QR Symbols - How to Create Them and Why

Keep hearing about or seeing QR symbols?  Here is a RocketBoomTech video that gives background and how to create your own.  At the end, it shows how to create one using Google (Goo.gl).  Another way to create one is Bit.ly

The Daring Librarian uses QR.  Middle School Teacher Librarian asks students to  dring their cell phones to the library, form small teams, and hunt for QR codes posted around the library -- along the lines of a treasure hunt.  Some QRs lead to wiki or web pages that have students do certain tasks.  Prizes include iTune gift cards.

Try the QR to the right and see where it takes you!

SOLIO - Hybrid Solar Charger

Mac World post #5 - We have solar roof panels and a solar outdoor light. What's next? Maybe a solar-powered universal charger for our numerous electronic devices. Solar chargers at strategic window locations in libraries and other public places would be welcome.

On Thursday, my friend and I arrived at Mac World with two dead cell phone batteries. We assumed correctly that there would be wireless connectivity and charging stations in the exhibits. I stumbled upon Solio. While my phone was charging, I looked at a number of models of multi-device chargers. Apparently, you can charge your charger with energy from the sun or the wall -- it's a hybrid. The Solio H1000 has a clip on one end that would make it easy to wear on a hike or a bike. Handy for emergencies and disaster preparedness. A cool tool.

Mobility@Your Library - #5 Administrative

Here is #5 of 10 categories of how libraries use mobile devices.

#5 Administrative. This is the most popular category used by library leadership. Equipment is often provided by the larger institution (city, county, university, school district). Many large institutions or enterprises use MSOffice, so it is common that library administrators stay with that platform and most compatable mobile devices. Monthly service for public and school librarians is often partially covered by Federal E-Rate funds. Here are top administrative uses of cell phones and smartphones:

• Calling. One-2-One. Conference calls.
• Database updating/scheduling on the go!
• eCalendar (ie: Outlook Calendar)
• e-mail
• Text messaging
• Reporting
• Mobile notepad

Many of these categories and examples overlap. See also #4-Assistive Technology and #5- Productivity Tools.

Classic Retro Telephone Handsets for iPhone

OK. You have an iPhone and love it. But you also love being able to hold a phone to your ear like in the good old days. Yubz.com offers a collection of classic retro telephone handsets. Here's one of many options. Crazy ideas for the coming holidays.

Rugged Cell Phone, the Rugby

Here's a cell phone fit for travel, wear, and tear. Good for IT tech teams everywhere. My friend sent me a Samsung Torture Test video on just how rugged the Rugby phone it. They meet military standards for dust, vibration, shock, rain, altitude, and temperature extremes. They have video-share and come in BLACK or construction site YELLOW.

Mobile Yahoo

Check it out. Get your Yahoo e-mail by going to this page and entering your cell phone number. Anytime, anywhere access to Yahoo! Mail.

Whatever your e-mail service is, whatever your blog software, whatever your application -- look around and you will most likely find a link to "mobile'-- how to link to your mobile device. Enjoy.

Guide by Cell -- ALA Exhibit

The annual conference of the American Library Association was in Anaheim, CA this weekend. There were more than 10,000 wonderful librarians and exhibitors to converse with and lots to see and hear. Exhibits were extensive, so I focused on rows dedicated to technology. I'll include a few posts about new cool tools that caught my attention.

One of the first exhibits that jumped out at me was GUIDE BY CELL. It is a way for libraries and museums to offer self-guided tours of their library or special exhibits. Sounds great for an Open House or special fundraising events. It lets you create self-guided audio tours accessible through cell phones. Visitors use their own equipment. NOTE -- when I say "you" it means either you use your own voice or recruit others such as a volunteer with a special voice, members of the drama club, student library assistants, local celebrity -- you are in charge, so you decide. :)

Here is how it works:

1. Record the tour. Librarian calls a unique phone number to record audio prompts, just like recording voice mail. Or upload existing audio files (interviews, sound effects, songs) into a specific prompt number.


