Blackboard (BBBB)

WASHINGTON, May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Blackboard Inc. today announced the expansion of its mobile offerings for Blackboard Connect(TM) with the release of a native application for Android(TM) smartphones and devices. The app lets K-12, higher education and government leaders quickly create, schedule and send messages to their respective communities directly from their Android devices.

The Android application joins an existing app for iOS® devices that gives users of the Blackboard Connect platform greater flexibility in sending messages. The mobile apps make it easier and faster to send messages to selected groups or their entire communities from anywhere, with just a few taps on their phone.

With the new app, Android users can now take advantage of some of the more advanced features of Blackboard Connect 5, including real-time reports to confirm message delivery for voice and SMS messages. Users can also leverage message templates in to make drafting and sending a notification as simple and as quick as possible.

With Blackboard Connect, users can record, send and track personalized voice, email and text (SMS) messages to home phones, mobile devices, businesses and local agencies in minutes. The system also sends posts to Facebook and Twitter and messages to TTY/TDD devices for people who are hearing impaired. By helping officials quickly reach their communities, the multi-modal platform significantly improves community awareness and engagement.

"In today's fast-paced, mobile environment it's clear that mobile technology is becoming a critical tool in the way we perform our everyday jobs," said Ed Miller, president of Blackboard Connect. "Our support of the Android platform is just another step in our commitment to provide powerful, easy-to-use technology that enhances safety and creates connected communities."

Blackboard Connect now serves over 28 million recipients at more than 6,500 client institutions. To date, Blackboard Connect has delivered several billion messages on behalf of its clients, with more than 1 billion messages being sent in 2011 alone.

Developed as a native application exclusive to the Android platform, Blackboard Connect for the Android is available to current clients for download at the Android App Store at no charge. The application is available to all clients using Blackboard Connect 5 who have an Android version 2.2 (Froyo) or higher.

An application is also available for iOS® devices supporting the iPhone®, iPad(TM) and iPod® touch, and is available at the Apple iTunes Store.

About Blackboard Inc.
Blackboard Inc. is a global leader in enterprise technology and innovative solutions that improve the experience of millions of students and learners around the world every day. Blackboard's solutions allow thousands of higher education, K-12, professional, corporate, and government organizations to extend teaching and learning online, facilitate campus commerce and security, and communicate more effectively with their communities. Founded in 1997, Blackboard is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with offices in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for Blackboard represent the Company's views as of the date of this press release. Actual results may differ materially as a result of various important factors. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause the Company's views to change. However, while the Company may elect to update these statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so.

SOURCE Blackboard Inc.