We’ve talked a lot recently about iPads in the classroom and how schools could use tablets to save resources while giving children a more interactive, personally tailored learning experience. Not to be outdone by tablet mania, this week Google announced its own educational initiative at their much ballyhooed I/O Developer Event.


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Long known as the sultan of search engines, Google has dabbled but never achieved a stronghold with any hardware or computer peripheral products (see Nexus One smartphone). However, Google’s recent endeavor with netbook makers Samsung and Acer might be the best hope yet since they are directly tied to the Chrome operating system, which has earned high marks and widespread adoption. According to a BNET.com article titled, Google Slaps Microsoft’s Face with a Chrome Netbook, the deal would work as follows:

Consumers will be able to buy what Google calls a Chromebook starting at $350 (as of June 15); meanwhile, business users can get the bundles for $28 per user per month, while those at schools and government institutions pay $20 per user per month.



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The article’s author, Erik Sherman, points out several potential pitfalls including compatibility with existing software and the potential loss of cloud-based data. His biggest concern, however, is the potential blowback that could occur if Google doesn’t up its customer service game. Commenting on the perceived value, \Mr. Sherman states:

Cheap is worth nothing if people aren’t happy with what they bought. Customer satisfaction comes with service and communication, not with technology.

While we understand the concerns, Google also deserves credit for coming to the table with a robust and affordable operating/computing system for college students and business professionals. With tuition, room and board, books and beer costs approaching astronomical levels, it’s nice to see an option (netbook or not) that gives students a little spending leeway so they don’t feel like they’re buying a product that will be completely obsolete or maxed out in two years.

The San Diego Mercury News highlights more happiness in their post, Google’s Chrome to run on new netbooks:

Laptops and netbooks become much simpler devices, allowing machines that boot up very quickly and have long battery life, running software that can be updated automatically through the cloud without having to download to an individual machine.

Students and professionals will have to sacrifice certain programs and functionality with the new Chromebook, but pair it with a wireless keyboard, USB MicroHub and some other peripherals, and the functionality will barely be missed.


Since students are such heavy consumers of new technology, we’ll continue following tablet, netbook and operating system updates so we can continue developing complimentary products.

What do you think? Would you trust your personal data and schoolwork to an Internet-based cloud service run by Google?

Continue the conversation with us here on the blog or on Facebook and/or Twitter. We love to interact with you!

According to analyst firm Gartner, PC sales are expected to slow in 2011 due to several factors, including increased tablet popularity and enduring economic hardship for both consumers and businesses. In fact, Gartner anticipates that media tablets will displace around 10 percent of the PC market by 2014.

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Other research firms are reporting similar findings. For instance, NPD Group has found the average retail price of PCs to currently be up by 6 percent after experiencing a record low last November. The firm explains that this price increase is being driven by several factors including pressures from new tablet solutions and low-priced netbooks. Actions of retailers also back up these findings. For example, Amazon has put its bets behind the tablet craze by launching a dedicated shopping page exclusively for the category.

So why the shift to tablet solutions? Gartner’s analysts are saying that it is because tablets are being viewed as more innovative devices that offer ‘better dedicated compute capabilities’.

We are placing our bets on a shift in consumer interests. People want to be able to share and consume their favorite content when and where they like. Tablets offer that flexibility, along with apps that help personalize the device. Plus there are plenty of accessories to bring the experience to a big screen for an immersive entertainment experience with products such as our Composite AV Cable.

It appears that the enjoyment of movies, music, photos and apps in a mobile format have become the drivers of what consumers are looking to purchase in the months ahead. And with this demand comes a decrease in prices of other consumer electronics products, truly reinforcing the statement that ‘content is king’.

Are you planning to purchase a new tablet, PC or laptop? Do you agree with this data that there is a growing popularity around tablet devices? Why do you think that might be? Do you think that content may be the driving force or is there another factor? Tell us here on our blog or company Facebook page.

Don’t forget to enter our Streaming Media contest for a chance to win an iPad! It’s easy and all the details are right here.

Apple’s latest brainchild, the sleek iPad is flying off the shelves. Conservative estimates put iPad sales at around 2.2 million for the calendar year, while overall tablet sales are expected to top 10.5 million.

If Apple even comes close to these estimates, we can look forward to a changed portable computing market landscape. Combined with the exciting changes in the Audio/Video market, we believe the iPad will play an interesting role,….but no-one seems clear on what that role will be. Here at IOGEAR, we’ve taken out our crystal ball and provided some thoughts on how the iPad will change the world … (cue world dominating laugh).

