EdTech Show Daily

Interphase Debuts clouDevice Cloud Client Portfolio

PLANO, Texas and ISTE, Philadelphia, Pa. - June 27, 2011 Interphase Corporation (NASDAQ: INPH) announces the launch of clouDevice™, a comprehensive cloud computing/desktop virtualization product line, offering schools, business entities, and government agencies a smart choice for IT departments implementing private cloud-based desktop virtualization. Supporting all major virtual desktop host environments and end-user types, the debut of clouDevice marks the company’s entry into the cloud computing market. The clouDevice product line includes multi-seat clients that support Microsoft® Windows MultiPoint Server®, enterprise thin clients, and high-performance PCoIP zero clients, reaching a wide range of market segments: education, enterprise, SMB, and government. The clouDevice portfolio distinguishes itself with optimized features, and these devices are priced very attractively.

“Our company’s track record of providing high-quality and innovative products is carried through with pride as we launch clouDevice,” says Greg Kalush, Chairman, President, and CEO of Interphase Corporation. “Our product portfolio brings a strong value proposition to schools, enterprises, SMBs, and government agencies. In schools where IT budgets are tight, our tailored solutions allow the IT department to expand computer resources to students, deploy virtual desktops with utmost flexibility, and manage them cost-effectively; Our clouDevice portfolio also includes an extensive line of feature-rich and cost-effective thin/zero clients for business entities and government institutions.”

“According to analyst forecasts and industry trends, desktop virtualization is on the verge of rapid growth,” says HJ Li, Interphase Senior Director of Product Management who manages the clouDevice business. “We are entering the market with a comprehensive portfolio that supports both established and newly emerged desktop virtualization host environments. Our focus is to offer industry-leading product functionality and cost-saving benefits to end customers.”

In a time when technology plays an integral role in the classroom, clouDevice offers schools affordable, innovative technology to make computer resources accessible to more faculty and students while at the same time minimizing IT departments’ end-point support burden. Multi-seat clients within the clouDevice portfolio are designed to support Windows MultiPoint Server and can help schools reduce CAPEX by 62%, save annual OPEX by 67%, and slash energy consumption by 78%. Overall, the key benefits of the entire clouDevice product line to end customers include lower total cost of ownership (TCO), enhanced security, simplified end-point management, and green computing.

ClouDevice addresses one of the biggest challenges for school IT departments – managing network configurations effectively. USB-based cloud clients available in the market today have a distance limitation of up to 16 feet between the client and a host computer running Windows MultiPoint Server. clouDevice multi-seat clients overcome such distance limitations and provide the most flexible network configuration and management options to school IT departments by providing both wired Ethernet and built-in Wi-Fi support.

A demonstration of clouDevice clients for virtual desktops in schools will be presented during ISTE June 26 – 29th at M & A Technology’s booth, #1542.

Sales and Partnership Inquiries

clouDevice is currently available for sale through M & A Technology (Carrollton, Texas). For more information, please contact Donna Shepard at +1 800-225-1452. For channel partnerships, please contact Jennifer Skinner-Gray at +1 214-425-6525.

Useful Links

Interphase website : www.iphase.com

clouDevice website: www.myclouDevice.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/clouDevice

Epson PowerLite Pilot Delivers Simplified Multimedia Management for Short Throw Classroom Projectors

Epson, the number-one selling projector brand worldwide, today announced the PowerLite Pilot Connection and Control Box, a simple, easy-to-use solution that offers extensive control of multimedia sources connected to Epson's wall-mounted short throw and ultra-short throw classroom projectors. The PowerLite Pilot gives teachers one convenient place to connect and manage audio and video sources such as computers, DVD players, iPods and more, simplifying projector operation and cable management.

In addition, Epson is offering two optional accessories – a wireless pendant microphone and powerful external speakers – designed to deliver attention grabbing sound and help provide a completely integrated classroom control and sound enhancement solution. The accessories provide added value by helping to amplify sound and ensure all students in the class can hear the lessons.

The PowerLite Pilot is a sleek, wall-mountable box with large buttons for easy operation and a cable cover that creates a clean, organized look to help avoid cable chaos. The control box is designed to mount on the wall next to the image, making it easily accessible to educators and enabling them to change sources or adjust volume with the press of a button, thus eliminating the need for a projector remote control. The various input/output connections available include: HDMI, two VGA (computer 1 and 2) connectors with corresponding Audio (inputs/outputs), S-Video with Audio (inputs/outputs), AUX Audio (for use with devices such as an iPod), USB Type A, USB Type B, and Record Out. The PowerLite Pilot also allows the selection of audio mute and volume adjustment for the optional speakers/microphone.

