Latest news with #3DVideoConferencing
Android Authority
2 days ago
- Business
- Android Authority
The first Google Beam device can be yours for just $24,999 (Beam license sold separately)
TL;DR HP has revealed the first device with Google Beam 3D video conferencing technology. The HP Dimension with Google Beam will cost $24,999 and doesn't include a license to use Google Beam. Google revealed its Project Starline 3D video conferencing technology back in 2021, which then got rebranded to Google Beam earlier this year. Now, HP has revealed the first commercial product with this tech, and it's not cheap. HP announced the HP Dimension with Google Beam today, and it will cost a crazy $24,999 when it goes on sale to select customers in 'late 2025.' You'd think that spending $24,999 on a Google Beam video conferencing device would get you access to Google Beam too. However, HP also notes in its press release that the Google Beam license will be sold separately. HP also clarified that Google Beam tech only supports one-on-one conversations right now. Fortunately, the company confirmed that you can still use the HP Dimension for Zoom Rooms and Google Meet, while cloud-based services like WebEx and Teams are supported as well. In terms of hardware, the new gadget sports a 65-inch light-field display, seven cameras, and 12 microphones. For the uninitiated, Google Beam uses machine learning, spatial audio, and a host of other technologies to turn 2D video calls into realistic, glasses-free 3D calls with a sense of depth. Nevertheless, the HP Dimension's price clearly shows that Google is targeting enterprise users first. So you might have to wait a long time to get your hands on affordable hardware that supports Google Beam. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Gizmodo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Gizmodo
Google's Freaky Realistic 3D Video Calling ‘Booth' Is Finally a Real Product—but You Won't Be Able to Buy It
Remember Google's Project Starline, the 3D video conferencing 'booth' that supposedly makes it feel like you're talking to the other person as if they're standing right in front of you, looking right into your eyes? After several years of trudging along as an impressive research project demo, Google is finally making the technology available as a commercial product. Rebranded at Google I/O 2025, Project Starline is now called Google Beam. The tech giant has stuffed all of the necessary technology—a light field display that creates the visual depth for a person on a call and six cameras built into the three surrounding bezels for head-tracking—into what's essentially a glasses-free 3D TV. On a video call with media a day before the developer conference, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said Beam uses AI to merge multiple 2D video streams of a person into a '3D light field with perfect tracking.' I've not tried Project Starline or Google Beam, but from what I've gathered from people who have, the lifelike human avatars approach the uncanny valley. Instead of a person's eyes looking down, below a webcam, at a window on their computer screen, it's as if they're gazing directly at you. A new feature for Beam is near real-time voice translations between two callers. While not exclusive to Beam—the feature is launching in Google Meet for Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra subscribers starting today—having almost live voice translations while making eye contact could make for a more meaningful connection via a 3D screen. I get the appeal—I really do, but the hardware and AI processing power aren't going to come cheap. Although Google didn't say how much a Beam unit costs, the fact that it's partnering with HP to bring the first Beam device to businesses 'with select customers later this year' tells you who it's aimed at. Read: companies that can drop major cash on experimental next-gen video calling tech. In other words, Beam is intended for enterprise usage. Google also says it's working with companies like Zoom and organizations including Citadel, Deloitte, Duolingo, Hackensack Meridian Health, NEC, Recruit, and Salesforce have shown interest and have plans to 'bring it to their teams.' Look, if Google Beam is at I/O, and it's as mind-blowing as people who've tried it say it is, I could be swayed. I love a chance to see the future—today. But as a consumer tech reporter who's seen more than his fair share of high-tech enterprise products that could have consumer applications if only the cost wasn't so freakin' expensive, I'd say lower your excitement levels—way down. Beam is a commercial product for big businesses, and until that changes, it's hard to get hyped for something that most people will probably never get to experience. And even if you happen to work at a company that might have a Beam in a conference room somewhere, are you really going to go out of your way to use it just to have a more 'natural' and realistic video call? I don't know anybody who genuinely likes being on a video call, and you're asking them to want to willingly let somebody be even more up in their personal space? Something tells me the novelty isn't going to be worth the hassle when our laptops can make video calls from anywhere, not just in front of a big and heavy 3D TV booth.
