Adapting to Mobile Technology

Usage of mobile technologies has skyrocketed over the last decade. Since 2013, their internet usage rates have increased from 16.2% to 52.2%. Mobile traffic has increased by 222% in that time. This change can be attributed to the surge in smartphone ownership for the general population. 81% of US citizens age 18+ have smartphones.

Mobile technology statistics are not restricted purely to smartphones. Tablets such as the Apple iPad and Google Pixel Slate have increased dramatically in sales and ownership. The iPad has been so successful in recent years that Apple is beginning to focus more on them as a product than MacBook.

While items like MacBooks and laptops will obviously continue to be essential for many functions (for the foreseeable future), we can expect to see mobile devices take dominating control over the major market.

The way we use these technologies is continually changing. Traditional laptops and PCs are being used primarily for large projects and resource-intensive applications. Once again we can look to Apple for information on these trends. Apple has discontinued many of its smaller, less powerful MacBooks while continuing to increase their overall power. This makes MacBooks less accessible to the public, but Apple has answered this by improving their iPad and keeping it relatively affordable.

This trend will continue for the next few years until it inevitably levels out (laptops and PCs will not become completely obsolete). University libraries are adapting quickly to these changes.

The OSU Library has made its resources and websites mobile-friendly in recent years. Previously, the mobile and desktop sites were two different pages, and many pages were not mobile friendly at all. The site is now easier to navigate and more cohesive regardless of the platform. The navigation bar has been moved into a drawer for mobile sites and the pages display identically respective to their dimensions on any screen.

The technology students are able to check out at the Edmon Low Library has also adapted to this rise in mobile popularity. Students are able to check out Microsoft Surface tablets from the circulation desk, which can be easily converted to laptop-like devices by attaching the provided keyboard.

Many of the items available for checkout from the Edmon Low Creative Studios and the circulation desk have a mobile-friendly approach. They provide chargers for most phones, clamps that allow smartphones to be mounted on tripods and gimbals to give phones smooth video on the move.

The OSU Library is also currently developing a mobile app for both Android and iOS devices. When the app initially launches, it will allow students to reserve a study room or a spot in the Edmon Low Creative Studio. The app will also let students see the status of any books they have checked out or any fines they owe.

In the future, the app will also display the number of computers, express printers and scanners that are open to use. There are also plans to have the number of each item available at the Tech to Go and laptop checkout desks viewable on the app. These features will allow students to better plan their trips to the Library to make their visit more effective.

As resources inevitably continue to become more accessible on mobile devices, libraries will continue to provide tools to make them more accessible to students. Do you think mobile technologies will continue to increase in usage and dominate the market? Let me know how mobile technology is influencing you!

Posted by Jacob Hinchey, Emerging Technology Intern

E-Comm Intern Reviews GoPro

I, the Electronic Communications intern for Edmon Low Library Communication Services, recently took it upon myself to follow our own advice and rent something from the Tech to Go desk. I rented a GoPro Hero4, which came in a protective case that also held a remote, a tripod, several cases, two batteries, a charger and numerous screws to attach the camera to a selfie stick. I was surprised by the amount of items I got and astonished they trusted me with it all. After all, I walked away with an armful of technology in exchange for my student ID information.

I chose the GoPro because I wasn’t aware the Edmon Low Library offered them until I became a member of the faculty; similarly, any student I asked also had no idea they were available. The GoPro has gained widespread popularity in recent years for its ability to capture images that larger digital cameras and smartphones simply cannot capture as well. GoPros have also become known for their versatility and adaptability in filming action shots.

The GoPro can film narrow, medium or wide shots, giving you the option of exactly how much you want to capture in a photo. You can see in this photo inside Edmon Low Library that the bookshelves look warped; that photo was taken on the medium setting. By switching the view, you can alter how the images look to fit what you are wanting.

The famous GoPro look is a fish-eye shot, which shows a wide landscape in a panoramic view. This product isn’t ideal for family pictures, but it gives images a neat, angular aspect that would normally require a special lens for an average digital camera.

