What Can Your Class Do with the Wireless Station? There are numerous options for teachers looking to invigorate their curriculum and get their students (re)engaged and inspired. Let’s take a look at what’s possible when you pair a document camera with multiple iPads.

For the uninitiated, doc cams capture printed documents and 3D objects. What you do with that video is where it starts to get interesting. Sure, you can project the image onto a large screen for teaching sessions, but what happens when you stream it to multiple iPads at the same time? Memorable, effective, and just plain fun activities, that’s what!

Here are ideas for some K-12 subjects to get your mind turning with all the possibilities:

Math

1. Word Problems: Position a word problem under the doc cam, and stream it to groups of students. Each group discusses and collaborates on the best way to solve the word problem. Groups then share and compare their answers. You can write out the best solution for everyone to see when each group has had a chance to share.

2. Pattern Blocks: A fun yet educational exercise for younger kids involves pattern blocks and tangrams. Show patterns with the doc cam. Groups must complete the patterns correctly with their blocks.

English

3. Fictionary: Why not have some word game fun as a reward or just as a break in between regular lessons? One of the most fun is Fictionary, which you can play in groups. Find an obscure word in the dictionary and write it under the doc cam. The groups must come up with definitions for that word. Write down each “fake” definition along with the real definition. The groups then have to guess which definition fits the word. Points are scored both for correct answers and for how many times groups guess your fake definition. It’s a lot of fun!

4. Picture Books: For the younger crowd, reading picture books to the class can really be enhanced when another copy of the book is placed under the doc cam. Students can follow along on several iPads mounted throughout the class. Kids will love being able to follow along and see the artwork as you read.

Science

5. Dissection: Frog dissection is one of those iconic science class events. You can share your dissection with the class so they get a better understanding of how to conduct their own dissection (or when there aren’t enough specimens to go around). The same is true for labs and demonstrations of all kinds. Keep in mind there are a lot of great video tutorial apps for experiments and dissections.

6. Electrical Circuits: Give groups the tools they need to make simple electrical circuits. Provide instructions and diagrams with your doc cam, and then have each group create their own circuit — to light a light bulb, for one example — using batteries, wire, circuit boards and switches.

History

7. Geography: Share blank maps with groups using the doc cam. Students must fill out the maps (country names, capital cities, names of rivers and other natural features, etc.). Share and compare the answers at the end. You can add a little competition to the mix with a “Geography Bee”-style elimination.

8. Mystery Object: Bring in one or more actual objects from the past — an arrowhead, a uniform patch from World War II, a newspaper article about a famous event — and stream it to everyone’s iPad so they get an up-close view. Ask students to guess the object’s period, function, importance, and more. This is a great visual lead-in to a lesson.

Art

9. Share Your Technique: Three to five iPads, when properly distributed, is the perfect amount to give smaller classes a “front row” view of your own artspace when you share brush techniques, drawing methods, collage construction, etc. A close-up tablet view can sometimes be better than a single large projection screen, particularly for fine detail work. Now everybody can see what you’re doing without physically crowding around.

10. Camera Tour: For lessons in digital photography, take students through a detailed walkthrough of the actual camera itself and all of its buttons, menus and functions. Students can learn by doing and follow the video stream of your camera tutorial with their own cameras.

To pull this setup off, consider pairing the iPads with two inexpensive products from IPEVO: the Ziggi-HD USB Document Camera and the WS-01 Wireless Station.The setup’s pretty straightforward, and with just one WS-01, you can stream 2 or 3 iPads simultaneously at 1600 x 1200 resolution, or up to 5 iPads at 1024 x 768 resolution (which is still very good).

The possibilities are endless, so “get your hands dirty” and give it a shot. Chances are you’ll develop a unique activity that works for you and your class.

Read the full article ›

1. Kathy’s Story
Kathy Schrock, educational technologist, adjunct professor at Arcadia University. She chooses P2V to project iPad for the following reasons: easy to set up, low cost and compatible with smartphones, iPads, and other electronic devices.

“Good things come in small (low-cost) packages! With so many of us trying to demo our smartphones, iPads, or other devices to an audience of educators, the IPEVO Point 2 View ($69) is something to consider for your toolbox! It easily connects to a computer to project to a large group using an LCD projector for real-time viewing of the screens of the electronic devices we are trying to show.”

Let Kathy tell you more:
http://blog.kathyschrock.net/2010/08/point-2-view-document-camera-review.html

2. Paul’ Story
Paul Yip, educational technologist at The Bishop Strachan School. He selects P2V to deliver a quick iPad demo in a conference room for these conveniences: handy, portability, plug-and-play USB, no power cable required, compatible with iPods, iPad and apps

“For those of us doing demos of iPods and iPads, it seems to be one of those “perfect things” as it gives you the ability to show a complete workflow of either device, without relying on one special video cable as well as any apps’ compatibility with video out. Removing it from the stand gets me thinking about poking it into different parts of science experiments, or using it as a “field” camera with a laptop on a stage, in a gym or outdoors. These types of uses are more or less impossible with the larger ones.”

