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We've been using Apple Configurator for managing our shared iPad carts, and Apple recently released an update (v1.2) in early October.  I discussed some of the immediate benefits in terms of fixing a paid app code bug in an earlier post , but I'm back to outline some of the new features that came with the update.  You can read Apple's update post here , and after the jump is a 2-minute walkthrough.

As we continue to learn about deploying iPad carts in the classroom, I wanted to document two findings that were giving us trouble recently. First, when we updated the Macbook laptops to Mountain Lion (10.8), we were encountering an error when attempting to import spreadsheets with the app codes. A discussion forum revealed that others were having the same issue and despite a suggested workaround (that didn't work for me), the solution finally came in an app update to the Configurator (v1.2).  This is now available in the App Store and all is well again with paid app spreadsheet imports.

I purchased a 2012 Macbook Air over the summer, my first new personal computer pickup in quite some time.  I considered getting a shiny new Retina Pro, but the 15" form factor not to mention the steep $2K price tag got me back from the ledge, and I have been thoroughly enamored with the razor thin profile of the Airs from day one. There has been little buyer's remorse since, though I have noticed a few issues (battery life decrease, slow wakeup from sleep, and a potentially loose hinge), especially after installing the Mountain Lion upgrade. There are forum discussions for all of these topics, but the one that got resolved for me this past weekend was the slow wakeup from sleep. A review of the forum thread here  followed by a reset of the System Management Controller (SMC)  has allowed me to wake from sleep with a password without having to wait a few seconds. Anything to get this blazingly fast machine running even faster, right? For more thoughts on Teaching and Lear...

Today, I visited two classroom teachers who have deployed iPad carts and it will be interesting to have us meet as a cohort (five carts in total) next week. Day-to-day maintenance and some introductions to using the tablet devices have varied, yet all has gone relatively smoothly thus far. Some early highlights include using a web clip to link to a teacher's website as well as our Google Apps login, and completing an intro survey Google Form on the iPad. We also realized that connecting the iPads after each class may be optional since syncing may not be necessary in between periods and the battery life of the iPad allows us to go for potentially several days without ever needing a cable. Solved By Searching: Turning Point Clickers I started out the day assisting with clickers and was able to fix a channel issue as well as automatically set Turning Point to open when clicking on any PowerPoint file . For more thoughts on Teaching and Learning Technology,  please consider subsc...

Article first published as iPad Accessory Review: Sony Speaker Dock RDP-X700IP on Blogcritics. Speaker docks for iPods have become increasingly commonplace, and a wide range of options can be easily found at both your local drugstore and at your favorite electronics retailer. Docks that can accommodate a larger tablet device (i.e. an iPad) are also flooding the market, and I got a chance to test a fine performing one from Sony, the RDP-X700IP.  Billed as a "premium" iPad speaker dock, I was pleased to fill my office with sounds from both music and movies, as well as test the AirPlay wireless functionality.

Article first published as The New iPad - Worth the Wait, Worth the Purchase? on Blogcritics. So, you've likely heard by now that there's a new iPad (just don't call it an iPad 3). Well, that wasn't the only announcement from Apple's Wednesday keynote event. And many wouldn't call the iPad reveal too surprising as rumor sites pretty much nailed down the specs on the device weeks in advance. Still, there is much to discuss, including whether you should be buying the updated version and one more thing that might end up having a greater impact on your life, regardless of which new iPad you end up purchasing. Read on to learn more.

Article first published as iPod Nano Accessory Review: HEX Vision Metal Watch Band on Blogcritics. HEX Vision in Gun Metal What may have started as a fleeting comment during a Steve Jobs keynote  has quickly expanded into a new industry. The iPod Nano watch market is filling up with many brands and styles ranging from a simple rubber strap to one with classic metal links. I had the chance to wrap the HEX Vision metal watch band around my wrist for the past few weeks, and I've found that I don't miss my regular watch much. Read on to find out why.

This morning, I was treated to a smorgasbord of iPad discussion at the Northern Illinois Computer Educators' (NICE) iPad Workshop. Held at Loyola Academy, the workshop took the form of an "unconference" as 40+ attendees helped set the agenda and then broke out into small group sessions for lots of sharing and thoughts over how the iPad integrates into classroom instruction. Notes and a shared doc can be found via these links ( backchannel , shared doc ), and some of my favorite apps after the jump.

Image by najeebkhan2009 via Flickr Teacher discounts can be found in various places, ranging from online book stores and office supply stores  to cell phone bills . One of the questions I get asked often as a Technology Integration Specialist is the availability of discounts on computers, so I thought I'd share a few resources and provide a quick summary of what is available. I'll continue to update this post as other opportunities arise, so feel free to leave a comment if you know of a particular program not mentioned here.

