Boston - June 8, 2009 - OutStart, Inc., the leader in social business software and learning systems, has extended the reach of its solutions by merging with mobile leader Hot Lava Software, a company with applications for reaching the world's estimated 4.1 billion mobile cellular subscribers.   The newly combined companies will conduct business as OutStart.  Massood Zarrabian continues as CEO and president of OutStart, while Bob Sanregret, CEO of Hot Lava Software, becomes vice president of the OutStart Hot Lava Mobile business unit. 

"Increasingly, we've seen customers express keen interest in mobile pilots and applications," said Zarrabian.  "We identified Hot Lava Software as the leader in both mobile technology and, with over 1,000,000 registered users, customer implementations. Merging with Hot Lava enables us to leap far ahead of our industry in support of mobile requirements." 

OutStart will make use of Hot Lava's patent-pending technology to develop, deliver and track mobile content for everything from product training to assessments, surveys, job aids and checklists.  OutStart plans to incorporate Hot Lava Mobile capabilities in its social business software and learning systems as well as offer Hot Lava Mobile as a stand-alone solution.

Three things make Hot Lava Mobile unique.  First, developers can rapidly create content once that will then run on virtually any type of mobile device.  Hot Lava Mobile will automatically adjust the content to best display on the vast array of mobile devices in use today.  Second, Hot Lava applications can be deployed via WAP or downloaded directly to the mobile device.  And third, Hot Lava Mobile tracks usage of mobile content and automatically fires off immediate feedback to managers, system administrators and applications, such as learning management systems.   

"From executives to yak herders, mobile devices are in the hands of billions of people around the globe," said Bob Sanregret, CEO of Hot Lava Software.  "If forced to choose, people would rather leave their house without their car keys than without their mobile device.  Mobile applications have tremendous reach and a vast array of uses; we developed Hot Lava Mobile to serve this incredible market. 

"Merging with OutStart provides Hot Lava with additional resources and a link to OutStart customers who will enable us to better take advantage of the incredible potential that mobile offers," added Sanregret.

Hot Lava Mobile's Key Components:

• Hot Lava Mobile Desktop Authoring
  -An easy-to-use desktop authoring tool for building content once for deployment across 98 percent of all mobile phones.
• Hot Lava Mobile Delivery and Tracking
  -Delivers content via WAP or directly to mobile devices.
  -Automatically tracks: who accesses mobile content; how often they access the content; a learner's ID; and, the scores from surveys and quizzes thus providing feedback to an instructor, learner or even a learning management system.

To see OutStart Hot Lava Mobile in action, take a survey now from your mobile device. Go to http://goalwap.com.

 [1]On September 25, 2008, International Telecommunication Union Secretary-General Hamadoun Touré announced in New York that worldwide mobile cellular subscribers are likely to reach the 4 billion mark before the end of 2008.

About OutStart

At OutStart, we're out to solve a big problem. 

Most organizations posses a wealth of underutilized collective intelligence around their products, services, and processes.  This underutilization negatively impacts employees, customers, and partners, costing precious time and money while hindering performance.  Said simply, "what your people don't know will hurt you."  

OutStart's social business software and learning systems act like a lifeline:  connecting people to the know-how, creativity, and learning they require to be efficient, effective, and agile. 

Since its inception in 1999, and backed by leading venture capital firms, OutStart has matured into a profitable and rapidly growing company with an impressive range of customers who are surpassing expectations and delivering exceptional business results.  The company is honored to have customers like Autodesk, BB&T, Boeing Company, BT, CVS Caremark, DIRECTV, EDS, Internal Revenue Service, Lufthansa, McDonald's, MetLife, Prudential, TiVo, Australian Defence Force, U.S. Navy, UK Ministry of Defence, Verizon Wireless, and Yum! Brands.

