Would appreciate some help

jthemacguy · Sep 14, 2011

Hi everyone as a long time Apple user i decided to do my Masters degree dissertation in Media on Apples impact in the mobile space and i am in need of some consumer opinion.

Basically if anyone would be willing to contribute i would like some comments on what you think Apples impact has been in the mobile space in specific regards to digital media apps such as games books and magazines however more general comments would also be appreciated.

Also anything you do say will be completely anonymous and apologies to mods if this is not allowed.

crowd pleaser · Sep 14, 2011

Very wide discussion criteria,

early days apple gained the mantle of stability, ideal fir desktop publishing supremacy. they were very expensive machines, and charged extra's for everything outside if the main box, things like power leads were classed as accessories.

The ipod was innovative, thousands of tracks onto a tiny player, that market 'clout' followed into their phones where their desktop quality was replicated into the handsets.

But for a querk of history, and disagreements, Apple could have been known as Sinclair, would it have had the same 'ring'?

Skull One · Sep 14, 2011

If your looking to do a standard "fluff" piece on Apples impact, then you have asked the right question. But if you are truly doing a Masters level thesis in Media then you should be looking at something more esoteric that hasn't been covered greatly by mass media.

Consumer grade products have a very narrow visions upon introduction. And only after it is "accepted" does that vision begin to expand. The iPhone fits that description perfectly. When it was first introduced the iPhone couldn't do MMS. Something that every feature phone and even most dumb phones could do. Now three years and half years later that situation has changed dramatically.

The iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad now bring full video, sound and user interaction thru a variety of applications. But that only impacts the one person that is using it and that time frame is actually very narrow. Media on the other hand is about affecting the user in such a way that there are long term effects felt over very long periods.

To achieve that condition you have to leave the traditional NetFlix and Angry Birds applications behind. We want lasting impact. Something that affects more than one person. How about we shoot for affecting an entire city? Media by its very nature has that ability. But the device in question is only being used by one person. So we need a new type of application that causes this ripple effect.

So lets design an application that is used to sell a city to a perspective business that is looking to relocate. This application should have a very rich media content. One that shows the very best parts of why this city can help make this business profitable. The application should cover both the diversity of its citizens, who might be potential new employees, as well as the history of the city so that there is a sense of wanting to belong to this community.

This application should also be synced to an initial presentation given by the city council. So that as the presentation is progressing the user of device has the ability to look back at something just shown or go in a lateral direction on the current topic because they saw something that piqued their interest. While this presentation is happening, the device should be relaying the individuals time viewing each part of the presentation as well as any lateral paths they took. This data collection is invaluable to the city council because it gives a feel for what is successful and what is not.

Now no one gets this type of application right the first time. So the application also needs to have the ability to leave the city for further review and to show the city what the user did after business has gone back home. Which media parts did the user dwell on and which parts where quickly skipped are key to make a better presentation in the future as well. iPod Touches and iPads work well for this. They have low cost to deploy and in fact could be given away to the business team coming to visit.

Now just five iPads or iPod Touches could effect an entire city. And media was used to achieve this goal. Something to consider.

jthemacguy · Sep 15, 2011

Hey guys thanks for the feedback it's very much appreciated right lets tighten this down my initial post was a little rushed so i will clarify. Basically my research concentrates primarily upon digital media apps as i said such as books magazines and games.

From my perspective developers have been given the ability to create incredibly rich and varied apps because of this and also the fact that they can self publish directly to Apple. Interactive books are becoming more common and while a lot are aimed at children. I personally believe there is a great scope for this to be applied to other books text books being a great example. Imagine being able to view a video instead of a static diagram. Same thing applies for magazines change pictures for video and be able to listen to an interview for example instead of reading it.

So if anyone else would be willing to contribute and really the help would be appreciated let me know what you think where are apps going? and in contrast without Apple how well do you think mobile phone industry would be doing.

crowd pleaser · Sep 16, 2011

For me the education potential of tablets with their portability and access is not yet anywhere near to being fully realised, not just for schools but passing on trade skills in an informative and interesting way.

Over the years I've taught many trainees in my own trade using 'rule of thumb' incurring repetitive instruction. a lot if this is done naturally during actual works. problem there is you still have to get the job done and on a time line. the lead engineer, or as I am now the employer, will not have unlimited time to teach. It is also frustrating to watch a trainee take an overly long time for what is to the experienced a simple quick task.

The student can be issued with traditional manuals and books, but most given the choice if study or socialising, it's a fairly ineffective and wasteful option IMHO and experience.

The Interactive ability of the tablet has the potential to reduce the students natural inertia and the risk of possible ridicule if having to ask again, or over misunderstanding something. They can consult and subject to who writes the app can see exactly what is the object is and the best approved way.

You can show a student a task, perhaps they will think they have a better way, but not realise the disadvantages of that method which could be serious and expensive to put right. it would be very boring to read, but with media treatment can be made interesting, even amusing to explain pro's an con's if differing methods, aiding the retention in memory of the lessons given.