SMART Technologies Unveils Enhancements to SMART kapp iQ® in Education

The award-winning interactive flat panel now offers an all-in-one hardware and software experience, without the need for an external computer

CALGARY, April 27, 2016 /CNW/ - SMART Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: SMT) (TSX: SMA), a leading provider of collaboration solutions announces today that they have updated their most advanced member of the award-winning SMART kapp® product family, SMART kapp iQ®. The new and improved SMART kapp iQ interactive flat panel is specifically designed to deliver a complete, all-in-one classroom solution that provides educators with the flexibility to deliver lessons across a range of learning and instructional styles, including whole-class, small group and individual instruction.

SMART kapp iQ now offers educators simple, one-touch access to a full range of classroom applications, promising a fully integrated experience with student devices. Because all software is built right into the interactive display, both educators and students have seamless access to the applications they use every day, all without the need to physically connect to an external computer. kapp iQ can be mounted on a mobile floor stand, meaning the latest advancements facilitate the creation of flexible learning environments both within and outside of classrooms – it's ready for collaboration anywhere, without the inconvenience of managing cables and hardware.

Features in the updated SMART kapp iQ include:

• kapp iQ's award-winning multi-way, multi-device whiteboarding capability
• Built-in web browser
• One-touch instant access to SMART amp™ cloud-based collaboration software, SMART lab game-based learning activity software (anticipated in August), and a SMART Notebook® collaborative learning software viewer (anticipated in August)
• WiFi-based screencasting to easily share content from student devices (anticipated in August)
• External PC access via HDMI and USB
• Automatic over-the-air (OTA) software updates

"This improvement to SMART kapp iQ is yet another revolutionary leap for us," said Warren Barkley, CTO of SMART Technologies. "kapp iQ was introduced into education last year and its multi-way collaboration between the display and student devices proved extremely successful in a classroom setting, fostering both whole-class and student-led learning. With the new all-in-one capability, we've not only simplified the user experience for better technology adoption, but have also developed an easy way for administrators to standardize installation, training, maintenance and support across multiple classrooms," he said.

SMART kapp iQ displays found success in classrooms, garnered awards and received praise for its use in the workplace including a 2016 Edison Award, three separate Best-of-Show Awards at InfoComm 2015, the recipient of a Gold Stevie Award for the Best New Product of the Year – Business-to-Business category, raVe On Demand, and Best of ISTE 2014 award.

All SMART interactive flat panels include a 1-year subscription to the SMART Learning Suite – an integrated educational software platform designed to enable natural and collaborative learning experiences, combining the power of industry-leading SMART Notebook®, SMART lab, SMART response® 2 and access to the award-winning SMART amp™. The SMART Learning Suite is optimized to work best with SMART interactive flat panels – this hardware and software combination deliver the best solution for educators.

Pricing and Availability

SMART kapp iQ is available in three sizes. The 55" model has a suggested education price in the United States of $3,999. The 65" model has a suggested education price in the United States of $4,999. The 75" model has a suggested education price in the United States of $6,999. Prices in other countries will vary.

Customers who have previously purchased a SMART Board® 6000 series or kapp iQ interactive flat panel can upgrade to this new all-in-one experience through the simple insertion of an updated kapp iQ appliance module. This will be available for order on May 2, 2016 with a suggested education price in the United States of $499, and we anticipate shipping by mid-June 2016. Prices in other countries will vary.

For more information, please contact your SMART authorized reseller.

To learn more about the SMART Technologies products please visit http://www.smarttech.com/

About SMART Technologies Inc.
SMART Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: SMT, TSX: SMA) is a world leader in simple and intuitive solutions that enable more natural collaboration. We are an innovator in interactive touch technologies and software that inspire collaboration in both education and businesses around the globe. To learn more, visit smarttech.com.

Reader's advisory
Certain information contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking information or statements, including, without limitation, information on the availability dates for certain hardware or software features, the date updated kapp iQ appliance modules will be available for order, and the date such modules are expected to begin shipping. 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.

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SOURCE SMART Technologies Inc.

Kara Pinato, Spark PR for SMART Technologies, [email protected]; Jeff Lowe, VP of Marketing, SMART Technologies Inc., [email protected]