Let Paul tell you more:
http://themindofachildblog.blogspot.tw/2011/01/review-ipevos-p2v-80-document-camera.html

3. Steven’s Story
Steven Sande, Mac/iPad/iPhone guru, puts his iPad (or iPhone) on the big screen with P2V. Because P2V is low in cost, easy to set up, and compatible with every app.

“One of the things that was a bit frustrating for me after purchasing the iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter was finding out that it doesn’t work with every iPad app… So what if you want to teach an iPad class and show your students everything that’s going on your iPad? ……
There’s a less expensive and pretty cool little camera that seems like it was designed just for doing iPad demos. The IPEVO Point 2 View (P2V) USB camera is inexpensive, has remarkably good resolution, and comes with a stand that is perfect for doing demos.”

Let Steven tell you more:
http://www.tuaw.com/2010/05/27/frustrated-by-no-universal-video-out-for-ipad-ipevo-p2v-can-hel/

4. Nathan’s Story
Nathan Curtis, founder/principal of EightShapes, told us how P2V solve many challenging aspects of sharing sketches in real time, and the benefits using P2V to demonstrate a device:

“I often throw a device (notably, my iPhone or iPad) under the IPEVO camera to demonstrate an experience with actual gestures, responsiveness and more, which feels more real that using an application like iOS Simulator on the Mac.”

Let Nathan tell you more: http://www.eightshapes.com/blog/2011/08/19/sharing-sketches-remotely/

5. Deborah’s Story
Deborah Highfill, art teacher at Cannon Elementary, shared how the Ziggi changed the way she teach and the learning atmosphere.

“I’ve used document cameras before but never have I seen a document camera display such clear, crisp, high quality images on the screen like this one. It can even display images from an iPad, which was something the document camera I had before could not do. “

Let Deborah tell you more: http://www.ipevo.com/wishpool/story/142

6. Alicia’s Story
Alicia Elrod, teacher at Lakeshore Elementary School, uses P2V to project iPad for its easiness to setup, image quality, and compatibility to all apps.

“I started using my document camera as soon as it arrived! It was very easy to set up and the quality is excellent! So far, I have used it to model graphing, share photos related to our science topic, and to show science videos from an app on my iPad. “

Let Alicia tell you more: http://www.ipevo.com/wishpool/story/97

7. Phil’s Story
Phil Goodman, Apple Certified Trainer, told us why he used IPEVO’s Point 2 View USB Document Camera to conduct iPad training for members of LAPUG: low cost, portability, and image quality.

“After using many different products to view the iPad, I settled on the Point 2 View, because it appeared to be an inexpensive yet flexible method to demonstrate the products we’re discussing…The P2V has much higher resolution and is much lighter and more flexible to set up and carry around.”

Let Phil tell you more: http://blog.ipevo.com/?p=2322

Brainstorming Sudoku with the whole family

Spending time with children is always the best way to encourage them to read, write, or learn. Traditionally, this would be done by sitting next to them and share the material as well as intimacy (which is good), but thanks to iPad and all the wireless technology, doing the work together can be easily joined by many more!

For example, brainstorming Sudoku with the whole family by projecting the Sudoku grid on to TV using IPEVO WS-01 and USB document cam (Ziggi or P2V). The fun always gets multiplied when the crowd joins.

With the help of Apple TV Airplay, the image feed and Whiteboard changes can be projected onto the big screen

Check out the WS-01 page for more information on how to unlock the true potential of your document cam and iPad with the Wireless Station.

Do you need to project iPad onto the big screen for your lecture or presentation? If so, you definitely need to know why a USB document camera is the best way to go.

Reasons Why We Recommend an IPEVO Document Camera:

1. Project All Apps and Tablets
When it comes to projecting iPad, people turn to Apple technologies like Apple TV and AirPlay. However, AirPlay is not available on older iPads or iPhones, nor does it support every single app. With an IPEVO doc cam, you don’t need to worry about compatibility. The camera simply captures everything displayed on your iPad, iPhone or any other tablet.

2. Offer a Complete Picture by Including Fingers and Gestures
“How did you do that?” If you’ve ever been asked that question, you know the importance of showing actual operations and gestures on iPad with fingers visible. From piano apps to drawing math diagrams and more, finger gestures absolutely matter, and you can only capture them with a document camera.

3. No Need to Mess with Network Settings — Plug-and-Play via USB
To project your iPad with AirPlay, you need to link them both to the same network, which can sometimes cause problems and delays. With an IPEVO document camera, just plug in your camera to a USB port on your projector-linked computer and launch the software. You’ll be ready to go in no time! And no hassling with the network or waiting on IT for help.

