This document summarizes mobile tools for journalism. It discusses gear for connectivity, power, audio/video recording, and photography. It also covers apps for workflow, reporting, editing, and security. Recommendations include accessories like batteries, cables, mounts; apps like Dropbox, Evernote, Skype; and tools for audio editing, photo editing, and business card scanning. The focus is on selecting tools that work across platforms and in unified workflows to enable flexible mobile journalism.

1. Mobile Tools
SPJ Region One Spring Conference
March 24, 2012
Damon Kiesow
@dkiesow
delicious.com/dkiesow/mobile
dkiesow@boston.com

2. Journalism tech
Has always been about readers

5. planning: Mobile Journalism
Not about technology - staffing, training, planning
Create unified workflows
Escalating coverage
Provide flexibility, utility
Be intentional and strategic

6. planning: Mobile Journalism
ABC2
Always Be Connected
Always Be Charging

7. platform wars
v.s
Blackberry is on life support
Windows Phone 7 is a non-factor (with potential)
WebOS and Symbian are dead

8. gear: Connectivity
Create your own WiFi hotspots
3G / 4G hubs
Connect multiple devices or users
Typically $60 / month

9. gear: Connectivity
Virgin Mobile
Mifi - $150
No Contract
Unlimited bandwidth
$20 - $50 / month

10. gear: Power
Car power inverters are your friend
Size depends on number of devices
Prices from $30 to $150
Most include USB ports

11. gear: Power
Extra batteries are a requirement
iPhone battery is not removable
Other phones may have replaceable
batteries
Don’t forget the charger

12. power: PlugBug
Platforms: Mac Laptops
Price: $34.99
Adds a USB charger to power adapter.

13. gear: Juicebar Pocket Solar Charger
Platforms: Mobile devices
$50

14. power: iGeek Charger
Platform: Most mobile devices
Price: $62
9900 mAh capacity battery

15. gear: Poddities clip
Platform: iPhone 4/4S
Price: $30
Belt/Bag carabiner

16. gear: Security
Lock code
Public Wi-Fi
Security cables

17. gear: Touch-Screen Gloves
Platform: Most smartphones
Price: $20
Use your phone in the cold

18. gear: Glif clip
Platform: iPhone 4 / 4S
Price: $20
Kick stand / tripod mount

19. gear: MobileMount
Platform: Smartphone
Price: $25
Suction cup stand

20. gear: EyeFi
Platforms: Web, iPhone, iPad
Transmit from camera via WiFi
$50 - $150

21. gear: Keyboard
Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android
$75

22. gear: Adapter cables
Platforms: Mobile phones
$10 - $30
(Kvconnection.com)

23. gear: iRig pre-amp
Platforms: iPhone, iPad
$40

24. gear: Blue Microphones Spark
Platforms: iPhone, iPad
$200
Condenser mic

25. gear: Fostex AR-4i
Platforms: iPhone
$150

26. audio: Tascam iM2
Platform: iPhone
Price: $79
Stereo condenser mic

27. photo: Macro lens band
Platform: Smartphones
Price: $15
Close-up lens attachment

28. photo: OlloClip
Platform: iPhone 4 / 4S
Price: $75
Wide lens attachment

29. photo: Dot Pano Lens
Platform: iPhone 4/ 4S
Price: $76
Panoramic lens

30. gear: Owle Bubo
Platform:
iPhone 3Gs, 4
$100 Case,
interchangeable
lens, external
microphone

31. gear: Phocus Accent
Platform:
iPhone 4, 4S
$100 Case,
interchangeable
lens

32. gear: Makayama Movie Mount
Platform:
iPhone iPad
$70 Case,
interchangeable
lens, external
microphone

33. video: Swivl
Platform: Most smartphones
Price: $179
Tilt-swivel tracking phone mount

34. apps: How to chose
Video, Audio, Photos, Text, GPS
Typical costs negligible (Free to $10)
so test frequently
Take advantage of the cloud
Look for apps that are consistent
across platforms

35. workflow: DropBox
Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android,
BlackBerry, Mobile Web, Web
Price: Free
Shared folders for files saved in
the cloud.

36. workflow: iPhone settings
Platform: iOS 5.0 devices
Price: Free
Bookmarks for quick access to
iPhone settings.
http://brdrck.me/settings/

37. workflow: GroupMe
Platforms: iPhone, Android,
Blackberry, WinPhone7
Price: Free
Group messaging,
conference calling, location &
photo sharing

38. security: Find iPhone
Platforms: iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Price: Free
GPS location, alerts and wiping of
connected devices.

39. reporting: Skype
Platforms: Web, iPhone, Android,
Nokia
Voice, video chat, instant messaging

40. reporting: QIK Video Camera
Platforms: Web, iPhone, Android, Blackberry
Price: $1.99
Record and upload video from cell phones

41. reporting: Evernote
Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android,
Blackberry, Palm, Mobile Web, Web
Save notes, photos, audio to the cloud

42. reporting: Audioboo
Platforms: iPhone, Android, Web
Instant Podcasts

43. reporting: AudioNote
Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac
Price: $5.99
Audio interviewing, transcription help

44. reporting: DropVox
Platforms: iOS
Price: $1.99
Quickly upload audio files to Dropbox

45. editing: VC Audio Pro
Platforms: iPhone
Price: $5.99
Three Track audio editing

46. editing: Filterstorm
Platforms: iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Price: $3.99
Photo editing, IPTC data, presets,
Dropbox integration.

47. editing: Photoshop Express
Platforms: iPhone, iPod, Android
Price: Free
Crop, color balance in RGB, sharpen,
levels

48. editing: PhotoGene
Platforms: iPhone, iPad
Price: $1.99
Crop, color balance in RGB, sharpen,
levels

49. editing: ReelDirector
Platforms: iPhone 3GS, 4
Price: $7.99
Basic editing, sequence building

50. editing: iMovie
Platforms: iPhone 4, iPad 2
Price: $4.99
Basic editing, sequence building

51. reporting: Business Card Reader
Platforms: iPhone, Android,
BlackBerry, Windows Mobile
Price: $7.99
Scan and store contact info from
business cards.

52. reporting: Word Lens
Platforms: iPhone
Price: $9.99 (per language)
Augmented reality translation tool

53. Thanks
Damon Kiesow
@dkiesow
delicious.com/dkiesow/mobile
dkiesow@boston.com
damon@kiesow.net