Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google


Student Creates Unsanctioned iPhone App for Cal Poly Pomona

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 08/09/10

A student at California State Polytechnic University Pomona has developed an iPhone app to provide news and information about his school after teaching himself iPhone programming from a book. Cal Poly Pomona Central, developed by Shawn Irvin, a computer information systems major, is available free in the iTunes store.

Irvin learned iPhone programming from Apress' Beginning iPhone Development: Exploring the iPhone SDK. The campus app took him about two weeks to develop.

Version 2.0 of the app includes the ability to browse articles from campus publications; pull up campus departments with location, phone, and fax; find athletic events and add them to the calendar; sign up for campus notifications; track homework, meetings, and reminders in a "My Notes" section; and get campus maps. But the feature that gets "the best reaction," he said, is one that allows users to find out what food is available on campus and whether or not the given restaurant is open at the time it's being viewed.

Although a number of campuses have released similar apps, Irvin said he only knows of two, "and I didn't need them to get inspiration." The program hasn't been officially sanctioned by the school, he added. "I've talked to many people [at Cal Poly Pomona], but nobody wants to take it on. It's always because of money."

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • abstract illustration of artificial intelligence

    CSU Shares AI Learnings in Systemwide Survey

    In a systemwide survey of more than 94,000 faculty, staff, and students, California State University recently documented widespread AI use across its 22 campuses.

  • AI logo near computer equipment

    White House Releases National Policy Framework for AI

    The White House has released a four-page AI policy framework aimed at setting a national approach to AI, with priorities including child safety, intellectual property protections, truth and accuracy guardrails, and worker training for an AI-driven economy.

  • Dana Brunson facilitates a roundtable discussion with research and higher education IT leaders

    Internet2: Closing the Access Gap for Research Cyberinfrastructure

    Internet2's Research Engagement Team brings CIOs and other campus technology leadership together with research computing and data facilitators, forming a community that enables research cyberinfrastructure at institutions of all types and sizes.

  • Silhouettes of business professionals stand against a blurred futuristic city skyline at night, with a glowing digital network data connection

    It's Time for Higher Ed to Get Serious About AI Strategy

    Without a coordinated strategy that involves multiple academic and administrative units across the entire campus, colleges risk wasting resources, duplicating efforts, and ultimately failing to deliver on the promise of deploying technology to improve learning and operations.