From PC Mag: Want to own Google Beam, the company’s futuristic video calling system? You might need a loan because it costs $24,999 for a single unit.
HP, Google’s partner on the project, is preparing to sell the video-conferencing system late this year. Of course, normal consumers wouldn’t be able to afford Google Beam. So the companies are first targeting select enterprise customers with hefty technology budgets.
Officially known as the HP Dimension with Google Beam, the system is so expensive because it’s built around a 65-inch 8K “light field” screen that’s designed to project 3D images. The same screen also features six built-in cameras that can capture the user from different angles.
The result can upgrade the traditional video-conferencing experience by projecting the user’s image in 3D, creating a life-like presence during the digital call; no 3D glasses or headsets needed. In our hands-on tests, the technology came remarkably close to replicating an in-person meeting, an effect the companies claim boosts attention and memory retention.
View: Full Article
