SMART Technologies Inc. has announces two new 40-inch SMART Board for Flat-Panel Displays interactive overlays. The new PN340 and PC340 overlays work in conjunction with NEC-Mitsubishi LCD400 and Clarity Visual Systems Bobcat II LCD panels, making it possible to convert these flat panel display systems into touchscreen systems.
Both the LCD4000 and Bobcat II are aimed at public spaces, schoolrooms, boardrooms, and other locations that would benefit from a large-area flat screen LCD display. SMART’s interactive overlays make it possible for users to input data directly from the screens themselves, rather than using a keyboard or mouse.
The interactive overlays operate in conjunction with Mac OS X and Windows-compatible software installed on a host computer. The software enables both touch control and annotation, so a user’s finger can act like a mouse or a drawing tool. SMART also makes touchscreen overlays designed to work with large-format plasma displays.
The PNC340 and PC340 are expected to ship by the end of October for a suggested list price of US$3,299. SMART also notes that a grant may be available for educational institutions to knock 30 percent off the list price — visit the SMARTer Kids Foundation Web site for details on the grant program.