Devices I use

Lately I have been using two devices extensively. The first is my iPhone. I use it like everybody else does as a phone. I also use it to write. I use the dictation function extensively during the day. it is the main reason I have become so prolific lately. The other device I have been using extensively is my Chromebook. I use my Chromebook to dictate what I write. But, I usually use my Chromebook to surf the Internet, do my basic computing things, and edit what I write. With these two devices I do 90% of my work during the day. I also use a Mac Mini to write music. And finally I have a Windows laptop that I use to do most of my school work. Part of me wishes I can have one device that does everything, and I probably can use one of my devices exclusively, but I have found that each device has a strength. Whether it is portability, or functionality, reliability, each device I use has a weakness. Or now then, I want can't handle devices at my disposal until something better comes along.

What do you think?

Chromebook and dictation

It turns out that Google has a dictation function on Google Docs, so I am not limited to just using my iPhone for dictation. I was not aware that Google Docs had this ability. I am using the dictation function in Google Docs right now as I write. I am also using it through my very inexpensive Chromebook. And one more point, it is all free (except for having to buy the Chromebook first). The great benefits of using a Chromebook is how inexpensive it is to do just about anything you would like to do with a computer. Here I am creating a blog post while using Google Docs and dictation. All of it is free to use. that is one of the best benefits I'm using a Chromebook. I keep asking myself the question of why would you purchase something more expensive when you can get the job done with a Chromebook that is so much less expensive?

One more observation. I actually think the dictation function here in Google Docs is more accurate than the dictation function on my iPhone. Here in Google Docs I am having to do a lot less editing to make sure everything is right. Now, I am going to continue using the dictation function on my iPhone because it's so much more portable. In another words, I can write anywhere I go using my iPhone, but with my Chromebook and Google Docs I am limited to writing only when I have access to Wi-Fi. But, when I can have access to Google Docs I am going to use this dictation function more and more. the reality is that I can put words up on the page much faster using the dictation function rather than typing. Plus, with the volume of writing that I do I do not risk getting carpal tunnel syndrome.

What do you think?

Chromebooks in the classroom catch on

I just read an article that 50% of technology sales to schools were Chromebooks last quarter. I am not surprised. Chromebooks get the job done and they are all that is needed for schools. They are also inexpensive to buy and use. I think we will see a lot more Chromebooks in the classroom and I think that is a positive trend. We will finally have a generation that knows how to use computers productively (and not just smartphones). Here is the article if you want to look at it:
http://www.cnbc.com/2015/12/03/googles-chromebooks-make-up-half-of-us-classroom-devices.html
What do you think?

The Future of Chromebooks

I can't say anything definitive on this because I do not work for Google and have absolutely no knowledge on what is truly going to happen. I do have an opinion though.

There are rumors that Chrome OS will be merged in some way with Android. Now that is a distinct possibility, but I am not sure it will happen. Chromebooks have not taken off as a consumer device. They are not the hottest thing on the market and the fact is, they do not pose much of a threat to Windows machines or Macs. They do have a small market share, and that is nice, but I do not think it will expand that much in the future. That is just reality.

But there is one market where Chromebooks are doing very well, which is in the K-12 education market. More and more K-12 schools are adopting Chromebooks, and sales are growing. There are several reason for this. First, Chromebooks are inexpensive to buy and inexpensive to use. Second, software is all web based and inexpensive to use. Because Chromebooks are web based, they are easier to control from an administrative point of view, especially at the school site. I think this is the most important reason why Chromebooks are making nice inroads in the education market.

Smartphones are the new curse of education. Why? Because they are cool and you can do some really fun things with them. You can text, surf the internet, and you can especially download play many of the most popular games on them. How can any teacher compete with that? Now, schools are doing their best to overcome the distraction, but if you give a kid a device that can do all the cool things smartphones can, they will immediately load them with games and all the other things that they love to do. Then you will not only have to deal with the curse of the smartphone, you have to deal with the curse of the device provided by the school itself! At least with Chromebooks, there are fewer distraction wile still being a functional computing device.

So, because of the education market, I think Chrome OS and Chromebooks have a good future. Since I like using my Chromebook, that is good news for me.

What do you think?

My Chromebook

I started using my Chromebook once again. I was using my Android tablet, or my Windows laptop, or my Mac Mini or my new iPhone when I got it (yes I have a lot of devices), but I came back to using my Chromebook. Why? It is the fastest device I have for the internet. I also get the full version of websites and not the mobile ones that are not as robust. I also do a lot of writing and my Chromebook is perfect for all I do. I use the Word web based application for my writing so that I can access it from any other device if I want to. I also keep coming back to the fact that I spent less than $200 on my Chromebook while all my other devices have cost much more to have the same functionality. Now the only drawback is having to be online to have the full functionality of my Chromebook, but that does not seem to be an issue as it used to be. I have access to WIFI just about every place I go (which is quite nice). I also have a hotspot on my iPhone if I need to access the internet and I don't have WIFI. In the end, I just like the ease and simplicity (and the low cost) of my Chromebook over all my other devices.