Apple Thoughts: Paper, Pen, Tape Recorder, iPhone: J-School Requires iPhone

"An iPod Touch or iPhone is now considered necessary equipment for journalism students at the University of Missouri. As of fall 2009, an iPod Touch is the minimum requirement (an iPhone is a plus) for incoming freshmen to j-school, providing orientation information and course materials. It’s not the first time universities have adopted Apple devices, but it may be the first time they approach something like mandatory. (Would-be Woodwards and Bernsteins won’t have to flash their iPods at the door and there will be no penalties for not having one, the requirement stated.) The journalism school has also required students to have laptops with wireless capabilities since 2005."

I can definitely understand the power of the iPhone as a journalism device. I've been playing around with FiRE and the idea that my iPhone can substitute very well for an actual field recorder, the fact that I can post to any of my sites from it, and if I have an unlocked phone, I can even broadcast video from it, means that if journalism is your thing, you have a veritable press kit at your fingertips with the iPhone.

We live in awesome times.