Media Contacts:

Bill Perry
MARCH 24 Media LLC
614 975 7538
bperry@march24media.com
http://www.outstart.com

Kerri Renshaw
OutStart
617-897-6800
krenshaw@outstart.com
http://www.outstart.com

Posted by hotlavasoftware1 at 10:39 AM EDT

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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contacts:

Joy Torchia, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
816-932-1045

Heather A. Katz, Ph.D., Hot Lava Software, Inc.
540-428-2988

Barbara Walls, Hot Lava Software, Inc.
540-428-2988

WASHINGTON, DC (August 27, 2008)-On July 1, 2008, kajeet, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, and Hot Lava Software, Inc. began to impact the way that youth learn about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The Sports Bytes Competition allows youth to learn about the science behind sports via their mobile phones. Sports Bytes focuses on popular sports through "brain-teaser" questions that allow users to relate STEM concepts to real world contexts. Questions involving baseball will challenge the user to determine whether a professional batter can decide to swing literally in a blink of an eye. Other featured sports are soccer, cycling, and swimming, which provide practical application to STEM concepts.

kajeet is the only pay-as-you-go cell phone service that puts kids first while simultaneously empowering them and keeping them safe-facilitating them to respond with confidence to what's happening in their world. "We are capitalizing on young fans' love for cell phones by using them as a learning tool," said Merrilea J. Mayo, Ph.D., Director, Future of Learning Initiatives for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. "This new competition allows us to reach and inspire kids in a unique way. Our hope is that they learn how exciting science can be and potentially explore a career in the field."

Powered by Hot Lava Software's Mobile Delivery and Tracking System (MDTS), kajeet users can access Sports Bytes from their kajeet phone deck menu.  After answering a STEM question they are rewarded with free Sports Bytes themed wallpapers for their mobile phones.

Since July 1, 2008, the global Sports Bytes Competition has gone beyond kajeet users to engage thousands of people within Africa,  Asia, Europe and North America. As of August 15, the promotion has over 130,000 registered users and over 40,000 users who have answered one or more questions about the science behind sports. 

To participate in the Sports Bytes Competition right now, text sport to 83960 or text your answer to the question below to 83960.

A pro batter decides to swing in a blink of an eye?

• Text "sporta" for TRUE to 83960
• Text "sportb" for FALSE to 83960
• Or click here to enter your response

About Hot Lava Software, Inc.

Hot Lava Software, Inc. is the leading provider of mobile authoring, publishing, delivery and tracking solutions. Using Hot Lava Software's content development and publishing system (LMA) integrated with the Hot Lava Mobile Delivery and Tracking System^TM (MDTS) allows organizations to have the tools and knowledge needed to launch and track mobile initiatives faster, with more cost efficiency. Hot Lava Software provides mobile content solutions and design, as well as authoring and publishing solutions to corporations, governments and universities around the world. More information is available at www.hotlavasoftware.com.

About the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a private nonpartisan foundation that works to harness the power of entrepreneurship and innovation to grow economies and improve human welfare. Through its research and other initiatives, the Kauffman Foundation aims to open young people's eyes to the possibility of entrepreneurship, promote entrepreneurship education, raise awareness of entrepreneurship-friendly policies, and find alternative pathways for the commercialization of new knowledge and technologies. It also works to prepare students to be innovators, entrepreneurs and skilled workers in the 21st century economy through initiatives designed to improve learning in math, engineering, science and technology. Founded by the late entrepreneur and philanthropist, Ewing Marion Kauffman, the Foundation is based in Kansas City, Mo.  More information is available at http://www.kauffman.org/.  

Posted by hotlavasoftware1 at 1:03 PM EDT

Updated: Wednesday, 27 August 2008 1:09 PM EDT

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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact:  Heather Katz Ph.D.

540-428-2988

Washington, D.C., June 10, 2008 - The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and Hot Lava Software, Inc. are changing the way Minor league and Independent league baseball relates to its fans. Dubbed, The Sports Bytes Competition, baseball fans are able to learn the science behind the sport through the use of mobile learning. Fans attending the game will have the opportunity to not only see a homerun hit, but learn how friction and drag affect the path of a baseball traveled. Although many learning institutions have attempted to teach science through the use of sports, Kauffman and Hot Lava are taking mobile learning inside the stadiums for fans to use their mobile devices to deliver on-demand Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education that is accessible and captivating. 

