BenQ Launches First EDLA-Certified Smart Boards for Education with Google Mobile Services (GMS)
  • BenQ
  • 2024-01-10

COSTA MESA, California, August 23, 2023 – BenQ, a global leader in display solutions for education, has announced its next generation of smart boards, the BenQ Board Pro RP04 and the BenQ Board Master RM04, now offer full support for Google Mobile Services (GMS) and are officially certified by Google Enterprise Devices Licensing Agreement (EDLA). GMS is Google’s own collection of applications and APIs. 

This new generation of BenQ Boards offers schools easy access to official Google services including Google Play and Google Classroom, and provides classrooms with a seamless experience when using Google Search and other Android applications right on the BenQ Board’s large touchscreen interface.

Google-enhanced learning experiences

All RP04 and RM04 BenQ Boards now include Google’s core applications, such as Google Drive, Maps, Meet, and YouTube. Schools that want to use Google Workspace apps such as Classroom, Docs, Sheets, and Slides can now download and install them directly from Google Play. This way, students and teachers can access their lesson files and work on them directly on the BenQ Board’s touchscreen display.

The new integration also includes a revamped user interface (UI) that is tailor-made for the classroom. Users can either type or speak to begin browsing lesson content directly from the Google Search bar on the home page. Teachers can still use familiar BenQ widgets, set up app shortcuts, and customize their digital teaching space based on their needs.

Better learning with whiteboarding and screen sharing

The RP04 and RM04 BenQ Boards both include the powerful teaching tools EZWrite 6 and InstaShare 2. 

EZWrite 6 is BenQ’s innovative whiteboarding software that allows educators to teach lessons, take notes during class, import or display lesson content, and use a wide range of specialized classroom tools designed for different subjects.

BenQ’s wireless screen sharing solution, InstaShare 2, lets up to 9 students simultaneously share and control their screens from their laptop, tablet, or smartphone on the BenQ Board. This tool also can split up the Board’s screen based on the number of mirrored devices so students can take turns sharing ideas without interrupting the flow of the lesson.

Enhanced tools for classroom accessibility

The new generation of BenQ Boards also boasts new features that make learning more accessible to a wider scope of students.

With Text-to-Speech, visually impaired students can hear text that’s displayed or written on the Board. Multilingual translation lets teachers and students understand lesson materials written in different languages.

Another helpful new feature, Optical Character Recognition (OCR), assists students and teachers with converting images and documents with blocks of characters into editable text. With OCR, they can easily create project drafts or develop lesson materials from print resources.

 

Smarter user and device management

Schools that already have existing Google accounts can easily transition to using BenQ Boards without any extra setup. The BenQ Account Management System (AMS) allows administrators to sync their Google Workspace Directory and instantly move user accounts into the BenQ ecosystem. Directory syncing is also offered for schools that use LDAP, Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory), ClassLink, and other SAML-based identity providers.

Teachers can log in with their synced account and open their Google-hosted files directly from their BenQ Boards with their school accounts. For quicker login, teachers can scan a QR code with their smartphone or use one-tap login with their school-issued NFC cards.

The BenQ Device Management Solution (DMS) allows IT admins to effectively remotely control their BenQ Board settings. With DMS, they can monitor device analytics, manage apps, push device updates, and configure the power settings of both individual or groups of BenQ Boards.

Upgraded security thanks to GMS

With BenQ interactive displays, schools can depend on Google’s built-in security features to protect them from malicious apps, phishing attacks, possible data leaks, and data loss. That’s because BenQ Boards run on a proprietary version of the Android 13 operating system that is officially supported by GMS.

BenQ also safeguards user data by offering encrypted network communications and proxy-level security options. BenQ also hosts its cloud services on a secure AWS cloud infrastructure.

ClassroomCare® means healthier learning

BenQ Boards are the only smart boards for education with a full-fledged set of health-focused ClassroomCare® features aimed at creating healthy learning environments. 

Both the Pro and Master Series are equipped with Eyesafe® Certified 2.0 screens that help to protect students’ and teachers’ eyes from high-energy blue light, which has been shown to cause eye strain and long-term vision-related issues. The Eyesafe screens are able to do this while still maintaining optimal color performance.

The BenQ Board Pro also features air quality sensors that monitor and regulate the levels of CO, PM2.5 , and other toxic pollutants in the classroom. This has the effect of keeping students more alert, improving their cognitive ability, and safeguarding their respiratory health. The RP04 takes this one step further with its built-in air ionizer that helps reduce particulate matter in classrooms.

In addition, both boards have certified antimicrobial screens and peripherals that reduce the risk of germ transmission.

 

About BenQ

BenQ Corp. is a leading innovator of display solutions offering an extensive line of monitors, projectors, and interactive displays for different applications. As an education technology provider, BenQ designs solutions that help schools create flexible learning environments that foster healthy and active learning. Visit BenQ Education to learn more.

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