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Omnimaga => News => Topic started by: critor on January 18, 2013, 05:05:29 am

Title: TI-84 Plus C Color official press release
Post by: critor on January 18, 2013, 05:05:29 am
Hi everyone,

Today, TI (finally) officially announced its new TI-84 Plus C Silver Edition, after its leak (http://tiplanet.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10724&p=132106&lang=en) by the community, originally on Cemetech.

Quote
Texas Instruments Adds Color to Math and Science Learning with
New TI-84 Plus C Silver Edition Graphing Calculator

DALLAS (January 2013) – Texas Instruments, the most trusted brand in graphing calculator technology, announces a colorful addition to the TI-84 family of graphing calculators—the new TI-84 Plus C Silver Edition graphing calculator, featuring full-color capabilities, a high-resolution, back-lit screen, rechargeable battery and updated operating system. 

The TI-84 Plus C graphing calculator is designed to include features that will improve math and science learning, such as the ability to import photos and overlay graphs to connect concepts to the real world.  The rechargeable battery reduces frequent battery replacement purchases.  This new product addition keeps the same key placement, navigation and menus as the TI-84 Plus family, so educators can transition while continuing to use their current classroom activities. The TI-84 Plus C graphing calculator is also permitted on standardized tests, including the SAT*, ACT*, PSAT*/NMSQT, AP*, Praxis. 
Melendy Lovett, president of Texas Instruments Education Technology, said “We are excited about this new addition to the TI-84 Plus product line and for the opportunity to bring this new technology to loyal educators who have relied on TI-84 products over the years to help them improve math and science teaching and learning.”   


TI-84 Plus C Silver Edition Specifications and Features
•   Screen resolution: 140 DPI, 16-bit color
•   Screen size: 320x240 pixels (2.8” diagonal)
•   TI Rechargeable Battery
•   3.5 MB FLASH ROM memory for data archive and Apps storage
•   USB unit-to-unit cable included for communication with TI-84 Plus and TI-84 Plus Silver Edition
•   Supports TI Basic and ASM programming


Availability
The TI-84 Plus C Silver Edition graphing calculator will be priced comparably to the TI-84 Plus Silver Edition and will be available for purchase beginning in spring 2013. For information on availability, please visit http://education.ti.com/84c


For more information about Texas Instruments:
•   http://twitter.com/TICalculators (http://twitter.com/TICalculators) 
•   http://facebook.com/TICalculators (http://facebook.com/TICalculators) 
•   http://youtube.com/user/TexasInstrumentsCalc (http://youtube.com/user/TexasInstrumentsCalc)
•   http://education.ti.com (http://education.ti.com) 


About Texas Instruments
Education Technology, a business of Texas Instruments, provides a wide range of tools connecting the classroom experience with real-world applications, helping students and teachers to explore mathematics and science interactively. TI’s products and services are tested vigorously against recognized third-party research, which shows that the effective use of graphing calculators improves the mathematical skills of students and their attitudes toward mathematics. For more information, visit http://www.education.ti.com.

Texas Instruments (NASDAQ: TXN) helps customers solve problems and develop new electronics that make the world smarter, healthier, safer, greener and more fun. A global semiconductor company, TI innovates through manufacturing, design and sales operations in more than 30 countries. For more information, visit http://www.ti.com.


*AP and SAT are registered trademarks of the College Board. PSAT/NMSQT is a registered trademark of the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation. ACT is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc. Praxis is a trademark of the Educational Testing Service. None was involved in the production of nor endorses TI products. Policies are subject to change. Visit http://www.collegeboard.com and http://www.act.org.

Let's note that an official PDF (http://www.underwooddistributing.com/shop/index.php?page=shop.getfile&file_id=5&product_id=972&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=53) was made available on Underwood Distributing, comparing the 84+CSE and the 84+SE. As well as another PDF (http://www.underwooddistributing.com/shop/index.php?page=shop.getfile&file_id=4&product_id=972&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=53) about its features.



Source:
http://tiplanet.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=11132&lang=en
Title: Re: TI-84 Plus C Color official press release
Post by: Stefan Bauwens on January 18, 2013, 05:09:12 am
It's cool that "Support TI Basic and ASM programming" is one of their specs. :)
Title: Re: TI-84 Plus C Color official press release
Post by: Streetwalrus on January 18, 2013, 07:30:57 am
Yes, but to what extent ?
Title: Re: TI-84 Plus C Color official press release
Post by: Keoni29 on January 18, 2013, 08:18:49 am
Is ASM support not synonymous to full access to all features of the device?
Title: Re: TI-84 Plus C Color official press release
Post by: Streetwalrus on January 18, 2013, 08:21:23 am
Yeah, that question was stupid. :P
Title: Re: TI-84 Plus C Color official press release
Post by: Lionel Debroux on January 18, 2013, 08:23:26 am
On a Z80 or a 68000, it should be, as those platforms do not have a MMU. On platforms with a MMU, it's not necessarily true - for instance, on the PS3, for a long time, programs ran only under an hypervisor.
Title: Re: TI-84 Plus C Color official press release
Post by: Keoni29 on January 18, 2013, 08:47:43 am
Same with unix systems.
Title: Re: TI-84 Plus C Color official press release
Post by: pimathbrainiac on January 18, 2013, 09:22:35 am
Quote
Will activities written for the TI-83 Plus and TI-84 Plus work with the TI-84 Plus C Silver Edition?
Most activities written for use with the TI-83 Plus and TI-84 Plus will work with the TI-84 Plus C Silver Edition, with the exception
of those activities that require use of specific files (such as programs) which are not designed for the TI-84 Plus C Silver Edition
screen resolution. [/quote[

