Dozens of interested web developers and enthusiasts flocked to Parallels Summit 2012, an event held last week in Orlando, FL, as HostDime.com Incorporated enlightened and enthralled supporters and admirers of web hosting and social media. The summit, an annual occurrence that was held in the Gaylord Palms hotel, ran from February 14 through 16, and focused on the essentials of social media in addition to the role of Cloud services in the marketplace. Different technology companies such as Google and OpenSRS were among the businesses invited to set up booths for interested devotees.

Among those booths was one for HostDime. In attendance was Dan Silber, HostDime’s Vice President of Sales, who was on hand to answer any questions in regards to the company. For Silber, being a part of the summit was a good thing.

“I always love being a part of conferences. It’s something that I do for the company,” said Silber who has been with HostDime since 2007. “I went last year and it was a lot of fun. For me, it’s a lot about meeting the same people I’ve seen throughout the years. It’s a way for us to catch up and network.”

Vikki Fraser is of the same opinion. As the Director of Marketing for HostDime, Fraser said she was very captivated by the event. She also said that she learned a great deal.

“I was really impressed with the event [that] Parallels put together,” she said. “Not only was it a gathering of some of the best and brightest in the industry, but the variety of related businesses allowed me to network with professionals I would have otherwise not met. Plus they chose a venue with good food, which can be rare on the conference circuit.”

The summit featured a preview of the next generation of technology related products and programs in addition to technical training, opportunities to connect with independent software vendors, and an exclusive tour of the Parallels product road map and an idea on just where it may fit in with industry developments. Furthermore, classes were presented by industry leaders and successful service providers including Guy Kawasaki, an innovation expert and entrepreneur, Tiffani Bova, vice president of Gartner Research, Marsha Collier whom Forbes has christened the seventh most influential woman in social media, and Birger Steen, the CEO of Parallels. With talented business professionals offering insight into the world of business and information technology, Fraser said she was more than ready to be enlightened.

And enlightened she was.

“I learned about a variety of technologies and practices that are emerging as the cloud expands,” said Fraser, who has been working in web hosting since 1999. “I also learned what HostDime can do to integrate these into our existing product offerings.”

Silber couldn’t agree more. He said he also learned a lot and is looking forward to the next conference. He said he takes pride in being a part of the summit, and is always willing to support Parallels when needed.

“As a company, we go to show our support for Parallels so that comes first,” Silber said. “And second, we go there to see if anyone needs a new web host. That’s two of the main reasons we attend.”

And those reasons are as good as any.

Do you utilize social media for your business? Is the Parallels Summit something that would interest you? Let us know by sharing your comments in the box below, or by sounding off on our Facebook Page or Google+ Page, or by tweeting us at @HostDime.

The HostDime Team is at Parallels Summit 2012 today. If you are at the conference, be sure to stop by and score the cool HostDime glasses! This year they’re in black. Also, get an opportunity to meet with HostDime team members — Usman A., Alex F., Hector S., Alex V., Dan S., Vikki F., and Clayton P. We’re enjoying all of the great web hosting industry classes and a great chance to meet and greet with some of the best in the business.

From Parallels — “Parallels Summit 2012 gives you an exclusive look into Parallels products and ecosystem — key elements to the success of your business. Parallels Summit 2012 will feature industry leaders and successful service providers, addressing some of the most important issues in the industry such as whether social media – companies using Facebook pages – is competition or opportunity, and what to do about it.”

Check out the pictures from our first day at Parallels!

When it comes to effective communication there is nothing worse than being disconnected. In this day and age, most businesses and corporations utilize more than mere telephones to stay in contact with employees and executives. With global conglomerates and international firms rapidly growing across the world, some businesspersons have come to rely on video conferencing and instant messaging as an unfailing means of effective communication. Among the top of that list are ooVoo and Skype, two software applications that specialize in video messaging and conferencing.

In addition to our five tips for writing for business and our pointers on what to avoid when it comes to crafting successful business blogs, we’ve decided to further analyze the best in video conferencing and instant messaging software. We already gave readers a critical analysis of Skype and ooVoo. This time, we will not only examine ooVoo and Skype, but Vonage and Google Talk as well in an effort to indicate which one is better for business and communication.

