I’m not suggesting we rework the entire education system, that’s someone else’s job to ponder, I simply want to add to it–specifically high school education. Let’s create a series of classes in high schools across the country called Innovation I, Innovation II, and Innovation III. “That sounds cool,” you say, “but what substance could these classes possibly have, especially for high school students?” That’s a valid question, and I only have part of the answer. Yet, here’s what I can tell you: the majority of high school students will rise to the occasion when they’re presented with a framework for approaching challenges and an engaging challenge. Believe it or not, a lot of high school kids who don’t do well in school have a good work ethic, but are not engaged by the content being taught.

A course on innovation should parallel the rapid nature of a startup incubator. Moreover, the course should expose students to the harsh reality of failure, while giving them the opportunity to improve through iterating. The goal needs to switch from engineering students to have command of a core body of knowledge into giving them the confidence to tackle challenges from an innovative point-of-view.

The 2011 MacBook Air 13.3″ is truly a stunning machine with a beastly 1.7GHz duel-core Intel Core i5 processor and 4GB of RAM. This is the perfect notebook for students who want something which weighs just 2.96 pounds and is less than an inch thick! That said, there are good, bad, and points over improvement that I would like to cover.

The Good

Apple’s MacBook Air 13.3″ LED-backlit widescreen has by far the best resolution of any computer I have seen! The resolution of the screen is 1440×900 PPI (Pixels Per Inch). The colors are exceptionally vibrant and films look equally stunning.

The MacBook Air 13.3″ is as beautifully thin as ever, at it thickest end it measures 17mm thick and its thinnest point is only 3mm thick!

The 2011 MacBook Air 13.3″ comes standard with a 1.7GHz, dual-core Intel Core i5 processor with 4GB of RAM. The notebook has flash storage tucked inside its aluminium unibody chassis, which is great for students who want tasks completed quick such as word processing and music, photo and video editing. I am able to get roughly 6 and a half hours of battery life out of the MacBook Air and is capable of staying in standby mode for 30 days without dying from loss of battery.

The Bad

I am a little disappointed that there are only 2 USB ports on the MacBook Air 2011. Even if Apple added just one more USB port would be a wonderful add-on. I am also unhappy that there is no USB 3.0 port on notebook, which would be another huge key selling point for the MacBook Air. I am disappointed by the poor resolution of built-in FaceTime camera. Apart from these omissions and possible improvements, the laptop is great.

Improvements

As always, nothing is perfect. In the future, I would like to see Apple introduce a FaceTime HD camera (featured in the MacBook Pro’s and iMac’s). As the MacBook Air’s FaceTime Camera performs horribly in when in low-light environments. I would also greatly appreciate more flash storage inside this elegant machine.

All things considered, I would give the MacBook Air a very high rating. For its price, I think the MacBook Air is a solid purchase.

Basic Information

What we know is that Apple will release Mac OS X Mountain Lion this summer. However, the disputed fact is the exactly month. Our assessment is that Apple is looking at July as the key month. This was the month that the Mac OS X Lion was released, and it seems fitting to follow through with this for 2012. When it comes to price, we are a little torn. We can hope that Apple will keep the price at the reasonable $29 like with the Mac OS X Lion. However, the added features with the Mac OS X Mountain Lion could add a little to the price. To be safe, expect to pay between $29 and $35 for this operation system. Lastly, where to buy? As we know, Apple did away with boxed software. We are certain that Mac OS X Mountain Lion will be available on Mac App Store.

iCloud

iCloud has been a hit ever since its launch. iCloud for iPhone allowed users to keep their devices in sync with their Mac and other iCloud devices. Now, iCloud is able to be used on the Mac itself. iCloud for Mac allows you to seamlessly have your documents and other iWork projects available on your iPhone and other iCloud device. In addition, you still have the same iCloud features found on the iOS devices, including the ability to add, view and edit your notes, calendars, mail, and more.

Messages, Twitter,  and Share Sheets

Mountain Lion has a lot in store for the messaging aspect of the software. First, there is Messages for Mac. Essentially this is iMessage for your Mac. It will replace the current iChat software, that for many users has become obsolete over the past years. This move is similar to Facetime’s integration for Mac. First, it was found on just iPhone, then moved to iPad, finally making it’s way to Mac. The features are the same, messaging between iOS devices and other Macs with the software. One thing that stands different is support for document transfers. You can still chat through Yahoo, GTalk, and Jabber, and there’s even a FaceTime button at the top right corner of your conversation.

You can now Tweet cool links and photos right from Safari, Photobooth, and iPhoto. Twitter for Mac, unlike Messages for Mac, is already a name taken by the Twitter application. For this reason, the integration is known as Tweet Sheet. With your Tweet Sheet, you type your message and opt to share your location with the Tweet, then click to send the message. The pop-up looks very similar to the integration found on iOS.