Throughout July and August 2008, select stadiums around the country will run in-game promotions. A quirky looking professor-the announcer-motivates fans wearing his white lab coat, chemistry goggles, and mad scientist hair when he leaps upon the dugout. His Sports Bytes announcement encourages fans to take out their cell phones and participate by interacting with a Sports Bytes module and quiz items about the science behind baseball. Getting started is as easy as sending a text message to "83960" with the word "onpoint" in the text message body. Hot Lava responds with an auto response text message to the fan's mobile phone that enables the fan to access the Sports Bytes module: Win a Prize Pack! To qualify , follow this free link: http://hdwap.com/s/s.html?u=12408884505&p=p&c=6107&n=y. A nightly prize pack is awarded to one fan who answers one question correctly. Prize packs can include free tickets, signed baseballs, a first pitch certificate, kajeet mobile phones, and team merchandise.

The Sports Bytes Competition is live in July and August 2008 at the Kansas City T-Bones, Frederick Keys, Aberdeen Ironbirds, Bowie Baysox, Wilmington Blue Rocks, and Delmarva Shorebirds baseball games along with the D.C. United Soccer Team. Those not attending a game can access the Sports Bytes content via http://www.hdwap.com/s from a mobile phone web browser.

About Hot Lava Software, Inc.

Hot Lava Software, Inc. is the leading provider of mobile authoring, publishing, delivery and tracking solutions. Using Hot Lava Software's content development and publishing system (LMA) integrated with the Hot Lava Mobile Delivery and Tracking System TM (MDTS) allows organizations to have the tools and knowledge needed to launch and track mobile initiatives faster, with more cost efficiency. Hot Lava Software, provides mobile content solutions and mobile content design, authoring and publishing solutions to corporations, governments and universities around the world.  More information is available at http://www.hotlavasoftware.com/

About the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a private nonpartisan foundation that works to harness the power of entrepreneurship and innovation to grow economies and improve human welfare. Through its research and other initiatives, the Kauffman Foundation aims to open young people's eyes to the possibility of entrepreneurship, promote entrepreneurship education, raise awareness of entrepreneurship-friendly policies, and find alternative pathways for the commercialization of new knowledge and technologies. It also works to prepare students to be innovators, entrepreneurs and skilled workers in the 21st century economy through initiatives designed to improve learning in math, engineering, science and technology. Founded by late entrepreneur and philanthropist Ewing Marion Kauffman, the Foundation is based in Kansas City, Mo. and has more than $2.4 billion in assets. More information is available at http://www.kauffman.org/

Posted by hotlavasoftware1 at 1:27 PM EDT

Updated: Thursday, 12 June 2008 1:29 PM EDT

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The so-called "iPod generation" is one of the most significant long-term factors accelerating the growth of the mobile learning content and services market in the U.S., according to an indepth study by Ambient Insight. The analysts say market conditions could hardly be more favorable. The largest buyers of mobile learning content and services will be public sector -- local, state, and federal governments -- followed by consumers. The single largest vertical demand is in the healthcare industry.

According to Ambient Insight, the current business climate for Mobile Learning products and services could hardly be more favorable. There is a very large user demographic in place; there are powerful handheld multimedia devices on the market; and the US is rolling out next-generation high-speed wireless technology at a rapid pace. These trends create very favorable market conditions for Mobile Learning suppliers.

Ambient Insights sizes the current market for Mobile Learning products and services in the US at $460.4 million. The analysts say the market is growing at a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.3% and will reach $1.5 billion by 2011.

The largest revenue opportunity for suppliers throughout the forecast period is the demand for Mobile Learning packaged content. The second largest revenue opportunity for suppliers is the demand for content development services and content conversion services.