1) Vonage – As one of the leading low-cost communications services out there, Vonage strives to connect individuals through broadband services worldwide. According to their website, their technology currently services 2.4 million subscribers and features calling to more than 60 countries which can be a good thing when it comes to international business. The way it works is that Vonage routes phone calls over the Internet using Voice over Internet Protocol as opposed to telephone lines.

- Pros: Services are sold on the web and through regional and national retailers including Wal-Mart, Best Buy, and Sears. The individuals that are being called do not have to have Vonage or the Internet to receive the call. They only need a phone.

- Cons: The biggest con would be that Vonage doesn’t offer video-messaging, such as Skype and ooVoo, which can definitely be a plus in this day and age. Still, with plans for small business that cost roughly $50 a month, perhaps Vonage isn’t so bad. After all, there are indeed businesspersons out there that don’t exactly value or need video conferencing.

2) ooVoo – For the high-powered individual that stays busy working for top corporations and such, this particular option may be your best bet. Released in 2007, ooVoo’s calls can be recorded in real-time, and twelve-way video chatting is also available which can be an ideal form of technology to utilize in business meetings. ooVoo also has features such as desktop sharing, video call recording, file sharing, web video chat and instant messaging. However, not all of these features are free. Still, ooVoo is definitely designed for those that value all forms of communication, and it definitely has its benefits when it comes to business.

- Pros: The features themselves are good alone. Plus, it also doesn’t hurt that ooVoo comes ready for a Mac, Android, PC and iPhone.

- Cons: One word – cost. ooVoo is definitely not for the businessman and businesswoman on a budget. Plans include ooVoo Plus which costs $9.95 monthly and $89.95 annually, and ooVoo Pro which costs $29.95 monthly and $269.55 annually. Economical? You be the judge!

3) Skype – Without a doubt, Skype is ooVoo’s main competition. According to USA Today, it was launched in August 2003 and has been making quite a stir in the world of information technology ever since. With its network being operated by those wonderful folks at Microsoft, Skype offers its users more than just free video calling. It also doesn’t hurt that Skype had 663 million registered users as of September 2011.

- Pros: Well, for starters, Skype is cheaper than ooVoo. Clients can call people all over the world on their phone or mobile device from just 0.9 cents per minute, and can also share important business documents of any size by creating an account to send presentations to fellow employees and colleagues. Essentially, it does the same thing that ooVoo does. Skype provides video conferencing, instant messaging, text messaging and more.

-  Cons: There aren’t too many to be honest. However, take into consideration the cost of the equipment needed to access features such as Skype Premium – high speed broadband, webcams, microphones and speakers, and a DirectX 9.0c compatible video card for Windows users. For some businesspersons, this could be a lot, and for others, not so much. Perchance it comes down to what’s in our wallets.

4) Google Talk – For individuals that don’t exactly need video or international calling, Google Talk may just be a perfect fit. An instant messaging service that provides both voice and text communication, its operating systems consist of Blackberry, Android, Maemo, Linux, Windows, iOS, and Google Chrome OS. It also features free long distance voice chats, audio conferencing and Gmail integration to chat with friends on Gmail itself.

-  Pros: It’s no secret that Google is definitely a brand, and branches such as Google+ can be especially helpful when it comes to business. The same can be said about Google Talk. It’s free and it also comes available in a variety of different languages. It is user friendly and allows users to call or send instant messages to friends anywhere in the world. Furthermore, it also has a clean and professional look — something that most businesses would take pride in.

- Cons: Well, there aren’t really any major drawbacks. You can’t argue with free, right? In order to access Google Talk, you’ll need a Google account. This can be annoying for some people that may feel that Google may be receiving too much information from them. Google is colossal after all, right? With their updated privacy policy facing opposition, some people may opt for another communications provider. Still, that’s up to the user.

Without a doubt, communication is vital in any form of business. However, with as many tools out there to help communicate, business professionals and corporate executives are undoubtedly given a variety of different options to choose from. Perhaps it all depends on preference and needs. Careful comparisons and research will lead businesspersons to the right one to aide them in their specific requirements which in turn will make things easier. This is a good thing.

After all, business is pleasure, right?

Which one do you prefer — Skype, ooVoo, Vonage, or Google Talk? Do you prefer video conferencing or sheer instant messaging? Which one is tailored made for your business needs? Let us know by sharing your comments in the box below, or by sounding off on our Facebook Page or Google+ Page, or by tweeting us at @HostDime.

