Casio EX-word DATAPLUS3 (Casio XD-SW and XD-GW series)

Product evaluation: Casio EX-word DATAPLUS3 [Casio XD-SW and XD-GW series]

About three years ago, Casio introduced the XD-470, a model with basic Chinese character handwriting recognition, and almost nothing else. At about the same time, Canon announced its V80 model, a full-featured electronic dictionary that integrates handwriting input to find entries in its repository. These Canon models, combined with the ability to display menus in English, quickly became the first choice for many English-speaking Japanese learners [EsLJ]. On the other hand, Casio prefers to develop models that allow users to add and customize content via removable storage or PC downloads. This encourages third-party entities to create their own content, ultimately leading to the richness and diversity of available content. This may be the main reason why Casio is considered to be Japan's leading Japanese manufacturer.

Casio EX-word Dataplus3 may mark the beginning of handwriting input as a standard feature of future generations of Casio electronic dictionaries. It combines the natural ease of use and powerful features of handwriting recognition, and the search function with added content [Triple Tsuika] may make it the best electronic dictionary at the moment, and will definitely challenge Canon's dominant position in the EsLJ market. .

Casio's Japan website [http://casio.jp/exword/] lists 19 Dataplus3 models, divided into Casio XD SW and Casio XD GW series - three for middle and high school students and ten for foreign language learning. Three general-purpose uses and three for medical professionals. Most EsLJs will find the Casio XD SW6400 or the Casio XD GW6800 to be an attractive option as they also contain excellent versions of the five dictionaries that are critical to their learning needs:

1. Kanji Gen [JIS version] Gakken's Chinese character dictionary, 13,255 characters
from

This version also includes variant Chinese characters that are assimilated in the revised publication standard JIS X 0213:2004.
from

2. Kojien Japanese Dictionary [5th Edition], 230,000 items
from

The progressive Japanese-English dictionary [3rd edition] by Shogakukan, 90,000 entries
from

4. Genius English-Japanese Dictionary [3rd Edition], 95,000 entries
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5. Obunsha Publishing's Katakana Dictionary, 12,400 entries + 1,500 acronyms

Look at the hardware specifications to show that the SW and GW series are actually the same device. They differ only in that the GW series unit has a slightly larger display for viewing and is slightly larger and heavier. They have the same display resolution, the same keyboard layout and 50MB of memory. All equipped with speakers, headphones, USB cable and SD card slot. [Excluding SD cards, they must be purchased separately.] If the Dataplus3 device looks heavier and heavier than most other denshi jisho models, they are designed to be shock resistant. Available body colors are red, black and silver.

The various models available are largely attributed to the various professional content that Casio offers for each model. Since these electronic dictionaries are mainly used by Japanese as learning, language learning and/or communication tools, the content of different models is oriented to their special needs. For example, the Ex-voice feature in the Casio SW 6400 only allows audio playback in English words.

The high-resolution [480 x 320] HVGA monochrome display of the EX-word Dataplus3 series displays Chinese characters in clear, clean detail with no blur or jagged curves. Variable font size, zoom and backlighting further ensure that users with less than 20/20 vision will not miss the smallest punctuation or character strokes. Well-designed menu and screen entry layouts make searching and navigation easy.

The EX-word Dataplus3 series is the latest model of Casio's innovative EX-word product line. Examining their features and functions also traces Ex-word's rapid increase in technology maturity as it develops denshi jisho into an indispensable language learning tool. Especially for EsLJ, the Casio XD SW6400 and the Casio XD GW6800 have these features, making them the most dazzling stars in the entire electronic dictionary.

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Orignal From: Casio EX-word DATAPLUS3 (Casio XD-SW and XD-GW series)