The Share Sheet button is the main sharing center for your Mac. It can be found on Safari. Simply click the button and you are able to email, Message for Mac, and Tweet the link for the page. This is also the button that allows you to save a link for later reading or as a bookmark.

Get acquainted with Messages for Mac right now with Apple’s beta version here.

Reminders and Notification Center

It’s true, Mountain Lion is looking a lot like iOS. This is best shown by the implementation of Reminders for Mac and Notification Center. These are two features I’m looking forward to the most because I have found so much use for them both on my iPhone. First, let’s look at Reminders for Mac. The features are the same. You get to make reminders based on various themed list (for example, school or work) and add alarm notifications to reminder you to complete them. One part of this addition that I like the most is the iCloud integration. If I’m in the office, I can add a reminder on my Mac that will be notified on my iPhone in the other room.

The second thing we see in Mountain Lion is Notification Center. This will be the main area that you will find out calendar reminders, app notifications, when you need to update an app, missed (FaceTime) calls, and much more. Just as we swipe down to view Notification Center on iOS, just slide on your trackpad to the left to activate Notification Center for Mac. Notifications are pinged as a small rectangle at the top right.

Notes

Now that I think about it, there was never a notes section for Mac. Many times, I had to Dashboard to make a short sticky note to myself. However, this has changed with Notes for Mac. It’s pretty simple. You still have the same features you find for Notes on iOS. You can share notes with the Share Sheets button found on Notes. Notes can be “pinned” on your desktop just like how sticky notes can on Dashboard. Notes for Mac also has iCloud. One addition to Notes for Mac is the ability to add photos to your notes. This not only is a good feature for Mac, but one I would love to see on Notes for iOS. Apple, are you listening?

Game Center

Many iOS games have already made their way to Mac. However, one gaming aspect that didn’t until now was Game Center. Now, you can keep you can add to your impressive iOS game scores on your Mac. Just sign in with your current Apple ID. With Game Center for Mac, you now have a bigger screen to battle some of your friends in multiplayer games, in a friendly way of course.

Airplay Mirroring

What ever is on your Mac is now on your TV. As long as your have a Mac with Mountain Lion and an Apple TV, this can be a reality. Airplay Mirroring now allows you to have your Mac on the big screen as long as they are both wirelessly in the same network. This feature isn’t tied just to entertainment videos and shows, you can also show what’s on your screen for surfing the web or showing a PowerPoint or document. If you don’t have an Apple TV, this may be the feature that pushes you to get one now.

Gate Keeper

Gate Keeper is for applications as a bodyguard is to crazy fans. Gate Keeper provides you with a safer Mac by preventing applications you don’t approve of being downloaded. This is done through various stages you can have your Mac in, they are like different levels of security. You can have the “least” secure setting which allows you to download programs and apps from everywhere, the middle setting allows you to download apps but only if the creator of the app has verified credentials form Apple. The safest setting only allows you to download apps from the Mac App Store. This means applications like Firefox, that aren’t available on the store, can be out of reach.

Out of all of the features found on Mac OS X Mountain Lion, which is your favorite? Mine is by far Notification Center, do you agree? Let us know in the comments.

After roughly 24 hours with the BlackBerry PlayBook, I thought I would share my initial thoughts on the product with you. But first, I will explain why I bought this device: the PlayBook is overpriced, however, due to the lack if demand worldwide BlackBerry has reduced the price of the PlayBook dramatically – I got the 32GB model for $200 instead of $500 – a massive saving! Before I purchased the device I never considered the PlayBook because if I was going to spend that money on a tablet, more specifically an iPad. Another factor was that BlackBerry is rumored to release a second version of OS for the tablet (BlackBerry Tablet OS 2.0) which will add support of Android applications to the tablet.  Currently, the selection of applications is sufficient, yet the addition of Android would make it even better.

Initial Impressions

Firstly, this tablet is fast. Provided you have a solid Wi-Fi connection, apps will download quickly and websites will load in an instant. The OS is also rumored to become even faster with the upcoming update.

The OS is also very slick and easy to learn your way around. Before purchasing the PlayBook, I had no experience with BlackBerry’s linux-based operating system and in under 24 hours I can confidently say that I know my way around. Also, the bundled software is very useful. For example, the “Office To-Go” suite enables you to view, edit, and create Word documents, spreadsheets, and PowerPoints, directly from the tablet. I actually wrote this article using the Word To-Go software. Other software and apps are also very graphically intensive, but still run smoothly on this tablet.

Third party apps are low in numbers, but provided that you are willing to spend some time digging your way through the BlackBerry App World, you can find some high quality and very useful apps. Similar to the iOS app store, there are both free and paid applications.