Our world traveler is at it again! Alex has traveled to a different part of the globe and is taking pictures along the way. This month he stopped in a very special place and managed to snap a photo in the process. What landmark has Alex graced his presence with this time? Follow the directions below to submit your answer for a chance to win some free HostDime swag!

Please remember that we require the landmark and city in which his photo was taken. Best of luck to everyone!

Step 1: Make sure that you are one of our esteemed HostDime clients who currently have a shipping address located within the United States.

Step 2: ‘Like’ our Facebook page, add us on Google+, and/or ‘Follow’ our Twitter account. (Not required, but we would love your support!)

Step 3: If you figure out Alex’s location (city and landmark), simply submit your answer to this link.

Step 4: Once your answer has been submitted, you will need to Tweet:

“I have just Submitted my Answer for the @HostDime #WheresAlex contest! (link to this blog)”

Obviously, the first image posted will have recognizable details cropped out to make the contest a bit more of a challenge. We have to have fun too, you know! We will continue to post clearer, larger photos on Monday (2/13), Wednesday (2/15), and Friday (2/17) of next week.

The winner of the contest will be rewarded by being announced on our Faceback page, Twitter account, HD Connect newsletter, and brand new Google+ page! Plus, we will send you your HostDime swag completely free of charge.

And without further ado, this month’s picture is…

The University of Central Florida’s Student Union building was all abuzz Tuesday morning as HostDime.com Incorporated’s esteemed marketing team hosted another one of its Social Media Marketing Workshops for undergraduates. The seminar marked the third time that the web hosting company was on campus to enlighten students on the fundamentals of today’s technology. On hand to inform and educate were HostDime employees Vikki Fraser, the Director of Marketing, and Clayton Pritchard, the Internet Marketing Coordinator. Both individuals arrived equipped with promotional materials and company goodies for an audience of 35 web-savvy students.

With social media now playing a key role in how some businesses communicate and market themselves, both Fraser and Pritchard stressed the power of outlets such as Facebook, Google+, and Twitter. As a part of KoRT’s leadership workshop series, the event proved to be efficacious, and it certainly didn’t hurt to have professionals that were able to speak from experience.

Fraser, who has been working in web hosting since 1999, encouraged students to think smart when using social media outlets like Twitter. She told the pupils to be cognizant of what they may share, and provided rules for social engagement.

“People start following you before they buy into what you’re trying to sell,” Fraser explained. “Give us stuff that we can use. Try to have relevant information in your tweets. When you start to truncate to the point where [your tweets] are no longer legible to people in their 40’s then you need to rethink what you’re sending out there.”

Fraser also stressed that oversharing could be detrimental.

Pritchard agrees. Fairly new to the company, but certainly not a novice when it comes to utilizing social media, he enlightened UCF students on the value of Google+ and how it can be used for business.

“[It’s] not trying to be Facebook,” said Pritchard, who also supported the usage of hash tags in posts. “It’s not trying to be Twitter. It’s trying to be both. It also helps that it’s cleaner.”

The event lasted for an hour. Afterwards students received an opportunity to chat with the presenters. Among the students that attended the seminar was Jacquelynne Bernstein, a current blogger and aspiring journalist majoring in communications. She said she definitely learned a lot.

“I learned some new things,” Bernstein said. “I think it’s pretty cool that [HostDime] offered this for us. I’m definitely a social media enthusiast. I thought I’d know everything.”

Bernstein admitted to not knowing much about social media monitoring tools such as SocialBro and HootSuite, but said she was grateful to have been informed by Fraser and Pritchard.

“I didn’t know much about them,” she said. “It’s important to me because I definitely want to go into social media marketing at some point. I am an avid blogger.”

She isn’t the only one. Anna Eskamani, a senior studying political science and woman studies, is also known for using social media, and said that she benefitted from attending the workshop.

“It was a great presentation,” said Eskamani, who works with the College Democrats, one of the progressive voices on UCF’s campus. “It was very informing. I definitely learned a lot that I’ll be able to use with my organization.”

With the event proving to be undoubtedly successful, Pritchard said he wants to do another one soon. Perhaps he’ll get the chance. After all, the students certainly seemed to have liked it.

And that’s not counting the ones that hit the button on Facebook.