So... Is it possible to make those programs run my creating an asm program that adjusts the screen res?
Title: Re: TI-84 Plus C Color official press release
Post by: ben_g on January 18, 2013, 12:52:26 pm
Quote from: pimathbrainiac on January 18, 2013, 09:22:35 am
Quote
Will activities written for the TI-83 Plus and TI-84 Plus work with the TI-84 Plus C Silver Edition?
Most activities written for use with the TI-83 Plus and TI-84 Plus will work with the TI-84 Plus C Silver Edition, with the exception
of those activities that require use of specific files (such as programs) which are not designed for the TI-84 Plus C Silver Edition
screen resolution.

So... Is it possible to make those programs run my creating an asm program that adjusts the screen res?
For basic programs that use asm libraries, an updated version of the library made for the better rersolution should do the trick. For basic programs that don't use libraries, an asm hook might work. For full asm programs, it's almost impossible.

EDIT: Is the CPU speed still unknown?
Title: Re: TI-84 Plus C Color official press release
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on January 18, 2013, 02:19:58 pm
Quote from: Streetwalker on January 18, 2013, 07:30:57 am
Yes, but to what extent ?
It supports it to a similar extent as the 84+, but like when the TI-83 Plus replaced the TI-83 from 1999 to 2004, the memory addresses and stuff are most likely different, so old ASM programs for the 84+ will not run on it without modification. There are chances that it's not a Z80 either, but I think it might be one.

The good news is how it supports ASM at all, so basically the community won't have to pull an extra Ndless fight against TI. The other good news is that TI-BASIC speed is very decent per BASIC standards, so graphical games should most likely be possible, unlike on the PRIZM where it takes 1 minute to draw 180 pixels.

Also because the stat plots and the TI fonts looks very similar to the old ones, it should not be too hard to adapt graphical BASIC games from the 83+ to 84+CSE.

As for the price, I'M glad it will be similar to the 84+SE. I wonder if this means that it will be $149.99-$179.99 over here and $130-140 in USA?

The only worry I have is the possibility that color is not possible through Output, Line, Text and Pxl-On, because the specs mentions 15 colors for graphing, but do not mention anything about them being useable anywhere else. This means that for pure BASIC, the only way to have colored graphics might be by making stat plot-based tilemaps and stuff.
Title: Re: TI-84 Plus C Color official press release
Post by: pimathbrainiac on January 18, 2013, 03:06:02 pm
Quote from: ben_g on January 18, 2013, 12:52:26 pm
Quote from: pimathbrainiac on January 18, 2013, 09:22:35 am
Quote
Will activities written for the TI-83 Plus and TI-84 Plus work with the TI-84 Plus C Silver Edition?
Most activities written for use with the TI-83 Plus and TI-84 Plus will work with the TI-84 Plus C Silver Edition, with the exception
of those activities that require use of specific files (such as programs) which are not designed for the TI-84 Plus C Silver Edition
screen resolution.

So... Is it possible to make those programs run my creating an asm program that adjusts the screen res?
For basic programs that use asm libraries, an updated version of the library made for the better rersolution should do the trick. For basic programs that don't use libraries, an asm hook might work. For full asm programs, it's almost impossible.

EDIT: Is the CPU speed still unknown?

Here's how I think it can be done: A shell that runs all 84/83+ basic and ASM progs by having one TI-84 plus pixel equal 3x3 TI-84 plus C pixels (there will be some extra space, but it's still WAY better) and by equating on pixels to black, off pixels to white. (not sure what those hexes are)
Title: Re: TI-84 Plus C Color official press release
Post by: Hot_Dog on January 18, 2013, 03:09:38 pm
It says that there will be a SDK.  I wonder if they'll update the old one with new B_CALLS / information, or simply leave the current SDK the way it is
Title: Re: TI-84 Plus C Color official press release
Post by: Keoni29 on January 18, 2013, 03:09:49 pm
I don't think this thing has 153kB video ram (320*240*2 for 16 bit color). The images show that only a section of the screen can be used for full color graphics. I'm not sure if this is just a mode.
Title: Re: TI-84 Plus C Color official press release
Post by: Hot_Dog on January 18, 2013, 03:12:08 pm
Quote from: Keoni29 on January 18, 2013, 03:09:49 pm
I don't think this thing has 153kB video ram (320*240*2 for 16 bit color). The images show that only a section of the screen can be used for full color graphics. I'm not sure if this is just a mode.

