Posts

Beauty in the Box

/in ,

Asus Chromebox
It looks simple enough. A small form factor desktop computer running Chrome OS. In it’s native mode, the Chromebox lets you access any website and any cloud-based service with a web interface that you can imagine or ever want.

What makes the Chromebox really beautiful, however, is what it can do when assigned to special tasks.

Kiosks

Bundled with the Chrome Management Service, you can easily configure Chromeboxes to run as a single application kiosk. Whether providing information to customers in your store, allowing visitors to check in at the lobby desk, or to provide games for kids to play in your waiting room, the small form factor and easy setup make Chromeboxes an affordable solution to install and maintain.

Chromebox for Meetings

For less than $1,000, you can enable video conferencing in almost any small or mid-size conference room. Bundled with an HD camera, an HD conference speaker/microphone, and management software, you can link the device to the conference room calendar. Video conference setup is automatic and attendees can start the conference with a single press of a button on the remote control. Easier to use than traditional video conferencing, you can share presentation materials from any participant in the meeting.

Digital Signage

Combine the kiosk capabilities of the Chromebox with free or low cost tools, and your Chromebox becomes one of the most affordable digital signage solutions on the market. Securely manage display presentation and content remotely from any web-connected device without investing in expensive, proprietary systems.

If you are interested in or need kiosk, video conferencing, or digital signage solution, contact us to discuss your needs and evaluate solutions.

 

 

Google Extends “End of Life” for ALL Chrome Devices

/in ,

google-chromebook

Google is updating the official “End of Life” policy for all Chrome devices, including retroactive coverage to previous models.

This change extends the minimum “End of Life” (EOL) term from 3 years to 5 years, adding at least 2 additional years of automatic Chrome and security updates.  When a device’s EOL term is reached, Google no longer guarantees Chrome updates will be provided.

The new minimum EOL term is now 5 years from the date the device hardware is made available for purchase. Some models may have a further extension based on regional releases and the length of sale. Google will be updating the EOL policy and projected dates on the Chrome OS End of Life Policy page soon to reflect this change.

Tech in the Classroom: Cool or School?

/in

Attending the Massachusetts Computer Using Educators (MassCUE) conference this week is a great experience.  While we are excited to help some of the most innovative teachers and administrators learn more about using Google Apps and Chromebooks in the classroom, we are just as pleased to learn from them.

Schools are struggling to develop comprehensive plans for classroom computing.  Carts, one-to-one programs, and “bring your own device” (BYOD) programs are all in the mix. Beyond the technology selection, schools must address budget limitations and ensure fair access to solutions across the economic boundaries of students and families.

The “Cool” Factor

Add to the challenge: community pressure to use a “cool” technology.  School boards, administrators, and parents in many districts want to see new, cool technologies even if those technologies do not best meet the needs of the students or the educational program.

The most common example we have heard has been pressure to use iPads.  We agree, iPads are very cool.  With a wide array of apps, iPads bring the web, books, and video to life in a dynamic way.  They are lightweight, portable, and easy to use.

Easy to use, that is, until you need create content.  For all it’s strengths, iPads are not an efficient device for writing and editing.  Without a keyboard and with limited software options, iPads are not designed for serious data entry.  Typing a five paragraph essay or a term paper is not really feasible.  Educators and administrators discuss the difficulty in managing sync servers to get data off the devices, and that students given iPads still have a need for another device — laptop or desktop — to get their work done.

The perception, however, that iPad’s are a step forward and laptops are a step back creates pressure on schools to pick a technology that falls short of students’ needs.

Some New Options

Fortunately, schools are finding other options that may just meet the “cool” criteria. New tablets with attachable keyboards blend the touch screen, “post-PC”, experience with capabilities of a more traditional device.

Chromebooks, which lack the “touch” experience, are specifically designed to meet the challenges of web-based learning, one of the fastest growing trends in classroom computing.  They give students and teachers access to real-time and managed collaboration, video and multimedia capabilities, thousands of educational web sites and apps, and legacy applications via virtual desktop services.  Chromebooks, Chrome OS, and the Chrome OS Management Service also provide an ease of administration that can reduce administrative costs by 60% or more.  Pretty cool.

Picking a Path

The responsibility of selecting a student computing platform and program is not one to be envied.  Those making the hard decisions are making multi-year plans and committing large sums of money.  They deserve our support and the freedom to pick the best solution for the students and the school system.