AppCamp 2014

[Note: This page has been archived.]

Announcing the 5th Annual Dust or Magic AppCamp

WHAT IS IT? An honest review of the best (and worst) practice, aka the “dust” and the “magic” of children’s apps; along with a crash course (or a review) on child development.

The idea for AppCamp came pre-iPad after several 2009 Dust or Magic Institute attendees from the West Coast requested  a Dust or Magic event in California. We knew that a flood of “apps” (then a new term) was on the way, and that these products would need to be properly critiqued, debated and understood.  The first AppCamp was held in May of 2010, one month after the release of the iPad. As with all CTR-related work — AppCamp is independent; there are no sponsors or associations with Google, Apple or hidden commercial interests. The event is supported by registration fees; it is not exclusive to any organization or media outlet.

WHO & WHAT: Please see the latest agenda.

WHEN: June 8-10, 2014 (Sunday at 3 PM through Tuesday at 1:30 PM) . The pre-conference Children’s AppFest ($free, pre-registration required) will be June 7 at 3:00 PM.

WHERE:  A NEW LOCATION! Marconi Conference Center, 18500 State Highway One; P.O. Box 789, Marshall, CA 94940 (415-663-9020)  1.5 hours north of San Francisco International Airport (across the Golden Gate Bridge) on the east shore of Tomales Bay. The location provides dramatic views of the bay and the lush inland hills of the Point Reyes Peninsula. It is the site of the 1912 American Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company. See the location with this Google Map or view some social photo albums at the center’s Facebook page.

WHAT DO YOU DO AT APPCAMP?

• Relax and take notes as you critique the latest apps by way of demonstrations.
• Tap the power of potential kid-appeal of the accelerometer, multi-touch and GPS while making connections with veteran designers
• Get your hands on the latest mobile hardware, including the new Android tablets, the iPad mini, the iPod Touch 5 and Nintendo 2DS and the Kindle Fire.
• Apply child development principles to emerging technology in order to “capture the magic” that can launch a business.
• Contribute your own vision of “dust” or “magic.”
• Leave inspired to create more engaging products that children can’t stop playing, with practical techniques and specific design ideas that can be applied —tomorrow.
• See Hanna Rosin’s article The Touch Screen Generation (April 2013, The Atlantic) to get an outside-in view of the event.
• Read more about AppCamp 2013 and AppCamp 2012, with links to talks and videos.

Attendees include a mix of reviewers, publishers and designers. The reviewers share what they’ve seen and explain what they like. The publishers demonstrate their latest products. Children are welcome, although they must be registered and supervised, and housing space may be limited (please call, as Marconi has less beds than Asilomar). Speakers and agenda include in-depth talks with Q/A and case studies. Most are captured on YouTube “for the good of the field.” View this year’s agenda.

 

REGISTRATION: Registration has now closed. $1440 for one seat ($710 at small publisher rate, $450 for prior speakers) or $1050 each for multiple seats (2-5). This fee covers food, wine, and materials. Group size is limited to 80 on a first-come, first-served basis. Please call Megan at 800-993-9499 to see if you qualify for the small publisher rate. Graduate students and researchers are also welcome to use this option (limit one per organization).  Registration form.

HOUSING: $170.50/night for double or triple occupancy, for 2 nights (required), which includes food.  Note that Marconi is a conference center with excellent quality rooms on par with a good hotel (e.g., private baths).  But the number of rooms are limited; and we currently only have doubles and triples left. You can pay for your housing using our housing payment page.

Roommate preferences can be specified on the registration form, or we can help you find a suitable roommate if you like. To inquire about the availability of a triple or deluxe room, call 800-993-9499 (9 to 3 EST). Children staying at Marconi must be registered. The cost for children aged 4-10 is $40/night; children aged 11 and up are charged full price. If you are not staying at Marconi, the daily rate for guests is $75 per person, per day.

GRADUATE CREDIT: Two CEUs are available for graduate students for the TEC center at the Erikson Institute. Download the TEC/Erikson CEU form.

CONTACT US: Call 800-993-9499  (9-2 PM EST) to speak with Megan, Warren or Lisa. You will not be charged until your seat is confirmed.