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Tuesday, September 23, 2014

What's Going on After Six Years in Circulation with eReaders, Kindles and iPads?


 


Six years ago we began the digital e-Reader journey at the Lake Worth Campus at Palm Beach State College.  Since the inception of our Kindle 1st Generation inventory in Circulation, we have added close to 100 devices including the Kindle Fire, Nook Color, iPad 1st Generation and iPad Air.




In the two months of September and October alone we have two teachers using the Kindle Fire for three class assignments.
 
Professor Salvatore Manuele teaches Human Resources Management-MAN3301.  He has given the students a deadline of September 26th to read three chapters of  The 2010 Meltdown: Solving the Impending Jobs Crisis by Edward E. Gordon.  Technical Services is quick in processing, purchasing and downloading titles from Amazon.  Teachers and students have exactly what they need when they need it most of the time!
 
Dr. Richard Shepardson teaches Advanced Reading-EAP1620 and has worked closely with the library these past years to enhance student's reading skills using technology and our Kindles. He has a group project Oct. 2nd and requested 6 Kindle Fires to do a Key Word Search project in groups in the classroom using the title The Language of Flowers.
 
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh, is this year's  winning title for the Read Together Palm Beach County 2014 program.




The book Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot is the next reading Kindle project for
Dr. Shepardson's EAP1620 class.
 


Breaking Night by Liz Murray is this year's Common Reader for First Year Experience students at Palm Beach State College. We've added several copies to our Kindle devices to assist students in the Introduction to the College Experience-SLS1501 classes.

The Kindles are 7 day loans with no renewals. After a class project the students are still allowed to borrow a Kindle to continue reading the title introduced in class or the many other titles available.

 


 
In the past we've added the Read Together Palm Beach County winning titles including the runner ups for students, faculty and staff to enjoy on these Kindle devices.





Tuesday, April 22, 2014

iPad Air-Mac Mini-Bretford PowerSync Cart

 
 
We have added 14 NEW iPad Air devices for the library installed in a Bretford PowerSync Cart to maintain the devices.  After using the 1st Generation iPads for the last 4 years, it's going to be an exciting journey to implement these into our already growing supply of  iPads, eReaders and tablets.  These include the 1st generation Kindles, 1st generation iPads, Kindle2's, Kindle3's, DX,  B/W Sony and Nook, Kindle Fire and the Nook Color.
 
 
 
7.5 millimeters thin-weighs one pound
 
 
 
The Retina display sits inside thinner bezels with a very sleek enclosure!
 
9.7" Display
2048x1536 Resolution
5m iSight with front Facetime HD camera
A7 chip, M7 coprocessor
 
 


 
All pictures above-Image Credit: http://www.apple.com/ipad-air/
 
 Dual microphones improve audio and suppress background noise for video recording, FaceTime calls, and voice recognition using Siri.
 
 How to maintain so many?
The Bretford Power Sync cart for iPads!


Image Credit: http://www.apple.bretford.com/products/powersynccartforipad

The PowerSync Cart for iPad stores, charges, syncs, and transports up to 30 iPad devices at one time. This cart also keeps our content in sync with our iTunes® library via the Mac Mini.

The cart connects our 14 iPad Air devices to our Mac Mini, at the same time installs apps, books, videos, music, and Podcasts to each iPad, according to our requirements.

As we process these devices for student loans in Tech Services, we will post our progress.  We received the 1st generation iPad's on opening day, April 3, 2010.  Presently these iPads are circulated overnight for student loans.  All other eReaders and tablets are available as 7 day loans.



 

Thursday, June 6, 2013

MS Surface RT or Surface Pro? Or Something Else?


Image Credit:
http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/which-surface-is-right-for-you

Microsoft Surface Pro or Surface RT? 
What would be the best choice for your library patrons?
These devices have their own list of pro's and con's. [See link below for stats.] The best way to address this issue is to compare the Surface devices with another brand to find out where your 'wants and needs' stand. Hopefully these articles will help us weed through the stats and make constructive decisions over the summer.

