ACU Hands Out iPhone 3GS To Incoming Freshmen

Putting off those college applications to the last possible minute? Can't get motivated to further your education? Well, have a look at what's offered over at ACU. Years after Duke University began handing out iPods to incoming freshmen, Abilene Christian University in Texas has one-upped the aforesaid institution by distributing the new iPhone 3GS to new students for "mobile learning."

As the first college to do so, ACU has already handed out a wave of the handsets to incoming freshmen so that they can get familiar with the features over the summer. According to ACU, the second phase of implementation of mobile devices will continue ACU’s efforts to provide new opportunities for professors and students to interact, explore and discover in and out of the classroom.


Kevin Roberts, associate vice president for operations at ACU, seemed pretty proud of the move. To quote: "We are very excited to provide iPhone and iPod touch devices to our incoming students again this year. By providing these amazing tools to our students well before they arrive on campus, students will have more time to become accustomed to the devices, and learn more about the university and community which they will soon call home. We will be able to communicate very specific information as we help them transition to a college environment."

For those familiar with the college, you'll know that this ploy--er, learning approach--isn't the first of its kind. In fact, ACU handed out iPhones to freshmen in years past. Of course, there actually is a significant benefit to enabling kids to learn in the mobile realm. The business world is quickly morphing into one that's handled on the go, and being ready for that is key to entering the so-called "real world." Naturally, we suspect that ACU is also doing this for the publicity, and we suppose it's working judging by our own interest in the program. Like we said, if you've yet to decide on a place to study, maybe the one that gives you a free iPhone 3GS is calling your name.

ACU Mobile Learning from ACU Videos on Vimeo.