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Press Release
Schools Buying Tungsten C Wireless Handhelds from palmOne Get Free Software License for Creating Wireless Learning Environments
Readiness Company's LearnTracFX Could Revolutionize Classroom Workflow
MILPITAS, Calif., June 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Starting today and through Sept. 30, schools that purchase a minimum of 30 Tungsten(TM) C wireless handhelds through the palmOne(TM) Education Purchase Program will get a free license to use a file distribution and exchange program that could revolutionize workflow in the classroom, palmOne, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLMO) announced today.
LearnTracFX from the Readiness Company, formerly known as eLearning Dynamics, is designed to help teachers create a wireless classroom learning environment where they can efficiently conduct routine tasks -- such as distributing and collecting assignments and study materials for an entire class, selected groups, or individual students -- via a wireless network. The high-speed wireless Tungsten C handheld includes integrated 802.11 technology (also known as Wi-Fi)(1) and a built-in keyboard.
"Schools are looking for ways to maximize their investments in wireless classrooms with solutions that increase communication and make it easy to exchange information," said Mike Lorion, vice president of vertical markets for palmOne. "Teachers lose valuable time performing routine tasks, such as passing out assignments and study materials, and collecting homework. LearnTracFX gives it back to them."
With LearnTracFX teachers can exchange a variety of popular file formats, such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, GIF and JPEG images, and Adobe PDF files. The system resides on a teacher's laptop or desktop computer, and materials are sent wirelessly to each student's Tungsten C device, or beamed via infrared technology built into every palmOne handheld. The teacher- controlled program can be managed by student, class, and subject categories. Students can use the program's Instant Message and eHand Raise functions to signal the teacher and ask questions.
The platform eliminates the need for instructors to first convert files to the handheld format and synchronize them with each student device separately. Instead, LearnTracFX enables instructors to wirelessly exchange files with as few as one or as many as 100 student devices almost instantly. The file- exchange solution also provides the instructor with a verifiable record of exactly what files were transferred to whom and when. The IT staff gets the added benefit of installing a new application to all of the devices at the same time with a click of the mouse, instead of spending hours, or even days, updating each device separately.
"LearnTracFX gives teachers more time to focus on actual instruction," said Chase Weir, founder and chairman of the Readiness Company. "This is especially critical in K-12, where schools are striving to meet the stiff accountability requirements of the No Child Left Behind act."
LearnTracFX and LearnTracLIVE, the Readiness Company's advanced and powerful student response solution for Palm Powered(TM) handhelds, also can be purchased separately through the palmOne Store ( http://store.palmone.com ) starting this summer.
The palmOne Education Purchase Program gives K-12 schools and universities a way to extend their technology budgets and enable equity among students by offering additional free handhelds for certain levels of purchase. The one- time license from the Readiness Company covers the purchase of 30 or more Tungsten C handhelds, plus the additional free handhelds, and the teacher- controlled LearnTracFX platform. More information on the palmOne Education Purchase Program is available at www.palmone.com/education. More information on products from the Readiness Company can be found at www.elearningdynamics.com.
About palmOne, Inc.
palmOne, Inc. delivers what matters most to educators -- whether a single teacher or an institution of thousands of students -- enabling users to improve their personal lives and professional productivity through mobile devices and solutions.
palmOne is the name adopted in October 2003 by Palm, Inc., when it spun off PalmSource, Inc., maker of the Palm OS(R) platform software, and acquired Handspring, Inc. Uniting the Zire(TM), Tungsten(TM) and Treo(TM) subbrands, the creation of palmOne launched a new, stronger market leader in handheld computer and communications hardware and software solutions.
More information about palmOne, Inc. is available at http://www.palmOne.com .
(1) The Tungsten C handheld from palmOne is usable only on campuses that have an installed Wi-Fi network, which may or may not provide Internet access. The FCC offers free unlicensed radio spectrum for short-range wireless communications by individuals, schools, hospitals and libraries.
Broadcast Video and Other palmOne Materials
Broadcast video and other materials are available online from palmOne's Multimedia Library ( http://www.thenewsmarket.com/Palm/Registration/Login.aspx ). Press can register at the site, which is hosted by The NewsMarket (thenewsmarket.com), a web-based news and video archive, to browse and preview an extensive content library and order footage directly from their desktops. Registration and ordering on the site is free.
NOTE: Palm OS, palmOne, Treo, Zire, Tungsten and Palm Powered are among the trademarks or registered trademarks owned by or licensed to palmOne, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other brand and product names are or may be trademarks of, and are used to identify products or services of, their respective owners.
SOURCE palmOne, Inc.
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