Re: Joe's point on software cost for IOS. Yes, it can cost a lot for a 'proper' app. But you may not need a 'proper' app.
We've successfully run what is basically a webapp, but totally stored within the iPad, 'software' using the Kiosk Pro app. This means you don't have to rely on a network if that's a problem.
It's also cheap! No need for Apple app developers etc. There may be some native functionality that you can't do - but we found it adequate.
Our application was a 'near-fixed' display. It had a sort of Ladybird book on it, and was designed to be shared by families, so was chained but movable, could be passed around a group, and the iPad screen is viewable well at an angle so there's no problem with several people looking at it together.
Annette
________________________________________
From: Museums Computer Group [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Joe Cutting [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 12 March 2014 10:21
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MCG] Tablets in Exhibitions
>>
What are the advantages/disadvantages of using 19" tablets to deliver
content (text, images and video). vs. a say 32" touchscreen? I am wary of
going small when it comes to accessibility (both text size and for
usability) but I'm sure there must be advantages (cost?) [Talking here
about fixed location tablets, not mobile].
>>
Ok, there's several issues going on here and I suspect some confusion :)
Firstly there's the issue of screen size. I've never seen a 19" tablet -
iPads come in 7" and 10" screen sizes. On the other hand you can also get
"normal" 10" touchscreens which connect to a PC. At the end of the day it
depends what you want to put on the screen and who you want to see it.
A 7-10" screen can usefully hold a paragraph of text *or* a nice image -
if you want both at the same time they'll look a bit squashed and really
only one person at a time can see it.
A 19" screen can hold a nice image and a paragraph of text and a couple of
people can see it.
A 32" screen can hold more and a group of people can see it, but if it's a
touchscreen then people need to be rather close to use it. This means you
need to make sure your text and pictures don't spread across the width of
the screen otherwise they'll be difficult to read.
Then there's the issue of software and cost. Tablets such as iPads and
Android models are underpowered compared to "normal" PCs. This means that
the software costs more to make. iPad software also has to work around the
various controls that Apple make on iOS software so it can be more
complicated to update if you need to change the content regularly.
On the other hand you can get tablets very cheap these days - 7" ones start
at about £150 and a 10" iPad for around £340. I've just bought a 23"
touchscreen and computer which cost around £700.
But if you were writing custom software the iPad software could easily cost
you several thousand pounds more. If you only have one screen then the
saving on the tablet could easily be outweighed by the extra cost of the
software - if you have lots of tablets then the extra software cost could
be over ridden.
So, tablets are good if you:
- already have the software and it does exactly what you want
- don't want to show large images and text
- only want one person to see it
Larger screens and PCs are good if you:
- are writing custom software
- need to update the content
- want several people to see it
As ever this is an approximation and there's sure to be workarounds. Bottom
line, decide what you want to communicate, choose your software, choose
your screen size then choose your hardware solution, in that order.
Cheers
Joe
--
Joe Cutting - Digital Exhibits
@joe_cutting
www.joecutting.com
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