Summary and Further Resources
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Chapter 4 Summary and Further Resources Abstract about wearable technologies like Google Glass.4 As always, it’s up to us as informed citizens to build and Chapter 4 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 50, no. 8), influence positive experiences with these technologies. “Selecting and Evaluating the Best Mobile Apps for Library What are some good ways to keep up with the Services,” includes thoughts about the next steps for mobile changing world of mobile technologies? We can test technology and resources for further exploration, including new technologies, as did the Marcellus (NY) Free a list of core mobile apps; blogs, articles, books, websites; Library with Google Glass.5 We can attend conferences and online courses. outside of the usual sphere of library science confer- 6 ences, such as Computers, Freedom, and Privacy, and ReportsLibrary Technology we can follow the work of organizations that defend What’s Next for Mobile civil liberties and privacy in the digital world, such as Technologies? EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation) and EPIC (Elec- tronic Privacy Information Center).7 Once you immerse yourself in the world of mobile apps I hope you will encourage experimentation with and use them for work, productivity, writing, creating, these new mobile technologies, followed by analysis and professional development, you’ll get a real sense and reflection. of their potential for education and content creation. You’ll see how natural user interfaces make computing less about the device itself and more about what you Core Mobile Apps: A List alatechsource.org can do with it. The world of mobile technology is quickly mov- The following is a list of important apps to know about. ing beyond smartphones and tablets with the use of Be aware that sometimes these apps get purchased by everything from wearable technologies (such as fit- other companies or change the location of their web- ness tracking wristbands or Google Glass) to technolo- sites. If a link no longer works, do a web search for November/December 2014 November/December gies that turn any physical object into a touchscreen.1 “[app name] iOS” or “[app name] android.” There is also quite a bit of progress with technolo- If you have a new mobile device, in addition to the gies known as “The Internet of Things.”2 That’s a term built-in apps, start with these. used to describe a world where humans, animals, and objects have sensors with unique identifiers and have • note taking: Evernote8 the ability to transfer data without direct human inter- • cloud storage: Dropbox or Box9 action. Your “things” can communicate with each • saving webpages for offline reading: Instapaper or other in order to coordinate their activities.3 Pocket10 As with any technology, there are both dystopian • social media: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Pin- and utopian futures described by many, especially terest, Foursquare11 23 Selecting and Evaluating the Best Mobile Apps for Library Services Nicole Hennig • calendar: Fantastical (iOS only)12 function, such as flight trackers, apps to replace your • secure password generation and storage: 1Pass- camera, personal databases, and more. 13 word or LastPass Appitic, www.appitic.com. A directory of apps for 14 • e-reading: iBooks (iOS only) and Kindle education by Apple Distinguished Educators (ADEs). • phone calls: Skype and Google Voice15 The focus is on the K–12 age group, and there is also • magazines: Zinio and Next Issue16 much here for adult learners. It’s organized in interesting • custom news feeds: Feedly and Flipboard17 ways, including by subject, by Bloom’s Taxonomy, and • streaming radio and podcasts: TuneIn Radio and by multiple intelligences, and it includes apps for special needs, apps for the “flipped classroom,” and apps for Stitcher18 teachers. • scanning documents: JotNot Pro (iOS only) or Genius Scan19 AppStart for iPhone, http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ appstart-for-iphone/id488613223?mt=8. Free iPhone There are many other apps to use for news, refer- app for browsing “starter kits” of apps for many categories. ence, productivity, writing, multimedia, speech recog- nition, interactive e-books, art, drawing, photo editing, Appotography, http://appotography.com.The world of music listening, music creation, and other educational photography apps is huge. Since photography can be topics. used in so many ways, especially in education, it’s good So this list is only a starting point. If I had just to keep up with the best photography apps. Covers iPhone, iPad, Mac, camera add-ons, and more. received my first mobile device, I would install these apps first. Beautiful Pixels, http://beautifulpixels.com. If you care If you want to go beyond these, see my book, Best about excellent user interface design, this is the blog to Apps for Librarians: Using the Best Mobile Technology to follow. The writing team selects and reviews apps with Educate, Create, and Engage.20 It contains descriptions outstanding design features. Covers apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android, web, and