WizCom Technologies Introduces the Readingpen Basic Edition
Acton, MA (PRWEB) June 19, 2004 -
 WizCom Technologies Inc, the world leader in handheld reading solutions for people with reading difficulties, learning disabilities or dyslexia, today announced the Readingpen Basic Edition.
Developed from the existing, highly successful Readingpen II, the Readingpen Basic Edition is designed to address the needs of the younger reader. With the addition of this new offering Wizcom Technologies is now able to address the needs of ALL age readers.
ÂThe Readingpen Basic Edition featuring the American Heritage ChildrenÂs Dictionary and Thesaurus, provides a simple and easy way for people with learning difficulties or learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, to get immediate word support when they are reading texts at the Elementary, Middle and High School levels. Said Teresa Citro, Executive Director of Learning Disabilities Worldwide, Inc. (LDW), a Waltham, MA based non-profit, volunteer organization including individuals with learning disabilities, their families, and professionals. (LDW has over 15,000 subscribers worldwide).
ÂThe inclusion of the Thesaurus provides, a quick and simple alternative for the user to gain an understanding of the words being read  with the push of a single button, the user can switch between the dictionary definition and the thesaurus entry. Seeing and hearing both the definition and the list of similar words, spoken aloud said Raz Itzhaki, President of Wizcom Technologies Inc.
The Readingpen Basic EditionÂs new feature of Âlock dictionary access whereby a teacher or parent can prevent access to the dictionary and thesaurus, allows the Readingpen Basic Edition to be used in testing environments (Massachusetts has already certified the Readingpen Basic Edition for use in the StateÂs MCAS test).
The Readingpen II will continue to be available alongside the new Basic Edition, providing those users who require help with more advanced texts (High School and older), with the more detailed dictionary definitions and wider word coverage that is required for these more advanced texts.
The Readingpen Basic Edition is priced at $ 279, with first shipments expected to begin early July.
To help better understand the differences between the two offerings we have included the following comparison table:
Feature Readingpen Basic Edition Readingpen II
Dictionary AHD ChildrenÂs AHD College 3rd Edition
Thesaurus AHD ChildrenÂs None
# of recognizable words 240,000 480,000
Reading age level (guide) Elementary, Middle and High School High School and above
Test Mode – Lock dictionary access Yes No
Speaks word aloud Yes Yes
Speaks definitions Yes Yes
Speaks line of text Yes Yes
Spells words aloud Yes Yes
Displays syllabication Yes Yes
Scans complete line Yes Yes
Highlight spoken words Yes Yes
Cross-reference Yes Yes
Stores last 80 words scanned Yes Yes
Left or right hand use Yes Yes
Scan left to right or right to left Yes Yes
List Price $ 279 $ 279
For more information and to try out the Readingpen Basic Edition contact the WizCom team at usa.info@wizcomtech.com or visit us at Booth 754 at the 2004 NECC show in New Orleans.
WizCom Technologies founded in 1995 and listed on the Frankfurt stock exchange (Prime Standard), is a global provider of handheld Âscan and attain tools and products for enabling and improving reading related activities having sold over 800,000 ÂPensÂ. WizComÂs range of products includes linguistic reading tools, devices for the reading disabled market as well as a product for personal data collection for the PC and mobile environment. The companyÂs product line is based on a unique amalgamation of linguistic, hardware and software expertise, including image acquisition and processing, which have been refined into unique applications for handheld tools throughout the eight years of WizComÂs existence.
These include:
 QuickLink-Pen Elite: an advanced device for the mobile executive, providing electronic note taking, text to speech for read back of notes, dictionary access from notes and wireless connection PC, PDA or Smartphone.
 SuperPen Professional: provides electronic note taking with electronic dictionary definition lookup. Comes preloaded with a range of distinguished Dictionaries, including American Heritage Office, Medical, Wall St, Computer, Geography, Science, Idioms, Abbreviations and Thesaurus.
 SuperPen Translator: provides electronic note taking with foreign language translation for instant word by word translation. Comes supplied with over 30 foreign language databases on CD.
 Quicktionary II: for anyone who wants just language translation including English pronunciation capabilities. Available in many different languages.
To get more information about Wizcom Technologies products, please visit http://www.wizcomtech.com
Tags: Basic, Edition, Introduces, Readingpen, Technologies, WizCom