Full press release here.

Crestron onCue Presentation Controller Makes Classroom Technology Possible For The Tightest School Budgets

Crestron announced today that onCue, the latest addition to its affordable line of easy-to-use AV presentation control systems for classrooms and small meeting rooms, is now shipping. The onCue BPC-8 Basic Presentation Controller provides teachers with an intuitive 8-button keypad controller for simple one-touch control of classroom presentation systems. Each button provides a recognizable pictured icon for power, volume, projector, screen, computer, and DVD control. Ideal for K-12 classrooms, onCue enables educators to install simple classroom technology that makes teaching easier and improves the learning experience despite tightening school budgets.

"onCue is priced right so all schools can get simple one-touch control in every room," says Vincent Bruno, Crestron Director of Marketing. "Now, teachers can control the AV as easy as turning on the lights, and spend more time teaching and less time dealing with the technology."

Mounted discreetly on a wall or in a lectern, onCue is always ready to start a presentation with a single button press. Teachers can simultaneously select a media source such as a DVD player, turn on the projector, and lower the projection screen with just one button press, instantly providing everything needed to begin a lesson, and maximizing class time. One button press also powers down all connected devices at the end of class.

Requiring no control system or programming, installation of a standalone onCue keypad is fast and easy so classrooms can be up and running without delay. For consistent, uniform and intuitive AV control in every classroom, the optional onCue IR Learner enables custom button settings to be loaded to multiple onCue controllers with a press of a button.

Pearson Releases eText for iPad App for Higher Education MyLabs/Mastering Programs

Pearson, the world's leading learning company, today announced its new eText app for the Apple iPad, giving registered users of Pearson's MyLabs/Mastering online homework and tutorial programs another option for accessing their companion eText.

Pearson's free eText for iPad app presents digital content in the same high resolution as on a computer, even when pages are zoomed, and displays perfect fidelity to the print book. Students can easily add their own personalization (notes, highlights, bookmarks) while working on their iPads and then access it later on their Mac or PC.

Many of Pearson's most popular MyLabs/Mastering companion eTexts are now available via the eText app, and are being enhanced to include full motion video, audio passages, web links, assessment items and other forms of rich media. Pearson plans to make all of its recent and new eText titles associated with the MyLabs/Mastering programs available on the iPad. A list of the available titles can be found at http://www.pearsonhighered.com/etextforipad/

"At Pearson, we are committed to increasing access, achievement and affordability in education. Devices like the iPad, with its ability to further personalize students' learning, present new opportunities to improve performance and retention. Our new eText app harnesses these capabilities to provide students with a more interactive and enriched learning experience," said Peter Chapman, eBook Program Director at Pearson.

Pearson's eText app is available free of charge from the Apple iTunes App store at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pearson-etext/id410315894?mt=8.

Texas Instruments Introduces Interactive Tools for Science and Math Classrooms

With the introduction of its new high-resolution, backlit color-display TI-Nspire CX handhelds and TI-Nspire Lab Cradle, Texas Instruments makes it easier for science educators to bring the interactivity of TI's Nspired Learning to the science classroom.

TI brings together TI-Nspire CX handhelds and software, TI-Nspire Lab Cradle and the new Vernier DataQuest application for TI-Nspire to create the TI-Nspire Lab Station. Using the tools that make up the customizable TI-Nspire Lab Station, teachers can build dynamic and interactive inquiry-based labs and experiments.

With the TI-Nspire Lab Station, science educators can conduct dozens of labs for physics, chemistry, and biology classes using more than 55 Vernier sensors. The TI-Nspire Lab Cradle can receive input from up to five sensors simultaneously for multi-channel data collection. Math teachers can also use the Vernier DataQuest app to collect real-world data to model mathematical concepts such as rate of change.

"I use data collection weekly in my classroom," said Todd Morstein, a chemistry teacher at Glacier High School in Kalispell, Mont., and an instructor for TI's T3 - Teachers Teaching with Technology professional development organization. "My students go into the lab with TI-Nspire technology and Vernier tools to collect variables such as temperature and conductivity. When we return to the classroom, my students analyze that data graphically and numerically to make the real-world chemistry connections that I'm looking for."

The Vernier DataQuest app is a key feature of the TI-Nspire  CX handheld's version 3.0 operating system, as well as TI-Nspire  software version 3.0. Owners of previous generations of TI-Nspire technology, such as TI-Nspire handhelds with Touchpad and TI-Nspire handhelds with Clickpad, can get the Vernier DataQuest application free by downloading and updating to OS version 3.0.

