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Kurzweil Educational Systems Announces Kurzweil 3000 for Macintosh Version 2 Support for Mac OS X Augments Powerful Learning, Study and Test-Taking Tools for Students Minneapolis, MN (Closing the Gap Conference) October 15, 2003 � Kurzweil Educational Systems, Inc., innovator of reading, writing and learning technology products for individuals with learning and visual disabilities, today announced Kurzweil 3000TM for Macintosh Version 2. Kurzweil 3000 is the premier reading, writing and learning software for struggling students. With the newly designed Macintosh version of Kurzweil 3000, students using Mac OS X or Mac OS 9 can read for critical information, implement powerful study strategies, and compose or take tests with flexible writing assistance. "Kurzweil 3000 for Macintosh was designed exclusively for the Macintosh platform," said Michael Sokol, President and CEO, Kurzweil Educational Systems. "While other reading and writing products run on a Macintosh using a PC emulator, Kurzweil 3000 for Macintosh operates smoothly, seamlessly, and with better performance. In Version 2, we've added support for Mac OS X in order to take advantage of the advanced features of that operating system, and to meet the demands of schools wanting to run the product on the latest Macintosh platform. Those schools can now also benefit from the industry's most powerful software for students who struggle to read, write and learn." "For over 25 years, Apple has distinguished itself as a strong partner with education, taking an industry leadership role in helping define what technology can do in the hands of students and teachers," said Ron Okamoto, Apple's Vice President of Worldwide Developer Relations. "Kurzweil Educational Systems shares the commitment to the special education market with Apple and enables students with learning difficulties to experience the power and pleasure of reading, writing and learning on a Mac." Kurzweil 3000 for Macintosh Version 2 helps students with reading and writing difficulties to succeed in the classroom. This new version of the product empowers students to implement successful study practices in and out of the classroom and to take tests and complete worksheets. Enhancements to Kurzweil 3000 for Macintosh include increased overall flexibility for the testing experience, allowing students to leverage, when needed, the visual and auditory features of the product. Some of the new and improved features of Kurzweil 3000 for Macintosh Version 2 include: � Support for Mac OS X The Mac OS X platform delivers advanced features, enabling Kurzweil Educational developers to optimize ease-of-use and efficiency capabilities in the latest version of Kurzweil 3000 for Macintosh. � New User Interface The simple and intuitive user interface has been designed specifically for the Macintosh with features like the floating Kurzweil 3000 Reader that provides users with instant access to the most frequently used features of the product. The streamlined, clear and concise design of the user interface significantly improves performance and enhances the learning experience for both students and educators. � Powerful Study Skills Tools Students improve their reading comprehension and retention with tools that facilitate active reading including highlighting, sticky notes, text notes, footnotes and extraction of outlines or word lists. Using the same tools, teachers can personalize instruction to suit student needs and learning styles � Quick Access to Reference Look-up Tools One-click access to word support, including recursive dictionary, synonyms, syllables and spell word, helps students with decoding and keeps them reading with better understanding of words and their meanings. � Unique Test-Taking Capabilities Students can independently complete worksheets, quizzes, classroom exams or standardized tests with greater confidence and fewer mistakes. Students can seamlessly answer fill-in-the blanks, multiple choice, true/false, short answer and essay. Teachers can allow or activate the use of selected writing tools, comprehension aids and visual modifications, as appropriate. � Access to Electronic Files In addition to Kurzweil Educational's proprietary format, Kurzweil 3000 for Macintosh opens and works with many types of electronic files, including: ClarisWorks, AppleWorks, MS Word, RTF, Text, PDF, TIFF, and BMP files. Kurzweil 3000 for Macintosh also shares files with Kurzweil 3000 for Windows, so educators can easily extend a school's library of electronic books and documents in Kurzweil Educational's accessible format. The product also comes with the Kurzweil Educational Classic Literature CD that contains hundreds of electronic texts including: literary classics for adults and children, reference materials, and historical manuscripts. Kurzweil Educational will be demonstrating Kurzweil 3000 for Macintosh at the annual Closing the Gap Conference, being held October 15-18 at the Radisson South Hotel and the Hotel Sofitel in Minneapolis, MN. Visitors to the Kurzweil Educational booth (#s 28-29) at the Radisson South Hotel can receive a one-on-one product demonstration and register to win a free copy of Kurzweil 3000. Kurzweil Educational will also be hosting a User Group Meeting for Kurzweil 3000 users on Friday, October 17th at the Hotel Sofitel in the Bordeaux Room from 6-8 p.m. Pricing and Availability The Kurzweil 3000 for Macintosh Version 2 ScanRead and Read products are scheduled to ship this month. The popular Kurzweil 3000 5-unit Learning Lab Pack (1 ScanRead and 4 Reads) is priced at $379 per seat. Single unit pricing and volume discounts are also available. Until December 15, 2003, users purchasing a Kurzweil 3000 for Macintosh Learning Lab Pack will receive one free Read Station, and users purchasing five Kurzweil 3000 for Macintosh ScanReads will receive one free ScanRead. These offers cannot be combined with any other promotion or discount. Kurzweil 3000 for Macintosh Version 2 can be purchased directly from Kurzweil Educational Systems at 800-894-5374 or 781-276-0600, or from the company's worldwide network of resellers (http://www.kurzweiledu.com/resellers.asp). About Kurzweil Educational Systems, Inc. Kurzweil Educational Systems, founded in 1996, is the industry leader and innovator of scanning, reading and writing solutions for people with learning disabilities, and people who are blind or visually impaired. Ray Kurzweil, a co-founder of the original company, invented computer-based reading machine technology 25 years ago to provide access to printed text for the blind. With a pioneering history in developing assistive technology, the company has received worldwide recognition for enabling people with disabilities to lead more independent lives through improved reading and writing abilities. Kurzweil 3000, the company's flagship product for individuals with reading and writing disabilities, recently won the "District's Choice Top 100 Product" 2003 Award published by the District Administration magazine and "Media and Methods Awards Portfolio" 2003 Award from Media and Methods magazine. For more company or product information, visit www.kurzweiledu.com. www.kurzweiledu.com __________________________ Please visit our sponsors: RadGad(sm): The Place for Useful Gifts & Gadgets.(sm) http://www.radgad.com/, mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED], or 877-5-RADGAD MacTech(r) Magazine: The journal of Macintosh technology and development http://www.mactech.com, mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED], or 805-494-9797 DevDepot(sm): Your Source for RAM, Technical & Developer Products http://www.devdepot.com, mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] or call 877-DEPOT-NOW To submit a posting to NetProLive, mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe to NetProLive, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the SUBJECT line reading "SUBSCRIBE NetProLive". To unsubscribe, the SUBJECT line should read "UNSUBSCRIBE NetProLive". MacTech, Developer Depot, RadGad, and Xplain Corporation are not responsible for any errors, omissions, or other inaccuracies in this message. 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