In its new research study, Ambient Insights cites several major growth factors drivers in the U.S. Mobile Learning market. Highlights include:

• Content developers and publishers are aggressively converting legacy content and developing new rich multimedia Mobile Learning content
• The rapid evolution of powerful convergent and connected wireless handheld devices with mobile Web browsers
• The availability of advanced mobile operating systems, robust mobile application software, and rich client interfaces
• User interface technology that overcomes the limitations of the small device footprint of most handheld devices
• The aggressive continuation of the rollout of third-generation (3G) cellular networks in the US that began in 2005
• The rollout of fixed wireless broadband (such as WiMAX) in 2006-2007

The amount of mobile content on the market is growing exponentially. There are now waves of mobile content hitting the market including music, radio, TV, ebooks, audiobooks, podcasts, mobile Web sites, social networking sites, mobile blogs, movies, phonecasting and video conferencing, news, search, advertising, and rich interactive games. Mobile Learning content is one of the products arriving on these waves.

About the market research study

Ambient Insights' 64-page research study, "The US Market for Mobile Learning Products and Services: 2006-2011 Forecast and Analysis", forecasts the expenditures for Mobile Learning products and services across seven customer buying segments: consumer, corporations and businesses, federal government, state and local government, PreK-12 academic, higher education, and non-profits and associations.

Six major types of Mobile Learning products are included in the forecast: software tools, mobile decision support, packaged content, location-based learning, services, and hardware-based technology. There are many variations of each of these products and they are broken out in this forecast when necessary.

Mobile Learning packaged content is broken out by seven additional subcategories in this report: audio books, ebook learning & reference, language learning, exam prep, general training, handheld educational gaming, and tutoring content.

The suppliers covered in this report include: Adobe Macromedia, AcroDesign Technologies, ActSoft, Apple, Audible, Audience Voting, Blackboard, BuddyPing, Cerner, CP Wireless Audience Response, Dallas Semiconductor, DodgeBal, eInstruction, FieldCentrix, Fleetwood, Global Knowledge, Go Test Go, Groenstedt Group, GTCO CalComp, Guide by Cell, Herecast, Hot Lava Software, Hyper Interactive Teaching Technology (H-ITT), Incentivize Solutions, Intelligent Spatial Technologies, Kallisto Productions, LearningSoft, LearnStar, Lexi-Comp, Linguatronics, Lingvosoft, Libsyn, Lynda.com, The Maxwell Group, MentorMate, Meridia Audience Response, Microsoft, Microvision, Museum411, NetLibrary, Nokia, No Island Media, One True Media, OnPoint Digital, PaperClick, Perago, PodOmatic, Pod2Mobile, Questionmark, Questra, Quick Tally Interactive Systems, Quizdom, Rabble, Random House, Reed Elsevier, Ripple Training, Salesforce.com, Samsung, SAT, Sendia, Socialight, Spatial Adventures, Spotlight Mobile, SquareLoop, Still Motion Media, StoryQuest, StreetHive, Tegrity, Sun Microsystems, Thomson Learning, Trinity Workplace Learning, Turning Technologies, TwigPod Productions, Waterhouse Group, WeComply, WideRay, Wireless Generation, and Zipit.

http://www.tekrati.com/research/News.asp?id=7146

Posted by hotlavasoftware1 at 6:04 PM EDT

Updated: Monday, 21 August 2006 6:14 PM EDT

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SAN DIEGO, CA--(MARKET WIRE)--May 13, 2005 -- Franklin Wireless Corporation (Other OTC:FKLT.PK - News) (http://www.fklt.com/), an emerging developer/manufacturer/marketer of wireless communications devices, today announced the appointment of Ha Jin Jhun as Chief Executive Officer as of April 15th, 2005. Mr. Jhun brings 20 years of high tech high-level management experience to Franklin Wireless. Mr. Jhun was chosen as one of the world's 100 "Technology Pioneers" by the World Economic Forum (http://www.weforum.org/) in 2001 for his outstanding managerial and marketing performance as the CEO of Haansoft, Korea's most prestigious software company.
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During the time he served as the CEO of Haansoft, his managerial skills proved to be the driving force behind the company's dramatic rise to the top of the industry while the rest of the Asia struggled during the financial crisis of 1998. Haansoft, producer and marketer of the Korean word processor software ('Hangul'), has been quipped the 'Microsoft of Korea.' Holder of the largest market share in Korea since 1990, Haansoft has even fended off competition from the ominous Microsoft, the second largest market shareholder in Korea. Despite the company's hardship during the 1998 Asian financial crisis, Mr. Jhun successfully recapitalized the company and turned the company back to profitability. Mr. Jhun's success in turning around the company raised the value of Haansoft to a whole new level -- increasing the market cap of the company to $2.5 billion during late 1999.