The media experience on this device is phenomenal. Despite the low resolution (1024×600) the screen is sharp and text remains clear when you zoom in. The handy desktop media app lets you sync your PlayBook with your computer. The PlayBook has full support of iTunes file formats when it comes to music, but it is a good idea to run videos through a conversion program such as Handbrake before you slap them on your PlayBook. Once you get your video on your PlayBook it looks awesome. The sound provided by the front facing speakers is also very impressive. If you prefer headphones, the headphone jack is also conveniently located on the upper right corner of the device.

When you first pick up the PlayBook it obviously has some weight to it, but I mean that in the best possible way, it feels very good in the hand. Previously, I heard some reviewers say that the power button is near impossible to press – I disagree. While I accept the fact that the button doesn’t stick out very far or provide substantial tactile feedback, it can be pressed easily by a person with average sized fingers. For the larger fingered of us, there is a software option to put the device into standby mode, and the screen can also be woken by a swipe from the bottom border. The tablet also has three convenient buttons on the top side for volume and playing/pausing music or video. This tablet is also very thin, which helps it rest nicely in the hand and a flat back, which allows full use when placed on a flat surface.

Before launching Gumroad, Lavingia designed both the Pinterest and Turntable apps. Gumroad aims to make the sharing of digital content dead simple, by using links that allow buyers to enter their credit card information and purchase the digital good. All you need to get started on Gumroad is the Facebook or Twitter account, then you can begin selling everything from invites to your next products to cool new Photoshop designs.

After signing up for Gumroad, users are taken to a simple page, where users can upload a file, give it a title, and set a price. Next, Gumroad creates a link that users can share that will take payments to unlock the product for sale. Gumroad also provides basic analytics to help users maximize their sales from the link.

Conclusion

Gumroad is a fantastic idea that is equally well executed. When I first tried Gumroad a few months ago, I am impressed by its ease-of-use and simplicity. Within three minutes of signing up for Gumroad, I had created my first link. Long-term, I believe Gumroad will be successful by taking a 5% cut and 30 cents per transaction. I also believe that Gumroad’s strategy of turning social networks in to places of commerce is incredibly smart. Overall, Gumroad has the opportunity to revolutionize e-commerce. Quite incredible for someone 19-years-old!

This pop out includes the photo on one side and a sidebar with description, comments, and likes on the other. Users can navigate the pop out window by using the arrow keys to move to through the album and close with the escape key. In an attempt to increase advertisement space, Facebook added advertisements below the comments in the revamped photo viewer tool.

Emmanuel Banks, Teens in Tech writer, responded to the new design by writing:

“It seems like the small additions that Facebook adds never fail to at least bring on a smile. I really appreciate the small update that Facebook now has with photos. Once complaint I had with Facebook in the beginning was having to scroll below to view comments and likes. Now, everything is all in one place. The Google+ users out there will find some similarities with Facebook’s new addition and Google+’s photo viewer. Small suggestion to Facebook: make this a feature with videos as well!”

Facebook is known for quietly launching updates and new products. This past fall, Facebook added a realtime ticker to the News Feed seemingly overnight. Facebook’s new photo viewer design compliments its “Timeline” design exceptionally well. I especially like the ability to pick up using Facebook once you complete viewing a photograph. In conclusion, I like Facebook’s new photo viewer and am excited to use it more in the near future.

Please share your thoughts on the new Facebook photo viewer tool in the comments!

Here’s all you have to do: Make a short video explaining why your big, cool, never-seen-before idea needs to become a reality. Your idea will then compete against other ideas for the chance to become real.

To make the deal a little sweeter, we’re offering anyone in the Teens in Tech community who submits a video, a chance to win a free case of Red Bull (regular or Sugarfree), and some swag! All you have to do is submit a video on the Red Bull Launchpad website, and send us a link to your submission so we can keep track of who’s submitted. Send your links to RedBull@TeensinTech.com.

The deadline for submitting is 11:59p PT on February 29th. To submit, head over to the Launchpad website, and record your video. You can find a example video here.

And just to be clear, if you submit to the Teens in Tech contest, that does not mean you’re a winner in the overall contest, and doesn’t give you a leg up in the final celebrity/expert judging process. We just want to make sure everyone is well caffeinated with Red Bull.

Note: According to Launchpad’s rules, the contestants must be over the age of 18 to apply. Sorry folks, but we have to follow the rules!

The Need for a Response

The report included interviews with the family of a former worker who subsequently died in one of the factories. The worker, Lai Xiaodong, died in an explosion in the Chinese factory, in Chengdu. When reading this report, several points came to mind. The first thought was that I must offer a response to this from the point of view of a person who has an admiration of the company. The various responses and comments on the report were individuals who advocated either a boycott or had no opinion on Apple at all. However, we must look at this closer and understand that Apple is not entirely at fault. We must also realize that it is not anti-Apple to show these issues as a top priority.

