#Tech: Apple’s Reputation Gets Pulped – Deservedly So?
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Tweets often move faster than facts. True, the Apple web store was down for a bit yesterday, but when it came back up, no new iPad or iPhone 5. Indeed, the only notable difference I could see was the prominence of Apple’s report on ‘Supplier Responsibility‘ for 2012.
Which proved to be a ‘fortuitous’ move, given the fact that yesterday The New York Times published a scathing and in-depth report about workers’ conditions at technology-suppliers Foxconn in China. A significant portion of Foxconn’s factory in Chengdu exploded in May 2011, killing four workers. Which slowed output of iPad 2s, which caught peoples’ attention. Which inspired investigations into what was going on at Foxconn. Which are now coming to light and showing the terribly rough conditions at the factory/city. For which Apple is taking most of the heat. Is that fair?
Popularity: 1% | Category Apple, Branding, Campaigns, Civics, Communications, Environment, iDevice, iPad/Tablet, Marketing, News and Current Affairs, Newspaper Article, Public Relations, Technology | | 0 Comments
Written by: Christopher Gardner
#ProAging: CES Highlights Tech For Boomers On-The-Move
This past 10 through 13 January saw the annual International Consumer Electronics Show present some of the up-and-coming technologies for the next year(s). The CES “is owned and produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $186 billion U.S. consumer technology industry.” Most of the news pertains to the latest smartphone or smart TV, but for the past three years the CES has also supported the ‘Silver Summit.’ This exhibition-within-an-exhibition focusses on technology for older citizens. It also awards ‘Silver Choice Awards,’ a couple of which we wanted to relay to our readers – along with video access to a round-table on the future of technology for retiring Baby Boomers.
Popularity: 3% | Category Aging, Apple, Boomers, Community, Design, Events, Health, iDevice, Independent Living, iPad Apps, iPad/Tablet, iPhone Apps, Marketing, Nonprofit, Reviews, Seniors Life, Software Review, Strategic Marketing, Technology, Technology for Aging | | 2 Comments
Written by: Christopher Gardner
#HowTo: Getting Back To Your Desktop From An iOS Device
Write your next proposal on your iPhone!
It’s inevitable: You’re out of the office, armed with an iPhone or with your iPad, and prepping for a big presentation to a potential donor. You need to get to a file or access something on your computer, which – alas – is sitting on your desk back at the office. Now you’ve either got to go back to the office, or to call and hassle a colleague to sift through your machine to find what you need. This scenario probably also involves giving someone else your computer’s password, which you shouldn’t do.
Enter a number of options to allow you to connect back to your computer from iOS, saving you time and the embarrassment of calling HQ for help with your own files. I’ll explore two popular ones that I’ve frequently used. The first is one most have at least heard about, thanks to their email advertising campaigns: LogMeIn.
Popularity: 3% | Category Apple, Communications, Desktop Apps, How-to, iDevice, iPad Apps, iPad/Tablet, iPhone Apps, Nonprofit, Resource, Reviews, Site Administration, Software Review, Technology, Technology for Nonprofits | | 0 Comments
Written by: Scott Caldarelli
#HowTo: Be Productive Anywhere on Apple’s Mobile iOS
With the advent of the iPhone and iPad, it’s easier than ever to get things done when out meeting potential donors or organizing fundraisers. Depending on what you need to do, an iPhone or iPad can keep you productive on the commute to and from work or on an airplane etc. That said, we are not condoning working on your iPhone or iPad while driving!
Many organizations use Microsoft’s Office suite for word processing, spreadsheets and presentations. Though it’s rumored they’re working on a version for iPad and iPhone, Microsoft has been notably absent from the AppStore, the marketplace where all applications for Apple’s mobile operating system (iOS) can be purchased. Not to worry: here are some ways to get started creating and sharing immediately with your mobile device. (more…)
Popularity: 2% | Category Apple, Desktop Apps, How-to, iDevice, iPad Apps, iPad/Tablet, iPhone Apps, Nonprofit, Nonprofit, Reviews, Software Review, Technology, Technology for Nonprofits, Tools | | 1 Comments
Written by: Scott Caldarelli
#Tech: Hidden Features Of iPhone Show A Caring Side Of Apple
Apple‘s lack of interest in supporting charitable organizations either with money or with allowing apps on its mobile platforms has gotten the corporation some bad press. And Steve Jobs continues to inspire some rancor for his leadership style, even after his death from cancer. Yet, defenders of Steve Jobs and/or Apple are quick to point out that Apple’s products have revolutionized the ways nonprofits work, and that influence is surely the more important in the long run.
Last month, Steve Pogue of The New York Times uncovered further evidence that Apple might not be one of the philanthropic giants (or even minnows), but its directors and engineers do indeed have hearts.
Popularity: 41% | Category Apple, Communications, Hardware Review, How-to, iDevice, iPad/Tablet, iPhone Apps, Newspaper Article, Reviews, Software Review, Technology, Technology for Aging | | 0 Comments
Written by: Christopher Gardner
#HowTo: 3 Ways to Run Microsoft Windows on a Mac
It can be done!
If your organization is switching to the Mac, or looking to switch in the future, you may have a single application that doesn’t have a equivalent on the Apple platform, or it’s simply too costly to change over immediately. Issues such as these might be holding you back from a well-deserved and much needed upgrade-slash-switch.
The good news is that there are three ways you can run Microsoft Windows on a Mac so you can run the odd Windows-only application, if need be. Then you can wean yourself and your staff away from the viruses and shutdowns without sacrificing the occasional app that can only be found for Windows.