4. Effortlessly Switch Between Devices and Objects
Sometimes you need to include more than one iPad in your lecture. And sometimes you need to show a book, a printed diagram, or something else entirely. No matter what material it is, an IPEVO doc cam projects it all. And there’s no need to switch between different setups to present different types of material. Just slide your material under the doc cam to project it.

5. Remote Lectures are Easy with IPEVO
An IPEVO document camera is easy to set up on PC or Mac, and it’s perfect for webinars, video conferencing and distance education. All you need to do is select IPEVO Document Camera in Skype, start the video conference, and shoot the iPad to start your lecture.

6. Get All These Features Combined for Just $69 with Free Shipping
An IPEVO document camera is the ideal tool for your iPad presentations. It’s easy to use, it’s portable, and it’s affordable — as low as $69. Get it at a trusted retailer like Amazon, or purchase from www.ipevo.com and take advantage of free shipping.

Read the full article ›

We recently released the WS-01 Wireless Station on the IPEVO Online Store. The short summary on this product is that it can help your document camera (like Ziggi or the Point 2 View) communicate wirelessly with your iPad. For teachers and businesspeople in need of a doc cam/iPad combo, it’s the perfect fit.

We also wanted to share a new way to use the WS-01, Ziggi/P2V and iPad setup: as a desktop magnifier. You might also known this as a distance reader or electronic magnifier. Whether as a solution for the visually impaired, as a way to present text for a group of people, or just because you want to reduce eye strain from long sessions, reading a blown-up physical document on the iPad makes sense in a lot of contexts. With iPad, IPEVO products can deliver a quality desktop magnifier for not a lot of money. There is a certain desktop magnifier out there for education and the visually impaired which a) is very bulky and cumbersome, and b) literally costs thousands of dollars. The IPEVO solution is definitely neither of those!

The missing ingredient we haven’t talked about is IPEVO Whiteboard. This free iPad app gives you a way to annotate your doc cam’s video stream in real time — draw lines, highlight, add text boxes, and more. But Whiteboard also allows you to zoom in (i.e. make the text much bigger) as well as focus on a particular part of the image. Whiteboard even allows you to save your images as “boards” which you can then add to your Photo Library or send to Evernote.

With your iPad, the new WS-01 Wireless Station, and either Ziggi or the Point 2 View, you’ll have a functional desktop magnifier at just a fraction of the cost of “the big boys” — and that’s in addition to all the other doc cam uses we’ve told you about in previous entries. Intrigued? Check out the WS-01 Wireless Station page. You don’t have to pay a small fortune for distance reading and doc magnifying. IPEVO has you covered.

IPEVO’s unofficial mascot Roy and PadPillow.

“Shorty” on PadPillow.

Shiba dog Sammy and PadPillow.

PadPillow as chair cushion. Original blog entry in Japanese.

Having a sweet dream on PadPillow? Original blog entry in Japanese.

Here’s what you need to do, one step at a time:

1. Buy (or reuse) a large piece of sturdy cloth for the PadPillow exterior. It should measure 0.45 yards (about 16 inches) long and 45 inches wide. A tough material like denim works best, but you can experiment with other fabrics. Gather a few necessary tools: scissors, pencil, a sewing needle and thread, a sewing machine, a razor knife, and a ruler. Lastly, you will need a small piece of leather to make a leather tab.
   
2. Purchase a large chunk of carving foam, which can be found at art supply stores or other specialty stores. This will form the soft body of the PadPillow.
   
3. Download IPEVO’s printable .pdf file of PadPillow cutouts, and print the document in its original size. Cut out the shapes from the printed document with scissors. Place the four cutouts onto your chosen cloth. Trace the shapes with a pencil.
   
4. Cut the cloth according to the shapes with scissors. You will now have three cloth cutouts — one long rectangle and two chisel-like shapes.
   
   
5. Using the cutout document as your guide, sew the leather tag onto the rectangular cloth cutouts using needle and thread.
   
   
6. With a sewing machine, sew the chisel shapes onto the rectangular shape using the cutout document as a guide for where to join the pieces.
   
7. When you’ve sewn all three cloth cutouts together, you’ll have the basic shape of the PadPillow with a hole in the back to stuff foam into.
   
   
   
8. From your carving foam, cut your first piece of foam using a ruler and razor knife. The smaller piece should measure 12.6 x 9.1 x 1.6 inches (32 x 23 x 4cm).
   
9. Shave down one side of the foam piece to form a semi-triangular shape rather than a simple rectangle.
   
10. Cut your second triangular piece of foam. This piece measures 6.3 x 5.7 x 12.6 inches (16 x 14 x 32cm ), where 6.3 inches is the base of the triangle, 5.7 inches is the height, and 12.6 inches is the length.
    