On our journey through Edmon Low Library, we primarily used a selfie stick attachment to capture footage. Unfortunately, the remote control was inactive, but that was but a minor setback. GoPro has its own smartphone application that acts as a remote, library and settings hub. When the camera is on, you are able to see exactly what the camera is capturing on your phone, which is incredibly useful if you don’t have a GoPro screen. You can use the app to take your photos then view and edit them once they are in the library. It is also an alternative to using the buttons on the actual camera.

The GoPro camera itself has three main buttons. The top button is the shutter used to capture pictures and begin regular or time lapse videos; it also works to activate wifi. The button on the front is the on/off feature, and a smaller button on the side is for changing settings, such as wifi connectivity and view preference. One thing I had an issue with was the default shot setting, which placed the camera in video mode when turned on, so I often started videos when I meant to take one shot.

The only other problem I had during my three day ownership was the quality of the photos. It may have been due to the protective casing, but the majority of my photos came out a little blurry. I look forward to renting a GoPro again soon to determine whether it was user error or equipment malfunction.

Overall, I was thoroughly impressed with the easy operation and unique photos. I would highly recommend a GoPro to anyone who wants to document any type of outing or event without hauling around a bulky (and potentially vulnerable) DSLR camera. With its various cases and attachments, GoPros go beyond normal cameras and provide unbeatable footage, whether that be strolling around a library or hiking through a rainforest.

It may take some practice to get your best shot with a GoPro, but it is much easier to master than a typical DSLR. After the initial process of discovering its uses, I found the GoPro to be a simple and useful gadget, and I hope you will too. When you are planning your next adventure, put the GoPro Hero4 at the top of your packing list, and don’t forget to check it out from the Tech to Go desk in Edmon Low Creative Studios. Watch this step-by-step tutorial for more detailed instructions on how to operate a GoPro.

Do you have any neat GoPro ideas or stories you’d like to share? Comment below!

Post by Jennifer Barnett, E-Communications Intern for OSU Library Communications

Expanding Tech with Telescopes at the OSU Library

In response to our recent “What If The Library...” feedback campaign, Edmon Low Creative Studios now boasts a new addition to its hardware lineup: telescopes. The Tech To Go desk now offers a range of equipment for audio, photo, video and nighttime sky viewing.

The decision to purchase telescopes was based on student votes. Other options included checkout for Google Glass, more rolling whiteboards and free faxing. Along with telescopes, the Library also added bean bag chairs and more study rooms on the first floor.

There are currently three types of telescopes available for checkout. The Meade ETC 90 features a removable optical tube, which provides versatility to the model. It has an Audiostar handbox controller with a built-in speaker that offers information about objects in the telescope's’ view. Ideal for learning while stargazing, this is also the best choice for adventures requiring easily portable equipment.

The Meade Infinity 102 is great for beginners. It has everything necessary for amateur sky searchers. Its slow motion option allows the user to track moving objects while capturing bright and clear images. It comes with three eyepieces for varying levels of magnification, and the red dot viewfinder makes locating planets and constellations a breeze.

The Celestron C6N provides incredibly refined images of wide views by using diffraction-limited parabolic primary mirrors. This telescope is high quality and performs as such. It is operated by computer control technology, giving it a vast database and extensive knowledge on a number of identifiable objects. This piece of exploration equipment is ideal for space education.

The Celestron SkyMaster Binoculars present a high quality experience. This device is intended for extended viewing of astronomical and terrestrial scenes, so it would be an ideal gadget for searching across vast landscapes or spotting objects from long distances. Easy to use and equipped with user-friendly capabilities, these binoculars could change the way you see the world.

In addition to the new telescopes, Tech To Go continues to offer GoPros, cameras, microphones and projectors, most of which are available for three day checkout.

Post by Jennifer Barnett, E-Communications Intern for OSU Library Communications