2. Identify exhibits. Post small numbered identifier signs next to items in your tour.


3. Visitors guide themselves. To access the audio guides, visitors call in using their own cell phone, then select the item they want to hear. Easy. Visitors may remain connected throughout their visit, or hang up and call back as desired. They may listen to descriptions in any order.

Think about all the visitors, decked out with their finest new hands-free cell phone devices (jewelry), touring your library -- what a Grand Night Out @ the Library.

BREEZE phone uses Universal Design

Experienced mobile phone users don't need this, but if you or your institution need simplicity and ease-of-use, check out the Pantech Breeze phone. It is ideal for a wide range of users. Breeze is specifically designed for people needing an easy way to stay in touch with friends, caregivers, and loved ones. It also sounds like an appropriate phone for public institutions, where the phones might be shared with staff such as roaming reference librarians or summer substitutes.

The Pantech Breeze takes into account many of the design principles set forth in AT&T's approach to Universal Design:

• 1-2-3 Quick-Call Keys — Three preprogrammable quick-call buttons are located below the screen — users can easily select one of the three quick-call contacts and press the send button to start a call.
  
• Simplified Menu — Navigating the phone's features is trouble-free with the simplified "breeze menu," which prioritizes the features that customers want to access most.
  
• Large Font — Menu screens use a highly visible large font. Additionally, the font of SMS messages is enlarged and the date and time of messages sent is at the beginning rather than at the end of a message.
  
• Easy-to-Use Buttons — The oversized buttons on the device respond with a tactile click when pressed, and the amount of time the keys remain illuminated after use is extended.
  
• Clear and Loud Speakerphone — A large, dedicated button starts and stops speakerphone use.
  
• Camera — A dedicated hard key for the camera brings up camera options "take a picture" and "photo album" to give users easy access to useable camera functions.
  
• Audible Keys — An option to have audio accompany numeric keystrokes makes it easy to know which buttons have been pressed, resulting in mistake-free dialing for those with limited sight.

Breeze is a GSM quad-band world device, able to make voice calls in more than 200 countries and access data and send messages in more than 145. So, it is simple-but-powerful.

Merriam-Webster Goes Mobile

Merriam-Webster's Dictionaries are available for most mobile platforms.

I noticed this when updating my eGames hotlist. There is a good selection of word games offered by Merriam-Webster Online. When I started exploring the site to see what was new, I noticed the Visual Dictionary and searched for school library and library. University shows up as a part of a downtown cityscape. Image downloads for educational, non-profit, and individula blogs are free, as long as the site http://www.visualdictionaryonline.com/ is clearly identified and linked. Kudos to Merriam-Webster for the Cool Tools!

Jawbone - new headsets for cell phones

Headsets are becoming more common in the car, at the fitness center, at work, and at play. California and other states require or will require "hands-free" calls made while driving. Some drivers have cars with built-in Bluetooth speakers and microphones, while others will buy wireless earpieces to make calls legally. WSJ All-Things-Digital columnist Walt Mossberg shows a model wearing Jawbone, a fancy fashion statement. Wonder when or if I'll ever wear one? Full more details on wireless headsets for cell phones,
check out the full article.

LibraryThing on Your Cell Phone

How many times have you visited a bookstore without your list of "must have" books? Check whether you've got a book already when you're standing in the bookshop. LibraryThing Mobile gives you the power of LibraryThing wherever you roam. Just point your phone's browser to: http://www.librarything.com/m.

iPhone Text Accessibility for persons with hearing or speech disabilities

iPhone customers who are deaf or have a hearing or speech disability can apply for AT&T's Text Accessibility Plan (TAP). It offers iPhone customers with those disabilities the choice of unlimited text messaging, Web browsing and easy access to email.

Carlton Hill, VP of Product Management for AT&T's wireless unit says "Our Text Accessibility Plan allows customers who are deaf or have hearing or speech disabilities to literally tap out their communications on the go....Now with TAP for iPhone, users can tap, flick and pinch the innovative Multi-Touch touch screen for a completely new world of functionality."

