Convergence Corner - iPad Archives

Making Sense of the BYO WiFi Device Party

2011-10-04T03:35:01Z

When it was first introduced, the iPad was predicted by many to become a laptop replacement. While many use their iPads and other tablets in lieu of their laptops in many situations, the prophecy was far from accurate.

Think about it: As you head off for the office each morning, how many devices do you bring with you that will soon connect to your corporate WiFi network? Very likely at least two, if not more. You have your tablet along with your iPhone or Android or other WiFi-enabled smartphone, and you likely have a laptop either with you or waiting for you at the office. And depending on your corporate policies, you may even have separate business and personal smartphones.

Instead of replacing existing technology, the mobile explosion has, instead, brought supplemental devices into corporate WiFi environments, with users looking to have the most convenient devices for every situation.

It’s not a bad situation, since it allows users to be more proactive and efficient in their activities, ultimately leading to increased revenue.

But, for IT managers, the onslaught of WiFi-enables devices can be a headache, as they now have to deal with a multitude of devices – different platforms, different brands, some corporate owned and some personal.

From managing authentication and permissions, to installing and updating applications and corporate resources, to deploying appropriate security measures, to simply ensuring proper design and deployment of WiFi networks, IT staff can have their hands full in today’s mobile mayhem.

The number of WiFi devices in corporate environments is only going to grow – in addition to an iPad, you’ll start seeing more and more Android tablets, perhaps some BlackBerry Playbooks, even some Amazon Kindle Fires – and who knows what else. And let’s not forget the imminent launch of the iPhone 5, which is sure to bring new users to with wonderful world of WiFi.

Knowing this, IT staff and managers would be wise to have a firm handle on how to effectively manage this influx of WiFi devices and the ensuing traffic they will bring to corporate WiFi networks.

To get started, I invite anyone who has a role to play in deploying or managing WiFi networks to join me for a Webinar designed specifically to address the BYO wireless device party we’re all a part of. I’ll be joined by Keyur Shah from Aruba Networks, which specializes in enterprise wireless infrastructures, and Keith Broadbent from Carousel Industries, a technology consultant and integrator experienced in helping businesses assess and deploy the right technology for their needs.

I look forward to seeing you for the event, Tuesday, October 4, at 2pm EST. Register here. (If you’re not able to make the live event, be sure to register for the archived version.)

Sports Illustrated iPad Version a Winner (Finally)

2011-05-20T15:35:57Z

Recently, I questioned the immediate future of the iPad as a reader. I don’t see it as a game changer yet. That said, one thing bothered me for a long time – the fact that Sports Illustrated somehow found sense in charging print subscribers $4.99 for each iPad issue. I would expect non-print readers to pay for issues, but the idea of making those of us who already pay for print to double our investment is pure lunacy, especially when its key competition (ESPN The Magazine) doesn’t.

I actually downloaded the app some time ago, just to see what their iPad version looks like, but deleted it almost immediately when I found I had to pay for each issue. I then went back to the App Store and read the countless comments ridiculing SI for its practice.

One has to imagine app usage was significantly lower than what SI was+ hoping for, and it has now switched to a free model for print subscribers – smart move.

It took a while for it to become available, but the SI app delivers a much friendlier, much more attractive experience than does ESPN.

Part of it is purely a function of the footprint of the print version – it fits nicely onto the iPad, whereas the oversized ESPN takes up several screens for each print page, which leaves an awful lot of white space in many articles and creates a very cold and unsatisfying experience.

SI provides friendly navigation controls at the bottom of the screen, allowing readers to quickly return to the cover, the table of contents, a scrolling end-to-end display of the issue, and even a link to SI’s online news and scores (though the MLB scoreboard didn’t seem to be working correctly). ESPN’s navigation isn’t nearly as intuitive and takes a while to figure out – but it does offer a nice secondary scoreboard app, ScoreCenter.

SI has also added some interactive elements to its e-issues, again creating a more enjoyable experience. On its Faces in the Crowd section, which highlights a selection of amateur athletes each issue, it allows readers to tap each athlete’s image, triggering the associated copy at the bottom of the page (see image below).

