhone/iPad support this 3D HTML5, Android supports Flash, Blackberry does this, Symbian does that... yada, yada, yada...
Then on top of OS fragmentations, you have fragmentations between different versions of the OS. For example, the iPhone 4 & iPhone 3GS is running the 4th version (iOS 4) of the iPhone OS and can do multi-tasking with apps, while the iPhone 3G can run the iPhone iOS 4, but it can't do multi-tasking with apps. Then the iPads aren't getting the iOS 4 until Q4 of this year, so whoever has an iPad you won't be able to do multi-tasking until then. Yes, fragmentation will always exist because of better technology, but obviously less fragmentation is better than more fragmentation.
A solution to fragmentation is web apps! All browser support HTML. I'm still not touting HTML5 as the savior from fragmentation completely, but I am saying that is can help.
From a developer's or product manager's standpoint it would be easier and much more cost effective to develop multiple web views with HTML, than to have specialized teams developing an app for the iPhone, the iPad, the Desktops, Android, Blackberry, Symbian, etc... Right there you are up to 6 various apps platforms, 6 completely different operating systems (iOS, Windows, Mac OS X, Android OS, RIM & Symbian), and at least 2 different programming languages (Java & Objective-C). Developing apps is a hassle, time consuming and most developers only specialize in one or two languages.
I think apps are a great tool for the here and now, but in the coming years I'm betting mobile web will end up as the king.
Resources:
I thought I would take a minute to explain how my view on Apple has changed over the years:
BTW... I'm selling my iPad! Can't wait to get my hands on Notion Ink's ADAM!!!
The following is a letter I've sent to Mr. Jobs concerning Flash & AIR on the iPhone & iPad:
Dear Steve,
I agree with you... apps and content need to run well on mobiles, and they need to be developed with quality and performance in mind. With that said, I think you are possibly misplacing your blame. Tools aren't the problem, developers are! I don't have a problem with Apple curating the App Store, but by forcing developers to use only one set of tools, I must respectfully disagree. This should be the developer's choice.I think you are missing a huge opportunity here to increase your company's revenue. This little demo proves Flash content can run really well on mobiles devices that are comparable to your iPhone & iPad if done properly.
I believe the real issue that you aren't taking into consideration is that whether an app is built with Flash, Java or even Objective-C; they can still crash. I've seen it with my own eyes with apps on my iPhone and iPad. The quality of the app is up to the developers to ensure that their app is optimized and bug-free. It is not right to blame the tools when the developer built a bloated, buggy app that crashes. That blame should fall solely on that developer for not having a mastery of his tools. Plus, there are still a large number of iPhone apps built with Adobe's AIR iPhone Packager currently in the iTunes Store, of which that majority of them function just as well as Objective-C coded iPhone apps.
BTW... I still have one app, TheProducer, that has been locked eternally "In Review" since March 15, would you at least either approve or deny it. We would like to move forward building apps for the iPhone and iPad with Flash CS5, so that we can educate people of all ages, around the world on how they can create quality media with tools such as the iPhone 4.
I ask that you at least reconsider Apple's stand on this. You could increase your enterprise and gaming developer community significantly by accepting ActionScript developers.Warmest Regards,
Lee Graham
Smokescreen - iPad demo #1 from Chris @ RevShockAds on Vimeo.
While there are NO facts, NOR rumors... yet... of this happening I think Adobe really should buy these guys out! Or at the very least, fund them and help them out. If you haven't heard, Smokescreen is a JavaScript render engine for Flash content. Basically, it will allow Flash content to run on Apple devices (iPhone, iPad & iPod Touch) without the 3rd party Flash Player plugin.
While the feature set is fairly primitive for now and the performance is OK, this is the largest middle finger Adobe could flip to Apple. If Adobe was to put some resources to aid these gents with Smokescreen (like they've done with the Zend Framework), it really could go further to promoting their Open Screen Project!
Just my $0.02
Well I don't think Apple's announcements today were anything groundbreaking, but there were two features I found absolutely impressive:
Images via: http://www.macworld.com/article/151730/2010/06/liveupdate.html
AT&T again proves to be less than innovative.
I swapped to AT&T when I wanted to jump into the iPhone craze and at the time they were a much better option than Verizon Wireless in my area. AT&T just announced they are getting rid of the unlimited data option for mobiles. This is a step backwards in my humble opinion. Give people freedom (or unlimited data) and then say, "Ha... just kidding. No unlimited data for you."
I'm not terribly upset by the data limit considering I'm going to be paying $5 less per month for 2 GB of data. Especially since I usually use between 500-1000MB per month.
What really irks me, is that they are charging an additional $20 per month for tether option! This is absurd! Its the same bandwidth no matter how you split it and they want to make me spend an additional $20 per month for it. I would really like to be able to take my iPad or netbook anywhere and be able to connect via the Nexus One or iPhone. This is really a sign of a company who is less than innovative!
Just my $0.02
There is no unified way to update the Android OS & users are getting frustrated with these carrier-customized Android Operation Systems. Version 2.1 was released officially January 12, 2010 and Sprint still doesn’t have their act together. I know Verizon had similar issues when they were trying to update the Droid.http://phandroid.com/2010/05/07/sprint-hoped-youd-get-your-2-1-update-by-now-but-youll-have-to-wait-longer/
With Android OS v2.2 (Froyo) more than likely being released this summer, there may be a number of Android users may have just received the v2.1 updates or not at all. If this does in fact happen, this will generate a good deal of negative buzz about this new, kickass alternative to the iPhone.I think this is probably going to be the largest issue with people adopting to Android when they compare it to iPhone. Granted I’m sure Google will do these updates in a timely fashion for my Google Nexus One, but Sprint & Verizon are falling way behind.This is where Apple does have the upper hand and its a serious selling point. Don’t get me wrong. I’m really digging Android. I took my SIM out of my iPhone and I’m using the Nexus One daily. Its kickass! I stated everything above as just a heads up into possible future issues.
QUESTION: Should Google intervene? If so, what are their options?
I was just surprised to see when I was downloading the latest edition of Flash & Flex Developer Magazine, that the Special Report I wrote became the title of this month's edition: The Flash on iPhone War. Kind of nifty and unexpected!
Click here to download the April 2010 edition of Flash & Flex Developer Magazine for FREE
Today, Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, publically entered a plea of insanity on Apple.com as to why Apple is banning Flash from the iPhone.
* DISCLAIMER 1 - I proudly make my living as a Flash Developer
** DISCLAIMER 2 - I'm a part of the Flash CS5, AIR 2 & AIR for Android Beta Program
*** DISCLAIMER 3 - I'm a Mac Boy through and through. I typing this on my iMac, I'm on my second iPhone upgrade, bought an iPad before they were shipping, and my next computer will more than likely be a Macbook Pro.
I couldn't wait, plus now that I'm developing iPhone Apps, the next clear jump is to make my iPhone App into iPad Apps.
Well, after a couple months of development, my first iPhone App is completed and has been submitted to Apple's iTunes App Store. Just waiting to receive the word it has been accepted.
Stay tuned for the link!
Hi! I'm Lee Graham. I'm a eduGeek, as well as an eLearning Developer for Red Hat, Android FANATIC, & eduGeek.
DISCLAIMER: The information contained on this site are strictly my personal views and doesn't reflect the views of Red Hat.
