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Cambridge To Recreate Texts for iPads, iPhones

The publishing arm of the University of Cambridge will be working with an education software producer to convert three of its medical textbooks into iOS apps for use on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices. GetYa Learn On (GYLO) is tackling the conversion for Cambridge University Press. The project will first cover three of Cambridge's key texts on radiology, neuropharmacology, and anesthesia.

Expected for release in the iTunes Store in June 2011, the first app will be a portable version of the radiology text Final FRCR Long Cases, which users will be able to personalize by adding notes, highlights, and bookmarks. The text will include a search tool and hyperlinks through the table of contents and index. The user can use standard gestures to turn pages and customize the interface.

"These new apps will mean that medical trainees and practitioners have knowledge at their fingertips when learning and practicing," said Eric Baber, innovations director for the publisher. "The landscape of learning is rapidly changing and it's vital that we are adapting with it to deliver what our customers need. At the Press, we are committed to supporting innovation in learning and teaching, and our aim is to publish without boundaries, ensuring resources such as these are accessible in all kinds of formats."

Gylo's other app releases include an e-text introduction to statistics as well as study aids in statistics, English, and public relations.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a writer who covers technology and business for a number of publications. Contact her at dian@dischaffhauser.com.

Comments

Fri, Jun 17, 2011 Priya Nihalani Austin, TX

To applaud the Press's methodical process and to add to Eric's comment - I've seen many poorly done conversions recently when the process is rushed, generally speaking. As GYLO's chief scientist I can certainly attest to the disservice done unto the learner if the functionalities of any educational tool are faulty do to poor testing during development. The conversion development process is not generalizable from one platform to another. I understand it can be frustrating to wait but just think of the benefit that comes with products operating as marketed. I imagine iOS device users are thrilled with the Press's newly released products! nihalani@gylo.com

Thu, Jun 2, 2011 Eric Baber Cambridge, UK

John and MW, you're right of course that iOS apps only reach a relatively small percentage of the smartphone app market. We already reach pretty much all *digital* markets by virtue of the fact that we publish nearly all our content in a range of ebook formats - Final FRCR Long Cases for example already exists in Kindle edition which reaches all smartphones via the Kindle app, along with PCs/Macs etc. So, really, we already cover nearly all the devices you list. Bringing out an iOS app is an additional step and we're hoping to make use of the additional functionality that an app can afford over an ebook version. We are considering bringing out Android/Blackberry etc versions as well, but we want to make sure we've got the user interface and functionalities right before taking the next steps.

Thu, Jun 2, 2011 MW KS

Concur, John. Ubiquitous technology is key "to publish without boundaries, ensuring resources such as these are accessible in all kinds of formats." I praise UC's quest to deliver their texts on the iPad, but this is technology bias and what are they doing to make texts available users of the Kindle, Nook, Duo, etc.?

Wed, Jun 1, 2011 John NY

Texts should also be converted for use on Android devices as well, both phones and tablets. Sticking with just iOS devices is not a fair idea. More Android phones are sold in the US when compared to iPhones. If the Press's true mission is "to publish without boundaries", they'd be working on this at the same time as conversion to iOS devices.

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