SMART Board interactive display frame ideal for classrooms and small group work
CALGARY, Alberta --- July 2, 2008 --- SMART Technologies announces the SMART Board™ interactive display frame, a next-generation interactive display solution for K–12 and higher education. The first product of its kind for education, the lightweight, slender frame attaches easily to most commercial plasma displays to make them interactive. It combines the high-resolution image quality of a plasma display, the precision of camera-based touch technology and the simplicity of a pencil tool. It is a shadow-free, projector-free alternative to front-projection interactive whiteboards and can help educators extend the value of their existing plasma displays. The SMART Board interactive display frame is ideal for small classrooms where large writing surfaces are not needed or large classrooms where additional displays are used for group work.
The SMART Board interactive display frame does not require a glass overlay on the display surface, so touch control is precise and the image is unobstructed. The frame uses SMART’s patented DVIT™ (Digital Vision Touch) technology. Two cameras in the bottom corners of the frame register finger, pencil tool and touch contacts on the surface of the display. Students and teachers can easily select a menu option with a finger, and write and erase digital notes with the pencil. The new pencil tool functions like a pencil, with one end for writing and the other for erasing. There is never a need to return the pencil tool to its tray in order to switch functions. This unique combination of a plasma display, camera technology and pencil tool is a breakthrough in ease of use and performance. Drawing on users’ existing familiarity with whiteboards, pencils and computer desktops, the SMART Board interactive display frame makes interacting easy.
“As dramatic growth in the interactive whiteboard product category continues, finding solutions to teachers’ more specific classroom needs becomes critical,” says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s CEO. “The SMART Board interactive display frame extends the SMART Board product offering to include this flexible, low-cost option.”
Features
Innovative pencil tool – Operates like a pencil, with one end for writing and one for erasing. The ergonomic design enables a natural grip and effortless writing on the plasma display’s surface.
Flexible frame size – Fits most commercial plasma displays ranging from 42" to 65" (106–165 cm).
Lightweight – Weighs 9–11 lb. (4–5 kg), depending on screen size, making installation quick and easy.
Slim profile – Frame adds less than 1" (2.5 cm) to the width of the display and only 2" (5 cm) to its height.
Wide-viewing angle – Ensures that viewers can clearly see the information on the screen from any angle.
Precision touch – Direct, precise touch control for accurate data selection and interaction.
Simple calibration – Calibrate once, at time of installation.
Low maintenance – Low total cost of ownership and maintenance, with no expensive parts to replace.
SMART product integration – Ships with SMART Notebook software.
Pricing and availability
The suggested education list price for the SMART Board interactive display frame starts at US$2,319, depending on frame size. The product will be available in August 2008 from SMART authorized resellers. For more information, specifications and a list of SMART authorized resellers, visit www.smarttech.com.
Image
To download an image of the SMART Board interactive display frame, go to SMART Board interactive display frame (front view).
About SMART SMART Technologies is an industry pioneer and global education market segment leader in user-friendly ICT products and group collaboration tools. The award-winning line of SMART Board interactive whiteboards is the most widely installed in the world because of its unsurpassed product quality, versatility and ease of use. The SMART Board interactive whiteboard is used to teach over 18 million students in more than 600,000 classrooms in more than 100 countries around the world.
SMART is a private company founded in 1987. Employing more than 1,100 people, SMART is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with assembly facilities in Kanata, Ontario and offices in Bonn, Paris, Tokyo, Shanghai, New York City, Chicago and Washington, DC. SMART has been issued and maintains a broad portfolio of patents with numerous U.S., Canadian and other patents pending. In 1992, SMART formed a strategic alliance with Intel® Corporation that resulted in Intel’s equity ownership in the company. SMART products are sold through dealers across North America and distributors worldwide. To learn more about SMART, visit www.smarttech.com.