11. Carefully stuff the foam pieces one at a time into the opening of the sewn-together cloth cutouts.
    
    
12. Try folding the two foam sections together. If it doesn’t fold quite right, you’ll need to remove the foam pieces and trim them for a better fit.
    
13. Enjoy your very own homemade PadPillow! It’s perfect to hold iPad and ebook readers in the lap or anywhere else.
    

Today we check in with Mazendo, an unconventional Chinese restaurant in the heart of Taipei, Taiwan. Its specialty is spicy dishes like the beef noodle, and its modern aesthetic attracts plenty of urban professionals. But just as exciting as the great food and atmosphere is the innovative way the owners are using iPad to streamline the entire customer service process.

Mazendo has incorporated iPad in three distinct ways. The host uses an iPad at the front desk to manage and track table seating. The waiter uses an iPad to take customer orders and relay those orders to the cooks. And finally, the waiter uses a POS (Point of Sale) app to process the customer’s credit card to complete the order. Top to bottom, it’s amazing how many different things the iPad is accomplishing for the restaurant.

We’ve heard good things about existing POS apps like ShopKeep and Lavu, but the POS app Mazendo uses deserves special mention. It’s a brand new app developed by iChef — so new, in fact, that it’s still being tested and is not quite available on the App Store yet. This iChef app, intended specifically for restaurants, streamlines the POS process and integrates the workflow so that everyone can access the info in real time. Mazendo reports that iPad use has proven to be significantly more efficient than the traditional system. Surely this level of integration will become the norm rather than the exception soon.

Mazendo chose IPEVO’s Perch S Desktop Stand to pair with the iPad at their front counter. Not only does the sleek metallic stand mesh well with the restaurant’s hip vibe; Perch S puts the iPad at the perfect height to operate, complete with customizable viewing angle and orientation. iPad, Perch S, and POS integration. It sounds like restaurants are in for a real treat!

If you’ve used the Point 2 View or Ziggi USB document cameras, you know that IPEVO delivers quality doc cams for education and for business that blow away the competition with a combination of low price and smart features. But how do you make a good thing even better? That’s what we asked about Ziggi. And after feedback from educators and businesspeople, we’ve just released the Ziggi-HD USB Document Camera to take your professional-level doc cam experience even further.

What makes Ziggi-HD different? Well, first let’s talk about the features it shares with the original Ziggi. It still has a long, multi-jointed stand which makes capturing your subject — even a full A4-sized sheet of paper — so simple and intuitive. And it still has a 270° swiveling head to make orientation a breeze. Ziggi-HD also comes with the IPEVO Presenter software to make your real-time video capture easy and customizable, including tools like auto-exposure, a 6x digital zoom, and integrated Evernote support for sending snapshots to your Evernote notebook.

But what has changed is the camera itself. We’ve added plenty of extra muscle — 5.0 Megapixels worth — for absolutely stunning high-definition images. Whether it’s fine text and equations, iDevice LCD screens, science subjects or intricate artwork, there are so many things Ziggi-HD brings to life for students and for everyone else. The highest resolution has been increased to a staggering 2592 x 1944 pixels, which will make your classroom and conference room projections simply beautiful. And even better, Ziggi-HD still has a macro mode, meaning you can get as close as 2 inches away from your subject. Details have never been more detail-y. Also new for Ziggi-HD is a built-in microphone, a direct result of customer feedback. For Skype and similar programs, you can use Ziggi-HD as a web camera and mic all in one, which is perfect for webinars, remote demonstrations, and distance learning.

Screenshots from the IPEVO Presenter software

Check out Ziggi-HD’s product page for pictures and more information. We’re pumped about Ziggi-HD’s potential, and we’re standing by to help you make the most out of your camera. As always, thanks!

Musicians — and specifically guitar players — this entry’s for you. iPad is changing everything from logistics to laundry lists, but what about sheet music and songwriting? We’ve put together a list of 4 essential elements that’ll strike the perfect note for the modern guitarist.

iPad — You kind of saw that one coming. Where else could you put an entire library of tabs and sheet music into one place that’s smaller than a conventional sheet music book? No more carrying around bulky physical documents to your practice session or gig, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There are a plethora of music-centric apps that’ll help you push your music further. But more on that in the next bullet.

Guitar Pro — This exceptional app from Arobas Music is the easiest way to edit and arrange your guitar tabs. Grab files from the web, iTunes or email — no more photocopying! — then build a library you can access anytime and anywhere. Robust multitrack functions, a countdown and metronome, looping, and even PDF exports are just a few key features. You can even set up on-the-fly tempo changes and transpositions. They really thought of it all with this program.

AirTurn Pedal — Trying to turn the page with the touchscreen is a bummer, and it will definitely throw off your rhythm. Don’t stop the music — get the AirTurn Pedal. With this simple pedal (which connects easily via Bluetooth), you can turn the page with your foot instead of stopping to use your hand. A battery life with an extra-impressive 100 hours of standby makes sure you can keep the music flowing all week long.