Pointing Fingers

When looking closer, we see that the company at hand is Foxconn. The New York Times report showed that when Apple approached the company at first for an exclusive partnership, Apple gave the company time to tell ”how much every part costs, how many workers are needed and the size of their salaries. Executives want to know every financial detail.” This allowed Apple to provide the supplier how much funds they needed to get the job done, something every company does when signing with a supplier. However, once a supplier gets such funds, it is up to them to see how they use the funds. Foxconn, in this case, cuts corners with their funds to, in the end, have more of a profit for Foxconn itself. This left Human Rights issues to be ignored by Foxconn. In the factories, the workers became exposed to dangerous chemicals. Outside of the factories, the dormitory conditions were beyond horrid.

What has Apple done about this?

I must say, Apple, may not be entirely at fault for these conditions. However, Apple still should do more about the issue. Apple’s recent Supplier Progress Report includes a list of their suppliers. The report consistently since 2007 has shown the suppliers they have added regulations to so, in the end, they can provide better conditions for workers. Apple has done their part to end contracts with several companies based on repeated violations. By providing better initiatives, Apple can combat these human rights violations. Why isn’t Apple doing more? The answer is obvious that it hurts production, which hurts profit. Foxconn is a key supplier to Apple, one of the largest suppliers of the company’s products.

Current and former Apple executives, moreover, say the company has made significant strides in improving factories in recent years. Apple has a supplier code of conduct that details standards on labor issues, safety protections and other topics. The company has mounted a vigorous auditing campaign, and when abuses are discovered, Apple says, corrections are demanded. (New York Times)

How should we respond?

It is crucial to note that various other companies, including Amazon, HP, and Nike, use foreign workers and there have been many allegations of suppliers not considering human rights. When we look outside of the tech realm, various clothing companies have experienced sweat shop allegations for years. The mistreatment of animals in the meat industry has been a pivotal issue for some time. However, when we look at ourselves, we see that we still purchase from HP, we still wear clothes from these companies, and only 3-6 percent of Americans are vegetarian/vegan.

We should not boycott Apple. A boycott only creates losses in jobs for not only Chinese workers, but also American workers in Cupertino and beyond. Apple is an exceptional company, and I do not feel this is an issue we should abandon Apple. We should take this as a time to press Apple to continue their efforts on tackling the abuses from their suppliers. The Supplier Responsibility Progress Reports show us that their effort still continue. This is not a biased opinion, but a fact of a dominant company. Everything will not be peachy and exciting. Things will always need improvement in this industry. We must remember that Apple is not perfect.

The Next Teen Tycoon Video Contest aims to help empower young entrepreneurs, by giving them the opportunity to pitch their ideas through video and win awesome prizes. First prize is $4,000 in seed funding and a trip to New York City for TEDxTeen. The Next Teen Tycoon Video Contest features great partners like Dell, Inc., and The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship. Teens in Tech is also a partner in the The Next Teen Tycoon Video Contest.

Here’s How It Works:

1. Shoot a 2-minute video

Wow us with your cool business or business idea. Include:

• What’s the name of the product or service?
• What does it do?
• How did you come up with the idea?
• Who are your customers?
• What will you do with the seed money if you win?

2. Submit your entry by Monday, Feb. 6

Upload your video to YouTube, then fill out our entry form.

3. Tell everyone to vote for you

Spread the word! Daily ballots can be cast through voters’ Facebook accounts, and the top vote-getters move on to become finalists.

4. Win!

Our panel of seasoned entrepreneurs and small business experts will gather behind their magic curtain, review the finalists and select the three winners!

Conclusion

This is the ideal opportunity for teen entrepreneurs to share their ideas with the world and win sweet prizes. The contest closes on February 6th, so get your entries in soon! Good luck from the Teens in Tech team!

What’s so awesome about it? It’s a huge (851 x 315 pixels) advertisement for whatever you want. Mine is my personal blog. It’s non-intrusive, fits into the Facebook color scheme and is big, bold and traffic driving. When you use the personal marketing / networking methods I talked about in my previous post and you add some SVAPs (Silicon Valley Awesome Person) as friends they’ll immediately see a link to your website, blog, or whatever and you have yet another chance to impress them.

How should you go about doing this? Just like any advertisement, your ultimate goal is for people to see it, and for it to convert. You want it to be well designed, interesting and have a powerful call to action. The average techie Facebook user has a lot of friends, many more than the site-wide average of 130. Every time one of these people visit your profile and see this advertisement, they just might head over to your company. Maybe it’ll be an investor, or a new corporate client! Heck, I was even wondering if you could sell the spot to a third party advertiser (though I don’t now if this violates Facebook’s terms of service).

Just like anything, don’t forget to track the conversions. Use a custom domain URL tracking software thingy and send people through that. At the very least, get Google Analytics, KISSMetrics, or the like going on the site. You need to know what’s working and what’s not so you can make the appropriate changes.