Getting Started

Whether you use a professional installer or you are a DIY pro, the iPad could help spearhead a new standard for instruction manuals. We already have Internet web sites that fulfill this need, such as HowCast, but unfortunately with the norm is still cryptic user manuals and PDF formatted installation guides. Take a moment to envision standing your iPad up next to you, while installing your next device into your home entertainment system, using a voice activated interface to pause, rewind and fast-forward video instructions. No more re-reading confusing instructions over and over while pulling out your hair – the iPad could offer a quick-glance guide to troubleshoot even the trickiest problem.

Perhaps even with video instruction you are still having trouble figuring something out. No fear – the solution may lie in your iPad’s built in WiFi or 3G for live streaming video, or audio help by tapping the help icon on the screen. Here is where a built in camera might come in handy – allowing you to show a live stream of what you are doing back to the customer support agent.

Integrating

We know that Bluetooth 2.1 +EDR connectivity is included with the iPad, but further details regarding connectivity options are unclear. WiFi and 3G connectivity already allows us to interact with all sorts of devices that can be controlled through the Internet or over the air. So how can we fit the iPad into our home entertainment center setup?

Many are making the switch from traditional cable to web TV bringing the PC into to the living room. The iPad can be the interfacing device between the PCs, consoles and TV. Think of it as the ultimate programmable remote control with all the advantages of Apple’s “magical” user interface.

The iPad also provides a unique experience for gaming with the way you interact and control the game. Integrating the iPad, or using it as a sole controller could open up new avenues of at-home gaming – whether it’s using it as a steering wheel control for racing games, or as a virtual map while playing an action/adventure game.

iPad vs. NetBooks vs. Slates

One of the advantages of a portable computer such as the iPad is the ability to take your home entertainment on the road. This is already a crowded market, with NetBook and Slate computers competing for your attention and dollars.

A key factor to your decision of where to spend those hard-earned dollars will be the answer to the questions: what do you need your portable device for, and what kinds of functionalities are a must? Undoubtedly a NetBook or Slate computer will have much more functionality, both in terms of software (e.g. you will not find QuickBooks or Starcraft on the iPad yet) and hardware (the iPad suffers from a lack of standard ports, while both the Slates and NetBooks have at least standard USB interfaces. In the end you should ask: what do you really need in a portable computer? More importantly, how much is the user experience or the ‘cool factor’ worth to you?

Battery life is one area where the iPad significantly outshines the other solutions, with an impressive 140 hours of music capability or 10 hours of uninterrupted eBook use. However, the lack of a removable battery may be a minus, unless you don’t mind using an external battery, such as the GearPower Mobile Portable Battery.

Finally, pricing is always an important issue. Even at the starting price of $499 for an iPad there are some very powerful NetBooks available at similar price points that could arguably match the iPad in terms of user experience. With a rumored $500 price tag, the HP Slate is one of the more popular contenders at this point, though there are some very interesting non-Windows contenders at similar price points.

Conclusion

What would you use the iPad for instead of a NetBook? Is there a deal breaker that would cause you to choose a Windows, Android or Linux powered NetBook or Slate vs. the iPad? What do you think about the pricing? Please take some time and share your thoughts here on the blog, on Twitter or FaceBook.

As the price of computers continues to fall and computer performance increases, what does this mean for consumers? Many dated computers are set aside, stored in closets, basements or even garages when they still have plenty of life left to them.

Utilizing a KVM switch – an acronym for keyboard, video and mouse – is one way to breathe some fresh air into the life of an older or non-utilized computer without the expense of upgrading. At the core, a KVM switch allows you to share a keyboard, monitor and mouse amongst multiple computers and switch between computers at the touch of a button or with a keyboard shortcut.

KVM switches have been utilized in the business world for years as they are an extremely efficient way to monitor banks of servers oftentimes tucked in small cabinets with no room for multiple monitors or the confusing mess of endless keyboards and mice. 16-port KVM’s can be daisy chained to each other for up to 256 connections allowing ultimate control. KVMs are great solutions for businesses, and now the technology has trickled into the home, and for very good reasons.

Home computers serve many purposes and for today’s children they are one of the best interactive learning tools available. Allowing children on a home computer opens up risks for accidentally deleted files, documents and folders moved to the wrong place or other unintentional errors. With an older unused tower, a simple 2-port KVM with remote is a perfect solution.

