Forbes reports that iOS devices accounted for 13.4% of online sales on Christmas day (7% were made from an iPad). Android devices accounted for 7% of Christmas day online sales. While most of this is probably due to people loading new apps on their new tablets and smartphones, the rise of mobile computing is moving at a remarkable pace. The last few months have seen the introduction of a growing variety of $100-200 android tablets and free (older model) iphones and android phones with the purchase of a 2-year contract.
It will be interesting to see how higher education will change in response to the widespread availability of low-cost mobile computing. Will faculty see cell phones and tablets as nuisances to be banned or as useful instructional tools?