Popularity: 18% | Category Apple, How-to, Nonprofit, Nonprofit, Resource, Reviews, Site Administration, Software Review, Technology, Technology for Nonprofits | | 0 Comments
Written by: Scott Caldarelli
#ProAging: Bringing Ballots To Nursing Homes Via The iPad
iPad as Ballot in Oregon (Not Voting Machine)
When the people of Oregon needed to replace Congressional Representative David Wu this week, the state Board of Elections used the opportunity to develop means to get ballots to older citizens in nursing homes. The traditional means to do so were to send absentee ballots out, but such ballots waste a great deal of payer, any way – and many do not get returned anyway. As we have noted on this blog, the iPad is a convenient and stimulative way for retired Americans to access information. And now it is being used as a way for retired Boomers and those of the GI Generation to cast their votes.
The iPad was used to present the ballot to the seniors, who could use the touch screen to enlarge sections if necessary and to mark their votes with a touch. When done, the iPad printed the ballot for the senior citizen to mail in or to stuff into a ballot box.
The idea came from local activists, and we see a rare moment of Apple contributing to a nonprofit’s efforts: Apple donated five iPads to the Congressional district, and $75,000 to help develop the software that presented and recorded the ballots.
As of now, the feedback on this small-scale election is largely positive. According to a report on CBS News, election officials stressed the fact that the iPad is not recording the vote, simply offering access to the ballot and assisting the elder Americans’ abilities to mark it appropriately. The question remains, nevertheless, as to how scalable the pilot program is. Oregon officials seem convinced it will work statewide, and they are investing in more iPads and printers: “At $500 each, the state could buy the iPads for about $36,000. Portable printers cost about $50 each, Trout said, or counties can use existing printers from their offices. The cost of software is still unknown. In the last two-year budget cycle, Oregon spent more than $325,000 to maintain accessible voting tools.”
The portability and touch-screen simplicity of the iPad makes it an idea technology to assist citizens cast votes. Perhaps as the technology rolls out to other districts and states, it will inspire greater electoral turnout among the rest of us.
Popularity: 4% | Category Aging, Civics, Events, GI Generation, Hardware Review, iDevice, Independent Living, Internet, iPad Apps, iPad/Tablet, National/International, News and Current Affairs, Newspaper Article, Nonprofit, Nursing Home, Politics, Retirement Living, Seniors Life, Silent Generation, Site Administration, Software Review, Technology, Technology for Aging | | 0 Comments
Written by: Christopher Gardner
#Tech: QR Codes, Smart Phones, And Prunes Come Together In South Korean Subway
The BBC and PRI’s The World offered a story on the ‘virtual grocery stores’ that are starting to pop up on the walls of some of Seoul’s subway stations. They are the brainchild of Homeplus, the South Korean affiliate of the British supermarket chain Tesco (which has only a minimal presence in the US market as a part of the ‘Fresh & Easy‘ stores). The advertisements have images of the foods sold at the market and QR Codes associated with each product. Use your smart phone to snap a shot of the QR Code, which places your order into a bag or bags, all of which will delivered to your home.
Will such a convenience move beyond the Korean peninsula? Probably, though some resistance is found even in South Korea’s subway.
Popularity: 4% | Category Advertising, Case Study, Community, Geo-Location, iDevice, iPhone Apps, Marketing, Media Review, Reviews, Social Media, Technology | | 0 Comments
Written by: Christopher Gardner
#Tech: The Mac Mini Has Little Impact On Environment Yet Mighty Power
I have often written about the great opportunity and flexibility the Mac Mini Server offers nonprofits and small businesses. In this post, I’m going to quickly address the most obvious but least talked about feature: the size and power of the Mac Mini Server.
The box of this powerful little machine measures just 1.4” H x 7.7” W x 7.7” D and weighs just 3.3 pounds. So, it won’t take up much room on your desk.
It is made mostly of aluminum and plastic so it’s highly recyclable. It’s also free of lead PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and BFRs (brominated flame retardants) in its logic board. Therefore, when you want to upgrade, you can rest assured that the hardware will be reformatted and reused – and the chemical remnants of the process will not have a notable impact in the groundwater or the atmosphere. The efforts by Apple to reduce the environmental impact go farther still.
Popularity: 2% | Category Apple, Environment, Hardware Review, Nonprofit, Reviews, Technology, Technology for Education, Technology for Nonprofits | | 0 Comments
Written by: Scott Caldarelli
#ProAging: Touchscreen Ease Available For Those Who Don’t Want An iPad
Click to enlarge
The iPad has inspired many older Americans to expand not only their computing skills, but also their short-term memories and their social(-media) circles. Nevertheless, the iPad was not created with our oldest citizens in mind. The screen is not especially large, for example.
The computer company Telikin in Chalfont, PA is developing a desktop machine for the GI and Silent Generations. Humans interact via the large touchscreen, and the software interface includes large clear buttons that give users easy access to email, Facebook, calendars, and other applications, like local weather, that seniors might find handy. But apparently the computer is even finding adherents from among younger generations who simply want an easy way to interact with some of the staples of the online universe.
Popularity: 3% | Category Aging, Apple, Boomers, Campaigns, Civics, Communications, Community, E-Mail, GI Generation, Grandparents, Hardware Review, iDevice, Internet, iPad/Tablet, Marketing, Reviews, Seniors Life, Social Media, Software Review, Technology, Technology for Aging | | 0 Comments
Written by: Christopher Gardner
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