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SMART Introduces Entry Level Interactive Whiteboard Systems To EMEA
Published Dec 21, 2010
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SMART Technologies (NASDAQ: SMT, TSX: SMA) announces entry level SMART Board™ 400 series interactive whiteboard systems designed to better meet the needs of educators throughout EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa). The systems include the SMART Board 480iv interactive whiteboard system with a short throw SMART V25 projector and the SMART Board 480iv-A interactive whiteboard system with a SMART V25 projector and integrated speakers. They round out a comprehensive interactive whiteboard offering that includes the SMART Board 600 series interactive whiteboard line and the recently announced SMART Board 800 series interactive whiteboard line. Using SMART’s patented DVIT™ (Digital Vision Touch) technology, the 400 series systems provide a fully integrated, low-cost interactive whiteboard option that recognizes both pen and finger inputs and supports Microsoft® Windows® and Linux® operating systems. The 400 series systems also ship with award winning SMART Notebook™ 10.7 collaborative learning software, used by educators in more than 175 countries to create and deliver interactive lessons. In the spring of 2011, SMART Notebook software will support the new common file format for digital content and the upgrade will be available without charge to SMART customers. The 400 series systems replace the SMART Board V280 interactive whiteboard system and the SMART Board 680V interactive whiteboard system, and will be available in EMEA in January 2011.
Entry level SMART Board 400 series interactive whiteboard systems provide a fully integrated, low cost multimedia option that enables educators to create engaging lessons and support a variety of learning styles. Educators and students can interact with content using an interactive whiteboard pen, finger or any other pointing device or stylus. The integrated, short throw SMART V25 projector is 3D ready, enabling educators to incorporate 3D multimedia, video and digital content into classroom lessons to engage learners. The SMART Board 480iv-A includes a pair of 20W speakers to heighten the learning experience and ensure that all students can hear and engage with multimedia. Educators also have access to the SMART Exchange™ website(exchange.smarttech.com), an online community that offers more than 48,000 digital resources available in 20 languages via 43 country specific sites. The 400 series systems integrate seamlessly with SMART’s other education products, including the SMART Document Camera™, SMART Notebook Math Tools software and SMART Response™ interactive response systems. They also offer a 4:3 aspect ratio and standard display size of 77" (195.6 cm) on the diagonal.
”Demand for interactive whiteboard systems continues to increase in EMEA, where educators require easy to use, cost effective products that make the most of both their class time and limited budgets,” says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s CEO. “These new, entry level products help ensure that educators with limited resources still have the opportunity to put leading edge technology products into their classrooms.”
SMART Board interactive whiteboard product lines:
The SMART Board 400 series interactive whiteboard extends the company’s leading interactive whiteboard product offering to include an entry-level option. The 400 series will be available in EMEA in January 2011, and includes the standard (4:3 aspect ratio) SMART Board 480iv interactive whiteboard system with a short throw SMART V25 projector and the SMART Board 480iv-A interactive whiteboard system with a SMART V25 projector and integrated speakers.
The SMART Board 600 series interactive whiteboard is currently available globally and includes the standard (4:3 aspect ratio) 640, 660, 680 and 690 interactive whiteboards and the 660i4 and 680i4 interactive whiteboard systems, which include integrated projectors. The 600 series also includes the widescreen (16:9 aspect ratio) 690 interactive whiteboard; the widescreen (16:10 aspect ratio) 685i4 interactive whiteboard system, which includes an integrated projector; and the widescreen (16:10 aspect ratio) 685ix interactive whiteboard system, which includes an integrated, ultra short throw projector.
The SMART Board 800 series interactive whiteboard offers the most natural and intuitive user experience yet on a SMART Board interactive whiteboard. The 800 series supports multiuser interaction, common multitouch gestures and object recognition to enable true student collaboration. The new SMART Board 800 series interactive whiteboard will be available globally on January 30, 2011, and includes the standard (4:3 aspect ratio) 880 interactive whiteboard and 880i4 interactive whiteboard system with integrated projector. The 800 series also includes the widescreen (16:10 aspect ratio) 885 interactive whiteboard; the 885i4 interactive whiteboard system, which includes an integrated projector; and the widescreen (16:10 aspect ratio) 885ix interactive whiteboard system, featuring an integrated ultra short throw projector.
DViT (Digital Vision Touch) technology:
Interactive whiteboards and interactive whiteboard systems with DViT technology use cameras embedded in the interactive whiteboard frame to detect and distinguish inputs made by a finger, fist, interactive whiteboard pen or other object. Optical touch technology offers many advantages over other touch technologies, including effortless zero-force touch, the ability to scale to large sizes and the ability to support multiple touches and multiple users. Globally, SMART has been issued a broad portfolio of patents related to DViT technology with a significant number of patents pending.
The SMART Board 400 series interactive whiteboard line is the second front-projection series introduced this quarter to use DViT technology. The 800 series was announced in October 2010. The 400 series also represents the first branded SMART product to incorporate technology and components from the company's recently acquired subsidiary, NextWindow. DViT technology is also used in SMART’s recently announced multitouch, multiuser SMART Board 8070i interactive display.
Pricing and availability:
The suggested education price for the SMART Board 480iv interactive whiteboard system is £1,631 in the United Kingdom, €1,790 in Europe and US$2,434 in Middle East and Africa. The suggested education price of the SMART Board 480iv-A interactive whiteboard system is £1,722 in the United Kingdom, €1,890 in Europe and US$2,570 in Middle East and Africa. Prices vary by country and may include applicable taxes, duties and import costs.
About SMART:
SMART Technologies is a leading provider of collaboration solutions that transform the way the world works and learns. We believe that collaboration and interaction should be easy. As the global leader in interactive whiteboards, we bring more than two decades of collaboration research and development to a broad range of easy to use, integrated solutions that free people from their desks and computer screens, so collaborating and learning with digital resources are more natural.
For more information:
Zaib Shadani
Consultant
The Portsmouth Group
M: 050 9116138
T: 04 3693571
E: zaib.shadani@theportsmouthgroup.com
Sandra Semple
Senior Public Relations Specialist
SMART Technologies
T: +1.403.407.5083
E: SandraSemple@smarttech.com
W: smarttech.com
Posted by
VMD - [Virtual Marketing Department]
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