Presented at OHIONET.
What are We Talking About?
- From Wikipedia
- A gadget is a device that has a useful specific practical purpose and function.
- Gadgets tend to be more unusual or cleverly designed than normal technology.
- A gizmo has moving parts, whereas a gadget need not have them.
- In contrast, a device of clever design that has no practical purpose is called a novelty item.
- Gadgets often blur the line between work/fun
Wireless Setting the Stage
- Wireless infrastructure is growing fast
- WiFi
- Becoming ubiquitous & faster
- Bluetooth
- Connecting devices without cables
- 3G mobile broadband
- High speed connectivity for mobile phones
- RFID
- Replacing barcodes
Handhelds
- PDAs
- Around for over 10 years
- Becoming general purpose devices
- Ultra-Mobile PCs
- A mini-tablet
- Virtual thumb board
- Palmtops: OQO, Sony VAIO UX
- A PC in your (large) pocket
- Nokia Internet Tablet
Handhelds in Libraries
- Ebooks
- Overdrive
- Mobipocket
- Roving reference
- Stay connected to resources
- Westlaw Wireless
- Mobile circulation
- III Wireless Workstation
- Sirsi PocketCirc
Flash Drives
- Transport and backup data
- Capacities up to 8GB ($10 - $150)
- Some are ruggedized, waterproof
- Can do more than just store data
- Synchronize data, email
- Encrypt sensitive data
- Run applications from the drive
- Read ebooks
- Making its way into larger devices
Flash Drives In Libraries
- Make USB ports easily accessible
- Extension cables
- On monitors
- On keyboard
- Allow patron-owned software?
- Sell drives to patrons
- Provide media readers for flash memory cards
Video/Audio - Portable Media Players
- Downloads content from computer
- Play AAC, WMA, MP3, wave audio
- Some can play video & images
- Hard drive vs. flash storage
- 128MB - 80GB
- May be used as USB storage
- Cost: $25 - $500
- Lots of accessories
Media Players in Libraries
- Provide e-audio books
- Ohio Ebook Project
- DRM issues
- Check out players (on site / off site)
- Preloaded with content
- Create podcasts for patrons
- Thomas Ford Memorial Library
- Tours of the library/reference area
- Digital recorders
- Video is the new frontier
Smart Phones
- More mobile phones than land lines
- Becoming an all-in-one gadget
Phones in Libraries
- Optimize content for tiny screens
- Virtual reference on the go
- Adjust mobile phone policies
- No phones vs. quiet usage
- Talking areas
- Will Bluetooth interfere with WiFi?
Voice over IP (VoIP)
- Voice → data → voice
- Moves over LANs and Internet
- Charged for data, not voice
- Not just for gadgets
- Examples
- Library hotspots
- Provide enough bandwidth?
Location Based Services
- Global Positioning System (GPS)
- Your location determined by satellites
- Standalone devices
- Embedded in newer cars
- Embedded in many phones
- Maps, directions, traffic, e911
- How can libraries use this?
Cameras
- Standalone devices
- SLR vs. point and shoot
- Embedded in most phones
- Becoming popular with kids
- Advertising and location based services
- Uses in libraries
- Start a Flickr Photo Pool
- Photocopying
Gaming
- Standalone devices
- Nintendo DS Lite
- Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP)
- Microsoft?
- More than just games
- The Role of Gaming in Libraries
Interface Design for Gadgets
- XHTML + CSS = mobile friendly
- Gadgets can exclude styles
- Styles just for gadgets
- ADA compliant = mobile friendly
- Maintain a copy for mobile devices
- No images
- Test your content on mobile devices
- New ways of inputting data
Mobile Friendly Sites
- SWON Libraries
- Cleveland Public Library
- OPLIN Mobile
- Cuyahoga County Public Library Catalog
- University of Georgia Libraries
- Western Kentucky University Libraries
- New York University
- Ball State University
More Mobile Resources
- Google
- Search
- Voice Local Search
- Gmail, Reader, Maps, Calendar, YouTube
- Soon: Grand Central
- Speculation: Google Phone, 700 MHz band
- Yahoo Mobile
- Remember the Milk
- Flickr
Ebooks
- New generation of ebook devices
- Sony Reader
- iRex iLiad
- 2007: Philips Readius
- 2007: Amazon Kindle
- 2007: Cellular Book
- Use e-ink technology
- Buy content from online stores
- DRM issues
Questions to Ask
- What resources can be mobile friendly?
- Will tech support be provided?
- Can support be obtained from vendors?
- What policies can be made mobile friendly?
- What are the costs? Grants?
- How can we publicize this?
- How does this affect interactions with patrons?
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