Google Latitude
Google has yet another cool tool out. It’s called Google Latitude and it only works with mobile devices (although you can add it to your customized Google homepage as well).
With Google Latitude, you can:
- See where your friends are and what they are up to
- Quickly contact them with SMS, IM, or a phone call
- Control what your location is and who gets to see it
So, does it work with the iPod Touch? Well, as of February 10, 2009, not quite yet. But the site says that’s it’s coming soon for iPod devices. But you can still check out a list of supported phones in the meanwhile, or check back there later to see when the iPod Touch is added to the list.
Final Score: iPod Touch 4, Denver 1
As one of the intrepid Texans braving sub-20-degree temperatures in Denver for the ALA 2009 Midwinter Meeting, I relied heavily on my iPod Touch to keep me out of the snow as long as possible. I loaded up the iCalender with my meeting, eating, and socializing schedule the day before arriving in Denver, minimizing unnecessary outdoor travel.
(Score 1, iPod Touch)
I like snow, but only when I’m watching it through a thick glass window in a warm hotel room with free wireless access. Thankfully, the Curtis Hotel was a free wifi hotspot, allowing me to map out each of my meeting moves on Google Maps before stepping out into the ice.
(Score 2, iPod Touch; Score 1, Denver, for the pretty indoor snow-watching)
I took the Touch with me to various vendor meals and used the Notes application to save document details of the latest product updates, which I later emailed to my work account to review once I was back at the library.
(Score 3, iPod Touch)
The Touch was also invaluable in allowing me to keep up with the onslaught of work-related email. Faculty and students demand answers, regardless of whether or not I’m at conference.
(Score 4, iPod Touch)
Other random notes: Excel spreadsheets created with the latest version of Excel don’t display properly on the Touch. The Touch didn’t seem to like websites with Flash. The iCalendar gives you event alerts. Also, how do I add links to emails sent with the Touch?
The iPod Touche
That’s what I’ve decided to start calling it because I feel like I’m constantly acknowledging hits from it.
I’m just kidding. Sort of. I’ve had some good times with it, such as listening to a few excellent (defensibly work-related) podcasts from various higher ed sources and checking my email during the boring bits of Midwinter presentations, but I’ve experienced frustration as well, chiefly regarding the email function. I got it to work once, but never again. (I can check my messages using the web-based client, but this doesn’t enable me to send the notes I’ve taken to myself and/or others.)
Speaking as one who has no particular gift for using new technology and almost zero ability to multitask, I’ve used the iPod Touch as a combination ordinary iPod (my other iPod is a prehistoric hand-me-up Mini from my sister-in-law)/watch/laptop/notebook, but I need a lot more practice before it will improve my productivity. That being said, I do feel kind of cool using it in front of other people–provided I’m putting on a convincing show of knowing what I’m doing.
Robin’s Fall 2008 Experiences with iPod Touch
The iPod has been useful for liaising. It’s nice to keep in a pocket when you trot around campus, instead of taking paper notes or running back to check your computer. I like that I can take notes and email them to myself.
Campus wireless is reasonably widespread. The only connection issues I’ve really had have come from the VPN. It’s nice to be able to enter the settings and have them saved, instead of having to type passwords in, like for the wireless, but any time the iPod goes to sleep the VPN resets, so you have to go into settings and reconnect it each time. It’s pretty quick to do it, but it’s bothersome that it has to be done.
It’s been useful for helping students on the fly, too. I used it at the library expos in the fall when we couldn’t get the new laptops to connect to the wireless properly. I also used it at one of the resource fairs to show students the library website when they had questions.
Welcome!
Hello libraryland! This blog is to be used by those involved in the Mobile Services Microgrant and by those testing out the nifty cool iPod Touch devices. More information about this project can be found in the links on the side. We hope this experiment is both fun and successful, and that Web Services and Public Services both learn more about mobile technologies and how to better improve communication and users’ experiences with library services.