Mr. Jhun started his professional career at LG Electronics as the system/marketing engineer. After getting the taste of the startup industry during his one-year stay in Japan, he began his own education-related startup software company in the US. Under the name of 'ZOI World,' his US-based company profited by exporting its software to sixteen different countries.

Mr. Jhun is currently the Vice Chairman of 'KOVA (Korea Venture Business Association)' and represents 10,000 Korea-based startup companies. Furthermore, as the Chairman of the 'INKE (International Network of Korean Entrepreneur)' since 2002, he has skillfully managed the global business network for the Korean startup companies with their western counterparts.

He majored in Industrial Engineering at 'Inha University' of Korea and has an MBA degree from 'Yonsei University.' He also completed the SEIT course at the Stanford University.

"We are extremely pleased welcome Mr. Jhun to Franklin Wireless and look forward to benefiting from his strong expertise in high tech organization leadership and his vast amount of experience in turn-arounds," stated Gary Nelson, an outside director of the Company. "The addition of Mr. Jhun is critical to Franklin Wireless, which is in need of strong leadership. We are expecting a lot from him."

"I am delighted to join Franklin and look forward to making an impact by developing and implementing new company vision and strategies to turn this entity around to profitability. I believe Franklin has a lot of potential going forward with its current sales and marketing channels with global wireless carriers and major telecom equipment distributors as well as its strong affiliation to Korea, where CDMA technology was bred. Along with the existing management members, I look forward to restructuring the company's business model, achieving profitability, sustaining growth and expanding our market globally."

About Franklin Wireless

Based in San Diego, California, Franklin Wireless Corporation (Other OTC:FKLT.PK - News), an emerging developer of wireless communications devices for the wireless telecommunications industry, designs, develops, manufactures, and markets wireless products for the global wireless subscribers. The company's product lines incorporate both GSM and CDMA technology, the world's leading cellular standards. At present, the company markets its products to small to medium-sized North, Central, and South American carriers and major distributors.

Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements, expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.



Contact:
Hugh Kim
858-623-0000 x102
hkim@fklt.com

http://www.franklin-wireless.com/news/view_newsbody.php?page=1

Posted by hotlavasoftware1 at 6:19 PM EDT

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PEPID™ Signs Alliance Agreement with BlackBerry®

To deliver vital medical and drug information to healthcare professionals

Chicago, IL, April 5, 2006 – Privately held PEPID LLC – the world's
leading developer of mobile clinical information and decision-support
software for doctors and nurses – announces today the signing of an
agreement with Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) of Ontario, Canada, makers of BlackBerry® wireless devices and enterprise platform solutions. Under the terms of the agreement, the firms will share development, engineering, marketing and sales expertise to deliver vital medical and drug information to healthcare professionals.

"PEPID offers a fully-integrated medical/drug database, so doctors and nurses using a BlackBerry Wireless Handheld™ can more quickly access critical information about diagnosis, dosing, and drug interactions,” says John Wagner, president of PEPID. “We believe that this agreement will help healthcare professionals deliver better care, more often…in an industry that is growing increasingly mobile."

"We are excited to bring the power, innovation and convenience of
BlackBerry to our existing subscribers and to clinicians worldwide,” adds Wagner. “As a Blackberry ISV Alliance Member, we will be able to develop the capabilities of our product line more closely with RIM products and services. PEPID for BlackBerry will allow doctors to make better informed decisions; and nurses to be 100 percent sure a 100 percent of the time."

