By Adam Cox Futuresource Consulting 2020 was a tumultuous year and one that will cast a long shadow over almost every aspect of our lives. For many of those normally working in offices, one of the most significant changes has been being forced to work from home as most countries around the world went through […]

Google announced the company has been working to perfect Project Starline — a technology project that combines hardware and software to enable friends, families and co-workers to “feel together” — for years. And, the demo was stunning. Watch this video so you’ll understand what I am writing about here: To make this experience possible, Google […]

DV Signage and Prysm Systems have announced a partnership for “Collaboration-as-a-Service,” a joint purpose-driven proposition as a response to the Work From Home (WFH) revolution. Post-pandemic business leaders face new challenges and opportunities in devising effective strategies for the burgeoning demand for hybrid (home and office/workplace) working. The partnership will launch in June. “We are going to […]

AVer Information announces the CP10, a 10.1-inch conference room collaboration controller featuring a capacitive touch screen and antibacterial glass with ion technology to promote safer meetings. Designed as a flexible solution for meeting spaces, AVer’s CP10 can be utilized as a controller inside a meeting space or as a scheduling display outside a meeting room. […]

Verizon Business announced the appointment of Eric Spadafora as the new vice president and general manager (GM) of BlueJeans by Verizon. This also marks the one-year anniversary of Verizon’s acquisition of BlueJeans, a premier enterprise videoconferencing solution and an integral part of the advanced communications portfolio within Verizon Business. “Eric is poised to take us […]

Lumens Digital Optics announced the Lumens OBS Plugin, an open-source software for video recording and livestreaming. The plug-in is a free software for controlling Lumens cameras in order to pan, tilt, zoom and other advanced functions. The integration between Lumens and OBS makes your camera control much easier during live streaming events like game shows, […]

Logitech has introduced Logitech Scribe, an AI-powered whiteboard camera. Logitech Scribe, compatible with leading services like Microsoft Teams and Zoom, broadcasts whiteboard content into video meetings. In-room participants can share whiteboard content into video meetings by pressing the wireless button included with Scribe or by tapping the meeting room touch controller (like Logitech Tap). The wireless […]

Yamaha Unified Communications is helping teachers reach students in meaningful ways at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School’s L-S Academy, a special education program. The L-S Academy is subletting space within Yamaha’s regional office complex. While it might seem like an unorthodox space, it offers amenities the program deeply needs: The robust and easy-to-use Yamaha CS-700 Video […]

Vision, a U.K.-based AV company, has just launched a unique niche product for the Microsoft Surface Hub lineup in the form of the Vision VFM-F10/HB, for the 50-inch Hub 2S from Microsoft. Here’s a video of how it works: Vision’s VFM-F10/HB is a one-box solution that includes the Vision Hub Halo, matching Hub’s unique rounded […]

Barco ClickShare revealed the results from its annual research on meeting trends and engagement. The report marked trends in work and meetings that are on the verge of returning to the office post-COVID. Hybrid meetings will create opportunities for business leaders to change work culture, redesign the workplace and invest in usability and technology fully […]

Bluescape announced its integration with Amazon Chime SDK to enable scheduled and ad-hoc video meetings. This integration allows Bluescape customers to host and join video calls in Bluescape. They can also schedule their meetings directly through Microsoft Outlook. “Bluescape’s integration with Amazon Chime SDK is creating a paradigm shift in video collaboration,” said Dr. S. […]

CEDIA Expo is partnering with IMCCA (Interactive Multimedia & Collaborative Communications Alliance) as a strategic programming partner for the CEDIA Expo to be held Sept.1-3, 2021 in Indianapolis. The IMCCA will bring insights and subject matter experts to a variety of CEDIA Expo 2021 activations, including on the CEDIA Expo Smart Stage and Innovation Hub. Topics will […]

Shure announced its MXA710 Linear Array Microphone is now certified for Microsoft Teams. The MXA710 joins Shure’s portfolio of Conferencing Solutions already certified for Microsoft Teams, giving installers and end users even more options for their environments. The MXA710 is designed for audio capture in premium AV conferencing environments. Patented Steerable Coverage technology captures audio […]

The Shure Audio Ecosystem now pairs with Barco ClickShare Conference, allowing customers to combine high-quality audio for remote communication with easy-to-use wireless in any meeting space. ​Shure and ClickShare work with leading third-party video conferencing platforms, including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex and many others. Benefits​ include: Ready for any collaboration platform from your device ​ The […]

BlueJeans just announced the availability of the BlueJeans Enterprise with Meetings plan for $16.66 per host per month (billed annually). Building on BlueJeans Standard ($9.99/month) and BlueJeans Pro ($13.99/month), the new BlueJeans Enterprise plan delivers a video conferencing experience that is optimized to support hybrid work. BlueJeans Meetings is an enterprise-grade video conferencing performance for […]

When looking back on last year, the best description that neatly wrapped up our collective experience in a bow was from Leslie Jones on a 2020 recap show on Netflix. Her character said, “I’d say it was a train wreck and a s*&tshow, but that would be unfair to trains and s*&t.” Seriously though, let’s […]

