PICTOCHART

This pictochart demonstrates my strengths and weaknesses based on the scores I have so far received in this course.

Apps

Before talking about the pros and cons of apps I would first likely say that I do not own a smart phone. My $99 Nokia brick with only dialing and texting capability has not offered me a personal understanding of smartphone apps. I do however own an iPad so I do at least understand what an app is.

So an app.

Definition of app

noun

Computing

a self-contained program or piece of software designed to fulfil a particular purpose; an application, especially as downloaded by a user to a mobile device: apparently there are these new apps that will actually read your emails to you

When trawling the Internet trying to find the pros and cons of smartphone apps I found the same common issues that I have with my iPad.

Pros

• Able in touch and up to date with all the social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and email. Not just texting and dialing.
• Phones are no longer just a phone they can turn into a GPS navigator, a recipe book or even a yoga instructor.
• If you are not in the room it can make you feel connected either through a Skype chat.
• TV on your phone- most channels whether it be Foxtel, ABC or BBC have apps where you can watch missed programs. There are even specific apps such as NBA game time where you can watch every game live or at a later date (this is one of my favourite).

Cons

• You are constantly distracted by your phone- whether be from the latest Facebook or simply just having the option to mess around on your phone rather than doing your work.
• Everything needs to be constantly updated including your phone making it an expensive thing to stay on top of.
• Difficult to separate different aspects of your life when you can be at home but are still constantly connected to university or work.

So how did the apps phenomenon occur?

Apple leaded the trend for the apps with the release of the iPhone and iPod Touch they launched the first app store 2008. In the first weekend alone ten million applications were downloaded of which 25% were free. Blackberry leads the Android market soon after with only 50 apps available. By the end of 2008 the Apple Apps Store has 10,000 available. Since then Apple has been leading the app market race in terms of both apps downloaded and apps available. Other makers such as Nokia launched their own App stores but none other than Samsung have been able to rival Apple.

Recommended Apps

NBA Game Time                                  IMDB

Huffington Post                                    Gmail

Paper Toss                                                Angry Birds

eBooks

According the dictionary an EBook is:

Definition of e-book

noun

an electronic version of a printed book which can be read on a computer or a specifically designed handheld device.

But what the definition does not describe is way it has transformed the publishing landscape. Before their emergence in the early 2000s there was only one-way to read a book: go out and buy a physical copy. There was no convenience of having a library of books ready to be downloaded as it pleased and there was no Internet site that could recommend other books based on your past purchases. Yes the publishing landscape has changed in the past decade but whether it is for the best is still up for debate.

Pros

• Access to almost any book with an Internet connection.
• Store all books on one device rather having multiple bookshelves.
• No trees means no environmental impact.
• According to a recent study eBooks are easier to read for older people.
• No shipping costs when buying books online.
• Can change font size on the screen accordingly.
• EBooks have the option to embed video and audio.
• Can search the text.

Cons

• Piracy- eBooks makes copying and distributing books far easier and it is difficult to police and monitor.
• Copyright- Amazon is currently looking at setting up a marketplace for send hand eBook sales where customers can sell their eBook license.
• Substituting the feel of a book for a technical device- (sentimental reasons).
• Glare from the screen.
• Many different e-reader devices versus eBook distributors so formatting and layout can be issue when crossing brands.
• An e-reader can run out of battery.
• No one knows how long eBooks are going to last- real books can stay on your bookshelf.
Having an IPad I have explored using eBooks. I personally found that I preferred reading paperbacks mainly for sentimental reasons that I like to have a physical book. But also I can’t take my IPad to somewhere like the beach. It was also inconvenient having to make sure that it was properly charged. The big advantage however that I did find with eBooks is that it is cheaper so I mainly use it for light reads. The other advantage is that you can get all the old copyright free books for free.