Simply connect the keyboard, mouse and monitor to the KVM switch, then take the set of wires coming off the side and plug one into the main computer and the other into the older computer for the kids. A remote button can be mounted under a desk, away from their view to switch between computers. When the kids want to use a computer, simply touch the button on the remote and the keyboard and mouse will control their computer using the same monitor. This is an easy way to keep them off your computer and eliminates the fear of them screwing something up by accident.

The other advantage is cost savings. With KVMs there is no need to purchase an extra monitor for a second computer, thus saving money and energy consumption over time.

Utilizing KVM switches isn’t just restricted to connecting your old computer up with your current monitor for space and money savings, they can be used for other purposes too. Netbooks have recently become one of the biggest new markets for computer manufactures because of their low prices and ultra-portable design. The upside to netbooks, their ultra-compact design, is also their downfall. Most netbooks have a screen smaller than 10 inches which is great for quickly checking email or Web sites on the go, but not so much fun if you have an hour or two of email to read or need to view a Google map at a decent size.

By using a KVM for laptops users can connect netbooks and laptops to an external monitor, allowing them to easily use a larger screen when at the office or home. This particular switch also comes with software and an on-screen menu to easily transfer files between your home / work computer and netbook or laptop, perfect for migrating data from a day in the field onto the destination computer. The small size of the KVM fits unobtrusively into any laptop or netbook bag.

KVM switches are one of most efficient ways to utilize multiple computers, expand existing computers to span monitors and enhance a portable computer without the need to purchase extra hardware. This is a direct cost savings and users can give life to older or under utilized computers and add productivity to their workflow.

The search for the ultimate game-changer in technology is still on, many have tried, but where we use our apps has changed more than the apps themselves lately. Six months ago we did a roundup covering several popular models of what we consider the game-changer of 2009, Netbooks. Here we update what we found in our previous roundup and then look at the hardware you need to get the most out of your Netbook experience.

Bridging the gap between smart phone and laptop computer, these lightweight, ultra-portable, power-house Netbooks are finding a way into more homes, offices, briefcases and purses this year. One of the front-runners from the Netbook roundup was the Dell Mini 9. Partly due to a large advertising budget combined with funky colors and the ability to run OS X software, sales of them quickly took off.

Dell had so much success with the Mini 9 they launched the Mini 10 and Mini 12 (though the Mini 12 was discontinued), with more colors and configurable options. Solid state hard drives continue to grow in size but drop in price, increasing value, along with other features found in these Netbooks. The Mini 9 starts at about $230 for a feature-rich computer and has stayed aggressively priced, compared to the market, while the Mini 10 weighs in near $300.

Asus, a pioneer in the Netbook space, continues to dominate the market with the Eee PC. With more than twenty models currently available in sizes ranging from 7” to 10” and now a new touch-screen tablet, Asus continues to move forward with innovative design and development.

While new technology is implemented into Asus Netbooks to make them thinner, lighter, faster, have more storage and better graphics, the price has stabilized at around the $200-250 level. Considering an unlocked smart phone often runs twice this price and full sized laptops can be double or triple the price, the value in these Netbooks really starts to shine through.

The aggressive pricing of the major Netbook manufactures continues to push smaller companies to offer unique features, special promotions or try to carve a niche out for themselves. BenQ released a selection of Netbook / laptop hybrids in the 12” range, bridging the gap between the 10” Netbooks and 14” laptops. Better known for memory, OCZ Technology released a 10” DIY Netbook called the Neutrino, aimed at being more customizable. Some assembly is required, but this was done on purpose to keep the price down.

Netbooks can be so much more than a bridge between smart phone and desktop computer. The Asus touch-screen tablet is evidence of that, with the ability to easily show clients work, share the screen and let the ideas flow through.

Keeping your Netbook in sync with your home and office computer is often required, and the USB Laptop KVM is the perfect accessory to help facilitate this. An on-screen manager lets you access either computer to share files when connected via the USB adapters and you can utilize the full sized desktop monitor from your Netbook too. Small, sleek and unobtrusive, this KVM is an essential additional to both home and office settings.

Maximize your Netbook’s screen with a Wireless Audio / Video Kit, making a 9 or 10” screen 54” within minutes. This breakthrough product uses ultra wide-band (UWB) technology to transmit 720p HD video from your Netbook to your HD television or monitor, wirelessly! Streaming your favorite movies, TV shows and music from your Netbook now makes it a home media center that you can control right from your couch, up to 30’ away.


