Apple to Host March 27 Event in Chicago: 'Creative New Ideas for Teachers and Students'

[dwaite]

Maybe they will finally have an answer to to Google....I am a teacher, and love Apple. But they are simply not an option for many schools....google is eating their lunch.

Schools need iCloud accounts with a lot of free storage, easy device management, cheaper devices (which the cheaper iPad will be), and the ability to have kids login to any iPad (which won’t come).

The (cheap but not yet free) macOS Server has a fair amount of device management and is turning pretty much exclusively into a device management system later this year. They have had the ability to have kids able to log into arbitrary iPads for a year now.

 

[brendu]

I’m late to this discussion but Apple lost this battle. They simply can’t compete. Unless they release a MacBook at $200 they can not offer a better solution for students than a chromebook. I love the iPad but it’s nowhere near as good for research and creating projects as googles suite. Once you try to make it as good by adding a keyboard and Apple Pencil you’re suddenly at MacBook pricing and schools already don’t buy those because they are 5x the cost of chrome books with almost no benefits.

 

[puggsly]

Maybe they will finally have an answer to to Google....I am a teacher, and love Apple. But they are simply not an option for many schools....google is eating their lunch.

Schools need iCloud accounts with a lot of free storage, easy device management, cheaper devices (which the cheaper iPad will be), and the ability to have kids login to any iPad (which won’t come).

Apple added the ability to log into an iPad with iOS 9.3. Checkout Apples docs regarding "Shared iPad" for education. Maybe more important would be a low cost keyboard and pencil.

 

[bensisko]

I’m late to this discussion but Apple lost this battle. They simply can’t compete. Unless they release a MacBook at $200 they can not offer a better solution for students than a chromebook. I love the iPad but it’s nowhere near as good for research and creating projects as googles suite. Once you try to make it as good by adding a keyboard and Apple Pencil you’re suddenly at MacBook pricing and schools already don’t buy those because they are 5x the cost of chrome books with almost no benefits.

Apple can absolutely compete - it's just a question of Apple's current interest in being in the Education space. The Education space is good PR, but it's NOT good for making money. This is something Apple has learned from years of supporting the Education market. Google has made headway into the Education space, not because of the cost (at least it doesn't play as big of a role as people might think), but because of the overall support the company has provided (including infrastructure [cloud services, bandwidth], software [suite of tools for students and educators], content/resources, and hardware partners) - Apple is not built, in it's current form, to compete with that level of commitment (especially being STILL a primarily hardware focused company - all of their software and services are designed to sell hardware). What's Google getting out of it? The same thing Google always gets - data.

Even if Apple came out with a cheaper iPad and some educational software tools, it's not going to be able to compete with what Google has brought to the game for Education. Even Microsoft, who has recently made a showing of support for education, knows that it's fighting Apple for Google's left over scraps.

Having said all of that, it's not to say Apple should give up. There will always be spaces for Apple to play. While Google is big, it's not invulnerable. Google has a lot to offer, but it's also less attractive in some respects (such as data and privacy concerns). Not to mention, there are still a lot of educators who PREFER Apple over Google and that DOES count when making decisions (acceptance is a big deal, but not usually enough to stop or change large contracts).

Apple can still win big in Personal Education - i.e. by not focusing on large governing bodies, but instead on individuals. Some of this is evidenced by their "Today at Apple" and "iTunes U". Individual Education is going to become a BIG space over the next few years - we'll start to see more of a focus on enriching individuals as companies start expanding those offerings. Microsoft already has a big leap ahead in this space with their purchase of LinkedIn (which had purchsed Lynda.com).

 

[brendu]

Apple can absolutely compete - it's just a question of Apple's current interest in being in the Education space. The Education space is good PR, but it's NOT good for making money. This is something Apple has learned from years of supporting the Education market. Google has made headway into the Education space, not because of the cost (at least it doesn't play as big of a role as people might think), but because of the overall support the company has provided (including infrastructure [cloud services, bandwidth], software [suite of tools for students and educators], content/resources, and hardware partners) - Apple is not built, in it's current form, to compete with that level of commitment (especially being STILL a primarily hardware focused company - all of their software and services are designed to sell hardware). What's Google getting out of it? The same thing Google always gets - data.

Even if Apple came out with a cheaper iPad and some educational software tools, it's not going to be able to compete with what Google has brought to the game for Education. Even Microsoft, who has recently made a showing of support for education, knows that it's fighting Apple for Google's left over scraps.

Having said all of that, it's not to say Apple should give up. There will always be spaces for Apple to play. While Google is big, it's not invulnerable. Google has a lot to offer, but it's also less attractive in some respects (such as data and privacy concerns). Not to mention, there are still a lot of educators who PREFER Apple over Google and that DOES count when making decisions (acceptance is a big deal, but not usually enough to stop or change large contracts).

