THE trend for multiple function electronic products has gained VTech Electronics a Consumer Product Design Award for its CD-ROM learning system.
The CD-ROM CD9800 is an advanced Chinese multimedia learning tool which consists of a Chinese electronic organiser with a built-in CD-ROM drive.
The educational function is provided by two proprietary CD-ROMs, one an English-Chinese dictionary, and the other a Chinese-English dictionary which provides audio, video and text explanations.
A key feature that appealed to the judges is the use of a human voice rather than a synthesised one. The Chinese voice speaks slowly and clearly in Mandarin to allow the user to learn the dialect.
Three more discs covering Chinese idioms and commercial conversation will be issued next month. Future topics will include general conversation and English grammar.
'Traditional electronic educational products for seven to 13-year-olds are the responsibility of the Electronic Toy division of VTech Electronics. But, because children aged 15 and upwards enhance their knowledge using reference books, we decided to set up a Reference Product Department in April 1994,' said Vincent Yuen, the department's senior manager.