Maybe the screen has its own RAM and the calculator no longer uses "plotsscreen"
Title: Re: TI-84 Plus C Color official press release
Post by: pimathbrainiac on January 18, 2013, 03:13:39 pm
Whatever it is, I REALLY hope I can get this calc when it is released.
Title: Re: TI-84 Plus C Color official press release
Post by: Keoni29 on January 18, 2013, 03:16:30 pm
I will only get it if it has better overal performance than its predecessors.
Title: Re: TI-84 Plus C Color official press release
Post by: Juju on January 18, 2013, 04:11:21 pm
(http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/166545_519030124804283_280750056_n.jpg)
OMG it comes in multiple colors!
Title: Re: TI-84 Plus C Color official press release
Post by: Keoni29 on January 18, 2013, 04:12:15 pm
Just like the normal SE. I think those are interchangeable as well.
Title: Re: TI-84 Plus C Color official press release
Post by: Adriweb on January 18, 2013, 06:04:34 pm
We can see on their new page (http://education.ti.com/en/us/products/calculators/graphing-calculators/ti-84-plus-c-silver-edition (http://education.ti.com/en/us/products/calculators/graphing-calculators/ti-84-plus-c-silver-edition)), in addition to more details than in the press release, many new images :

Screenshots of the calculator itself while graphing stuff, and it's much better in color than on the previous B&W models...
(http://education.ti.com/en/us/~/media/Images/TI%20Education/US/product-details/graf.png)
(http://education.ti.com/en/us/~/media/Images/TI%20Education/US/product-details/product-84c-2c-activities.png)

Exclusive image combinint the "school property" model and for the first time in public, the TI-Smartview 4.0 software, with a 84C simulator :
(http://education.ti.com/en/us/~/media/Images/TI%20Education/US/product-details/product-84c-2c-professional-dev.JPG)

Another image, in front view, of the 4.0 version of TI-SmartView and TI-Connect 4.0 :
(http://education.ti.com/en/us/~/media/Images/TI%20Education/US/product-details/ti-84-plus.png)
(http://education.ti.com/en/us/~/media/Images/TI%20Education/US/product-details/connet-software.png)

We can see details on the rechargeable battery : 800 mAh, 2.96Wh
(http://education.ti.com/en/us/~/media/Images/TI%20Education/US/product-details/product-84c-accessories-2c-recharge-battery.png)

The Kickstand (was already there) :
(http://education.ti.com/en/us/~/media/Images/TI%20Education/US/product-details/product-84c-accessories-2c-kickstand.png)

Screeshots of well-known apps of the 84+, now adapted for the 84C :
(http://education.ti.com/en/us/~/media/Images/TI%20Education/Global/Products/App/product-84c-application-ss-App4Math.png) (http://education.ti.com/en/us/~/media/Images/TI%20Education/Global/Products/App/product-84c-application-ss-Inequality-real.png)
(http://education.ti.com/en/us/~/media/Images/TI%20Education/Global/Products/App/product-84c-application-ss-Language-Localizer.png) (http://education.ti.com/en/us/~/media/Images/TI%20Education/Global/Products/App/product-84c-application-ss-feature-PlySmlt2.png)(http://education.ti.com/en/us/~/media/Images/TI%20Education/Global/Products/App/product-84c-application-ss-easy-data.png) (http://education.ti.com/en/us/~/media/Images/TI%20Education/Global/Products/App/product-84c-application-ss-TestGuard.png)

Source : http://tiplanet.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=11140
Title: Re: TI-84 Plus C Color official press release
Post by: Darl181 on January 18, 2013, 06:31:30 pm
Liking the "hardware" section that has a picture of a processor which says nothing about the processor. x.x
 /me tends to like how the "school property" versions look for some reason

Edit:
Quote
well-known apps of the 84+, now adapted for the 84C
/me wonders how unlikely it is to see a puzzpack update :P
tho they didn't make it in the first place so it wouldn't be a surprise if they didn't..
Title: Re: TI-84 Plus C Color official press release
Post by: Sorunome on January 18, 2013, 06:42:17 pm
Funny how the copywrite in the espaniol app is only until 2012 :P

And the grey keys (+/-///*/function keys) come also in different colors? O.o
Title: Re: TI-84 Plus C Color official press release
Post by: Darl181 on January 18, 2013, 06:46:08 pm
Quote from: Sorunome on January 18, 2013, 06:42:17 pm
And the grey keys (+/-///*/function keys) come also in different colors? O.o
That's the "school property" one.
Tho looking at datamath there's a few (http://datamath.org/Graphing/TI-84PLUS_SE_BB08_BL.htm) existing (http://datamath.org/Graphing/TI-84PLUS_WM08_TL.htm) ones (http://datamath.org/Graphing/TI-84PLUS_SE_WMST08_PK.htm) so time will tell I guess :P

*cough* BTS '13 hint hint TI *cough*
Title: Re: TI-84 Plus C Color official press release
Post by: Sorunome on January 18, 2013, 06:53:49 pm
Wow, didn't know that, I like the one with the transparent case :P
Title: Re: TI-84 Plus C Color official press release
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on January 19, 2013, 12:29:21 am
I don't think Puzzpack will be updated since the ones who released it back in 2000 or so were not active in the community for over a decade. It would need to be someone else taking over and porting it.