New York, NY – (February 22, 2006) – Horizon Wimba today unveiled Wimba Voice Tools 5.0, featuring a new user interface and new import and export capabilities that make working with audio easier and more flexible. Wimba Voice Tools users can now import and export common audio formats (WAV and MP3) as well as share and reuse Wimba Voice Board content, thereby eliminating the need to record the same Voice Board content multiple times. Most notably, exporting voice files to MP3 format enables the sharing of Voice Board messages with iTunes® / iPod® or other MP3 players.
The redesigned Wimba Voice Tools 5.0 features:
· Import/Export of audio files (portable voice content via spx, mp3, wav files)
· Copy entire Voice Boards
· Drag-reorder messages
· Delete multiple messages with a single click
· Auto-play for Voice Boards
· New user interface for all Voice Tools and new Voice Tools Manager
· Detachable, resizable voice boards
· Playback and recording time information
· Brand new Voice Presentation tool
· Usage stats
· New Setup Wizard
Besides enabling instructors and students to add their own voices to their online courses, Wimba Voice Tools 5.0 enables users to import, export, and publish common audio files from the web or their desktops into their Voice Boards and online courses. Wimba Voice Tools make online audio portable - instructors and students can now listen to each other’s voice postings on their iPods while on their way to school, work, or even while exercising.
Additionally, instructors can more easily manage the creation and deletion of voice files, can copy content from one Voice Board to another, and can even duplicate an entire Voice Board so they can add it to their additional Blackboard, WebCT, or other online courses. Simple import, delete, and drag and drop reordering make it easy for faculty to build Voice Boards from instructional content on audio CD’s, MP3’s or even other Voice Boards, Voice Emails, or any of the other Wimba Tools.
Version 5.0 also features an entirely new tool: Voice Presentations. The Voice Presentation tool allows instructors to create online presentations which can include web-based content along with accompanying text and their own vocal messages. Students then post audio comments that reference their instructor’s online course material.
“This is our most dynamic release of Wimba Voice Tools to date, and we’re so proud because it’s full of numerous new features and functions that our customers specifically asked for,” said Tommaso Trionfi, CEO of Horizon Wimba. “The new interface and the ability to copy and delete multiple audio files makes Wimba easier to manage, and the ability to import and export audio files allows instructors and students to create iPod-friendly voice files that will make Wimba more useful for today’s technology-savvy students.”
Further, additional features include a simplified Voice Manager, the ability to drag-reorder voice and audio files, security improvements, and an IMS-compliant export format.