Here are some highlights from the CUE conference exhibit hall
At the annual CUE conference in Palm Springs, Calif., earlier this month, dozens of ed-tech companies showed their latest products for educators—including a new interactive computer game for learning world history and a way to find apps and other classroom resources aligned with the Common Core standards.
Here are some of the highlights from the CUE conference exhibit hall.
Belkin announced three new ed-tech products at the CUE conference: protective cases and sleeves for Chromebooks; wired keyboards for iPads and Samsung tablets; and a system for securing and charging various mobile devices.
Belkin’s Air Protect Sleeve and Air Protect Case for Chromebooks help protect the devices from damage as they’re being used or carried. The $29 sleeve includes a separate bottom pocket that can store accessories and further insulates the screen from damage if a Chromebook is dropped. The $59 case zips open, allowing you to see the full Chromebook screen—and ventilation on all sides keeps the device from overheating.
Both the case and the sleeve are designed for 11.6-inch Chromebooks and can be used with other slim devices that size as well, such as a MacBook Air.
Belkin’s Secure Wired Keyboards are available in three different versions: a $29 model with a five-pin micro USB connector for Samsung tablets; a $49 version for 30-pin iPad models; and a $59 version for the new Lightning iPad connector. All three keyboard models are angled at five degrees for comfortable use and draw power from the tablet itself, so no battery is needed. They also work with mobile phones.
The Samsung version is available now, and the Apple versions—which are MFi (Made for iPad) certified—will be available in April.
Belkin’s Secure and Charge station is a lightweight but durable metal container for storing and charging any mobile device up to 11-inch Chromebooks. It holds up to 10 devices and is ventillated all around; up to three stations can be stacked on top of each other for full classroom coverage.
At 30 pounds, the Secure and Charge station is light enough to be carried from room to room, and it also can be bolted to an AV cart. It features a lockable door that can accommodate any type of school-issued lock, and its surge protector comes with a $15,000 warranty—meaning Belkin will replace up to $15,000 worth of equipment damaged from overheating or overcharging.
Belkin wasn’t the only company showing a product for storing and charging mobile devices at the CUE conference. Several other CUE exhibitors demonstrated similar types of products.
AVer, for instance, showed a new 40-device cart for storing and charging iPads, Android tablets, and Windows 8 devices, available in May for $1,499. And Black Box highlighted a wide variety of Universal Computing Carts ranging from 18-slot to 40-slot versions; all come with a laminated wooden top to provide a smooth working surface.
(Next page: Five new products for teaching with technology)
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