SMART’s wireless slate brings mobile interactivity to classrooms
AirLiner WS100 wireless slate ships with SMART Board software for integrated education solution
CALGARY, Alberta --- May 3, 2005 --- SMART Technologies Inc. announces the launch of the AirLiner™ WS100 wireless slate. Teachers and students can now enjoy the freedom of controlling their computer and digital content from the AirLiner wireless slate anywhere in the classroom via its Bluetooth® connection. The AirLiner wireless slate ships with SMART Board™ software and can be used with SMART Board interactive whiteboards and Sympodium™ interactive pen displays, or independently with a computer and projector. Educators can move about a room as they control applications and write or draw in digital ink while students follow along by watching the projected image. Multiple AirLiner wireless slate users can also write at the same time, improving collaboration between the teacher and students.
Every point on an AirLiner wireless slate’s 6" (15.2-cm) x 8" (20.3-cm) active area has a matching point on the computer display, so when users move the pen over the wireless slate, the movement is mirrored on the interactive whiteboard or projector screen. The WS100 ships with a battery-free tethered pen, a battery-free wireless mouse, a rechargeable lithium-polymer battery, a power cord, a USB Bluetooth adapter for Microsoft Windows® and Mac OS® operating systems, and SMART Board software.
"As interactive technology makes its way into more classrooms, educators are looking for products that fit their teaching styles," says Nancy Knowlton, SMART's president and co-CEO. "Our customers now have the flexibility to move around the classroom with the AirLiner wireless slate, while still being able to access all the features of their SMART Board interactive whiteboard."
Features
Pen and function buttons: Programmable buttons on the pen and above the active screen area provide quick access to commonly used applications and features, such as Notebook software, pen tools and the eraser.
Pen-tool icon strip: Provides access to black, blue, red and green digital ink, an eraser and other tools, such as the on-screen keyboard, screen capture and right-click.
Battery-free tethered pen: The pen is always ready for use, requiring no maintenance or charging.
Bluetooth adapter: The AirLiner wireless slate includes a Bluetooth adapter that communicates to the computer.
Rechargeable lithium-polymer battery: The WS100 will operate for up to 25 hours on a single charge.
Multiple inputs: Users of the AirLiner wireless slate and a SMART Board interactive whiteboard can write simultaneously in digital ink.
Pricing and availability
The AirLiner WS100 wireless slate is now shipping with SMART Board software at a suggested retail price of US$699. Not-for-profit educational institutions may qualify for a grant through the SMARTer Kids™ Foundation, reducing the suggested price to US$489. For more information, specifications or authorized resellers, visit www.smarttech.com or call 1.888.42.SMART. For grant inquiries, visit the SMARTer Kids Foundation at www.smarterkids.org or call 403.228.8565.
About SMART Board interactive whiteboards
The SMART Board interactive whiteboard is a large, touch-sensitive display. Connected to a computer and projector, the interactive whiteboard is like a giant computer screen that students and teachers simply touch to operate. Using their finger or a pen as a mouse, teachers and students can access and control any computer application, file or multimedia platform, including the Internet, CD-ROMs and DVDs. They can also write over applications in digital ink, then save their work for future study and review. The SMART Board interactive whiteboard engages students with diverse learning styles by providing both immediate access to a wide range of digital materials and a common focus for the entire class – not something easily achieved with other technologies. It is the number one choice among primary and secondary school educators in more than 75 countries worldwide because the pioneering software interface captures the imagination of students of all backgrounds and abilities in order to help them learn together, understand better and achieve more. For more information, visit www.smarttech.com/smartboard.
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For more information, contact:
Public Relations
SMART Technologies Inc.
1207 - 11th Avenue SW, Suite 300
Calgary, AB T3C 0M5
CANADA
Phone +1.403.802.3340 Fax +1.403.228.2500
pr@smarttech.com
Please note that SMART is written in all capital letters.