The agreement will facilitate the wireless delivery of PEPID clinical
content as a knowledge-based solution for enterprise-wide information systems, as well as to individual subscribers.


About PEPID

For over a decade, PEPID PDA software resources have been proven under fire in combat zones, natural disasters, clinics, hospitals, universities and schools around the world. PEPID products for BlackBerry give healthcare professionals true mobile access to fully-integrated medical, clinical, and pharmacological data; medical calculators, dosing calculators, drug interactions generator and illustrations. PEPID offers specialty programs for physicians, nurses, students, paramedics, pharmacists and consumers.

All healthcare professionals benefit from faster access to critical data,
better clinical performance, higher career satisfaction and greater
mobility. Schools use PEPID for better learning in classroom, clinical and study settings. For institutions, PEPID means easy implementation, better risk management; higher productivity, greater staff and patient satisfaction. Patients benefit from better service, education, and care.

PEPID partners with The National Association of Emergency Medical Services Educators, the Family Physicians Inquiries Network, the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, the Oncology Nursing Society, and the American Society of Health System Pharmacists to ensure that PEPID provides the highest quality content and commendable peer review.

For more information, contact press@pepid.com and visit www.pepid.com

The RIM and BlackBerry family of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties of and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited – used by permission. PEPID™, product names, and logotypes are trademarks of PEPID LLC. All images are copyright PEPID LLC © 2006. Other product, corporate, and organization names are or may be registered trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright © 2006. All rights reserved.

About Research In Motion (RIM)

Research In Motion is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with
wireless connectivity to data. RIM's portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry® wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld™ product line, software development tools, radio-modems and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.

Forward Looking Statements Regarding RIM

Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used herein, words such as "intend" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions made by and information available to Research In Motion Limited. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements include, without limitation, possible product defects and product liability, risks related to international sales and potential foreign currency exchange fluctuations, the initiation or outcome of litigation, acts or potential acts of terrorism, international conflicts, significant fluctuations of quarterly operating results, changes in Canadian and foreign laws and regulations, continued acceptance of RIM's products, increased levels of competition, technological changes and the successful development of new products, dependence on third-party networks
to provide services, dependence on intellectual property rights and other risks and factors detailed from time to time in RIM's periodic reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and other regulatory authorities. The Company has no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM, Research In Motion and BlackBerry are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners.

 http://www.doctorsgadgets.com/forum/medical-pda-software/236-pepid-bring-out-medical-software-blackberry.html

Posted by hotlavasoftware1 at 6:51 PM EDT

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http://agelesslearner.com/

What a wonderful resource website:

"An educational website & advisory services firm

We focus on how learning and curiosity influence everything you do in life, no matter your age, education, or occupation.

On this website we provide terrific resources and the best information to help you get more from life even if you're four or ninety-four.

Frequently we're asked to help individuals and organization capitalize on their brainpower so they can learn and adapt to new technologies, processes, and information. We offer organizational consulting, personal coaching, keynote speaking, in-service workshops, networking opportunities, and community-based outreach.

Please look around and learn all you can. Join our mailing list to receive periodic updates about nifty new content and research. Tell us what else you'd like to find here. And enjoy."

Posted by hotlavasoftware1 at 6:46 PM EDT

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E-learning is booming but the UK still lags behind, says Geraldine Kenney-Wallace

Geraldine Kenney-Wallace
Guardian

Tuesday April 16, 2002

Spring sunshine lifts the spirits and imagination, but the plethora of e-learning conferences, reports and surveys suddenly arriving on my desk brings home a note of reality. Why is e-learning perceived to be taking root more slowly in the UK and across Europe than in the US or Canada?

Whether learning online in the workplace, in college or at home, e-learning is still about learning and culture, not just technology and infrastructure. However, much of the debate in the past decade has been captured by the wizardry of the internet and marketing hype.

At a recent European online learning conference, attended by delegates from education, business and government, it was clear how the e-learning emphasis had begun to move towards issues of learning, even though the drivers to adopt e-learning ranged from access and geography and cost-reduction to faster, more flexible delivery and relevance to the workplace.

