IBM will be working with two universities to explore the creation of an open, common user interface platform for mobile devices. The software developed by IBM, the National Institute of Design of India in Bangalore, and the University of Tokyo's RCAST, the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, will be made available as open source.
Two companies are teaming up to create mobile applications for education. Moodlerooms, which develops education programs that run on the open source course management system Moodle, will be working with DubMeNow, which creates mobile software.
A dozen students in Mississippi are working with a cellular carrier to develop smartphone games that will eventually end up in the Google Android Market. The students, enrolled in a game design class at Mississippi State University, are working with Cellular South to create computer games for the HTC Hero.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has joined other institutions such as Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Texas, and Duke University in promoting its MIT Mobile app through Apple's App Store.
The Apple iPad isn't the only hybrid device that combines the functionalities of an e-reader, tablet, and netbook. Starting this month Entourage Systems will begin shipping its new Entourage Edge, a dual-screen, WiFi-enabled electronic device that runs the Google Android operating system.
As anticipated, Apple formally unveiled its new mobile device, the $499 iPad, Wednesday, heralding the company's entry into the space currently dominated by netbooks and its first serious move into the category of electronic book readers.
Educators managing mobile programs expressed excitement for the prospects offered by the iPad, Apple's much anticipated hybrid device. Some predicted that the new device will prove attractive as an e-book reader for textbooks, while others predicted that the iPad will become a strong education device because of its interactivity and its ability to use converged media.
Midway through its second year, Abilene Christian University's mobile learning initiative expands to include classroom management and blogging, with mobile podcasting on the way.
Northern Virginia Community College's VP for Instructional and Information Technology Steve Sachs offers some advice for institutions as he comments on how technology can help achieve the goals of the American Graduation Initiative.