To see photos from the workshop on Facebook, please visit this link. To see photos from the workshop on Google+, please visit this link. Do you utilize social media for business? Which outlet do you prefer? Let us know by sharing your comments in the box below, or by sounding off on our Facebook Page or Google+ Page, or by tweeting us at @HostDime.

What is it about social media that seems to captivate the masses? Could it be the sharing of tweets? Or is it the desire to be “liked” on Facebook? Whatever the case, the students at the University of Central Florida certainly seem to know and value its worth hence the reason HostDime’s esteemed marketing team is preparing for another visit to the Orlando campus.

On Tuesday, February 7, 2012,  HostDime.com, Inc. will oversee and administer another one its signature Social Media Marketing Workshops in an effort to help UCF students better promote themselves on social media platforms such as Facebook, Google+, and Twitter. Several representatives from the company’s marketing team will be on hand to give an informative presentation in the Student Union, room 218ab at 10:00 am.

Among the marketing team members speaking at the event will be Clayton Pritchard, HostDime’s Internet Marketing Coordinator. For Pritchard, the event holds significance. He said that he believes utilizing social media is a must in this day and age.

“Social media is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to market oneself,” said Pritchard, who has been with the company for over a year. “We wish to help the student organizations at UCF better market themselves using social media techniques. We also want to deepen our relationship with the university through events such as this one and others that we have planned for the future.”

Pritchard said he believes the workshop will turn out to be a success. The event is part of KoRT’s leadership workshop series. Individuals looking to attend should arrive early. The presentation will begin promptly, and will conclude an hour later.

“Social media is undoubtedly fundamental,” Pritchard said. “We wish to enlighten the students and leave them feeling knowledgeable of these wonderful platforms.”

In an effort to streamline and simplify its services, Google has recently announced its plans to combine the privacy policies from over 60 products into one unified and surprisingly short privacy policy. The new policy, taking effect March 1st, clearly outlines what kind of information the company collects from its users, how they obtain it, and what they use it for. Google also announced that the new policy will allow them to seamlessly share this information across their wide array of services, creating a smarter and more efficient browsing experience. Many seem to think that the search giant is being too careless with their personal information, however, and are subsequently facing strong opposition from not only users, but Congress as well.

In an interview with the Washington Post, Common Sense Media chief executive James Steyer called the new privacy sharing policy, “frustrating and a little frightening,” pointing out that users are unable to completely opt out of the data collecting practices that Google uses. A few members of Congress are equally concerned and wondering if this new policy is simply a strategy to create more finely tuned online advertisements. Last week they asked the FTC to investigate the matter, citing that this new practice may violate a settlement reached last year over Google’s (now defunct) Buzz social network. Investigations are still pending.

Google was quick to point out that it’s not changing what kind information it collects, but rather how they use that information,

“With these changes, the privacy policy will be easier to read, and will help us create one beautifully simple, intuitive user experience across Google products and services. The new privacy policy makes it clear that if you’re signed in, we may combine information you’ve provided from one service with information from other services — helping us treat you as a single user across all our products.”

We covered what the Google+ social network can do for your business, but now Google is taking it a step further. In their promotional video, they explained how this new system would benefit an individual in the real world. For example, say you have an appointment scheduled in Google Calendar. Based on the GPS location of your mobile phone and the current traffic conditions in your area, Google may send you a reminder, warning you that you are running late.

Google went on to state that by sharing your information across all of their services, a user’s browsing experience will be greatly improved. For instance, based on your previous search history, Google will be able to tell if a user that searches the word “jaguar” actually means Jaguar the car versus jaguar the feline. It would also mean that when that user visits the YouTube homepage, they may be greeted by videos of Jaguar test drives instead of keyboard playing cats.

Although tailoring search results based on your personal interests sounds convenient, there are some that warn about the effects of such a system. Eli Pariser, author of “The Filter Bubble,” believes that there is a fundamental switch in how information flows online. He states that companies such as Google and Facebook are using your private information to only show you information that they think is relevant to you.

“[Filter bubbles] are the gates we erect through which information about the world comes,” he said. “With Facebook, Google and personalized news services weighting search results according to our interests, we are living more within filter bubbles than ever before.”

So for example, a conservative political activist may only receive search results and news articles pertaining to their political party of choice, and nothing about the other. This, in effect, creates a filter bubble for that individual, limiting the visible information to only a single point of view.