A recent review of the languages on the world wide web revealed that of the total online population, 40% use English. The next largest groups are Chinese (9.8%), Japanese (9.2%), Spanish (7.2%), German (6.8%), French (3.9%) and Italian (3.6%). The number of Chinese users is predicted to double by 2003. Websites designed in different countries reveal distinctively different designs and use of colours - not unlike the different patterns and cultures of layout and advertising in electronic and print media. E-learning and cyberspace offers a new and shared culture and, given its embryonic state, 30% uptake by some employers is remarkable.

If e-learning is first of all about learning, perhaps we should focus on "learning for what purpose?" Technology is a smart tool. It should enable the learning to fit its purpose, and offer effective, efficient, affordable learning and assessment, accessible anytime, anywhere for the learners. And e-learning should have moments of fun, or motivation will fade rapidly!

Evidence has shown that learning in the workplace and in colleges can be supported by e-learning. Experience also shows that "blended learning", a mix of different approaches, has been the most successful in producing enduring results, and satisfied students and staff.

By carefully designing learner support such as tutorials for problem-solving, group tasks for teamwork, and simulations of real workplace, business or industrial challenges, e-learning becomes real for a given subject. Each subject area requires a different blend and content designed by those who understand subject matter. Information technology and business skills may have a far higher percentage of e-learning content today than perhaps health and social care. In such a blended approach, e-learning, on average, will probably grow to over 40% of the learning activities by 2005.

What do e-learners want - and why are they motivated? Again, recent surveys across the US, Canada and UK reveal common motivations, albeit variations in occupational interest. Over 65% of e-learners in the workplace or at home are motivated by opportunities for career progression, finding a new job or their first job. Each e-learner wants technology that is user-friendly, contact with other e-learners, and support from web-based or CD-rom materials. Just as each subject or profession has its own culture and social norms, so we as learners have our own learning styles.

There is no one-size-fits-all for e-learning, and perhaps we should be looking at evolution rather than revolution in going forward. The learning paradigm has shifted and the potential power of e-learning as a transformation of learning is huge, from school to college, for work and for play. What we should focus on now are the social, economic and cultural barriers that impede progress. We should learn lessons from the pioneering ventures, help work to a common set of standards and protocols to use the technology as a genuine enabler, and link learning strategies to the needs of the workplace and to business strategies.

Recently, City & Guilds began a project to examine barriers in the uptake of e-learning in the engineering, retail, and health and social care sectors. From this work with a group of colleges, employers and policy-makers, we hope to identify the cultural, economic and social barriers and provide some practical solutions and standards to benefit all.

· Dr Geraldine Kenney-Wallace is director of e-strategy and learning at City & Guilds.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4394262,00.html

Posted by hotlavasoftware1 at 6:51 PM EDT

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New version of software provides partners with improved integration of technologies to deliver a more intuitive mobile device experience.

LAS VEGAS -- May 10, 2005 -- In a packed hall of developers and industry partners at Microsoft® Mobile & Embedded DevCon 2005, Microsoft Corp.'s annual mobile and embedded developers conference, Bill Gates, chairman and chief software architect of Microsoft, announced the release to manufacturing (RTM) of Windows Mobile (TM) 5.0. This new version of the Windows Mobile software platform delivers on partner requests, including more platform flexibility to customize devices and solutions; productivity enhancements that include updated Microsoft Office software and persistent memory storage for more efficient data management; and a powerful multimedia experience with Windows Media® Player 10 Mobile and support for hard drives.

Just five years ago, the first Windows Mobile-based Pocket PCs shipped from three hardware partners. Today 40 device-makers are shipping innovative Windows Mobile-based products with 68 mobile operators in 48 countries. These hardware and mobile operator partners have contributed to Windows Mobile revenue growth of 31 percent from 2003 to 2004 and phone license sales more than double those of the previous year.