Perch M Stand — This heavenly setup isn’t complete without the Perch M Stand for iPad. You can’t look cool — and your music probably won’t sound too great — if you’re trying to read off the iPad while it’s cradled in your lap or face-up on a table. Perch M puts the iPad at just the right position for a seated guitarist. Its legs can fit underneath tables and furniture, so that’s a bonus. And the viewing angle can be customized with a quick tug. You can’t ask for too much more when it comes to a perfectly-positioned iPad.

Have any other essential apps or must-have accessories for guitar players? Let us know and maybe we can add to the list!

As we work our way deeper into the digital revolution, distance education and remote learning have never been more popular. IPEVO has created a way to make voice chat conferencing simpler and better: the X1-N6 Internet Conference Station. And we think educators and businesspeople will really enjoy the value it delivers.

This distinctive X-shaped station looks great, but of course it’s all about the technology. It’s USB plug-and-play for Mac and PC, and it both sends and receives voice communication with crystal clarity. Whether you prefer Skype, Windows Live Messenger, Google Talk/Hangout, GoToMeeting or a plethora of other apps, the X1-N6 will deliver distinct, high-quality sound thanks to a 16-bit Digital Signal Processor.

Sound is further enhanced by advanced background noise filtering and echo cancellation, as well as full duplex technology to enable simultaneous two-way communication. We’ve all had those conference calls where you can barely make out what the person is saying on the other end. Those ear-straining conversations are a thing of the past with the X1-N6. One-touch volume and mute controls as well as a headphone jack for times you need to take the chat private are just two more smart features.

But perhaps the feature which really “closes the deal” when it comes to separating the X1-N6 from the pack is the ability to transmit and accept voice in a full 360 degrees at an impressive range of 5 meters (5.4 yards). That way, an entire classroom or conference room can both participate in the conversation and clearly hear the speaker on the other end. This is what makes the X1-N6 an indispensable complement to distance education, remote meetings, webinars, and similar 21st-century ways for people to virtually get together and interact.

For the ultimate e-learning package, pair the X1-N6 with the Point 2 View USB Document Camera. With both powerhouse products, you can interact with students or peers anywhere in the world using high-quality audio and video. Now that’s a winning combination.

As we like to say, the world just got a lot smaller with the X1-N6 Internet Conference Station. Check it out and see what you think!

In our previous entry, we introduced the WS-01 Wireless Station for iPad. It allows your IPEVO doc cam (Ziggi or Point 2 View) to wirelessly stream to iPad. And a key part of that equation is the IPEVO Whiteboard app. You can get it for free from the Apple App Store. In this entry, we’ll share all the exciting possibilities for what this versatile app can do.

Whiteboard displays the high-resolution real-time video from your doc cam. But importantly, it also allows you to annotate that video. What do we mean by annotate? You can add emphasis, highlights, multiple colors, shapes, text boxes, and pointers — you know, all the interactive elements that enhance learning for your students or audience as you go along. And these are all accomplished with a simple touchscreen toolkit.

Let’s run down a list of the specifics:

• Two freehand drawing tools, each with 16 different colors (8 solids, 8 translucents)
• Arrows and straight lines with 8 colors
• Ovals and squares with 8 colors
• Editable text boxes which can become larger and smaller
• An Eraser tool to clear your drawings
• One-touch undo and redo, along with a Clear All function

Whether it’s highlighting a literature passage, stepping your students through a science diagram, or pointing out key points of interest in everything from maps to mathematics to Monet, chances are you’ll find a ton of uses for an easy-to-use interactive whiteboard.

Two more things to mention. Annotation doesn’t stop at just your doc cam image. You can create multiple “boards” and switch between them. These boards can use multiple backgrounds, including an image from your iPad’s Photo Library, the iPad camera feed itself, or simply a blank white canvas. Secondly, Whiteboard features integrated Evernote support. You can send drawn boards directly to your Evernote account to share or refer to later.

All in all, Whiteboard delivers plenty of smart utility for teachers, lecturers and presenters — all at no charge. Check out the Whiteboard page for more information on how to transform your iPad into an interactive whiteboard.

IPEVO document cameras including the Point 2 View and Ziggi have won over teachers and businesspeople around the world. Now we are pleased to present a great new way to use your doc cam: wirelessly with your iPad! With the WS-01 Wireless Station for iPad, you can stream real-time video right to your iPad.

The WS-01 is a compact device that communicates via your existing Wi-Fi network. Plug your IPEVO doc cam into WS-01, and then download the free IPEVO Whiteboard app onto your iPad. (We devote the blog next entry to Whiteboard, so check it out.) Whiteboard will communicate with WS-01, and you’ll stream high-resolution images in real time to your iPad, wirelessly.

