Speechi offers two interactive whiteboard software programs: Note and Iolaos. To understand what each has to offer, we’ve put together a comparison that, while not exhaustive, gives you a comprehensive and faithful overview of what to expect in terms of uses and potential projects.
After a first section highlighting the fundamental differences between Note and Iolaos, we’ll go into more detail by continuing our comparison through the tools each provides.
Overview of Note & Iolaos Interactive Whiteboards (↑)
Note is an Android app integrated into the Speechi interactive displays of our three SuperGlass product lines.
It is used just like a traditional classroom whiteboard: a tool contained within the classroom environment that serves as a medium for writing, demonstrating, and exercising—accessible spontaneously by both teachers and students.
Iolaos is a PC software program that can be installed on the teacher’s personal computer as well as on the PC embedded in the classroom’s interactive display.
It allows the teacher to prepare lesson materials outside classroom hours and space. The teacher can open Iolaos and access lesson files via the PC mode of the interactive display or by connecting their personal computer to it if there is no built-in PC.
Want to know more about the tools and features they offer—both shared and unique? Let’s dive into the details.
✏️ Annotation Tools (↑)
Both Note and Iolaos offer a wide variety of writing tools, although each comes with its own unique features.
Iolaos: Highlighting, Pointing, Stamping
Three writing tools specific to Iolaos:
- Highlighter – to emphasize textual elements.
- Laser pointer – creates a temporary trace to draw student attention without needing to erase.
- Stamp tool – especially useful for marking or correcting.
Note: Finger & Stylus Tip Customization
Note allows you to switch between different writing styles without constantly navigating the menu!
You can assign a different tool, color, and stroke thickness to your finger, fine-tip stylus, and broad-tip stylus.
| Annotation Tools | NOTE | IOLAOS |
| Pen / Pencil | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brush | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paintbrush | × | ✓ |
| Highlighter | × | ✓ |
| Laser Pointer | × | ✓ |
| Magic Pen / Stamps | × | ✓ |
| Pattern Tool | × | ✓ |
| Text Recognition | ✓ | ✓ |
| Shape Recognition | ✓ | × |
| Fine/Broad Stylus & Finger Differentiation | ✓ | × |
✏️ Geometry Tools (↑)
Note and Iolaos offer mostly the same geometric tools, with a few differences.
Note’s Geometry Tools
Integrated Geogebra Geometry module: create polygons, visualize transformations, and build geometric objects.
Geogebra 3D Calculator: draw solids, visualize 3D rotations and cross-sections.
Iolaos’ Geometry Tools
Annotated geometric shapes showing angles directly.
| Geometry Tools | NOTE | IOLAOS |
| Ruler | ✓ | ✓ |
| Set Square | ✓ | ✓ |
| Geometry Triangle | ✓ | ✓ |
| Protractor | ✓ | ✓ |
| 360° Protractor | × | ✓ |
| Compass | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3D Shapes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Geometric Figures with Angles | × | ✓ |
| Geogebra Geometry Module | ✓ | × |
| Geogebra 3D Calculator Module | ✓ | × |
🧮 Mathematics Tools (↑)
While Note includes Geogebra modules, Iolaos offers interactive exercise generators—perfect for creating unlimited math exercises directly on the classroom display.
Note includes the Geogebra Scientific Calculator to work with numbers, fractions, trigonometry, and statistics.
Iolaos features arithmetic and division exercise generators…
…as well as a fractions visualizer and a unit converter (length, area, weight, power, speed).
| Mathematics Tools | NOTE | IOLAOS |
| Equations | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cartesian Plane | ✓ | ✓ |
| Calculator | ✓ | ✓ |
| Geogebra Scientific Calculator | ✓ | × |
| Arithmetic Exercises | × | ✓ |
| Division Exercises | × | ✓ |
| Fractions | × | ✓ |
| Unit Converter | × | ✓ |
🧪 Science Tools (↑)
Both software programs provide tools for science education, with the following key differences.
Note includes integrated PhET simulations…
and a Molecular module.
