Title: Duet Display
Platform: iOS 7 and All Macs (Windows is in the works)
Cost: 14.99
I don't know about you, but I often like to work in a dual screen environment. One in which I can be looking at a document to refer to on one screen and look at or work on a related document on another screen. I'm also a fan of dual display environments in which I can easily interact with both screens and in which the two screens actually talk with each other. I haven't been able to do that between my MAC and iPad or iPhone, that is until Duet Display launched. Now with the app on all of my devices - laptop, iPad, and iPhone - I can work between screens easily.
To get started with Duet Display you have to download the app to all of your devices. (You don't have to pay for the app each time, purchase it once and it's downloadable across devices.) Once installed open up the app on the two screens you want to work with - a laptop and iPad for example. Plug the iDevice into the MAC USB port - using the same cable used for charging your iDevice, voilå your iDevice is reading your MAC computer screen.
As with traditional dual display setups, you can move screens from your computer to your iDevice screen by dragging the content you want to show on the second screen "over" to the device. Your MAC's System Preferences is where you set up whether or not you drag content left or right to move it to the second screen. When viewing content on either screen you can use traditional mouse functions to move through the content, click on links, and so on.
The video below provides a good overview of how the interaction between the two screens works.
One of the comments that many reviewers are making about Duet Display is that there is no lag time between screens either when dragging content from one to the other or when interacting with the content on an iDevice. It's also quite seamless with no lag time when watching a video on one screen and taking notes or browsing other content on another.
While library staff working with teens are likely to find Duet Display useful professional projects, teens and teachers will most likely find it helpful as well. For example, teens working on research projects looking for easy access to digital research resources and their notes will find access to two two screens helpful. Teachers developing curriculum can review materials on one screen while updating their curriculum on another. These are just two ideas for teens and their teachers, I am sure there are a lot more possibilities for anyone using Duet Display in a formal or informal learning environment.
It may seem that a duel display isn't necessary when one has two devices at hand already. But, instead of having to move between devices and their keyboards and screens and so on, with Duel Display it's one set of keys and one mouse with two screens. If you or the teens you work with haven't tried working in an duel display environment, check it out. If you have been looking for a high-quality duel display app for your iDevices and MACs, Duet Display is it. The price is worth the gain in productivity.
On a side-note, the Mountie Clip looks like a very useful accessory to use with your devices and Duet Display. I'll be trying the Clip out for sure.
For more apps for teens and the librarians who serve them, check out the App of the Week archive. Have a suggestion for an App of the Week? Let us know.