Surface RT vs. Surface Pro

Replacing your laptops?
If you are thinking about replacing your library laptops, the Surface Pro might be the way to go, weighing in at only 2 lbs.  You can add a 'type cover' for  the keyboard for $129, less if it's bundled.
With the apps running just like a laptop, it's definitely a better production device for college students  than the RT. 
Image Credit:
http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/which-surface-is-right-for-you
 
Image Credit:
http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/which-surface-is-right-for-you

Touch Cover might be an issue:
There are some negative reviews in Amazon concerning the 'touch' cover because the space bar seems to miss as you type. This would be very frustrating to continually edit your work. I'd rather be practical, even though some patrons might like the look of the 'touch' cover in Amazon's beautiful summer color choices.

Why not the Surface RT?  1.5 lbs.
What advantages or disadvantages does this device have over the iPad or the Kindle Fire HD? Seriously this is an upgraded tablet.  The RT is ultra-thin and light with a long battery life. The pixels are lower to enhance the battery life. The chart below reads, 'always connected and always up to date'.  It doesn't function like a laptop because it doesn't have the Pro's core processor.  The RT has a bit larger display, almost one inch; storage starts at 32GB, weighs a tiny bit more than the iPad and Kindle Fire HD, plus it comes pre-installed with Microsoft Office Home Student 2013..

Tablet Fight: Surface vs. iPad vs. Kindle Fire HD 8.9" 
Be sure to review this article that has an excellent chart for comparison.



Image Credit:
 http://www.gizmag.com/surface-vs-ipad/24591/

Surface RT vs. iPad
http://www.gizmag.com/macbook-air-vs-microsoft-surface-pro-specs-comparison/26175/
 
Image Credit:
 http://www.gizmag.com/macbook-air-vs-microsoft-surface-pro-specs-comparison/26175/

MacBook Air vs. Surface Pro
The cost of the Surface Pro plus the touch cover is the same as the Macbook Air.
http://www.gizmag.com/macbook-air-vs-microsoft-surface-pro-specs-comparison/26175/

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Galaxy Note 8 vs. Kindle Fire HD 8.9


All Images this post: Credit: http://alturl.com/49ra8
 
iPad still tops the tablet arena!  Both the full size and the mini outsell all of the rivals.  Apple’s two biggest competitors, Amazon and Samsung, are showing what they are made of.   Galaxy Note 8.0 and Kindle Fire HD 8.9” are the newest successes. Both of these are terrific alternatives to the iPad and iPad mini.  See specs below to compare the Note 8 and Fire 8.9.


Kindle Fire's pixel density is 34 percent higher and  a much sharper image than the Galaxy Note.
Remember to consider speed, size, pixels, weight, cost difference, software, cameras, battery, fees for wireless, storage, RAM, processor and material type. These two devices are both plastic.


The Note's processor delivers much better performance
Note 8 has a faster processor
 

If you don't like plastic, you may want to consider the Surface or an iPad. Sounds like all these issues are similar to the topics we research when buying a smartphone, PC, laptop, iMac or MacBook Pro. See this excellent article below for all the specs to help unravel your decision.


$130 difference in price

Article from Gizmag April 23, 2012
 
The Note 8 doubles the Fire's 1 GB of RAM
Note 8 has double the RAM
 
Click on this link below. Scroll down to pictures and articles for comparing various iPads and tablets.
http://www.gizmag.com/kindle-fire-hd-8-9-vs-galaxy-note-8-0-specs-comparison/27231/pictures

Thursday, April 11, 2013

iPad mini 7.9" vs. Kindle Fire HD 7"



Image Credit: http://www.apple.com/ipad/

iPad mini fits in one hand —
Yet it can do everything an iPad can do!
So, how do you decide what's best for your library? 
I'd like to have both:]






Image credit:

iPad mini                                   Kindle Fire
Anodized aluminum                                   Plastic
Cost $ $329                                                7" $199
Lower pixels 163ppi                                   Higher pixels 216 ppi
Camera front/rear                                        Camera front
Superior apps library                                   Nominal # of apps
Not so crisp text/images                              Extra crisp text/images


So, the questions looms, does the extra iPad mini's 0.9" make a difference for the low pixels and at a higher price? [$329 vs. $199]

Would we pay extra for the best software selection and design of the iPad mini or buy the Kindle Fire for less and get a sharper image and faster processor? One funny comment I've read: "If it doesn't fit in my cargo pants, I'm not buying it....."  This guy is keeping his 7'' Kindle Fire.

