Google Launches Chrome 11

Chrome 11 is now available, the biggest changes being a number of security and bug fixes. The new version also delivers speech-to-text and text-to-speech.

Google Docs App for Android

Google's had a mobile-friendly version of Google Apps available for some time now, but it's now finally gone the extra step and released a dedicated Android app. That will of course let you access and edit your documents on your smartphone, but the real standout feature is the ability to capture text with your phone's camera and have it instantly made editable thanks to some optical character recognition. Google notes that won't work with handwriting or some fonts, but it promises it will get better over time. Hit up Android Market to try it out for yourself.

Take a look: http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/27/google-docs-gets-an-android-app-lets-you-capture-text-with-your/

Minuscule PicoHD5.1 Media Player

The bantam PicoHD5.1 packs a lot of oomph into a pocket-sized device; on one side, there's room for a USB hard drive, thumb drive or SD card. On the reverse, you'll find HDMI / component outputs capable of piping whatever media you just plugged in onto your television or monitor. There's even support for 5.1 channel surround sound, and we're told that it's encased in aluminum -- you know, for those inevitable bumps and bruises. Is the "smallest HD multichannel media player" truly as spectacular as it sounds?

Take a look: http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/20/minuscule-picohd5-1-media-player-looks-like-a-card-reader-acts/

Nike+ SportWatch GPS now on sale, $199 adds geek cred to your workout routine

Wrist-mounted iPod nano not quite the running companion of which you'd originally dreamed? This Nike+ SportsWatch GPS will be happy to take its place. We spotted the TomTom-branded fitness watch at CES this year, and now it's formally on sale -- though unfortunately for a price far steeper than those of its immediate ancestors. Of course, the $199 band isn't just a replacement for the Nike+ iPod system, it also uses that onboard GPS to keep track of where you run, much like the Nike+ GPS app but without the necessity for an iPhone 4 bouncing around your person. Did we mention it's also a watch?

Take a look:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/02/nike-sportwatch-gps-now-on-sale-199-adds-geek-cred-to-your-ro/

Cellphones, Mobile Peripherals Spiral training Android application turns anyone into Peyton Manning... in theory (video)

We've seen Google's Android platform used for a host of unorthodox applications over the years, but Ben Kokes' concoction deserves a round of golf claps to call its own. The so-called Replay Football system employs a Bluetooth-enabled Nerf football with a 9-axis inertial sensing motion processing module (MPU-6000 by InvenSense), and when linked to a visualization / throw analysis application, you're able to analyze the rotation of a football in real-time as it's thrown. From there, the app breaks down the nuts and bolts of the toss, and while it's not able to blurt out pointers on correcting things just yet, we're seeing endless potential for the next revision.

Take a look:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/01/spiral-training-android-application-turns-anyone-into-peyton-man/

Newsletter Update

April edition of Using Technology in Physical Education posted at http://www.pesoftware.com/technews/news.html

Researchers create nanogenerators to harness human energy

Researchers are using nanotechnology to develop minuscule generators that can capture the energy from slight human movements such as the beating of a heart or the flick of a finger to power consumer-electronics devices such as iPods. "This development represents a milestone toward producing portable electronics that can be powered by body movements without the use of batteries or electrical outlets," said Zhong Lin Wang of the Georgia Institute of Technology. "Our nanogenerators are poised to change lives in the future."

Skype in the Classroom tears down geographic walls, connects pupils the world over

Take a look: http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/01/skype-in-the-classroom-tears-down-geographic-walls-connects-pup/

The 5-in-1 Connection Kit Plugs Cameras, SD Cards, Keyboards and TVs into iPads

This 5-in-1 kit works with both the iPad and iPad 2, and has a USB port, SD card and microSD card slots, and holes to stick a keyboard and TV cable into. Not all at once, mind. It costs $45.

Take a look

Last day to visit us at AAHPERD - Booth 1100.