Nureva and Almo Pro A/V have announced a U.S. distribution agreement. Almo will work with its integrators, dealers and consultants to accelerate the adoption of Nureva’s audio conferencing product line throughout the United States. Many people across the United States are heading back into offices now that COVID-19 vaccines are being administered, while many others […]

Extron just announced a collaboration with Yealink to create simple control and collaboration solutions for UCC workspaces. With these scalable solutions, Extron is integrating room automation, audio and signal extension capabilities with the Yealink MCore Mini-PC, Microsoft Teams Rooms and Zoom Rooms solutions. Its collaboration with Yealink brings Extron AV and room control capabilities to […]

BenQ has joined Microsoft’s Azure Certified Device program. The CP Series DuoBoard 4K UHD interactive displays are the first of BenQ’s display family to be validated as an Azure Certified Device. BenQ’s CP Series DuoBoard interactive displays and OPS slot-in PCs have been tested for functionality and interoperability, ensuring that these devices have used the […]

AVer Information has announced that its CAM520 Pro2 Conference Camera and VC520 Pro Conferencing system have been granted official hardware certification by Zoom Video Communications, Inc. Before approving the CAM520 Pro2 and VC520 Pro2 for official certification, Zoom put them through lab tests to verify its imaging quality and ensure that its intuitive features can […]

Poly announced the Voyager Focus 2, the latest addition to Poly’s line of stereo Bluetooth headsets. The Voyager Focus 2 is a smart, wireless headset with amazing audio that’s intuitive and easy to use, combining Poly’s next-generation Acoustic Fence technology with Advanced Digital Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). Poly’s Advanced Digital Hybrid ANC comes with […]

MAXHUB just introduced the UC P10 HD 1080p PTZ (Point — Tilt — Zoom) camera with 12x optical zoom. Designed to provide access for mid-to-large videoconferencing, the UC P10 combines 1080p imaging with a 12x optical zoom for UCC and classroom applications of a PTZ camera. In addition, the camera has a WDR (Wide Dynamic […]

DPA Microphones just announced the 4466 CORE Omnidirectional and 4488 CORE Directional Headset Microphones. Based on the design of the company’s 6066 Subminiature Headsets, the new solutions feature the brand’s 5-millimeter round microphone capsule. These latest offerings provide the security, durability and flexibility necessary for use in theatre, broadcast, worship and corporate conferencing. With a […]

Today, a friend of mine named Kyle Davis @ mentioned me on Twitter to get my thoughts on the future of the huddle space. I responded with this tweet: https://twitter.com/AVPhenom/status/1391832615573807105?s=20 This IS that blog. There’s a lot of chatter about the office; if people will go back, and when they do, What will the new […]

Australian-based ARX just launched the USB Ultra I/O VSR Broadcast — a 24-bit USB two-channel play and record digital/analog pro audio interface. The USB Ultra I/O VSR Broadcast removes the need to use any existing sound card outputs in systems or live production. Designed for interfacing USB-equipped computers with the balanced inputs and outputs of […]

Biamp says that Zoom has certified two conference room audio bundles aimed at medium and large Zoom Rooms. Each bundle includes Parlé Beamtracking microphones for the ceiling and all the connectivity required. The system includes automated EQ, minimal cable requirements (with zero termination), zero network setup and what Biamp is calling a simper install aimed […]

Beyerdynamic just announced a firmware update for Phonum, its wireless Bluetooth and USB speakerphone. This firmware update actually brings new features to its conferencing tool. One of the most notable updates is the improved button synchronization using Microsoft Teams when a USB connection is active (including easier answering/hanging up calls and synchronous mute functionality). It […]

In a recent blog, Gary Kayye wrote about the current global supply shortage of semiconductors. Take a moment and read the blog and the linked Wall Street Journal article. They both raise some important concerns about what the next several quarters will bring in regards to this shortfall. Unfortunately, my blog is not going to […]

Audio-Technica has introduced four new condenser boundary microphones: the ES945O/FM3 omnidirectional, ES947C/FM3cardioid, ES945O/FM5 omnidirectional and ES947C/FM5 cardioid condenser boundary microphone. These mics feature a capacitive-type user switch that enables muting of the microphone – making them especially ideal for conferencing applications. The FM3 models replace the existing ES945/LED and ES947/LED and feature local muting, while the FM5 models represent an entirely new product for […]

Sharp NEC Display Solutions has announced the first European partner to join the Sharp/NEC Global Partner Program. Designed for global enterprises, the One Global Partner Program adopts global performance standards and environmental sustainability to ensure a consistent experience across international locations via a single source, striving to make international enterprises more productive and efficient. The new partnership between Sharp […]

Adding to the performance capabilities of its CONVERGENCE AV Network Manager solution, ClearOne announced the availability of CONVERGENCE AV Cloud which significantly expands AV Practitioner recurring revenue opportunities for remote, real-time Management as a Service (MaaS). AV Practitioners can now remotely support multiple clients such as corporate multinationals, universities and governments across local, regional and […]

Modus VR today announces its latest upgrade with the addition of new Conference Technology objects, features and partners that specifically address the space-planning needs of enterprise technology integrators, designers, architects and customers. According to the company, the latest additions make it faster and easier than ever for all stakeholders to create conference rooms that precisely […]