The Apple iPad, unquestionably the year’s most popular gadget, has reached a new record. Yesterday, Apple announced a total of 3 million units sold within 80 days of its debut.
Although Apple is expected to sell 10 million units this year, the iPad’s cultural impact will be far greater than the number of units sold.
The iPad is not only changing the landscape for many industries, but scientists are now finding innovative ways to use it for their research work.
A young bottlenose dolphin named Merlin became the first of his species to join the growing number of iPad fans. “Merlin is quite curious, like most dolphins, and he showed complete willingness to examine the iPad,” commented research scientist Jack Kassewitz when he introduced the device to the dolphin.
Kassewitz leads the dolphin research project SpeakDolphin in Puerto Aventuras, Mexico. “The use of the iPad is part of our continuing search to find a suitable touch screen technology which the dolphins can activate with the tip of their rostrums or beaks,” he said.
Kassewitz has been anxiously waiting for a technology that could help him significantly expand communication between humans and dolphins. The iPad fits the criteria. “Waterproofing, processor speed, touch-sensitivity, anti-glare screens, and dolphin-friendly programs are essential. As this database of dolphin symbols grows—we’ll need fast technology to help us respond appropriately and quickly to the dolphins,” he explained.
How does Merlin use his iPad? The juvenile dolphin first looks at real objects, which include a ball, cube or plastic duck, and then he is asked to touch photos of those same objects on the iPad’s screen. “This is an easy task for a dolphin, but it is a necessary building block towards our goal of a complete language interface between humans and dolphins,” added Kassewitz.
Each time the dolphin touches the object, Kassewitz records the sound Merlin makes. He hopes that in time, with the help of the iPad, he will be able to decipher the dolphin’s language and establish communication.
