It feels like we haven't heard anything out of Sony Ericsson for a while, which is why we were so excited to learn about the upcoming W715. Essentially a spruced up version of the W705--best known, most likely, for its built-in Walkman--the Sony Ericsson W715 (currently offered in the UK through Vodafone) includes one significant improvement: A-GPS.
No, that's not "a GPS"; it's "A-GPS" as in "Assisted Global Positioning System". It's a satellite location finding feature added to your average, everyday GPS that enhances its capabilities in several ways--not least of which is providing consistent, reliable GPS service even in areas with poor signal quality (such as beneath tall skyscrapers and trees or indoors).
Another frequent problem with standard GPS's that A-GPS addresses is the inability to download almanac and ephemeris info in such conditions until and unless a steady connection can be held for at least 40 seconds (sometimes difficult when, for example, you're on the road and moving).
For effectively using the A-GPS system built-into the W715, Vodafone has included its Find & Go sat-nav software.
The U.K. Times Online reports that the Ravenstone Primary School in Wandsworth, South London has distributed free smartphones to a class of 7-year-olds.
In line with their stated goal of embracing the integration of high-tech technology into their educational curricula, and thanks in large part to a hefty donation from an unnamed sponsor, the school is participating in a research project designed to determine the relative cost-effectiveness of using technology as teaching and study aid.While a class of older children received free Apple laptops, the smartphones that the younger students were given were feature packed with:
a video camera
internet access
voice-recording capabilities
satellite navigation
The handheld devices are expected to be of use to the students in every area of their studies including:
geography
math
English
and music
For more on this experiment in technology education, read the full story in TimesOnline
