This week Smart have released an updated version of the notebook software, Smart Notebook v.10 Service Pack 1. This is basically a version 10 upgrade with the minor bugs fixed. There are no major changes. I installed it yesterday and have been using it today, it is working well so far and I haven’t come across any problems. One definite advantage to this version is that it has the software and drivers in one download, so you don’t need to install them separately. The latest full version can be downloaded from:
http://www2.smarttech.com/st/enUS/Support/Downloads/SBS/Windows/NBSv10WinEval.htm
I finally had a chance to see the new Smart Document Camera in action yesterday. This is an Elmo L1n visualiser which works with the Smart notebook software, so that you can view and capture the visualiser without the need to open additional software. There is an icon on the toolbar in notebook v.10 which activates the visualiser. You can then control it from the screen without leaving the notebook. I like this visualiser as it has excellent optical zoom (5.2x) and a well designed camera head which I find easy to position. The down side is the price – RRP £649, which is £100 more than the stand alone L1n. The stand alone version can also capture into Smart, but you have to use it’s own software, so really you are paying for ease of use. View the full description and specifications on the Smarttech website at:
http://www2.smarttech.com/st/enUS/Products/SMART+Document+Camera/default.htm
Another new release is Smart Notebook SE (Student Edition). This was released last week in beta (test) version. The idea is that the student edition will be used on individual computers which are not connected to the interactive whiteboard, while the teacher uses the original version on the board itself. The student version has a very different design, including tabs similar to internet browsers, and a page for pupils to organise their own work. It’s difficult to predict where this one will go – they may well incorporate the new features into the next version of the notebook. You can download a version to play with from Smarttech at:
http://www2.smarttech.com/st/en-US/Products/SMART+Notebook+Student+Edition+software+beta/default.htm
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