If this sounds like something you would rather avoid happening to you, there are some ways to avoid Google’s data gathering techniques. Gizmodo provided a few steps one can take:

1. Are your ads too personal? Click on Ads Preferences Manager, then click “Opt Out” under “Ads in Search and Gmail”, and then again under “Ads on the Web”.
2. Is your search too personal? Go to the gear in the top right corner of your screen (on any Google search result page) click search settings, and then click “Do not use personal results.” You will no longer see biased search results based on you and your friend’s interests.
3. Is your Android phone too personal? Backup you’re important data (such as contacts, pics, and video) then factory reset your phone. When the initial boot screen comes up, simply skip the Google registration wizard. You will still be able to use everything on the phone, except for the Android Marketplace.

Of course, the only way to completely stop Google from gathering and sharing your personal information is to stop using the service altogether. It’s really a question of convenience versus security. How much of your information are you willing to share? One thing is for sure, Google is undoubtedly the most prolific and advanced search engine on the web. Their services like Gmail and YouTube are revolutionary and are used by millions around the world. Would you be willing to sacrifice a measure of your privacy in order to reap the benefits of these services? It’s your decision to make and now you know what’s at stake if you choose to stick with Google.

How do you feel about Google’s new privacy polices? Will you stick with Google given this information? Let us know by sharing your comments in the box below, or by sounding off on our Facebook Page or Google+ Page, or by tweeting us at @HostDime.

Getting to work on time used to be esteemed when it came to corporate policies and procedures. Nowadays getting to work in style is what is appreciated. With all of the glitz and glam of new pristine motor vehicles, some can forget that technology can play a key role when it comes to automobiles. In fact, most businesspersons would be hard pressed to find a vehicle that doesn’t utilize technology in some way, shape or form. So, what are some of the latest innovations when it comes to means of transportation?

You’d be surprised.

One thing is for certain – the technology in cars has certainly come a long way since the pivotal debut of automobiles in the 16^th century. According to Discovery, the first self-propelled car was built in 1769 and utilized steam engine technology along with a three-wheeled cart to achieve walking speed. 1890 was the year that Wilhelm Maybach constructed the first four-cylinder, four-stroke engine, and just three years later he created the spray-nozzle carburetor which was the basis for modern carburetor technology. This newfound innovation would be utilized in 1903 when the Ford Motor Company was formed to soon become the world’s biggest automobile manufacturer.

Nowadays, the minds behind Ford technology strive to push the boundaries of what a vehicle can do. To that end, they’ve been cooking up quite a few innovations including SYNC, an ultramodern touch screen device, such as one of the groundbreaking tablet computers of today, that is built into some Ford automobiles enabling drivers to stay informed and entertained with personalized news, stocks, and sports scores. Incoming phone calls can be displayed on the SYNC screen located on the dashboard, and drivers can also have incoming text messages read aloud by a computerized voice.

Knight Rider, this isn’t.

In addition to SYNC, Ford also offers BLIS, which is short for Blind Spot Information System, cutting-edge technology that uses radar at the rear of the vehicle to detect an automobile in a blind-spot zone. Furthermore, new smart performance gasoline technology – who knew there was such a thing? – improves peak power and provides gains in low-speed torque which is especially good for businesspersons who prefer sportscars.

However, Ford isn’t the only automotive company that is cooking up new technology. Toyota has been conducting energy research, and is also improving on its advanced vehicle technology. So far, the company has been accelerating the development of its Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle, cars that reduce CO2 emissions and are environmentally-sensitive. Meanwhile, the minds at Honda have been perfecting their fuel-efficient 700cc engines for midsize motorcycles. According to Honda Worldwide, the fuel economy exceeds 27km/L, best in the mid-class range, and achieves an approximate forty percent improvement over other sports models in its class. Needless to say, businessmen won’t exactly have to worry about being late to business meetings and presentations.

So, with all of this new automotive technology on the horizon, one has to wonder – how is it good for business? Well, aside from the obvious reason of being able to get from point A to point B, there are other explanations why automotive technology can be good for businesspersons. For starters, vehicles that are equipped with Bluetooth capability can be beneficial for industrious executives that are constantly on the move. GPS navigation can be valuable for the harried personal assistant trying to locate the right coffee shop to pick up the espresso for her demanding boss. Heated seats can be advantageous for corporate professionals driving in colder cities, and vehicular hardware such as OnStar can provide features such as roadside assistance and automatic crash response to businessmen and businesswomen whose minds can be elsewhere.

