The Printer as Art

Samsung has introduced new printers that aim to be more than just office machines. The monochrome laser printer ML-1630 and the multifunctional printer SCX-4500 have been created in piano black with a high-gloss finish. The aim is to combine style and performance. The new printers hide the mechanics underneath a sleek, simple top panel. The black of the case is accentuated by blue LED scan process indicators and button-less sensors. The ML-1630 is the world’s slimmest mono laser printer at only 11cm thick. Users can easily clear a paper jam with the custom-designed semi-auto docking slide-out cassette. Samsung’s goal is to give printers a sophisticated image that makes them an elegant addition to any setting.

Private Online High School

In Saudi Arabia it can be difficult to provide quality education to English-speaking high school students living with their families in remote regions of the Kingdom. A new accredited online high school can help bridge that gap. Kaplan Virtual Education, a subsidiary of global education provider Kaplan, Inc., has opened Kaplan University (KU) High School. The new high school provides students with a high-quality online curriculum delivered by experienced, certified teachers.

Students have the option of enrolling in single courses or in the 18-credit College Access Diploma program. The KU High School curriculum covers the essentials of a traditional high school program, and includes courses in language arts, mathematics, history, science and technology. Instructors will be accessible to students via telephone, e-mail and instant messaging.

KU High School graduates will automatically be accepted into Kaplan University, an accredited online university. KU High School alumni attending Kaplan University will receive a 20 percent tuition discount when they enroll in any degree program. For more information visit www.kuhighschool.com.

Janssen Would Have Been Proud

Zaccharias Janssen, the inventor of the microscope, would have been amazed at Hitachi’s new microscope. The TM-1000 Tabletop Microscope is set to transform the field of basic microscopy. The system utilizes scanning electron microscope (SEM) technology. Operation of the TM-1000 requires no special sample preparation for hydrated, oily or non-conducting samples and is as easy to use as a digital camera.

The TM-1000 accepts samples up to 70mm in diameter and 20mm thickness. It is equipped with auto-focus, auto-brightness and auto-contrast functions and features a magnification range of 20,000x to 10,000x using standard imaging and up to 40,000x using digital zoom capabilities. All images are recorded digitally on a computer. The extensive functionality of this simple-to-use microscope enables even non-specialists to obtain high-quality images.

Watch Your Step and Heartbeat

Sportline is showing off the Solo 960, the world’s only heart rate watch and accelerometer combination. Available for $99.99, the Solo 960 is unique in that it features a pedometer which utilizes motion-sensing accelerometer technology, combined with Sportline’s patented 3Beat Sensor and One-Touch technologies for ECG accurate heart-rate measurement.

With the pedometer, users can track their steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned, speed, exercise time and maintain daily and weekly records. The 3Beat Sensor technology for heart rate measurement relies on a patented filter system to acquire ECG accurate heart-rate data in three beats or less, with the touch of a single button. And, unlike lesser technologies, accuracy is maintained whether the wearer is stationary, walking or running and without the use of cumbersome chest straps.