Apple can still win big in Personal Education - i.e. by not focusing on large governing bodies, but instead on individuals. Some of this is evidenced by their "Today at Apple" and "iTunes U". Individual Education is going to become a BIG space over the next few years - we'll start to see more of a focus on enriching individuals as companies start expanding those offerings. Microsoft already has a big leap ahead in this space with their purchase of LinkedIn (which had purchsed Lynda.com).

Sure, the main point I was arguing is that you’re not going to see many schools full of macs. You will see schools full of chromebooks. I prefer macs but I wouldn’t ever try to argue it would make sense for a school district on a tight budget to buy macs. My district is going to a 1:1 student to laptop ratio over the next few years. It’s going to cost a fortune and wouldn’t be possible with macs. Even if we did buy macs we are all in with google apps for education and google classroom so macs really do offer little to no benefit to the students. There is a place in the classroom for iPads but they aren’t useful enough to justify them over chromebooks. They are good in addition to.

 

[ipedro]

I wonder if they’ll rebrand the MacBookAir. I don’t mind them keeping it but it’s confusing the product line. The eMac was available for education customers only and was apart from the main product line.

Regarding the iPad, it’s a perfect education tool but iOS lacks a user login. That’s so critical in the classroom. They might as well extend that to the general public. Face ID in the new iPads could identify which user is using it and adjust settings, apps, auto fills, Music and iTunes account, etc.

Cheaper iPads wouldn’t have Face ID. A simple login screen like on macOS would suffice.

This event is definitely an opportunity to update the iPhone SE. Contrary to popular opinion on MacRumors, I believe that we’ll see an iPhone 6 body with updated internals, not the iPhone 5 body used for the current iPhone SE.

 

[MrJM]

Didn't they do something similar a few years ago? From memory it was something to do with iTunes U and there weren't any new products!

 

[brendu]

I wonder if they’ll rebrand the MacBookAir. I don’t mind them keeping it but it’s confusing the product line. The eMac was available for education customers only and was apart from the main product line.

I got an eMac at the Apple store when I went to college. It wasn’t marketed much but it wasn’t actually separate from the consumer sales space. I loved that thing. The display was beautiful compared to the early day LCDs and OSX was so much better than the **** show that was windows xp in the early days of file sharing on Napster and limewire. Not one malware or virus ever affected me while every one of my friends had their computers crash all the time. Ah memories.

 

[Constable Odo]

Is this with Chromebooks?

Of course, it's with Chromebooks. Those things are dirt cheap and that's what the schools are only willing to pay for. Apple doesn't stand a chance against Chromebooks. Most companies are happily willing to take a loss on hardware as long as they gain mind-share and market share percentage. Not Apple. Apple should realize getting mind-share from students can create loyal consumers from the very start. How did Apple manage to get in all the schools back in the 1980's? They should be able to repeat that scenario.
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Just update that damned Mac mini, and I'll shut my face a couple of years.

It must support 4K @ 60fps using HDMI. That's when I buy one. If those cheap Android boxes can do it, I don't see why Apple's Mac Mini can't. They can take my $800 without a fight.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Maybe they will finally have an answer to to Google....I am a teacher, and love Apple. But they are simply not an option for many schools....google is eating their lunch.

Schools need iCloud accounts with a lot of free storage, easy device management, cheaper devices (which the cheaper iPad will be), and the ability to have kids login to any iPad (which won’t come).

Easy Device management?

iCloud account.
more granular ... use Apple IOS Configurator and a Mac or work with an MDM based solution for an entire school board. Apple should provide this free though.
[doublepost=1521244000][/doublepost]

I wonder if they’ll rebrand the MacBookAir. I don’t mind them keeping it but it’s confusing the product line. The eMac was available for education customers only and was apart from the main product line.

Regarding the iPad, it’s a perfect education tool but iOS lacks a user login. That’s so critical in the classroom. They might as well extend that to the general public. Face ID in the new iPads could identify which user is using it and adjust settings, apps, auto fills, Music and iTunes account, etc.

Cheaper iPads wouldn’t have Face ID. A simple login screen like on macOS would suffice.

This event is definitely an opportunity to update the iPhone SE. Contrary to popular opinion on MacRumors, I believe that we’ll see an iPhone 6 body with updated internals, not the iPhone 5 body used for the current iPhone SE.

iOS lacks a user login? So what is the password for? You're the user ... one user. I believe you're talking about multiple users. not ideal for a much more personal device that leaves the school vs a desktop Mac like iMac or eMac shown above. Any school with laptops loaned or signed to a student is NOT set for multiple users in the first place ... why?

- who will be responsible for damages etc when you to school have to determine who was signed in and who had possession? No ... eliminate the internal argument etc. Also less on a security front to the end user. 1 Admin account for all, one user, one device.

Let's see for all those schools in the USA that have gone Google have Tablets with multiple user login accounts that are active and allowed?
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You're right. The numbers speak for themself. Chromebooks are eating iPads in education left and right and rather than admit that what education wants aren't expensive iPads Cook and co are going to double-down on their mistake.

Where are these numbers people keep talking about yet not publishing links for facts? I'm curious ... and I don't live in the USA so I'm a bit shocked.