Without a doubt, technology has definitely been playing a key role in how automobiles are designed today. To that end, the question remains – what does the future hold?

Well, Toyota scientists and developers believe that hydrogen holds great potential as a clean, renewable fuel. Their goal is to bring a fuel cell-hybrid vehicle to market by 2015 and have been busy testing vehicles that are powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Furthermore, Mashable believes that autonomous cars are on the horizon – where drive control will be optional.

Regardless of what the future may hold, one thing is for certain – automobiles are here to stay. Innovations are being discovered and perfected every day, and with automotive manufacturers now utilizing the latest in technology to perfect their crafts, businessperson can expect nothing but the best.

Now, how’s that for being fast and furious?

Do you appreciate the technology found in today’s automobiles? Are you looking forward to further innovations? What is your favorite gizmo in your vehicle? Let us know by sharing your comments in the box below, or by sounding off on our Facebook Page or Google+ Page, or by tweeting us at @HostDime.

Any business expert knows that consultation is vital when it comes to effective communication within a company. To that end, it pays to organize and accommodate business meetings that are efficient. In order to do this, it can sometimes come down to the execution. In this day and age, both hardware and software can play a key role in getting one’s point across during an executive conference. So, what are some things to utilize when making your strategic presentation to clients?

In addition to our five tips for writing for business and our pointers on what to avoid when it comes to crafting successful business blogs, we’ve decided to analyze what goes into preparing the perfect business meeting, and what technology to use in order to come out on top. When it comes to conferences and corporate exhibitions, most business professionals and industry executives think of PowerPoint, the non-free commercial presentation program developed by Microsoft. While PowerPoint is indeed effective at demonstrating statistics and goals for one’s company, it isn’t the only software out there to get the job done.

Some individuals actually prefer Prezi, a cloud-based presentation software launched in 2009, that is notable for its zooming user interface. Prezi offers three main products – Prezi Desktop which gives businesspersons the ability to edit presentations on their own PC, Mac or Linux systems, Prezi Meeting which allows executives to edit, create and show presentations with others in real time, and Prezi Viewer for iPad which grants corporate professionals the ability to show presentations on their Apple tablets, which could be another deciding factor for those deciding to choose between tablets and laptops. Of course, to do all of this, users will have to register online at prezi.com.

Apple certainly seems to be the go-to source for presentations with their array of tablets, and it also doesn’t hurt that there are apps designed to help in the process. Mashable recently comprised a list of 11 business related iPad apps for meetings in an effort to eliminate dragging around stacks of files and folders to such conferences. Among the apps chosen for their list were Power Presenter, an app that lets users display a presentation that has been converted to a PDF file, mbPointerHD which lets users transform their iPad into a remote control to command the computer with the presentation, and Instaviz, an app that enables users to create charts.

While having meetings in person tend to be preferred, some may favor meetings on the go by use of video conferencing and desktop sharing. For the businessperson that happens to constantly be on the move, there are such tools as Mikogo, a website designed for online meetings, web conferencing, online presentations and webinars. In addition to this, there’s always Skype and OoVoo which have proven to be an asset in video conferencing.

Consultation via computer isn’t anything new in terms of business. On the contrary, marketing and communication can sometimes thrive through email, and social media tools such as Google+ have been evidenced as being ideal for business. Still, whichever method of meeting you choose for your presentation, your goal should always be to be as professional as possible. By utilizing the right software and hardware during your business meeting, you will be sure to leave a lasting impression.

Meeting adjourned.

What kind of software do you use during your business meetings? Which kind of business meetings do you prefer — in person or via video? Let us know by sharing your comments in the box below, or by sounding off on our Facebook Page or Google+ Page, or by tweeting us at @HostDime.

The American education system is broken. This should come as no surprise, seeing as how this system has essentially remained unchanged since the country was first founded. Due to this largely ineffective and archaic method of pedagogy, the majority of students have started to fall behind other industrialized nations. A recent study shows that out of 30 countries tested, American students ranked 25th and 21st in math and science, respectively.

The study went on to point out many other troubling statistics, such as the fact that up to 68 percent of eighth graders cannot read or write at their grade level, and most will never catch up. The dropout rate in the U.S. is also at an all-time high. More than 1.2 million students will drop out of school each year — that’s one dropout every 26 seconds.

