January 9 - 5:00am EST   Calgary-based Smart Technologies today unveiled Notebook 10, an update to its collaborative learning software. Version 10 provides users with over 30 new features, 100,000 pieces of educational content, and an updated teachers’ resource hub. The new Table Tool allows users to create symmetrical or asymmetrical rows and columns, and customize table properties. Users can draw freehand circles and other geometric shapes with the Shape Pen, which are then recognized and perfected. The company did not release pricing, but it was made aware that users of existing Smart products will receive the update free in the spring. [full story]

January 9 - 5:00am EST   Smart Technologies today unveiled the Smart Board 685 interactive whiteboard, and also re-issued its Smart Board 600i, featuring improved performance over its earlier incarnation. The 685 provides a large 87-inch surface area when measured diagonally, and uses a 16:10 aspect ratio. Smart says this offers 20-percent more working space than its 680 model, catering to a growing number of 16:10 laptops and projectors in schools. The pen try has an expansion slot that allows teachers to upgrade their hardware with other Smart products. Although pricing has not been announced, Smart said the Smart Board 685 will see distribution in April, with costs available at that time. [full story]