Makes us wonder if the clothes designer's will make those cargo pant pockets bigger for the larger 'mini' electronic gadgets in the future or perhaps for the Samsung Galaxy4 and other super-sized smartphones? It's certainly interesting what drives the market these days.
 
 
Another choice might be the new Kindle Fire 8.9"
$269 with 254 ppi.




What do you think is the perfect device for library check out? 
Let us know what you are doing in your library.
 


Stats for iPad mini and Kindle Fire HD
 
Overview for Kindle Fire HD 7"
 
Overview for Kindle Fire HD 8.9"
 

 
Overview from Apple
 

Image credit: http://alturl.com/j3ffs

What's new this week?
Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0, an iPad mini rival,
to hit stores Thursday
Check out this article today:
http://alturl.com/qy8o2

189ppi, Wi-Fi, front/rear camera, 5 megapixel/1.3
$400
 

New iPad this summer?
http://alturl.com/pwmyy

Quote from USAtoday.com: "Speculation into the launch of a new iPad kicked off last week, after Fortune reported last week retailers such as Best Buy and Walmart were slashing prices on iPads and iPad Minis, suggesting Apple is poised to launch a new model."
The Best iPad Apps of 2012 from Gizmag

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Kindle 4G and New Tablet

Kindle Fire HD 4G and other new Kindle devices
 
All pictures on this page image credit: http://alturl.com/cpatv
 
 
It's just amazing what is being offered this holiday season in eReaders, tablets and iPads.  Good luck sorting all this out. Doing your research will definitely get you and your patrons the best fit for your library. At our academic library, we like the new choices, especially on a tight budget.  The cost shown below is for the low end memory devices.  See Amazon's web site for specs and all pricing.  http://alturl.com/cpatv
 
Presently we are using the 3G Kindle3 models to replace many of the worn out 'original' Kindle1's.  These older models served us well for the last four years and hope the new devices hold up just as well. Kindle1's were $359 in 2008, which makes even the 8.9" Kindle HD Wi-Fi device at $299 and the new $199 Kindle Fire HD 7" a bargain. 
 
We have many required titles for class reading that transfer smoothly to the new models. The Kindle Fire is popular here for required reading, assignments and terrific in class when students work in groups researching for a class project.
 
Next Blog:
New iPad mini
 
 
 
 
All pictures on this page image credit: http://alturl.com/cpatv
 
$499 HD 4G LTE Wireless 8.9"
$299 for Wi-Fi model
 

$159 no HD

$199 HD model

$139 3G w/keyboard
 

3G $179
Wi-Fi $119
 

6" B/W $69



Monday, October 22, 2012

New Nook HD, Nook Tablet, Glowing Nook, Simple Touch

Eleven Nooks to choose from, including the original Nook Color.

All images this page Image Credit: http://alturl.com/uyket
We have so many remarkable choices now for libraries loaning eReaders and tablets. So many great devices for any size library budget.
 
 We have the Nook Color, the B/W original Nooks and two B/W Sony's. We have iPads, Kindle Fires, original K1's, K2's, K3's and Kindle DX. Students are really fascinated with our collection.

For those libraries just getting started in this ever changing technological arena, it's the training of staff and scheduling maintenance that's important to consider in your purchases, not just the cost of the device.  We have been implementing eReaders since 2008. As the devices get more sophisticated, the more time required updating and cleaning the internal devices.

With Amazon coming out with new Kindle models and Apple announcing a possible 7" iPad Oct. 23rd, it will make the choice even more difficult. I would like to stay within the area of Kindles, Nooks and iPads to help keep some sense of stability with our inventory. Not that we wouldn't try a new company's device, but for now, our inventory is servicing our needs quite well for students, faculty and staff.

 
Next blog:
New Kindles and the New Smaller iPad


Nook HD+ 9" screen
 


Nook Tablet 7" touchscreen
8GB $179
16GB $199



The Glowing Nook
Nook Simple Touch with Glowlight $119
6" Touchscreen 7 oz.



Nook Simple Touch B/W $99


Nook Color 7"
$149
Original price last Fall...$199