These troubling numbers have serious effects on the nation’s economy. Dropouts from 2007 alone will cost the U.S. more than $300 billion in lost wages, taxes, and productivity. This stagnation with America’s youth seems to be affecting the post-secondary education system as well. The CEO of Khush, Perna Gupta (guest writing for TechCrunch), believes that because of the deficiencies with primary and secondary schools, there is a tendency to overvalue higher education.

“It’s because our primary and secondary education systems suck and are thus shifting the burden of educating our population to college. Of much greater concern to me … is that 18 years of almost every American life [is] wasted learning nothing in primary and secondary public schools,” she said.

So what’s the solution? Many think that technology needs to start playing a much bigger role in education. Of course this is not a new concept. Technology has been around in pedagogical circles since the abacus, but recent advancements in technology are starting to significantly change the way in which educators are teaching their students. Introducing technology in the classroom is a strategy called “blended learning.” As a company HostDime, having a close relationship with the University of Central Florida, always exercises the blended learning approach during our student workshops on campus.

A few progressive school districts in the U.S. (specifically in L.A. and Chicago) have adopted the blended learning approach, and in large part thanks to Apple and its innovative educational tools such as the iPad.

Apple’s iPad has been playing a progressively larger role in classrooms around the country. John Connolly, Chicago Public School’s Education Technology Director, has led an initiative to purchase 6,000 iPad’s for Chicago students.

“It is difficult to keep students motivated in school, and keep them engaged in the curriculum,” Connolly said. “You put the iPad in front of them, and you’ll see the kids focus immediately on that content and start working through it…I really believe that this is the future of education.”

Wired’s Tim Carmody believes that the engaging aspect of the iPad is what has made it so successful in the classroom.

“Engagement is a big word in education,” Carmody said. “It combines both objective participation and subjective emotion. It’s one of the few psychological terms in education that links students, teachers and content. So it’s not surprising that…the iPad [is] a tool for education.”

There are an estimated 1.5 million iPad’s in educational institutions already, each having the ability to utilize an impressive collection of 20,000 scholastic applications. At a recent news conference in New York, Apple unveiled their newest additions to their educational software library.

The newly revamped iTunes U software will now act as less of a podcast and more of a learning management application (think Blackboard for iOS). This extremely popular app (downloaded over 700 million times) will allow teachers to post assignments and blog entries while incorporating material from other native Apple apps and sharing that information with their students.

In an effort to “reinvent the textbook” Apple also announced the release of iBooks 2. This feature rich application will allow students to interact with textbooks though the iPad. They will be able to highlight text, make electronic notecards, and take quizzes all through the device.

None of this functionality would mean anything if there wasn’t engaging content to interact with. Apple’s answer to this is iBooks Author. Touted as the “Garage band for e-readers,” Author is an intuitive software program that allows anyone to easily create textbooks for use on the iPad. During the news conference, Apple’s Roger Rosner highlighted the importance of this ground breaking software, “Traditionally, creating electronic interactive books has been really hard. We can fix that.”

Once an e-book is authored, it can be sold in the iBookstore. Individual user created e-books will have some stiff competition though as Apple has teamed up with big name publishers such as Pearson, McGraw Hill, DK Publishing, and Houghton Mifflin, each promising to sell their e-books for an astonishingly low price of $14.99 or less. As any college student can attest, textbooks nowadays can easily cost north of $200. At this low price, Apple stands to shift the paradigm of textbook publishers around the world.

So is Apple the answer to America’s education crisis? Not exactly. There will clearly have to be a dramatic effort made on all sides of the equation to have a major effect. We will need more than a single company to update our archaic and largely ineffective educational system. That begin said, no one can deny Apple’s impact on education thus far. Classrooms using Apple products have seen performance gains of 50-60 percent across multiple subjects, and students have also been able to raise their skills by an average of 1.4 grade levels.

It may not be too late for our public primary and secondary schools to adopt a new method of teaching, giving the youth of our country a fighting chance against other emerging superpowers. Hopefully others will take a cue from Apple and realize that there are many improvements that can, and in some cases need, to be made.

What are your thoughts on Apple’s efforts to improve our educational system? Please let us know by sharing your comments in the box below, tweeting us at @HostDime, or posting on our Facebook Page or Google+ Page.