WS-01 also works with PC or Mac via a special “Live-view” mode in your internet browser, so no matter which computer you choose, you’ll enjoy wireless streaming convenience. WS-01 can even connect your device to the internet all by itself.

Let’s talk about what’s possible with the iPad + WS-01 + Doc Cam setup. We’ll save the specifics of Whiteboard for our next entry, but basically the app allows you to draw on and add text to your doc cam image. In other words, WS-01 and Whiteboard turn your iPad into a portable interactive whiteboard. From there, you can project video and annotations onto the big screen via a wired VGA connection to your projector. Or, you can use Apple TV to project your video and annotations wirelessly.

For lectures, demonstrations and presentations, this setup is a complete teaching solution for everything from literature to art to science to business. Now your interactive whiteboard can be held in one hand. Pretty cool, huh? We think so! If all that wasn’t enough, here’s one more bonus. The WS-01 can also be used as an SD card reader and USB disk drive. You can save and manage files — wirelessly — with simple browser-based file management.

Check out the WS-01 page for more information on how to unlock the true potential of your doc cam and iPad with the Wireless Station.

IPEVO’s family of Perch stands have found themselves in a remarkable number of venues. But in the case of Tian Cai Refreshment Saloon — and yes, that’s the best name for a restaurant ever — Perch S found a home very close by our branch office in Taipei, in a place we visit all the time. And that makes this story a little more special.

Tian Cai is well-known for excellent Japanese cuisine such as sushi, sashimi and oden, which is a dish of boiled eggs, radish, konnyaku and fish cakes in a light broth. With its combination of good quality and affordability, the Refreshment Saloon has been a lunch-hour favorite of IPEVO employees for many years, and a favorite of the Taipei business community for more than 40 years. For the vast majority of those 40 years, Tian Cai’s menu was text-only. The restaurant’s reputation and great food had visitors coming back for more, but the owner knew he could take his restaurant into the 21st century for an even better presentation of his offerings.

After a cook took some impromptu iPhone images of some dishes, the owner knew that strong visuals of his cuisine was the way to go. But what was the best way to display signature dishes for newcomers in a fresh, exciting way? The owner tried a couple digital frames and some iPad cases and stands as part of a lobby display, but he wasn’t satisfied. These accessories weren’t complementing the overall vibe of the restaurant. They looked clunky and inorganic, like they didn’t belong.

A couple folks at IPEVO saw the owner’s need and introduced him to Perch S Desktop Stand. With its sleek lines and aluminum leg, THIS is a stand which can match the high style of an upscale restaurant. We like to think it’s every bit as elegant as the iPad itself. The Perch S was set on the host’s counter, and its dual-axis hinge allowed it to be oriented and angled just rightto catch customers’ eyes. Images of signature dishes were uploaded into a slideshow on the iPad. And the rest, as they say, is history. Tian Cai broke free from the text-only tedium and now features an ultramodern, eye-catching display which communicates the deliciousness of the dishes as well as the sophistication of the restaurant itself. What more could you ask for? We bet Perch S Desktop Stand could deliver a similar “wow” for your business!

Related article: Zoom In with IPEVO Doc Cams and ZoomText

Heard of Wishpool? It’s IPEVO’s new way of getting education technology into the hands of more teachers. And we’re extremely pleased to announce a big milestone in this initiative. Even though it’s only been going on for a month or so, we’ve already received 500 wish stories from educators! And each day, we’re trying our best to make as many of those wishes come true as we can.

To date, we have delivered 356 Point 2 View USB Document Cameras and 325 Typi Folio Cases + Wireless Keyboard to 230 schools across 4 countries (Canada, Finland, United Kingdom and United States). And reports have been trickling in about how these handy ed tech accessories have impacted learning and teaching in the classroom. It feels great to know that IPEVO tech is making a difference, and we can’t wait to see what else our enterprising teachers have in store.

We want to keep the momentum going, so if you’re an educator who thinks IPEVO technology could help maximize teaching as well as learning, we’d like to hear from you. Make a wish today for free, and you might join all of the folks who have already had their wish stories come true.

What kind of teachers are becoming Wishpoolers? Check out the Wishpool site and see for yourself, and here’s also a small sample:

Colleen Rose at Nipigon-Red Rock District High School
Red Rock, Ontario, Canada

“Our art program has started to embrace technology! The Point 2 View document camera would help me demonstrate a variety of ways to use media for studio lessons, but it would also allow students to show their methods as well.”

Chelsea Rawhoof at Pecatonica Elementary School
Pecatonica, Illinois

“My kids and I do a lot of writing. I would love to be able to model writing for them using this camera. It would allow me to edit right along with them using the same paper.”

Brian Dunagan at Mooresville Middle School
Mooresville, North Carolina

“If my wish were granted, the Point 2 View would be used mostly for demonstrations. I often use demonstrations so students can experience scientific experimentation when the materials are either too expensive or are dangerous. As the old adage says, ‘Seeing is believing.’”

