Apple’s product has revolutionized the tech industry. The product that probably was the most revolutionary in my opinion was the iPod. It is difficult to imagine that the first one only came out in 2001. By creating iTunes and making music truly portable by allowing users to create Playlists and only purchase songs that they wanted from an album, Apple changed the music industry as well. Websites like Napster were around at that time and artists were losing a great deal of money to free downloads. iTunes Music Store, created in 2003, and the iPod gave artists a place to continue to sell their music in a format that people wanted to use, and users a place to purchase music and put onto their iPod to be portable. Since the first classic iPods could hold up to 1000 songs, this was very attractive to people that had been burning their own CDs with 20 songs. As the iPod progressed, the iPod Touch was introduced in 2007. Although it was released a few months after the iPhone, the two are very similar.
The App Store is what has really changed the mobile device world. Launched in July of 2008, the App store allows users to buy games, organization tools, weather services etc. The App store also put the other tech companies on notice about what was possible for mobile users and they quickly scrambled to catch up. We now have the Google Play Store and the Android Market and many app developers have made their apps available on all of these formats. Apple has now made it possible for more people to create their own apps by introducing a new coding language called Swift as well as a free coding app called XCode. Our school will be using this to bring app development into our University Level computer programming courses. This new language is simpler to use than other coding languages (I was even able to create my own app for my phone) and the interactive “Playground” is very user friendly. The other educational use that Apple has created is iTunes U. This app contains course material for thousands of courses created by professionals. Our Board has nine iTunes U courses created by students that are available on the app and we are hoping for more next year.
Finally, the MacBook and iOS systems are very reliable. I can only speak from personal use and experience, but my MacBook does not crash, is a powerful processor, and has essentially replaced my home PC desktop. I can not conclude without speaking to the accessibility features Apple has created for students/individuals with Special Needs. As a SERT for the Board, I have put many iPads into the hands of students and although the screens are not indestructible, the communication apps and features like the integrated microphone for speech to text and the ability to use speak selection has been a game changer for students trying to survive in an integrated education system. My own son uses an iPad for school, and is able to take Academic Level courses because of the assistance the iPad gives him.
Source of Apple dates and other info: http://www.apple.com/ca/pr/products/ipodhistory/
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