Hi Robin,
Very interesting and pertinent questions!
I think you can clearly separate these ideas into two categories:
1. Enabling the use of devices that customers own / bring with
them.
2. Loaning devices to customers when they're on site.
From a technical services point of view, these are two very different
propositions even though some of the devices and services will overlap.
For brevity's sake, I'll focus on 2.
We're anticipating the commerical release (hopefully in a few months) of
the http://openmoko.org/ platform based currently on the FIC Neo1973
mobile phone hardware. (see the Wiki from that link for more details).
In short, the Neo1973 has / shortly will have a 400MHz CPU, 256Mb memory,
built-in GPS, Bluetooth, Wifi, Accelerometers, 3D graphics acceleration,
Audio, Touch-screen a\ la iPhone, miniSD and microUSB slots, oh, and you
can make 'phone calls with it too (world-wide quad-band, any network)!
As the name suggests, the OpenMoko [Linux-based] software is fully open
source. Critically, the Neo1973 hardware is also as fully open source as
practically possible (the exceptions being unimportant proprietary
firmware buried in the radio transmitters). This means that it'll be
trivially easy for geeks to compile their own custom versions of Linux on
it. The hardware specification is sufficient to run Ubuntu (
http://www.ubuntu.com/ ) which holds out the promise of being able to run
a customised version of EduBuntu (the educational version of Ubuntu) with
all of the applications it comes with and any more that people
care to write targetted to this device.
Interested developers are currently hooked on the local communications
aspect of the device (see projects link from the OpenMoko home-page) -
e.g., GPS location sharing, Ad-hoc communication via. Bluetooth.
In English, this platform opens up huge possibilities as a loan device for
school groups. Facilities such as "Where's my partner?" (GPS), location
sensitive interaction, using it as a Nintendo Wii-style wand (the
accelerometers) to activate features with waving gestures, beaming data
between devices and back to servers for analysis etc.
Also, as it's open source, the 'phone functions can be disabled (unless
the device / carrier goes walkies in which case it could be set to 'phone
home saying where it is!).
Behind the scenes, the data analysis of who looked at what with who where
for how long could prove useful to educators.
It doesn't have a camera (yet) though that is on the wish-list and there
is room for it within the hardware. In the interim one of the widely
available USB camera on a wire (GBP 10-ish) + a spot of DIY tupper-waring
would work. Alternatively, wireless cameras could be configured to work
with the device pretty easily.
Oh, it costs about GBP 150 by the way. Every geek and their dog is going
to want one :-)
Regards,
James
On Fri, 12 Oct 2007, Robin Clutterbuck wrote:
> Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2007 15:30:01 +0100
> From: Robin Clutterbuck <[log in to unmask]>
> Reply-To: Museums Computer Group <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [MCG] Digital cameras, mobile phone cameras,
> MP3 players in museums and galleries
>
> Hello MCG and E-Learning list members (with apologies if you have received
> this via the GEM list) -
>
> I have three related requests for information - all to do with making use of
> cheap, easily available technology. This is mainly for family learning
> activities but could be applied to schools.
>
> 1. Does anyone give out digital cameras for children to use in the museum?
> I'm looking for something that would be attractive for children (e.g.
> http://www.vtechuk.com/products-and-accessories/kidizoom-multimedia-digital-
> camera/) but also able to print out stickers before they leave. An option
> to disable the flash would be an added advantage!
>
> 2. For that matter, has anyone tried engaging with people's mobile phone
> cameras, perhaps by bluetooth? These cameras don't have flash so would suit
> galleries better.
>
> 3. And what about MP3 players? How are people using these in the gallery?
> There must be opportunities for some creative activities based around
> matching music or oral history to particular displays, or just doing
> personalised audio tours / 'treasure hunts'.
>
> Any information very gratefully received! If you want your reply to
> encourage more discussion on the list press 'reply to all', but if you have
> a specific reply to my question (e.g. details of a product or supplier) just
> reply to me and I'll circulate to the list in due course.
>
> Best wishes
>
> Robin Clutterbuck
>
> White Rook Projects
> Museum & Heritage Learning / Audience Development
> The Castle
> 62 Seymour Road
> Newton Abbot
> Devon TQ12 2PU
> U.K.
>
> Tel: (0) 1626 333144
> Mobile: 07779 671794
> Email: [log in to unmask]
>
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