Article first published as App Review: Five Little Monkeys Wash the Car on Blogcritics. With a four-month old now in the house, my wife and I have been rapidly working on establishing a bedtime routine, and a large part of that routine involves reading bedtime stories. Although we will always have board books and hard copies of old favorites, I will admit that I enjoyed using the app designed by Oceanhouse Media , and written by Eileen Christelow, the cute story of how Five Little Monkeys Wash the Car .

Article first published as Best New and Notable iPad Apps for March 2011 on Blogcritics. March may be all about the Madness on the basketball court, but there's been plenty of action off the court in the App Store. So, in case you've been swept up in one of the craziest NCAA tournaments ever, here are a few iPad apps you may have missed. By the way, after spending February over at Technorati, the Best New and Notable feature is back to debuting first on Blogcritics. Tell your friends and more importantly, enjoy the apps!

Article first published as Apple and Google's Popularity Described in Three Words on Technorati. After reading an article on Apple and Google's respective positioning as the top two most admired companies in the world , I couldn't help but 1) agree with the rankings, 2) further reflect on what makes them so great, and 3) come up with three words for each company that offers some additional reasoning on their climb to the top.

Article first published as Knowing When To Buy Your Next Apple Gadget on Technorati. So you just bought an iPad ? Congratulations! Yet, the next thing you hear in the news is that you shiny new toy is now being replaced by a brand new edition . What do you do now or better yet, how can you prevent this from happening again?  Such is the quandary of any gadget user, whether you're early adopter or a wait until it's tested and thoroughly reviewed buyer. Technology evolves and companies looking to stay ahead and sell devices need to keep their product line fresh.

Article first published as iPad 2 Officially Announced—Breakdown and Analysis of Apple's Special Event on Technorati. Interestingly, Apple chose not to utilize a live stream for this keynote, which might have given you reason to wonder just how big of an event they were considering the iPad 2 to be. Nevertheless, there were plenty of opportunities to follow along via live bloggers. And now that we finally have word from Mr. Jobs himself, how does the new iPad 2 compare to all the expectations and hype going into today's event?  Let's take a closer look at what was unveiled for the year of 2011, or the "Year of the iPad 2."

Article first published as Apple's iPad 2 Announcement - What To Look For On March 2 on Technorati. Well, we've got a date (March 2) and a theme ("Come see what 2011 will be the year of"), so the only question remaining is what the new iPad 2 will officially look and feel like. Here is a 3-2-1 of what is almost inevitably included, what's likely shelved for the future, and what's a possible sleeper pick for next Wednesday's big event.

Article first published as An iPhone With A Keyboard? Three Reasons Why It Could Happen on Technorati. Well,  the latest rumor about the iPhone involves a keyboard , and before you go dismissing this as another crazy story trying to drum up attention and page views, allow me to hypothesize why those innovative Apple designers could be toying around with such a configuration. Although I think there's more of a chance that we'll see  an iPad mini first , here are three reasons why an iPhone "Slider" just might be in the works.

Article first published as  Why an iPad mini would make sense for Apple  on Technorati. There was a rumor this week that aside from the second generation iPad , Apple may be releasing an iPad mini later this year. Now, before you go writing this off as just another crazy Apple rumor, let's consider why a mini would fit right into Apple's master plan.

Article first published as Recommended iPhone Apps for New Verizon Users - Part II on Technorati. With a sudden influx of iPhone users enjoying their first weekend with their new smartphone, I suspect many will be spending a fair amount of time getting cozy with iTunes loading up on apps. Today, we pick up where we let off and dish out some of the best apps for you to consider for that shiny new device.

Article first published as Best New and Notable iPad Apps for January 2011 on Blogcritics. 2010 introduced the iPad into our lives, and early adopters were treated to a ton of great free and paid apps. Coming off the heels of my Top 10 lists of 2010 , here is the beginning of a monthly feature designed to keep you up to date with all that is new and improved in the App Store.

Article first published as NavJack iPad Cases Review: Corium and Executive Planner on Blogcritics. In 2010, we saw the iPad kick start the tablet market by defining the device's form, function and  interface. As a result, sales of the "magical" device skyrocketed and created a ton of opportunities for developers (free and paid applications) as well as distributors of peripherals and cases. As I wrote earlier last year, a gadget case can serve the purpose of aiding the form as well as the function of its insides, and today, we look at two options that seem to do both for the iPad.