Google is teaming up with HP to bring its advanced video conferencing technology Project Starline to business consumers. The company first began showing off the service in 2021, with the first version featuring a 3D video call booth with a view of the other person you were talking to. We were particularly impressed with the integrated holographic imaging technology, noting how realistic everything looked and how the other person seemed to be in the room with you.
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However, this technology is not exactly the same as the one we tested a few years ago. Since then, Google has simplified and optimized the system quite a bit. There is no longer a video call booth, as the entire system has been moved to a system that includes a large TV and cameras. This reduces the impressiveness somewhat, but makes it much easier to implement.
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In this way, Google and HP will integrate Project Starline with popular video conferencing apps like Google Meet and Zoom. There is no information on how much it will cost companies to sign up to use this technology, or any details about the initial deployment. Google says that more information will be revealed later this year, with actual commercial implementation starting in 2025.
HP calls it an “iconic collaboration experience,” and it certainly seems like a better telepresence solution than a small smartphone screen. In the end, though, it’s just a big screen. The updated Project Starline technology doesn’t include anything resembling a holographic display.
Source: engadget
