Moving at the Speed of Creativity

Category: google

  • Google Mesh Home WiFi Makes our Internet Access MUCH faster

    This is a review of the “Google WiFi system, 3-Pack – Router replacement for whole home coverage” (NLS-1304-25) product which I posted to Amazon today. “Google Mesh WiFi” (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer I have been wanting to purchase a mesh Wi-Fi system at home for many months, and finally pulled the trigger last month. Wow what…

  • Schools Blocking YouTube and Digital Citizenship

    Content filtering in schools has always been contentious since students and teachers first gained access to the World Wide Web and the Internet in the 1990s. Today in 2019, however, many people might be surprised that “draconian content filtering policies” (at least in the opinion of this author) are still in place in some schools.…

  • Living at Hogwarts with Apple Pencil and Google Home

    Technology is not magic, but Steve Jobs was correct when he described the iPad as “a magical device” in 2010. Combined with the Apple Pencil, which feels like a wand from the wizarding world of Harry Potter, an iPad and the Google Home smart assistant make me feel like I’m truly living at Hogwarts. The…

  • Chromebook and Home Computer Advice for Parents (Dec 2018)

    As a school director of technology as well as a known “tech geek” at other places we frequent like our church, I’m often asked for advice about purchasing computers for kids at holiday time. I’m also frequently asked about Internet filtering, Internet safety, and topics falling under the general topic of “digital citizenship.”

  • Friends Don’t Let Friends Use the Edge Web Browser (or Bing for Search)

    This past week at school, I accidentally clicked a bad link while setting up a fresh installation of Windows10. This dramatically highlighted how easy it is for someone today to accidentally install malware or adware on a computer, and why friends shouldn’t let friends use the Edge Web Browser or the Bing search engine by Microsoft.…

  • Glimpse the Future with Amy Webb @amywebb (Thanks @TWiT)

    The last couple days I’ve been listening to the latest TWiT podcast, hosted by Leo LaPorte (@leolaporte) and featuring guests Amy Webb (@amywebb) and Greg Ferro (@etherealmind). Wow have I ever loved their conversation and the insights they shared on a variety of topics including AI, the ascendency of China, Amazon, EU anti-trust law, and…

  • 8 Months of Android: Lessons Learned (Part 2)

    In November 2017, I shocked my family and many friends by switching from an iPhone to an Android smartphone. It’s been a good experiment, but I’ve been missing iOS and an iPhone for multiple reasons. Later today I’m throwing in the towel and purchasing a used iPhone 6+ for $120 from a relative. If it…

  • Make Media Camps in July 2018: Kansas City, Oklahoma City and Dallas

    I’m excited to announce the availability of three upcoming “Make Media Camps” for PK-12 teachers and university faculty in July 2018 in Kansas City, Oklahoma City, and Dallas. The past five summers, I have led and co-led 3 day iPad Media Camp workshops with my wife, Shelly Fryer. This summer, we are continuing to iterate with…

  • Things I Learned Traveling to Egypt

    The past few days I had an opportunity to travel to Cairo, Egypt, to present and participate in the 2017 EduForum Conference and also do a little sightseeing. Since sharing my second TEDx talk in November 2016, “Digital Citizenship in the Surveillance State,” I’ve continued to read and research about data privacy issues especially as…

  • Why I’m Switching from iPhone to Android (Part 1)

    This morning when I told my 14 year old I’d ordered a new phone for myself and it isn’t an iPhone, she said, “Now people are going to think you’re weird!” My response was, “Good, bring it on. I am weird!” As a long-time iPhone user and devotee, I realize this decision to give a…