This new plan is available to new and current iPhone users with qualifying disabilities through AT&T's National Center for Customers with Disabilities (NCCD). To qualify for the iPhone TAP, customers must complete an application form for eligibility.

Urbanista Diaries -- NOKIA's Urban Bloggers

Urbanista Diaries is the second phase of a Nokia ad campaign for its N82 series phone. The campaign first followed four bloggers on a trip around the world. Their mission was to capture stories and the beauty of the places they visited. This time, the mobile bloggers documented about 22 stops, using a relay method.


How could a class or school use this technique to showcase its community? Would the focus be on public places and people like parks and police, libraries and librarians? Or entertainment like movie theaters, malls, and milkshake meeting places?

Where did I discover this? A friend pointed me to the Public Broadcasting Network's IdeaLab blog. Check it out.

Mobile Blogging

Need claim #

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This is a good time to practice mobile blogging. My first message is a text message requesting my claim #... not too creative, but it is a baby step. To send a text message or Media message (picture) to blogger, you send to go@blogger.com. You are sent back an automatic message with your claim token to access options, such as having your mobile post go to a specific blog. In my case, I have half a dozen blogs but have indicated that 2CoolTools is where I want mobile posts to go to at this stage of the game.

Android DEMO by Google

Check out Android, a new open source tool for web developers to create cool tools for mobile phones. It is also known as the Android operating platform. Google is setting aside lots of money for developers to create the next great applications.

Cell Phones will be a digital divide 'leveler'

Here is a good video about the future of using cell phones in K12. This is about 1/2 hour interview with Dr. Elliot Soloway of the University of Michigan. Robert Scoble's interview of Dr. Soloway is entitled "Improving Education with the Teacher of the Year." Near the end, there is a discussion on the critical importance of reading, increasing literacy rates, and the importance of the public library.

Some highlights:

• In 4 years, cell phones will be THE tool. It will be accepted in schools at some point soon.
  For schools to accept cell phones, teachers must teach the existing K12 curriculum in the cell phone in order to get the (cell phone) revolution going.
• Longer term, students will all be carrying hand-helds (like iPhone) and will think more globally because they can easily communcate with other kids around the world. School reports will see more multi-media (how students express themselves.) Cell phone costs will continue to go down in price, making them more accessible to all students.
• Digital divide: "The Cell phone is a 'leveler' of the digital divide."

E-Mail Messaging (e-mail to cell phones)

I've become a fan of e-mail messaging. It is the only way to reach and get a response from high school or college kids, given they prefer text messaging and instant messages over e-mail.

Academic librarians have started to experiment with instant messages for reference service, but it has it other uses. It might be fun to experiment some more -- ask for student AND TEACHER cell phone numbers when they check out a book or come to a meeting or class in the library. Follow up with a short and sweet message to their cells at 10digitcell@txt.att.com.

Download the Txt2Connect tutorial (for parents and librarians, too!) What could some of your messages look like?
(From LIBRARY@school.org) Check it out. New books arrived.
(From LIBRARY@school.org) Check it out. Book Club meets today.
(From LIBRARY@school.org) Check it out. Guest author in town.
(From LIBRARY@school.org) Check it out. Book overdue.
(From LIBRARY@school.org) Check it out. Read. Succeed.
(From LIBRARY@school.org) Check it out. Eat. Sleep. Read. Repeat.

See also: Cell Phone Revolution on Campus - the Chronicle of Higher Education carried an Report released by New America Media, a national collaboration of ethnic news organizations. The report reveals data about 600 16- to 22-year-olds and how they feel about marriage, their future, and other pressing issues in their lives. Not surprisingly, school is the main cause of stress in 33% of the respondents' lives. Also, the largest proportion (27%) said music and fashion are the most important characteristics that identify their identity. Survey done entirely by cell phone.