CALGARY, Alberta, Dec. 14, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SMART Technologies (Nasdaq:SMT) (TSX:SMA) announces the SMART Board 400 series interactive whiteboard, SMART's new line of entry-level interactive whiteboards and interactive whiteboard systems. The 400 series extends the company's interactive whiteboard product line, which includes the SMART Board 600 series interactive whiteboard and the new SMART Board 800 series interactive whiteboard. Using SMART's patented DViT™ (Digital Vision Touch) technology, the 400 series offers a rich user experience, recognizing both pen and finger inputs, and enabling teachers and students to easily interact with digital content. The series comprises the SMART Board 480 interactive whiteboard, the SMART Board 480iv interactive whiteboard system with short-throw SMART V25 projector, and the SMART Board 480iv-A interactive whiteboard system with SMART V25 projector and integrated speakers. All three products will be available in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), Asia Pacific, Latin America and Mexico in January 2011.
The SMART Board 400 series interactive whiteboard is ideal for educators who want a cost-effective, entry-level interactive whiteboard or interactive whiteboard system. The 400 series supports both the Microsoft® Windows® and Linux® operating systems and ships with award-winning SMART Notebook™ collaborative learning software, used by educators in more than 175 countries to create and deliver interactive lessons. The 400 series offers a 4:3 aspect ratio and standard display size of 77" (195.6 cm) on the diagonal, and integrates seamlessly with SMART's other education products, including the SMART Document Camera™, SMART Notebook Math Tools software and SMART Response™ interactive response systems. 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. Additional information on the SMART Board 400 series interactive whiteboard can be found at smarttech.com/SMARTBoardUK.
"Demand for interactive whiteboards and interactive whiteboard systems continues to increase in EMEA, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Mexico, 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."
Common features
Size – 77" (195.6 cm) on the diagonal
Aspect ratio – 4:3
Precision touch – Provides direct, precise touch control for accurate data selection and interaction
Finger and stylus input – Receives inputs from a finger, pen tool or any pointing device
Durable surface – Surface is optimized for projection, producing no hot spots and is compatible with dry-erase markers
Warranty – Two-year standard warranty
SMART product integration – Seamless integration with the full range of SMART hardware and software products, including SMART Notebook 10.6 software
SMART Board 480iv interactive whiteboard system features
Short-throw projector – Extends 37.4" (95 cm) from the interactive whiteboard surface to minimize shadows
3D ready – Supports 3D content, images and video
Long lamp life – Up to 4,500 hours in standard mode and up to 6,000 hours in economy mode
Resolution – XGA (1024 x 78)
Lumens – 2,000
Stereo economy speakers* – 20W speakers connect via USB
* SMART Board 480iv-A interactive whiteboard systems only
SMART Board interactive whiteboard product line
- The SMART Board 400 series interactive whiteboard extends the company's leading interactive whiteboard product offering to include an entry-level interactive whiteboard. The SMART Board 400 series interactive whiteboard will be available in EMEA, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Mexico in January, 2011, and includes the standard (4:3 aspect ratio) 480 interactive whiteboard; the 480iv interactive whiteboard system, which includes a short-throw projector; and the 480iv-A interactive whiteboard system, which includes a short-throw 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 system, which includes an integrated projector. The 600 series also includes the widescreen (16:9 aspect ratio) 690 interactive whiteboard; the 685i4 interactive whiteboard systems, which include integrated projectors; 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 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 is the second front-projection series introduced this quarter using 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
Prices vary by country and may include applicable taxes, duties and import costs. For purchasing information, specifications and a list of authorized SMART resellers, visit smarttech.com. The SMART Board 480 interactive whiteboard, SMART Board 480iv interactive whiteboard system and SMART Board 480iv-A interactive whiteboard system will be available in EMEA, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Mexico in January 2011.
Image
Download an image of the SMART Board 480 interactive whiteboard.
Download an image of the SMART Board 480iv interactive whiteboard system.
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.
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Reader's advisory
Certain statements made in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal and applicable Canadian securities laws. By their very nature, forward-looking information and statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks that predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking information and statements will not be achieved. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these statements as a number of important factors could cause the actual results to vary materially from the forward-looking information or statements. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking information or statements. Any forward-looking information and statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
© 2010 SMART Technologies. SMART Board, DViT, SMART Notebook, SMART Document Camera, SMART Response, SMART Exchange, smarttech and the SMART logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of SMART Technologies in the U.S. and/or other countries. All third-party product and company names are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.
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CONTACT: SMART Technologies Sandra Semple, Senior Public Relations Specialist +1.403.407.5083 SandraSemple@smarttech.com smarttech.com