Keep a clean and clutter free workspace, living room and office by eliminating Netbook cable clutter. Adding a Wireless USB Hub & Adapter can transform your Netbook into a serious wireless workhorse, without tripping over cables. Installation is simple and straightforward and will allow the connectivity of USB powered devices from up to 30’ feet away. Attach a printer, scanner, hard drive and just about anything else that’s USB powered and never worry about a tangled cord mess on or under your desk again. Because all that gets plugged into the Netbook is a USB transmitter, picking up the Netbook and taking it with you is easy, and syncing to the USB devices when you come back is a snap.

Like most new products to the marketplace, Netbooks are still finding their way into our lives and will endure more changes, features, size and configurations to meet our needs. Less and less 7” models are available because users deemed them too small to use, while the eight and nine-inch models become top sellers. Users are also realizing that having a 500 GB hard drive in a super-portable isn’t always needed, especially when utilizing products like the USB Laptop KVM to off-load and transfer files, or attaching an external hard drive to a Wireless USB Hub. Integrating, utilizing and maximizing your Netbook with IOGEAR products allows you to be more productive at home and in the office with less wasted time, which is always the goal and now it is easier than ever.

IOGEAR recently launched a Web page dedicated to consumers looking for a solution to control and work on two separate PCs – with one being a laptop, or netbook – at the same time through one screen, keyboard and mouse.

The USB Laptop KVM Switch provides users the ability to save money, space and resources by consolidating multiple computers into one as well as increasing the efficiency and performance of the computer with the switch.

The new site provides users with a gallery of product photos as well as lifestyle examples of how to use it, a list of all the features, technical details and a clear description of how the product works.

For more information on how the USB Laptop KVM Switch works, please see the setup description here.

Check it out and let us know what you think about the technology!

Cheers,
The IOGEAR Team

IOGEAR’s USB Laptop KVM Switch allows users the convenience of controlling a second computer without the hassle of extra cords, re-configuring their home network or installing expensive software that can slow down their computers.

Customers can simply pull the device from the box and plug one end into the main PC’s USB port and the other end into the second PC’s USB port, no matter if it’s desktop to desktop, desktop to laptop, desktop to Netbook, laptop to desktop or laptop to Netbook.

The USB Laptop KVM Switch is revolutionizing the industry as it’s the first-of-its-kind for its design for end consumers with multiple PCs especially the mobile user.

Watch this video and see how easy it is. All you have to do is plug it in; it’s that versatile and easy!

How would you use the USB Laptop KVM Switch?

Cheers,
The IOGEAR team

Right now the hottest term in computers is Netbook, it’s a combination of Internet and Notebook, and generally refers to laptop computers that have smaller than a 10” screen. For the most part, Netbooks are primarily used for browsing the Internet, email and intended to be small enough to take anywhere.

There is a sacrifice to be made with them, and that is generally in terms of a much slower processor compared to a full sized laptop, smaller hard drives, less RAM and usually a condensed keyboard. Most Netbooks come in well under $500 though, so they are attractive to someone who needs to accomplish a little more than their Blackberry or iPhone can do, but doesn’t’ want to haul their full sized laptop around.

Some interesting features on Netbooks coming out also include facial recognition software for security, built in card readers and built in 3G Internet connections though various mobile cellular phone services.

Following is a roundup of some of the most popular Netbooks on the market today.

MSI Wind

Among the leaders of the pack is the MSI Wind U123H. With a 10” screen, it boasts one of the largest native resolutions of 1024×600. Compared with a 13.3” MacBook that runs at 1280×800, you realize you’re getting a lot of screen real estate for 10”. Other key features are an Intel Atom 1.66GHz processor, 1GB of onboard DDR2 RAM, a built in web cam for video chat, 4 in 1 card reader, 3G communication and Bluetooth. One of the most appealing aspects of the Wind is that it utilizes a standard sized 2.5” SATA internal hard drive, available in 80, 120 or 160GB configurations. This dwarfs some of the other Netbooks. All of this does come at a slight tradeoff though, weighing 2.2 pounds fully loaded, it’s slightly heavier than the competition.

Dell Inspiron Mini 9

The Dell Inspiron Mini 9 is one of the better known Netbooks with prices ranging from $249 for the entry level unit running Ubuntu Linux to well over $500 for a fully loaded unit with Windows XP. You’ll find a smaller screen than the MSI at only 8.9”, but the same 1024×600 screen resolution. Additionally, you will find the same DDR2 memory in the Mini 9, but only 512mb, no card reader, no 3G mobile broadband and a meek 8GB hard drive. In fairness, it is a solid-state hard drive, so battery life should be long (over 6 hours), but 8GB is barely enough to do, well anything with. Dell’s buying power and selling volume helps keep their prices lower than most others, but the lack of extra features is enough to make the lesser-known competition look really interesting.

