SMART Technologies Inc. has made its SMART Board software compatible with Mac OS X via a free update. The software works with SMART Board interactive whiteboards and SMART Sympodium interactive lecterns.
| <?php virtual(“/includes/boxad.inc”); ?> |
The upgrade of the software — which also features the ability to annotate over moving or still video in QuickTime Player — is now shipping with all SMART Board and Sympodium products. If you own an earlier version of the SMART Board software, you can download a free upgrade of SMART Board software, which includes SMART Board driver 6.0 and SMART Notebook 1.3 software, at the SMART Technologies Web site.
The new software will allow Mac OS X to integrate with the company’s family of interactive whiteboards that include SMART Board, Rear Projection SMART Board, and SMART Board for Plasma Displays models. Users can control computer applications by pressing on the interactive whiteboard’s touch-sensitive surface, or they can write over top of any application using either their finger or a pen from the SMART Pen Tray.
The SMART Sympodium IC-150 and IM-150 interactive lectern integration modules that integrate into podiums or desks, bringing interactive presentation technology to auditoriums and lecture halls. The SMART Expression IM integration module adds peripheral and laptop support to custom-designed cabinets, tables or desks. All equipment is ready to go at the flip of a switch, SMART president Nancy Knowlton said.
The SMART Sympodium IC-150 integration module includes an interactive console and is powered by SMART Board software. When the IC-150 is integrated into a podium or desk, the presenter works at the LCD screen using the tethered stylus to control, edit and annotate over computer-based material. With the room’s projector displaying the presentation onto a larger screen, the audience can follow along.
The SMART Sympodium IM-150 integration module includes all the components and functionality of the IC-150 plus the SMART X-Port 30 multimedia switch. Using the switch, a presenter can transition between three peripherals, such as a computer, laptop and document camera. The guest laptop can be connected to the X-Port 30 unit, gaining access to all the console’s interactive features.
The interface for SMART Board software for Mac OS X is also consistent with earlier Mac-based versions, eliminating the need for additional training, Knowlton said. Mac OS X users can annotate over any moving or still video viewed with QuickTime Player on a SMART Board interactive whiteboard without buying additional software or hardware. Users can also play or freeze frames in either the player’s window or in full-screen mode.
The Screen Capture tool in Notebook software allows you to capture the entire area or a portion of the screen, so that video annotations can be saved in Notebook software. Notes can then be printed or e-mailed for future reference and distribution.
In the future, SMART also hopes to implement handwriting technology via the Inkwell features in Mac OS X 10.2 (“Jaguar”). For more info on SMART products, see our June 19 report.