Turtle Beach® Announces Ear Force® XLC Low-Cost, High-Fidelity XBOX 360® Stereo Gaming Headset
Elmsford, NY (PRWEB) September 28, 2009 -- Turtle Beach, the leaders in XBOX 360 gaming headsets, today announced the latest addition to their growing line of Ear Force gaming headsets--the Ear Force XLC. Designed as a cost-effective alternative to the basic "one ear" communicator headsets typically used with XBOX Live®, the Ear Force XLC combines stereo game sound, XBOX Live communication and unique noise-reduction ear cushions to help block out distractions from the surrounding environment. The Ear Force XLC is the ideal audio peripheral for cost-sensitive gamers who want to enjoy immersive game sound with popular titles such as Call of Duty 4® Modern Warfare® 2, HALO® 3: ODST, Left 4 Dead® 2, Grand Theft Auto® IV, BioShock 2, and Guitar Hero®.
"Our goal in creating the Ear Force XLC headset was to provide XBOX gamers a superior playing experience without breaking the bank. Unlike a simple communicator headset that only lets you hear XBOX Live chat in one ear, the XLC lets you hear stereo game audio plus XBOX Live chat so you don't need external speakers. As an added value, the noise-reducing ear cushions help to block out distractions so you can concentrate on the game." said Peter Ronick, Director of Marketing. "For not much more than the cost of a simple communicator headset, the XLC lets you play any time, day or night without being disturbed or disturbing others. The combination of features and affordability make it an unbeatable value for XBOX gamers."
The attractive Ear Force XLC headset complements the look of XBOX consoles and sports an ultra-light design for enhanced comfort during extended game play. The soft, noise-reduction ear cushions reduce external sounds and are so comfortable, gamers may forget the Ear Force XLC is on their head during game play. Twist-style ear cups and a multi-pivot folding design let the headset conveniently rest on the shoulders between gaming sessions, and store away easily when not in use, or when traveling. A 12-foot cable provides freedom of movement and a convenient in-line microphone mute and volume control allows quick adjustments. Premium sound is delivered by over-sized 40mm ear cup stereo speakers.
The XLC does not require any batteries or power adapter. A 3.5mm jack connects the stereo headset to the headphone output found on most TVs and sound systems. A 2.5mm jack connects the microphone with a rugged, oversized, flexible boom, to the XBOX controller for XBOX Live communication. An RCA stereo adapter cable is also included for use with TVs that do not have headphone jacks.
The Ear Force XLC headset has an MSRP of $29.95 and will be available in October at major US retailers and from the Turtle Beach web site www.turtlebeach.com. Turtle Beach Ear Force headsets are distributed in Europe by Mad Catz® Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSX: MCZ www.madcatz.com.)
Turtle Beach (www.turtlebeach.com ) designs and markets high-quality audio peripherals for PC and video game platforms, including its growing line of Ear Force gaming headphones and headsets for XBOX, PS3 and Nintendo game consoles and for personal computer games. Turtle Beach, with headquarters in Elmsford, New York, is a brand of Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc. which has been at the forefront of music and audio technology for more than three decades and is recognized as a pioneer of today's PC audio industry.
Turtle Beach, Voyetra and Ear Force are registered trademarks of Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc. XBOX is a registered trademark of Microsoft, Corp. All other trademarks are property of their respective holders and are hereby acknowledged.
Editor Note: Artwork is available at http://www.turtlebeach.com/press/artwork.aspx
Teachers Can Now Use Their iPod touch to Diagnose and Improve Reading Skills in the Classroom
New York, NY (PRWEB) September 22, 2009 -- Reading teachers around the country can now transform their iPod touch® into a powerful tool for diagnosing, assessing and improving student reading skills. Pearson, the education and technology company, today announced that its award-winning DRA2 Handheld - Tango Software Edition is available for Apple's popular handheld device.
Pearson collaborated with Liberty Source, developer of the Tango handheld software, to take the leading reading assessment for grades K-8, the Developmental Reading Assessment™, Second Edition (DRA2), and combined it with state-of-the-art handheld technology to create the DRA2 Handheld - Tango Software Edition. Built on more than 20 years of research and development, the DRA2 is an accurate assessment that helps identify a student's reading ability and level, document progress, and tailor teaching to drive effective reading instruction. Earlier this year, DRA2 Handheld - Tango Software Edition took top honors in the Software & Information Industry Association's 24th Annual CODiE Awards as the winner for Best Educational Use of a Technology Device.
With DRA2 Handheld, teachers can use their iPod touch to measure student reading ability and link the results to instruction. This easy-to-use, portable technology allows teachers to administer DRA2 quickly - with no software installation required. Teachers easily and accurately identify student reading achievement, analyze the data and communicate the results to administrators, parents and students.
"By taking the nation's most widely adopted K-8 reading assessment and optimizing it for today's innovative handheld technology, we are putting a complete set of tools for fostering successful young readers right in teachers' hands," said Doug McCollum, Pearson's General Manager for Literacy. "Now educators can add the top assessment tool for improving student reading achievement to the hundreds of other applications that are available for the iPod touch."
DRA2 Handheld - Tango Software Edition qualifies for funding under a number of the current federal education stimulus programs, including Title I, IDEA-Special Education, Title II-D/Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT), School Improvement, and professional development funding for data-driven decision-making.
For more information about the award-winning DRA2 Handheld - Tango Software Edition, visit www.pearsonschool.com/dra2handheld orwww.fundingforschools.com.
About Pearson
Pearson (NYSE:PSO), the global leader in education and education technology, reaches and engages today's digital natives with effective and personalized learning, as well as dedicated professional development for their teachers. This commitment is demonstrated in the company's investment in innovative print and digital education materials for preK through college, student information systems and learning management systems, teacher professional development, career certification programs, and testing and assessment products that set the standard for the industry. The company's respected brands include Scott Foresman, Prentice Hall, Addison Wesley, Benjamin Cummings, PEMSolutions, Stanford 10, SuccessNet, MyLabs, PowerSchool, SuccessMaker and many others. Pearson's comprehensive offerings help inform targeted instruction and intervention so that success is within reach of every student at every level of education. Pearson's commitment to education for all is supported by the global philanthropic initiatives of the Pearson Foundation. Pearson's other primary businesses include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group. For more information, go to www.pearson.com.