more. and use cases for over 100 apps that are important to know about for educational and professional use by Boing Boing’s Apps for Kids, http://boingboing.net/ librarians. tag/appsforkids. Apps for Kids is Boing Boing’s podcast The book includes app recommendations for the about smartphone apps for kids and parents by Mark following topics: Frauenfelder and his ten-year-old daughter. MacRumors Buyer’s Guide, http://buyersguide • reading .macrumors.com. If you are wondering about the best • productivity time to buy or upgrade your iOS devices, visit this • research and reference buyer’s guide. For each device (iPhone, iPad, iPad Mini, • taking notes and writing iPod Touch, iPod Shuffle, iPod Nano, iPod Classic), you can find out when it was last updated so that you can • multimedia avoid buying a new device right before a new version • social media is announced. For each device the guide recommends • communication “Buy Now,” “Neutral,” “Caution,” or “Don’t Buy.” It also • content creation and curation provides details such as photos of the device, last release • showcasing special collections date, number of days since update, and links to rumor • going beyond the library catalog sites about upcoming releases. • professional development Macworld App Guide, www.macworld.com/category/ios November/December 2014 November/December -apps. Reliable site containing app reviews for iOS devices. For a more detailed table of contents, see the book’s website: http://apps4librarians.com/thebook. Mobile Apps News, http://nicolehennig.com/mobile-apps -news. Free e-mail newsletter by the author of this report. Twice-monthly news about mobile apps for educational Blogs and Websites use. alatechsource.org Touch Press Blog, www.touchpress.com/blog. Blog by the The following apps, blogs, and websites are a great way to keep up with new apps of quality. publisher of beautiful interactive book apps for iPad, such as The Elements, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, and Android Apps Review, www.androidappsreview.com. Full Leonardo da Vinci Anatomy. Follow it to keep up with reviews of Android apps in categories such as books, Touch Press’s new titles. business, education, medical, music, and news. Android Tapp, www.androidtapp.com. Reviews of Android Books apps in categories such as finance, health and fitness, multimedia, music, news and weather, photography, Good for Background on Apple Devices reference, travel, and more. Library Technology ReportsLibrary Technology Carlson, Jeff.The iPad Air and iPad Mini Pocket Guide. AppAdvice, http://appadvice.com. Contains iPhone/ San Francisco, Peachpit Press, 2014.21 Good book for iPad news, reviews, lists, and guides to the best apps by beginners for an overview of the basic functions of your 24 Selecting and Evaluating the Best Mobile Apps for Library Services Nicole Hennig iPad. The author has written many helpful technology Libraries and Mobile Technology books over the years. Lankes, R. David. Expect More: Demanding Better Libraries 28 Pogue, David. iPhone: The Missing Manual, 7th edition. for Today’s Complex World. Self-published, 2012. Sebastopol, CA: O’Reilly, 2013.22 An easy reference for This excellent book is written for library users and those new to the iPhone. Full of practical tips. Look for stakeholders to get them thinking about the potential possible newer editions that match your iPhone at the of libraries. Use with your communities to encourage time you read this. discussions about how libraries are more than storehouses of books. This book is also available for free on the web: http://medium.com/p/c9efcfa6bd24. Mobile Technology for Those with Special Needs Miller, Rebecca K., Heather Moorefield-Lang, and Carolyn Brady, Lois Jean. Apps for Autism: An Essential Guide to Meier. Rethinking Reference and Instruction with Tablets, Over 200 Effective Apps for Improving Communication, 29 eEditions e-book. Chicago, IL: ALA Editions, 2013. Behavior, Social Skills, and More! Arlington, TX: Future Firsthand accounts of library projects using tablets for Horizons, 2012.23 Written by a speech-language reference and instruction. pathologist who specializes in autism spectrum disorders, this book discusses over 200 apps that Miller, Rebecca K., Heather Moorefield-Lang, and Carolyn help with communication, behavior, and social skills. Meier. Tablet Computers in the Academic Library, eEditions Includes success stories showing how these apps are e-book. Chicago, IL: ALA Editions, 2014.30 Case studies helping those with autism. and best practices for using tablets in the academic library and classroom. Brisbin, Shelly. iOS Access for All: Your Comprehensive Guide to Accessibility for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch. Self- Nichols, Joel A. iPads in the Library: Using Tablet Technology published, 2014.24 This book is a comprehensive look to Enhance Programs for All Ages. Santa Barbara, CA: at the accessibility features of iOS devices. It’s available Libraries Unlimited, 2013.31 A book full of specific in EPUB format optimized for Apple’s iBooks reader programs and projects for use with iPads or other tablets and tagged to provide maximum accessibility for screen in the library.