• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

My TechDecisions

  • Best of Tech Decisions
  • Topics
    • Video
    • Audio
    • Mobility
    • Unified Communications
    • IT Infrastructure
    • Network Security
    • Physical Security
    • Facility
    • Compliance
  • RFP Resources
  • Resources
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Project of the Week
  • About Us
    SEARCH
Mobility

Mobile Integration a Large Focus for K-12 Tech at InfoComm 2015

1:1 and BYOD have been trending in classrooms for a while, but AV collaboration systems are finally catching up, making mobile device use easier than ever.

June 18, 2015 Chrissy Winske Leave a Comment

To say the world has gone mobile is an understatement. More people than ever use their cell phones and tablets as their primary device for productivity. This is even true of TechDecisions readers who we know increasingly access our content from mobile platforms. Yet, many times when you attend a show like InfoComm, you see companies pushing large, hardware-based systems that have little resemblance to the reality most educators (and working professionals for that matter) face.

At InfoComm 2015, that’s starting to change. Many of the products, particularly in the communication and collaboration arena, seemed to be designed with a mobile first mindset.

“The world has already voted for mobile devices,” says Neil Gaydon, CEO, SMART Technologies. “This industry just hasn’t noticed.”

Gaydon’s comment came during a discussion about SMART Technologies new product SMART Kapp IQ, a 4K display with a built-in whiteboard that allows users to write on a display and have the content appear on any wirelessly connected mobile device any where in the world.

The idea is that users already favor mobile devices over hard-wired collaboration solutions and the SMART product takes advantage of that.

The projector industry is also making mobile integration a priority. When asked about K-12 trends influencing the projector market, Joe Gillio, senior director, Strategic Planning and Marketing at Casio, pointed to 1:1 and tablets in the classroom. That’s why products, even entry level ones, increasingly offer features like HDMI connectivity and wireless content sharing.

Another trend born of the move towards mobile is the rise in systems that support open architecture and greater flexibility. Educators don’t want to be tied to specific platforms or products. They want choice.

This trend was displayed heavily at the Sharp Electronics booth where the latest Aquos Board was set up with integration for Google platforms, Promethean’s ClassFlow and Splashtop. Stephen Brauner, senior project manger, Professional Displays at Sharp Electronics discussed the company’s move towards device agnostic solutions and open architecture, which makes integration with mobile easier than ever.

The move towards open platforms has huge implications for BYOD. Today, most schools interested in getting devices in the classrooms choose to go 1:1 because it’s much easier to standardize on one type of device and one type of operating system. The choice is usually determined by taking a look at what other software platforms or technologies need to be tied into and supported by the mobile device.  As technology continues to become more and more mobile friendly and the options for device agnostic solutions grow, BYOD will become a more viable option for K-12 schools.

If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our digital newsletters!

Tagged With: InfoComm, K12

Related Content:

  • Rearview shot of two young designers giving each other a fist bump in an office, on display is Crestron desk scheduling device Crestron Introduces Desk Q and Desk Touch Scheduling…
  • VoIP ROI business case The Bottom-Line Benefits of VoIP Technology
  • Commercial Integrator BEST AWARD 2023 Logo Announcing Commercial Integrator’s 2023 BEST Award Winners
  • Humly Visitor Tablet Humly Introduces Workplace Software Suite at InfoComm 2023

Free downloadable guide you may like:

  • Blueprint Series Cover: What works for hybrid workBlueprint Series: What Works for Hybrid Work

    Download this free resource to learn about how IT leaders can effectively manage and implement a hybrid work model.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get the FREE Tech Decisions eNewsletter

Sign up Today!

Latest Downloads

Download TechDecisions' Blueprint Series report on Security Awareness now!
Blueprint Series: Why Your Security Awareness Program is Probably Falling Short

Learn about the evolution of phishing attacks and best practices for security awareness programs to ensure your organization is properly prepared t...

Workplace Collaboration Tools for Corporate Spaces
Workplace Collaboration Tools for Corporate Spaces

From lobbies and shared spaces to conference rooms and multipurpose facilities, you need high-performing AV technology to effectively share informa...

ChatGPT, generative AI, enterprise, workplace
Blueprint Series: ChatGPT and Generative AI in the Workplace

This latest release of the TechDecisions Blueprint Series explores the new phenomenon of tools such as ChatGPT and how IT leaders should go about d...

View All Downloads

Would you like your latest project featured on TechDecisions as Project of the Week?

Apply Today!
Sharp Microsoft Collaboration HQ Logo

Learn More About the
Windows Collaboration Display

More from Our Sister Publications

Get the latest news about AV integrators and Security installers from our sister publications:

Commercial IntegratorSecurity Sales

AV-iQ

Footer

TechDecisions

  • Home
  • Welcome to TechDecisions
  • Subscribe to the Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Comment Guidelines
  • RSS Feeds
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linkedin

Free Technology Guides

FREE Downloadable resources from TechDecisions provide timely insight into the issues that IT, A/V, and Security end-users, managers, and decision makers are facing in commercial, corporate, education, institutional, and other vertical markets

View all Guides
TD Project of the Week

Get your latest project featured on TechDecisions Project of the Week. Submit your work once and it will be eligible for all upcoming weeks.

Enter Today!
Emerald Logo
ABOUTCAREERSAUTHORIZED SERVICE PROVIDERSDO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATIONTERMS OF USEPRIVACY POLICY

© 2023 Emerald X, LLC. All rights reserved.