Handset Provides Tactile Feedback
The new Samsung SCH-W559 becomes the first touchscreen-based mobile phone in the world to use Immersion’s VibeTonz System to provide tactile feedback for touchscreen interactions. The SCH-W559 uses a large 260,000-color QVGA LCD touchscreen display to replace the traditional mechanical keypad as the primary input mechanism. Users receive confirming tactile cues when they press graphical onscreen controls, and they can customize the response by selecting one of five feedback profiles for these cues.
Designed to roam globally by working on both CDMA and GSM networks, the SCH-W559 includes handwriting recognition, Bluetooth technology, 1.3 megapixel camera, and audio and video playback functions. VibeTonz capabilities in the phone also provide full-fidelity vibration tracks synchronized with eight preloaded ringtones.
Indian Math Online Increases Proficiency Levels
Indian Math Online (www.indianmathonline.com ) has launched a 24-hour-a-day web-based math assessment and improvement web application. Indian Math Online offers parents a convenient and affordable online program that identifies their child’s math weakness according to global standards and provides corresponding practice problems to transform those weaknesses into strengths.
The mission of Indian Math Online is based on the philosophy of mathematics instruction as practiced within the educational system in India. The main principles include: Begin math education early, test frequently, practice continuously, build steadily and involve parents actively.
With a free seven-day trial and then a charge of only $5 per month or $50 a year for each child enrolled, Indian Math Online is affordable for all families who want to improve their child’s math proficiency.
Would You Like to Take a Course at Harvard?
The Harvard Extension School announces the release of select course content, free of charge to the general public, through iTunes U (http://itunes.extension.harvard.edu/).
Free public access is being offered to video previews of 15 of the 50 Harvard Extension School distance education courses that are available this spring. Previews are in the fields of computer science, management, environmental science, history and the liberal arts. Each 10- to 15-minute long video introduction gives the viewer a virtual taste of the Harvard classroom and the opportunity to experience Harvard Extension School distance education. Audio of each complete two-hour introductory lecture is also available for downloading.
Courses are taught by distinguished faculty from Harvard and other universities as well as working professionals who bring their valuable expertise to the classroom. For a full list of courses, visit www.extension.harvard.edu/DistanceEd. An additional course, Bits, which explores living in the digital media world and is taught by Harvard Professor Harry R. Lewis, will be available via podcast in its entirety later this spring.
Latitude ATG, a Semi-Rugged Notebook
Dell has introduced the Latitude ATG D620 (All-Terrain Grade), its first semi-rugged notebook computer for customers who work in tough environments. The Latitude ATG meets military standards for vibration, humidity and altitude and is designed to protect against accidental bumps, moisture and other elements encountered in field work.
Priced from $2499, the new system features a shock-mounted hard drive, spill-resistant keyboard, port covers and high durability paint. The Latitude ATG includes a 14.1-inch display with ambient light sensor (ALS), glass overlay and anti-reflective coating. The ATG supports up to 4GB DDR2 SDRAM, has Intel Core 2 Duo processors and is MS Windows Vista Capable.
