SMART Technologies Introduces OS-Free SMART Board

Interactive display company SMART Technologies has released the GX Zero SMART board, a simple USB-C cable plug-and-play device that needs no embedded software or operating system.

Once plugged in, it can make any content interactive, the company said, and works with Windows, Mac, and ChromeOS.

GX Zero SMART Board

GX Zero

The GX Zero is for users who "want the benefits of an interactive display and aren't planning to use embedded software," the company said. Users can pick up a pen, write, and save annotations in PDF or Microsoft Office file formats.

Multiple users and different tools can use it simultaneously, the company said, adding that the device uses 52% less energy than similar products.

Features include:

  • SMART Ink software that allows writing directly into programs and files "without screen freezing or clunky overlays";
  • Multiple users writing, moving, and erasing at the same time;
  • Multiple USB-C ports; and
  • Forty touch points on Windows, 20 on Mac, and 10 on ChromeOS.

Buyers can customize the display by adding a SMART OPS PC and AMGI Android appliance to provide Windows or Android-based computing. This allows compatibility with future developments, the company said.

The GX series boards are available in 65", 75", and 86". The boards come with a free SMART Notebook and resource library for teachers. Included are also real time technical support, advanced replacement, and two-way shipping. Extended warranties are also available.

To learn more about the series, see the GX in action, download a spec sheet and a brochure, or book a demo, visit the GX device page.

About the Author

Kate Lucariello is a former newspaper editor, EAST Lab high school teacher and college English teacher.

Featured

  • student and teacher using AI-enabled laptops, with rising arrows on a graph

    Research: Student and Teacher AI Use Jumps Nearly 30% in One Year

    In a survey from learning platform Quizlet, 85% of high school and college students and teachers said they use AI technology, compared to 66% in 2024 — a 29% increase year over year.

  • laptop with AI symbol on screen

    Google Launches Lightweight Gemma 3n, Expanding Emphasis on Edge AI

    Google DeepMind has officially launched Gemma 3n, the latest version of its lightweight generative AI model designed specifically for mobile and edge devices — a move that reinforces the company's focus on on-device computing.

  • stylized illustration of a desktop, laptop, tablet, and smartphone all displaying an orange AI icon

    Survey: AI Shifting from Cloud to PCs

    A recent Intel-commissioned report identifies a significant shift in AI adoption, moving away from the cloud and closer to the user. Businesses are increasingly turning to the specialized hardware of AI PCs, the survey found, recognizing their potential not just for productivity gains, but for revolutionizing IT efficiency, fortifying data security, and delivering a compelling return on investment by bringing AI capabilities directly to the edge.

  • students raising their hands and participating in a classroom discussion

    Report Explores Link Between Student Engagement and Learning

    Over 90% of teachers, principals, and superintendents agree that student engagement is a critical metric for understanding overall achievement, according to a new survey report from Discovery Education.