APPLE'S APPEALING CHANGES: The tech giant's new mobile operating system might look like a Lisa Frank nightmare, but under the hood it has some features that schools are going to like. Arriving this fall, iOS7 will support single sign-on--even across apps that are purchased from the App Store. Teachers will also have more control as the new system will allow them to lock their classroom into a specific app to ensure students aren't wandering into a round of Plants vs. Zombies. Apple also introduced AirDrop, a Dropbox-like application that allows files to be shared between users.
The Next Web reports that schools will be able to take advantage of Apple's Volume Purchase Program and send apps to students' personal devices. Age verification will also required by the parents of students under the age of 13. Security for iPads and iPhones will also be buffed as thieves will have to know a user's Apple ID and password to erase a device or turn off Find My iPhone.
The updates will be good news to districts like LA Unified, who recently gave a $30 million dollar contract to supply iPads to schools.
