Interactive Whiteboard provides 16:9 aspect ratio.
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Press Release Summary:
Suited for large classrooms and training rooms, 94 in. SMART Board(TM) 690 ensures students and teachers can comfortably interact with all parts of display. Expansion slot enables users to add future hardware upgrades and peripherals to SMART Pen Tray, while USB connectivity facilitates integration of USB peripherals and accessories. Help button, located on pen tray, provides quick access to screen orientation feature and to online training and support material.
Original Press Release:
New 94 Inch Interactive Whiteboard
16:9 aspect ratio maximizes visibility and increases functional whiteboarding space
CALGARY, ALBERTA --- June 7, 2006 --- SMART Technologies Inc. announces the newest addition to the award-winning SMART Board(TM) interactive whiteboard family. Ideal for larger classrooms and training rooms, the new 94" (238.7-cm) SMART Board 690 interactive whiteboard is wider, offering 33 percent more active working surface than the 680 model. The product will be unveiled at this year's InfoComm and EduComm trade shows, June 7 to 9, in Orlando, Florida.
A 16:9 aspect ratio accommodates the need for more whiteboarding space in larger rooms while ensuring students and teachers can still comfortably interact with all parts of the display. Content is visible to students even at the back of a large classroom or training room. The SMART Board 690 interactive whiteboard offers the same functionality and aesthetics as other models in the award-winning 600 series and is compatible with most 600 series accessories.
"Given the many large classroom and training rooms, and the emerging interest in 16:9 projectors, educators have expressed to us their need for even larger interactive whiteboards," says Nancy Knowlton, SMART's president and co-CEO. "The introduction of the SMART Board 690 interactive whiteboard provides instructors and students with an interactive whiteboard that is designed to maximize whiteboarding space and visibility in large groups."
SMART Board 600 series interactive whiteboard features
More screen sizes: SMART Board interactive whiteboards are now available in four sizes that accommodate a variety of applications. The SMART Board 690 interactive whiteboard is 94" (238.7 cm), the 680 is 77" (195.6 cm), the 660 is 64" (162.6 cm) and the 640 is 48" (121.9 cm) diagonally. Only the 690 has an aspect ratio of 16:9. The others in the 600 series have 4:3
Expansion slot: Users can add future hardware upgrades and peripherals to the SMART Pen Tray, providing more functionality and ease of use.
USB connectivity: As a USB native device, the SMART Board interactive whiteboard is plug-and-play. This makes it easy to integrate USB peripherals and accessories, such as the new USB audio system.
Help button: Located on the pen tray, the Help button provides quick access to the screen orientation feature and to SMART's online training and support material.
SMART Board 600 series interactive whiteboard accessories compatible with SB690
GoWire(TM) SMART Board software auto-launch cable: GoWire SMART Board software auto-launch cable is the newest accessory for SMART Board interactive whiteboards. It is a specially designed software-enabled USB cable that automatically launches SMART Board software upon connecting to any computer and a SMART Board interactive whiteboard or Sympodium® interactive pen display. With it, users can access the full capabilities of SMART Board software without installing it on a specific computer.
USB audio system: The USB audio system includes two 15-watt, stereo amplified speakers, with a two-port USB hub, that mount to the SMART Board interactive whiteboard or to the wall. Only one cable connection is required to transmit both an audio and data signal, meaning less cable management. The speakers can also provide room audio via an auxiliary input for a DVD player or VCR.
SystemOn expansion module: The SystemOn module can be added to the expansion slot on the pen tray of a SMART Board interactive whiteboard and will turn the computer, projector and interactive whiteboard on or off, all with the push of a button.
Wireless Bluetooth® connection: The wireless module operates on the Bluetooth wireless standard and integrates with AirLiner(TM) wireless slates. Wireless functionality allows for greater mobility and classroom interaction, and eliminates any loose wires that might get in the way.
Pricing and Availability
SMART Board 690 interactive whiteboard will ship in September 2006, complete with ergonomic pens and eraser, USB cable, wall-mounting brackets and the latest version of SMART Board software 9.5 for Mac and Windows, at the suggested list price of US$2,999. Not-for-profit education institutions in the United States and Canada may qualify for a grant through the SMARTer Kids(TM) Foundation of Canada, equivalent to 30 percent of the suggested list price, reducing their net purchase price to US$2,100. More information can be found at www.smarterkids.org. For more information, system requirements or a list of authorized resellers, visit www.smarttech.com or call 1.888.42.SMART.
Warranty
The SMART Board 600 series interactive whiteboards include a two-year limited warranty that can be extended to five years upon product registration.
For more information, contact
Public Relations
SMART Technologies Inc.
1207 - 11 Avenue SW, Suite 300
Calgary, AB T3C 0M5
CANADA
Phone +1.403.802.2556
Fax +1.403.228.2500
pr@smarttech.com