"In the past five years, there's been a profound shift in the kind of data and services people access on their mobile devices -- from multimedia to business applications," Gates said. "Windows Mobile 5.0 enables our industry partners to develop exciting new hardware designs and solutions that will revolutionize how customers use mobile devices."

"Windows Mobile 5.0 is an important evolutionary step for the Windows Mobile platform, which continues to gain traction worldwide," said John Jackson, Yankee Group senior analyst. "Enhancements in the platform give wireless network operators and mobile device vendors the ability to deliver customized, differentiated services and devices, while meeting the market's demand for robust, scalable, segmented offerings."

Customization Options

Enhancements in Windows Mobile 5.0 will provide device-makers and mobile operators with more options to differentiate themselves from competitors and ultimately provide end users with a wider range of converged devices. Partners can take advantage of the following features:

•	New technologies. Increased platform flexibility, the top customization request, enables partners to plug in differentiated technologies such as "push-to-talk" or video calling and conferencing.
•	Network support. Support for higher-bandwidth 3G networks, Wi-Fi for the Smartphone platform and improvements to existing Bluetooth® support enable more flexibility to integrate mobile phone services across a variety of networks.
•	One-handed operation. Across the Windows Mobile platform, soft-key integration, landscape display orientation and QWERTY keyboard support will enable hardware partners to develop compelling devices with improved one-handed keyboard navigation that empowers customers to access their information without a stylus.

Building on the more than 18,000 commercial Windows Mobile-based applications available today, developers can utilize tools available in the Beta 2 of Visual Studio® 2005 and new application programming interfaces (APIs) to quickly and easily develop a variety of rich mobile applications such as location-based services, 3-D gaming and video that bring to life compelling entertainment and productivity scenarios. Further, integration with Microsoft SQL Server (TM) 2005 Community Technology Preview in Windows Mobile 5.0, along with integration with the Beta 2 of Visual Studio 2005, allows businesses to extend critical business information and applications to mobile devices in the field.

Increased Productivity

With its updated and enhanced look, Windows Mobile 5.0 enables industry partners to create devices and solutions that provide mobile information workers with more efficient and secure access to information. These refinements include the following:

•	Persistent memory storage. The most requested productivity feature from partners and customers alike, persistent memory storage retains information even when the device's battery is depleted.
•	Microsoft Office software for Windows Mobile. Users will be able to view and create charts in Excel Mobile, and edit documents with graphics using Word Mobile while maintaining document formatting with files created on a PC. A new PowerPoint® Mobile application has been included for Pocket PC, giving road warriors the ability to view and rehearse presentations.
•	Security. Complementing a number of security features already included in the Windows Mobile platform, such as Bluetooth authorization and end-to-end encryption over a virtual private network, Windows Mobile 5.0 has gone through extensive threat-modeling testing and completed the rigorous Microsoft Trustworthy Computing full security review. The platform is also FIPS-140-2-certified, meaning it meets the stringent U.S. government security requirements for IT products.

Integrated Multimedia

With the more than 25 Windows Mobile content partners, the ability to play multimedia files has long been a hallmark of the platform. Windows Mobile 5.0 offers enhancements that enable industry partners to provide a more powerful and personalized multimedia experience through the following features:

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Windows Media Player 10 Mobile. Customers can enjoy a larger number of protected digital music, video and recorded television files that can be synchronized easily from a PC or downloaded from many Internet-based services and mobile operators' music stores with Windows Media Player 10 Mobile. The updated player also enables synchronization of users' playlists, album art and song ratings. Partners can plug in additional digital rights management (DRM) technologies to help advance their specific media business models.Pictures and video. A new pictures and video application will add advanced features such as burst mode and timer function previously found only on high-end digital cameras.

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Extended storage. Additional support for hard drives and Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 will enable people to easily and quickly store large amounts of information -- such as entire digital picture and music libraries -- on a mobile device and synchronize this content with a PC.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Microsoft, Windows Mobile, Windows Media, Visual Studio and PowerPoint are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

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The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

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Posted by hotlavasoftware1 at 4:47 PM EDT

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