E-Business
HP Reinventing Classrooms with ‘ProBook x360 11 EE’ Thinnest Convertible PC
Remember school computer labs? Those shared-tech spaces often had the ambiance of a musty library and typically held a collection of also-ran computers that were far from the leading-edge of personal computing.
Today’s kindergarten-through-high school students – the so-called digital natives who know how to use a touchpad before they use a spoon – have radically different touchpoints with their tech.
Still, budget-strapped school districts often find themselves investing in low-end computers that don’t always hold up in classrooms or struggle to support new, digital teaching methods.
That’s why HP has built an affordable, durable and fully functional learning PC – the HP ProBook x360 11 G1 Education Edition, powered by Windows 10.
The device, which was announced Tuesday, responds to a shift that is being recognized in classrooms across the country. Classrooms are increasingly transitioning from traditional lecture-based methods to “blended learning” experiences, where technology is at the forefront and small groups of students rotate between different stations on various subjects.
For example, some might be doing projects on the floor with tablets while others huddle around desktop computers or use laptops to collaborate online with students at different schools.
Most teachers say they are using technology in these ways every day with their students, and they expect to step it up in the coming year, according to a survey by Front Row Education.
“The education market is a strategic growth area for HP,” said Gus Schmedlen, vice president, Education at HP. “We pay close attention to the unique needs of students, teachers and schools because they are enabling the next generation of inventors, leaders and future employees to go beyond note memorization and master creativity, collaboration and critical thinking.”
HP is a big player in the education market, having shipped 4.8 million PCs into schools and universities during fiscal year 2016, according to IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker (2015Q4 to 2016Q3).
Built for Schools
Durability was an immediate design priority because, with blended learning, students are constantly transporting computers, increasing the odds of dropped equipment. With that in mind, HP took steps to make the HP ProBook x360 11 EE the world’s thinnest, most rugged convertible PC.
It’s encased in hard, industrial rubber and its screen features optional damage-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass. HP engineers put the computer through its rigorous HP Total Test Process, which involved dropping hundreds of computers from an elevation of up to 30 inches (about the same height as an average school desk) to make sure they could take a beating.
The device is built around Windows 10 Anniversary Update, which delivers a wide variety of innovation for the modern classroom. This new operating system enables educators to get up-and-running quickly, which is important because nearly half of U.S. teachers serve as their own tech support in classrooms.
And Windows 10 is considered the most secure OS from Microsoft yet, which can help schools prevent costly network breaches. There’s even an app called “Take a Test,” which includes simple yet secure features for modern test-taking.
“We collaborated with Microsoft on the HP ProBook x360 11 EEbecause they are helping to redefine classroom learning,” said Schmedlen. “Teaching has changed dramatically over the past few years, and we believe we’ve created a solution that will adapt and enhance the education of young minds everywhere.”
Designed for Learning
But first and foremost, HP designed the HP ProBook x360 11 EEto enrich student learning. The new computer includes many of the features that are found in consumer or business devices, such as Microsoft Office OneNote. But it also has some student-friendly benefits as well.
“It is the world’s only convertible laptop with a dual camera system, which HP calls Explorer Mode. Explorer Mode is used for project-based learning and content creation and uses an optional 1080p FHD camera embedded on the keyboard deck to let students take video in tablet mode while viewing in real-time.”
There’s also an active penfor math, note-taking, annotation and art. And the standard touch screen interface is easier than a mouse for young children to manipulate.
Nigeria recently launched a new joint case team to step up its response to cybercrimes that affect people and businesses at home and abroad.
The ‘Joint Case Team on Cybercrime’ brings together Nigeria’s key justice and security agencies to work as one, making it easier to detect, investigate, and prosecute digital offences.
It is supported by the UK National Crime Agency, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and the Commonwealth Secretariat, as part of a wider effort to promote international cooperation on cybercrime.
Speaking at the launch in Abuja, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, minister of justice and attorney general of the federation described the initiative as “a bold and transformative stride in Nigeria’s justice system.”
He said that although Nigeria has a national legal framework to address cyber offences, laws alone are not enough.
Nigeria is among the countries most affected by cybercrime around the world, with increasing financial losses.
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Division within its ICT Department.
This marks a significant stride toward enhancing electoral integrity, efficiency, and innovation in Nigeria’s democratic process.
This decision was reached at the Commission’s regular weekly meeting held in Abuja, following a series of consultations and engagements on the global and continental impact of AI on elections.
In a statement issued by Sam Olumekun, national commissioner and chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC underscored that the growing relevance of AI in electoral matters necessitated a proactive institutional framework to manage both the risks and opportunities it presents.
“Our interactions with electoral bodies across Africa highlighted both the risks of AI—such as fake news and content manipulation—and the vast potential it holds for data-driven decision-making, risk mitigation, automated voter services, and geo-spatial intelligence for logistics,” Olumekun noted.
According to him, the newly created division will centralise the Commission’s AI efforts, ensuring a harmonized approach to deploying intelligent systems that enhance decision-making, improve voter engagement, and boost the credibility of the electoral process.
“The creation of this division puts the Commission at the forefront of institutionalizing AI capabilities in electoral management.
It is also part of our ongoing reforms in areas where administrative action is sufficient to drive change,” he said.
He added that the AI Division will help INEC better coordinate its existing technological investments while providing safeguards against the misuse of AI technologies.
“We are positioning ourselves to maximise the positive impact of AI while mitigating its negative implications. This step strengthens the credibility and transparency of elections in Nigeria,” Olumekun concluded.
The initiative, INEC emphasised, reflects its commitment to embracing innovation in safeguarding democracy and improving electoral services nationwide.
Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in partnership with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) has unveiled a new Application Programming Interface (API) integration system to allow private firms access company data from the Commission’s database.
Hussaini Ishaq Magaji (SAN), registrar general of CAC, who spoke in Abuja at the unveiling said the system would give selected private organizations access to CAC services through technology-based companies, called “super agents.”
“This is a practical step to show that the Commission is committed to meeting the expectations of our customers,” he said.
Magaji explained that the integration allows the agents to retrieve data from the CAC database for use in specific client requests, outside the standard services provided by the Commission.
“Before now, only a few government agencies had this integration, especially those involved in investigations, anti-money laundering, and terrorism financing. Now, private companies that meet the criteria can also access it,” he said.
He said the system complies with the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023, and information such as residential addresses, phone numbers, and dates of birth may be restricted.
“This is a call to law firms and companies with the right technology. We’ve started with NIPS because of their credibility. Embassies and banks can now authenticate company records directly through them.”
“There are prescribed fees. We already collect them on our portal, and now customers can also pay through these agents,” he explained.
He named NIPS, MoneyPoint, and OPE as some of the companies involved.
“OPE and MoneyPoint handle only registrations. But NIPS has moved further into validation and verification,” he said.
Ngover Ihyembe-Nwankwo, executive director at NIBSS, who represented Premier Oiwoh, managing director, said the service allows secure and efficient data verification.
“This is the result of years of effort to connect our systems with CAC. It will help users verify data within the limits of data protection laws,” she said.
She said the move is a way to lower costs and promote interoperability across the financial sector.
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