Kids Learn Math in a Flash With New Kindle Educational Active Content From Digi Ronin Games

With the release this week of Flash Cards: Basic Math for Kids and Flash Cards: Fractions, the latest active content titles for Kindle, kids can brush up on their math skills anytime and anywhere. Developed by Digi Ronin Games, these children's educational titles, the first of their kind released for Kindle, bring fun and convenience to learning math for just $2.99 each and are available for purchase now through Amazon's Kindle Store at www.amazon.com/kindle or via www.digironingames.com.

An excellent companion for homework, everyday use, or even a long car trip, Flash Cards: Basic Math for Kids allows kids to practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Flash Cards: Fractions helps children learn fractions, percentages, and decimals. The Kindle active content titles provide increasing levels of difficulty and, while both are specifically designed for kids, the whole family may find themselves eager to hone their math skills.

Flash Cards: Basic Math for Kids and Flash Cards: Fractions offer three study modes. Kids can learn by using the flash cards as a study guide or refresher (flash card mode), select among multiple choice answers, or type in the correct answer. The educational titles for Kindle generate an unlimited number of cards with math questions, and feature a High Score section to track progress, as well as add a bit of extra competition among friends, classmates, and family.

Imaginatronics Releases the First in its Series of Groundbreaking Early Learning Education Apps for the iPad

Imaginatronics has released the first product in its Learning Infinity Suite of education apps for children. "An Amazing Day at the Zoo," is an innovative and interactive iPad application about a young girl's visit to the zoo. The goal of Imaginatronics is to provide cutting edge products for the early learning market. The company focuses on creating products that positively impact children by stimulating learning and development at a young age.

"An Amazing Day at the Zoo" is intended for children 10 and younger. This education app follows the main character's journey as she learns about animals, birds and reptiles, taking advantage of the interactive features that the iPad and other tablets offer. Like all of Imaginatronics iPad apps for kids, "Sarah's Adventures" contains immersive features such as a read aloud option, and the ability for children to "swipe" to turn pages or "pinch" to expand video.

An Amazing Day At The Zoo is available now on the Apple App Store at  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/an-amazing-day-at-the-zoo/id420420133?mt=8.

The Chronicle Comes to the iPad

The Chronicle of Higher Education, the leading voice in higher-education journalism, today launched the first-ever app for higher-education news to be developed especially for the iPad.

The free app – available in Apple's iTunes App Store and at http://chronicle.com/ipad – preserves the elegant look-and-feel of the print publication, and adds interactive audio, video, and slideshows to supplement The Chronicle's signature mix of reporting and commentary.

Unlike some other publications, issues of The Chronicle on the iPad can be downloaded free by subscribers.

In addition to the weekly issues, readers can also get breaking news, updated throughout the day and delivered seamlessly to the app's News Feed section. The app's Newsstand feature will also allow subscribers to build a virtual archive of The Chronicle right on their iPads. And non-subscribers can purchase individual issues of The Chronicle and The Chronicle Review, the newspaper's weekly magazine of ideas.

Sony Expanding Reader Library Program to Bring Next-Generation of Digital Reading

Building on its work with libraries to expand their eBook collections and digital reading programs, Sony today announced that it has selected the next 30 libraries to participate in its Reader Library Program. The libraries, from across 20 states, include the Pikes Peak Library District, Parkland Community Library, Laguna Hills Technology Library and the Kalamazoo Public Library.

The program will be rolled out over the upcoming weeks and will provide participating libraries with in-house training on digital reading devices, educational materials to help librarians and patrons learn more about eBooks and digital reading devices for library staff use and patron demonstrations. Participating libraries have reported digital circulations more than doubling in the month following the in-house training.

TI-Nspire CX Handheld by Texas Instruments Brings Color and Images to Math and Science Learning

Texas Instruments rolls out its Nspired Learning solution with the introduction of the new color-display TI-Nspire™ CX handheld. With the Nspired Learning solution, teachers are able to build their own interactive and engaging math and science classrooms.

The TI-Nspire CX handheld offers a set of fully-integrated tools that allow dynamic links among multiple representations of a problem. With the TI-Nspire CX and TI-Nspire CAS handhelds' new 3D graphing capabilities, students can explore concepts from multiple points of view to develop deeper conceptual understanding. The TI-Nspire CX and TI-Nspire CX CAS handhelds deliver a 16-bit, 320 x 240 pixel high-resolution color display for clear, crisp viewing. With this display, teachers and students can see sharp, full-color images and animations.