To all the teachers who have submitted wishes: a sincere THANK YOU. And to all the teachers who haven’t yet, we’re accepting wish stories on an ongoing basis. It won’t take long, it’s completely free, and we just might be able to make your wish come true. Let’s keep it up!

When a Westerner hears “Nikkei,” he or she might first think about the Nikkei 225 index which measures the Japanese stock market. And that’s true, but Nikkei is bigger than just the daily highs and lows of the market. Nikkei, Inc. is actually one of the biggest media corporations in Japan, and they put out a variety of respected publications for finance, business, and other industries. And one of those publications mentioned the Point 2 View USB Document Camera! Nikkei Medical is a go-to publication for healthcare professionals, and in the latest issue, the Point 2 View was mentioned as a favorite new tool of Dr. Hitoshi Kozu, M.D. Dr. Kozu runs a medical clinic bearing his name in Tokyo, and recently he started to use the Point 2 View for throat examinations.

As the article explains — and yes, it’s in Japanese, so we’re paraphrasing! — traditionally the throat exam is done with a pen light and a tongue depressor. The doctor has to examine the patient, then put down the tools and sketch a drawing of the throat (or label a diagram) from memory as part of the case history for the patient’s medical record. But Dr. Kozu found a better way — by holding the Point 2 View and then taking a snapshot of the patient’s throat, a high-res image is saved that can be printed out for the physical record or stored digitally. Dr. Kozu’s method is said to have greatly improved the accuracy and comprehensiveness of patient case histories. After all, the image is a photograph, and not just what the doctor remembered from his examination.

Why is the Point 2 View the perfect tool for such an examination? Well, it features great image quality as well as a dedicated macro mode for fine details. But Dr. Kozu discovered another important benefit. The small and unassuming size of the Point 2 View didn’t intimidate patients like bulkier digital cameras did. Dr. Kozu tried digital cameras before settling on the Point 2 View, but found that their size made patients uncomfortable. With the use of the pen-shaped and feather-light Point 2 View camera, patients didn’t feel like they were being photographed and so they relaxed, allowing for better pictures and a more comfortable doctor’s visit.

One last little innovation: Dr. Kozu fitted an LED light onto the head of the camera so the throat would be well-illuminated. The light was intended to be worn on the finger like a ring, but it turned out to be just the right diameter for the Point 2 View. Now that’s creative thinking! The article ends by stating that Dr. Kozu hopes that other doctors will adopt the Point 2 View and embrace his philosophy of capturing actual photographs for medical records instead of drawings or diagrams. It simply results in a more accurate picture of a patient’s health and condition. To Dr. Kozu we say: thank you for using the Point 2 View, and we’ll defer to your superior medical knowledge!

A while back we heard about the Point 2 View being used in dentistry, and this newest development confirms that the Point 2 View USB Document Camera can be a great tool for doctors and health professionals. We’re glad an IPEVO product is making a positive difference in healthcare.

You may or may not know about (or own) IPEVO’s PadPillow, the comfy, cozy, and cushy way to support your iPad or ebook reader. PadPillow has been going strong for a couple of years and has been quite popular with our customers, but we thought it was high time to add another member to the PadPillow family. We are pleased to introduce PadPillow Lite.

PadPillow Lite borrows the original PadPillow’s comfort and versatility — as well as its removable soft cotton cover — but it packs these features into a smaller, lighter pillow stand. PadPillow Lite weighs less than 6 ounces! Some might prefer the larger size of the PadPillow, but we’re guessing others might appreciate having a smaller stand, especially to stow away in luggage for travel.

As for our favorite? We prefer both, of course. PadPillow for those long reading sessions in bed, and PadPillow Lite for relaxing on the sofa and checking email, surfing the web, or playing one of those lovely hidden object games. It’s a matter of personal preference, and we think there’s room for both in your universe.

Like the original, PadPillow Lite features two positions. It can be laid flat for a lower viewing angle, or folded together (and held fast with embedded magnets) for a steeper viewing angle. Again, it’s a matter of preference and situation. You might like different angles for watching movies versus playing games, for example.

PadPillow Lite fits all generations of iPad, but it can also accommodate many other brands and sizes of tablet computers as well as ebook readers like Kindle and Nook. And it’s available in either no-nonsense Dark Gray or a cute Pink.

Head on over to the IPEVO Store and check out more info and pictures for the PadPillow Lite. You’ll like it, we promise!

Tricia Fuglestad is a visual art teacher who has done some truly innovative things in her art class with IPEVO’s Point 2 View USB Document Camera. And as it turns out, she had plenty to teach us (and potential Wishpoolers) about what’s possible with our favorite featherlight doc cam. What can you do with IPEVO ed tech in the classroom? Maybe the better question is: what can’t you do!