SI started off on the wrong foot, adopting an all-paid model initially, but now that it has stepped back from that approach, it has brought a rich, electronic experience to its subscribers – on that other publications would do well to emulate.

Personally, I still prefer the feel of print, but having the electronic edition at least lets me go back and look at the images from UConn’s NCAA basketball championship run anywhere I am. As much as I love gadgets and technology, this is one space where I’m still old fashioned, and perhaps will be until I am forced to change. But, when I do, I know one publication that has done wonderful work with its electronic edition, which comes as close to the feel of print as any electronic document I’ve seen.

Sports Illustrated: 1
ESPN: 0

To Read or Not to Read (on Your iPad)

2011-05-05T02:36:48Z

A recent study by Simba Information suggests that 40 percent of iPad owners do not read e-books on their iPads. Should we be surprised? I think not, but Michael Norris, senior analyst and author of the report, says, “A lot of people equate the sale of a new gadget with the creation of a new reader, and it just doesn’t happen.”

That may be true, but the question is why, and there are a number of factors that likely play into the survey results. On their own, none may be notably relevant but, when combined, they provide ample explanation.

Business: Many iPad users leverage mobile connectivity to continue their business activities outside their physical offices, whether on daily mass transit commutes, business trips, or at home. Rather than reading, they choose to remain productive from a business perspective. After all, it’s much easier to turn on an iPad than power up a laptop while in transit.

Apps: With the thousands of applications available on the App Store, users have almost limitless distractions, from addictive games like Angry Birds to ESPN Score Central to IM apps and more. These countless apps provide an opportunity to relax after a hard day at the office with mindless games, check fantasy baseball lineups and scores, chat with friends, and generally blow off steam in an effort to retain some semblance of sanity in today’s pressure-filled work environment.

Multimedia: As easy as it is to download apps, it’s equally easy to download the latest movies or episodes of weekly TV programs – not to mention the availability of on-demand video services like Hulu+. Whether it’s a case of having missed the last episode of The Event, or not having had time to go to the theater to see Iron Man 2, the availability of video on the iPad is a highly enticing option. There are also the cord-cutters of the world, who have canceled their cable subscriptions and rely purely on Internet-based services for their programming.

News: We all know what has happened to physical newspaper circulation in the electronic age. With access to not only a single preferred news source, but every news outlet globally, iPad users are very likely to seek out multiple angles on stories, extending their time on news sites, whether their interests lie in politics, banking, sports, or local news.

Cost: iPads aren’t cheap – a 16GB without 3G connectivity will still run close to $400 after tax and a cover. On the other hand, eReaders can be had for just over $100. Most people aren’t ready to spend hundreds of dollars on a tablet, especially when they may also be looking at upgrading their mobile device to a new smartphone.

Good old books: Let’s face it, many avid readers still prefer the feel of paper, despite the added bulk of even a paperback. Lying on the couch in front of the fireplace reading an eBook just isn’t the same as a good old fashioned hard copy book. In addition, the price of eBooks, especially new releases and best sellers hasn’t come down enough to drive readers – even those who own iPads – to an electronic format. And while it may seem crazy, for frequent travelers who are also avid readers, the time between takeoff and when electronic devices are permitted in flight seems an eternity – not to mention wasted time. There’s also the friend factor – it’s very convenient to share good books with friends, something that is not easily accomplished, and certainly discouraged, with eBooks.

So which are you? I fall into all of the above. Though I own an iPad, and have even downloaded one eBook, I have yet to read it, yet I always pack a paperback when I travel.

On a broader scale, though, I fully expect the number of iPad eBook readers to increase, as the initial attraction of the App Store wears off, as eBook prices drop, as iPad adoption continues to grow naturally, and as existing eReaders break down, forcing users to choose between new ones or moving to more advanced mobile devices, and as the eGeneration grows up and purchases new tablets.

Ultimately, whether in hard copy or electronic format – and in that case, whether on iPads, other mobile devices, or PCs – we should be content knowing that we and, even more importantly, our children, are reading.