New feature makes SMART Board interactive whiteboards even easier to use
LONDON, United Kingdom --- January 14, 2009 --- SMART Technologies announces the addition of Touch Recognition to SMART Board™ 600 series interactive whiteboards. The feature is the first to automatically detect the difference between a pen, finger and palm of the hand, and will be available immediately in the UK. Teachers and students can now, for example, use a pen to write or draw on the interactive whiteboard, a finger to manipulate words or pictures and a palm to erase work. Previously, users had to return the pen to the SMART Pen Tray in order to switch modes.
Touch Recognition advances usability because interaction with the interactive whiteboard more closely resembles the way teachers and students use traditional whiteboards and chalkboards. When a pen is touched to the board, ink appears. When touched with a finger, the board automatically switches to touch mode and the finger acts like a mouse. When the eraser or a palm is used on the board, ink can be erased. With its Pen Tray interface and SMART Notebook software, the SMART Board interactive whiteboard has long been considered the most easy-to-use interactive whiteboard, according to a QED brand study that surveyed more than 500 educators. SMART has taken ease-of-use a step further with the addition of Touch Recognition. For educators new to the SMART Board interactive whiteboard, Touch Recognition will help them affect learning outcomes faster. Educators who already use SMART Board interactive whiteboards proficiently will find the new feature saves time and makes lesson delivery more efficient.
"SMART Board interactive whiteboards have always been the most widely installed interactive whiteboards in the world, largely because they are the easiest to use," says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s CEO. "Touch Recognition builds on that legacy and makes the SMART Board interactive whiteboard even better."
Pricing and availability
Touch Recognition is built into all SMART Board 600 series interactive whiteboards. It is available in the UK immediately and will be available to customers in other countries in February 2009. The suggested list price for the SMART Board interactive whiteboard starts at £675. Suggested pricing in all other regions depends on applicable taxes, duties and import costs. The entire product line – ranging from models that are 48 inches (121 cm) on the diagonal to 94 inches (239 cm) on the diagonal – is available from authorised SMART resellers. For more information, specifications and a list of authorised SMART resellers, visit www.smarttech.com.
Image and video To view a video that depicts how Touch Recognition works, go to Touch Recognition.
About SMART
SMART Technologies invented the touch-sensitive SMART Board interactive whiteboard in 1991. It was just the first of many innovative, easy-to-use products that have earned SMART worldwide recognition and made it the undisputed global leader in the interactive whiteboard product category. Its strategic alliance with Intel® Corporation and strong commitment to research and development has accelerated SMART’s growing line of technology solutions. Thanks to their simplicity and powerful ability to connect people, SMART products have transformed learning for more than 20 million students around the world.
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For more information, please contact:
SueMurray
Mango Marketing Ltd.
Tel: 01932 829077
Mb: 07789 993304
E-mail: sue.murray@mangomarketing.com
Web: www.smarttech.com
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