News Briefs for Monday, Dec. 11

Horizon Wimba Launches Pronto

Horizon Wimba has released Pronto, a free instant messaging and voice chat tool targeted toward educators and students. Pronto works with course management systems, such as Blackboard and WebCT, to add contacts to a student's contact list automatically. Access privileges are also created automatically based on a school's course management system. It features instant messaging, VoIP, group IM and VoIP and integration with course management systems.

More info:

Hitachi Updates StarBoard

Hitachi Software Engineering has updated StarBoard, the company's software for controlling projectors. The new 7.1 release adds expanded capabilities and now supports the company's Projector Control (PJCtrl) software. PJCtrl support includes powering projector on and off, input switching and frame freezing. It also adds a projector search feature for finding projectors on the network without having to look up a projector's IP address.

More info:

Toshiba Intros 100 GB, 1.8-Inch Hard Drive

Toshiba has introduced a new 100 GB, 1.8-inch hard drive. These types of drives are used in mobile devices, such as Apple's iPod, as well as smaller mobile PCs. This new version has a footprint 10 percent smaller than first-generation 1.8-inch drives. It uses two platters, with an areal density of 155.3 gigabits per square inch. It will ship to OEMs in January.

More info:

Markzware Releases MarkzTools 7

Markzware has released MarkzTools 7, and update for the company's XTension for QuarkXPress. The new version adds support for QuarkXPress 7, as well as some new functionality, including the ability to save files down to QuarkXPress 4.1. It can also convert image previews to grayscale to save hard drive space. The new version is available for Mac OS X for $199.

More info:

:: READ MORE DAILY NEWS ::

About the author: Dave Nagel is the executive editor for 1105 Media's educational technology online publications and electronic newsletters. He can be reached at [email protected].

Have any additional questions? Want to share your story? Want to pass along a news tip? Contact Dave Nagel, executive editor, at [email protected].

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


Featured

  • futuristic AI interface with glowing data streams and abstract neural network patterns

    OpenAI Launches Its Largest AI Model Yet

    OpenAI has introduced GPT-4.5, its largest AI model to date, code-named Orion. The model, trained with more computing power and data than any previous OpenAI release, is available as a research preview to select users.

  • A young figure sits on a floating platform with colorful waves, holding a glowing orb, while transparent bar graphs and pie charts rise subtly in the background on a gradient blue-to-yellow backdrop.

    Report: Student Mental Health Issues on the Rise

    Nearly half of school mental health providers (46%) in a recent survey said that student mental health has worsened this school year compared to last year.

  • A child surrounded by glowing, fluid virtual patterns and holographic shapes, illuminated in a dark gradient environment of blue, purple, and pink.

    ClassVR Gets Expanded VR/AR Content Library

    Avantis Education has announced a new content library for its ClassVR virtual and augmented reality platform. Dubbed Eduverse+, the library features four content suites — EduverseAI, WildWorld, STEAM3D, and CareerHub — that can be tailored to suit a variety of educational levels.

  • augmented reality goggles on a desk in a dark, shut-down production lab with neon accents and scattered tools

    Microsoft Transitioning Away from HoloLens Mixed Reality Hardware

    Microsoft has confirmed that hardware development for its HoloLens mixed reality headset has officially come to an end.