Working with K-5 students at Dryden Elementary School in Arlington Heights, Illinois, Tricia is the current recipient of the NAEA 2012 Illinois Art Teacher of the Year. Her art blog was an Art Ed finalist for Blog of the Year as well as a finalist in the 2011 Edublog Awards for best new blog. (Translation: it’s really good, check it out!) Tricia originally became interested in the Point 2 View after attending an education tech conference in her area. Many educators were praising the Point 2 View for its high quality and low price, and she decided to try it out.

There’s nothing like digging in and trying things out first-hand, and Tricia did just that with the Point 2 View. She developed 6 ways to use the Point 2 View in art class, and we even have an additional couple of updates to share. We’ll let Tricia tell you more in her own words:

1. Animation: “The Point 2 View was a perfect tool for explaining and demonstrating the stop motion animation process to my students. Just move an object, click the snapshot button to take a still image, and move the object again.”
2. Augmented Reality: “We printed out an Augmented Reality marker in order to view a 3-D model of the Parthenon on the projection screen during our study of Greek art. Students could hold the marker at a comfortable level to view the model from all angles.”
   
3. iPads and iPods: “I connect the Point 2 View to the computer and project these devices for demos. This use is perfect for the Point 2 View.”
   
4. Photo Booth: “Apple’s Photo Booth allows the Point 2 View to record video. I can aim the Point 2 View at my students who are too small to reach the desktop camera or who can’t position themselves because of a disability. We recorded students’ lips for artwork we created.” (Here’s their amazing video presentation of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax using this method.)
   
5. Sharing sketches: “The Point 2 View gives my students a way to share their sketches or writings with the class quickly. It’s perfect for playing guessing games or sharing with the class to see if artwork has communicated ideas clearly.”
6. Fine Art Techniques: “The Point 2 View is great for demonstrating small detailed techniques. Instead of calling all the students out of their seats to stand over me as I demonstrate, I use the camera to make art along with them.” (See picture below for the setup Tricia used to demonstrate in real time how to create the illusion of a curved 3D apple.)
   
7. Update #1 — Collaborative Sculpture: Students made clay mask sculptures. To supplement the activity, the iPad was loaded up with an app called 123D Sculpt. The Point 2 View was set up to capture the iPad for projection as students took turns digitally sculpting the same image. Fun!
   
8. Update #2 — International Exchange: Mrs. Fuglestad’s fourth-grade students had a Skype conference with Professor Juan Carlos Castro’s students (future art educators) studying at Montreal’s Concordia University. The Point 2 View was turned up and used like a web camera to capture students presenting for their audience. As Tricia explains on her blog: “Each student presented one slide and glowed in the polite applause of their audience in Canada (that was so sweet). Then they lined up to answer questions and later ask questions. We all learned so much!”

Tricia sums up the Point 2 View this way: “The Point 2 View has amazing clarity and great weight balance, and I like that it uses USB as opposed to other document cameras that use VGA, which requires more fiddling with the projector. $69 is a very affordable price for a teaching tool that can make a world of difference for students.”

Interested in trying out some of the same techniques or a few of your own? We created Wishpool to help you. Become a Wishpooler, tell us your story, and you just might get a free Point 2 View or other IPEVO ed tech for your school. It’s free and it’s easy. Meanwhile, remember to check out Tricia’s art blog for more great artwork and teaching ideas.

To learn more about Wishpool, please visit http://www.ipevo.com/wishpool.

“I love this camera,” Pat wrote to us. “I am visually impaired and I use this to read documents, mail, notes, credit card numbers, etc. I also use it with Skype and ZoomText 10. It adjusts easily to almost any position you might need and the auto focus is fairly quick.” We had never heard of ZoomText before, so we did a little investigation and experimentation using both Ziggi and the Point 2 View doc cam. Pat is definitely on to something— both Ziggi and the Point 2 View work great with the ZoomText software.

Both of IPEVO’s cameras feature high-res image quality and a Macro mode to capture close-ups and fine details. On top of these features, ZoomText offers multiple high-contrast color schemes, an up to 36x digital zoom, and clarity controls to make the image even sharper. So, it appears ZoomText and IPEVO doc cams are a great match for visually-impaired individuals in need of accessibility features on their computer. Capture a document with Ziggi or the Point 2 View, then blow it up and make it even more readable with ZoomText. Sounds like a winning combination to us! We’ll let Pat sum up her feelings on the subject: “The resolution beats all other webcams I’ve seen. My husband bought several webcams recently and all were inferior to this product. Ziggi is a wonderful camera for a great price.”

We are really excited that Ziggi and the Point 2 View have the potential to make documents more accessible for the visually impaired. We invite you to check out ZoomText. And as always, feel free to share your own story about our document cameras by writing to Customer Service at cs@ipevo.com.

Here’s wishing you a great 2013!