 

[Micky Do]

Education focused, eh?...... Gotta be a new Mac Mini in the mix!

 

[oldmacs]

Why would a new iPhone be launched at an education focussed event?

Wishful thinking I know. Maybe a press release that coincides with the event.
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Let's see for all those schools in the USA that have gone Google have Tablets with multiple user login accounts that are active and allowed?

One of the main reasons that iPads are a nightmare in education is the lack of multiple user accounts. The reality is in education, that schools can not afford 1:1 iPads, and thus shared iPads are used. This is why Chromebooks have really taken off.
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Yeah, the old Mac SE was getting a little long in the tooth.

 

[forerunnerg34]

I'm pretty sure there will be emojis...

 

[brendu]

Any school with laptops loaned or signed to a student is NOT set for multiple users in the first place ... why?

- who will be responsible for damages etc when you to school have to determine who was signed in and who had possession? No ... eliminate the internal argument etc. Also less on a security front to the end user. 1 Admin account for all, one user, one device.

Every school in my district uses shared laptop carts that go from classroom to classroom. Every student has an independent login that works on every laptop so it doesn't matter which device they are on, they are logged in as themselves and able to access their files in our school server or using their google drive. The vast majority of schools in the US do not have a device for each student that they keep and use all the time.

 

[charlituna]

Is this proper keynote or just for student's

it's for teachers. and not a 'proper keynote'. anyone expecting hardware launches is likely to be really really disappointed. it's likely iTunes U, classkit etc related.

 

[oyabroch!]

Ah, "the windy city" eh? I hope it's not a load of hot air.

 

[Wags]

Yes, obviously, but look at the invite. Pencil support is obvious, now whether it's for Pro's or for the budget, we have no idea.

This event has to have more than just a pencil update to existing iPads. Sure Apple wants to have event just for publicity sake too.

 

[ShootingStarPho]

Why not more iPad Pro’s (12.9” is best iPad), new Apple Pencil, new “budget” iPads, and maybe even new MacBook Pros for university students?

Air Power? Air Pods 2?

Come on Apple! Make this surprise event a surprising one! Make WWDC

 

[DeepIn2U]

Every school in my district uses shared laptop carts that go from classroom to classroom. Every student has an independent login that works on every laptop so it doesn't matter which device they are on, they are logged in as themselves and able to access their files in our school server or using their google drive. The vast majority of schools in the US do not have a device for each student that they keep and use all the time.

Interesting ... so for your school district these laptops stay in the school at all times then, as students cannot take them home? If so that pretty much defeats the purpose of having laptops (other than being able to goto different classrooms as students change classes/rooms ever 1.2hrs of the day), yet cheaper to have desktops or laptops anchored in each or most classes/rooms where they're required for use.

 

[JSt83]

Found a pic of Lane Tech auditorium.

 

[kazmac]

Interesting. Fingers crossed for an iPhone SE, an iPad Mini with Pencil capabilities, and a new Pencil (that works with the 2nd gen iPad Pros) and a cheaper Mac.

As a student, I am interested in using my iPad Pro for more than watching school videos and reading and marking up PDFs/textbooks. I find shifting between touch screen and keyboard frustrating, but that's me.

 

[Dave245]

I've just seen an article from a few months back, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg states Apple is working on 3 new Mac's with their own custom processors, could it be that this "cheaper" MacBook or MacBook Air is going to be one of them? by doing this Apple could keep costs down, include a retina screen and so on all for cheaper than the current 12" MacBook.

The article even states "Piper Jaffrey senior analyst Mike Olson says that by designing its own chips, Apple cuts component costs, gets an early jump on future features because it controls research and development and keeps secrets away from frenemies such as Samsung"

"Apple is working on at least three updated Mac models with custom co-processors for release as soon as this year, including updated laptops and a new desktop, according to a person familiar with the plan"

https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2018-apple-custom-chips/

 

[Glmnet1]

Found a pic of Lane Tech auditorium.

Funny how until you posted this I imagined the event in an ugly and small auditorium like in the high school I went to... This is very nice!

 

[JSt83]

I've just seen an article from a few months back, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg states Apple is working on 3 new Mac's with their own custom processors, could it be that this "cheaper" MacBook or MacBook Air is going to be one of them? by doing this Apple could keep costs down, include a retina screen and so on all for cheaper than the current 12" MacBook.

The article even states "Piper Jaffrey senior analyst Mike Olson says that by designing its own chips, Apple cuts component costs, gets an early jump on future features because it controls research and development and keeps secrets away from frenemies such as Samsung"

"Apple is working on at least three updated Mac models with custom co-processors for release as soon as this year, including updated laptops and a new desktop, according to a person familiar with the plan"

https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2018-apple-custom-chips/

This is about co-processors, Apple already uses these in the TB MBP.

 

[Dave245]

This is about co-processors, Apple already uses these in the TB MBP.

I missed the Co-processors out It's still rumoured that they are coming to 3 Mac's this year, i just wonder if this new MacBook or "New MacBook Air" is one of them.