Iolaos offers an interactive solar system visualization…
…in addition to an electric circuit simulator.
| Science Tools | NOTE | IOLAOS |
| Atomic Structure | ✓ (Molecular) | ✓ |
| Periodic Table | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chemical Equation Writing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Solar System | × | ✓ |
| PhET Simulations | ✓ | × |
| Electric Circuit | ✓ | ✓ |
🖼️ Educational Backgrounds (↑)
Though Iolaos features a more extensive library of background templates, both software tools offer writing lines, grids, and the ability to insert custom backgrounds.
Note provides basic line and grid backgrounds…
…musical staves, and sports fields.
Iolaos offers ruled lines, graph paper, themed backgrounds (science, math, nature, space), musical scores, sports fields, and even a chessboard.
Iolaos offers ruled lines, graph paper, themed backgrounds (science, math, nature, space), musical scores, sports fields, and even a chessboard.
Iolaos offers ruled lines, graph paper, themed backgrounds (science, math, nature, space), musical scores, sports fields, and even a chessboard.
Iolaos offers ruled lines, graph paper, themed backgrounds (science, math, nature, space), musical scores, sports fields, and even a chessboard.
| Educational Backgrounds | NOTE | IOLAOS |
| Colored Backgrounds | 24 | 20 |
| Writing Lines | 2 | 19 |
| Grid Backgrounds | 2 | 7 |
| Musical Staff | 2 | 1 |
| Sports Fields | 6 | 6 |
| Chessboard | × | ✓ |
| Classroom Ambiance Images | × | 15 |
| Custom Background Insertion | ✓ | ✓ |
🔧 Miscellaneous Tools (↑)
Here’s a look at some extra tools unique to each whiteboard software.
Creating a table in the Note application. The height and width of the cells adapt to what you write in them.
Built-in web browser to search images and YouTube videos.
Integrated Wikipedia shortcut.
Screenshot tool in the Swift Bar.
Timer and stopwatch in the Swift Bar.
Iolaos‘ integrated image bank. This article shows you how to create interactive exercises for your class using these images.
Iolaos capture tools. To find out more about these capture tools, read this article.
The projector in Iolaos. To find out more about this tool, read this article.
The curtain in Iolaos. To find out all about the curtain, read this article.
The Iolaos camera tool. To find out more about the Camera tool, read this article.
| Miscellaneous Tools | NOTE | IOLAOS |
| Text Input | Via handwriting recognition | ✓ |
| YouTube Video Integration | Via web browser | ✓ |
| Integrated Image Bank | × | ✓ |
| Built-in Web Browser | Image, YT search + Wikipedia | ✓ |
| Table Creation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mind Map | ✓ | ✓ |
| Screenshot | Via screen tools | ✓ |
| Screen Recorder | Via screen tools | ✓ |
| Timer / Stopwatch | Via screen tools | ✓ |
| Spotlight Tool | × | ✓ |
| Curtain Tool | × | ✓ |
| Graph Tool | × | ✓ |
| Mini Whiteboard | × | ✓ |
| On-Screen Keyboard | × | ✓ |
| Clock | × | ✓ |
| Camera / Document Viewer | × | ✓ |
| Calendar | × | ✓ |
| Timeline | × | ✓ |
♟️🎲 Classroom Engagement Tools (↑)
These tools are exclusive to Iolaos.
Dice Tool: Roll 1 to 6 dice for math practice or to gamify exercises.
Scorekeeper: Divide the class into teams and assign points.
Puzzle Generator: Turn any image (book cover, artwork) into a puzzle in seconds.
Memory Game Builder: Import your own images to create a memory card game.
Traffic Light Tool: A classroom favorite for managing noise levels during group work.
📲 Sharing Lessons via QR Code (↑)
A feature exclusive to Note!
Share your Note document with students via a QR Code they can scan with their smartphones.
In Summary
- Note and Iolaos are two complementary whiteboard software programs. While Note is designed for in-class use like a traditional whiteboard—enhanced by digital capabilities—Iolaos enables teachers to prepare interactive content ahead of time and present it on the classroom interactive screen.
- Both offer essential tools for any digital whiteboard: annotation tools, geometry tools, lined and grid backgrounds…
- But each has its strengths: Note includes Geogebra modules and QR Code sharing, while Iolaos provides numerous class animation tools and an interactive solar system visualization.