Acer Aspire One

One of the most customizable and feature rich laptops is the Acer Aspire One, available in 8.9” or 10.1” configurations with enough options to make your head spin. Acer offers dozens of pre-configured models so it should be possible to fill your needs with just about anything they offer. The 8.9” version sports the same 1024×600 screen resolution as the Mini 9, comes pre-loaded with XP Home or the lesser known Linux distro Linpus, options for 120GB / 160GB SATA hard drive or 8GB / 16GB solid state drive, a slightly slower 1.60GHz Intel processor, 512MB of RAM, built in webcam, 3G connectivity and multi card reader. Depending on the configuration you get, battery charge times should last between 2.5 and 4 hours, and prices can range from $299 – $600+.

HP Mini 1000

The heaviest Netbooks of the bunch are the HP Mini 1000 collection, available in several different configurations, they start tipping the scales at 2.3lbs and go up from there. HP has done something unique in that they’ve rolled out their own operating system of sorts, called Mi, short for Mobile Internet, built on top of Linux. The goal is obviously to reduce the overall cost of the Netbook, but the buyer might not be ready to try a whole new interface, and just spend the extra money to get it loaded with Windows XP. Powered by Intel Atom processors, only having 60GB SATA hard drives as an option and lack of some of the other featured packed Netbooks out there, Mini 1000’s are the most lackluster of the bunch. It has a reader for SD cards, no 3g, no webcam and a weight that is 20% greater than most other Netbooks.

Asus Eee PC

If there was a grandfather to the Netbook revolution it would be the Asus Eee PC, offering cheap, small, feature rich Netbooks to the masses. Since their initial launch they’ve continued to lead the way in Netbooks, offering them in countless variations from 7, 9 and 10” versions, SATA and solid state hard drives, card readers, mobile broadband and battery life in some models that will exceed 8 hours. The Eee PC comes with Linux or XP operating systems and most feature the standard 1024×600 screen resolution. Prices also vary from sub $300 to well over $600 depending on configuration.

Accessories

The one thing that all of these Netbooks have in common is that they were not designed to be a primary computer. For the most part, they are intended to be a secondary, on-the-go computer to help you be more productive than a smart phone without the bulk of a full sized laptop. Since most Netbook users will have a need to offload data onto their primary computers on a regular basis, IOGEAR makes a USB Laptop KVM Switch with File Transfer. It allows the user to seamlessly control a secondary computer with a laptop as the console. An onscreen menu system allows you to easily transfer and backup data from one computer to the other and an extra USB port allows for another peripheral to be connected, such as an external hard drive.

Add an IOGEAR Wireless USB Hub and Adapter and you can put up to 30 feet between your Netbook and other devices, such as printers, scanners or external hard drives, to help eliminate cables and clutter. The Wireless USB Hub and Adapter will give you the freedom to move around your home office with your Netbook and still use all the devices you normally would.

Whether you read the morning paper, check your news online or head to an electronics store, you are likely hearing a lot of buzz about the latest trend in personal computing, Netbooks.

Netbooks are more compact than traditional laptops, and offer screen sizes ranging from 7” to 10” inches. These devices were created to allow users to utilize Internet browsing and email as well as other Web-based applications in a mobile setting. Netbooks are the perfect computing tool for on-the-go users as they are simple to use, affordable and easy to tote around (they typically don’t weigh more than three pounds).

Netbooks have emerged as the hot product for 2009, and because of that many devices have been created to work with these new computers.

IOGEAR offers the USB Laptop KVM Switch, which easily plugs into a USB port and allows for files to be transferred and copied between your Netbook and Desktop or main Laptop. Now, you don’t have to use the small screen of your Netbook when traveling. You can access documents and view your work from a larger monitor more securely, whether for work or personal use.

Other gadgets that come in handy when using Netbooks are Bluetooth adapters which are great solutions for mobile computing, external keyboards for using your Netbook at home or in the office like IOGEAR’s Spill-Resistant Desktop and external speakers in order to listen to audio from your computer.

For more information about Netbooks, check out this informative piece by GigaOM’s Kevin Tofel.

Cheers!
The IOGEAR team