A recently awarded Google patent reveals a novel use for drone technology-- conferencing, with small quadcopters carrying the screen, video camera and audio equipment required for the task.

Simply titled "Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for Collaboration," the patent describes a system used for both normal telepresence and videoconferencing. It allows users to "interact and engage with the participants" by controlling a drone around the place. In other words it is an evolution of the conferencing robots we've seen previously, only the iPad-on-a-Segway is replaced with a quadcopter.

"A mobile telepresence system may be included on a robot which may be remotely navigated by a user, for example, throughout spaces in a work place," the patent reads. "Such a telepresence robot may be remotely navigated, for example, through corridors, into and out of offices, conference rooms and other work spaces, and the like. However, the size and energy-consumption levels of this type of telepresence robot may hinder its ability to effectively navigate complicated spaces with limited open floor space for the robot to traverse. Additionally, this type of telepresence robot cannot traverse stairs, and would require on-site human intervention to access a work space on a different floor using an elevator."

Not everyone is happy in videoconferencing these days…so why does Lifesize CEO Craig Malloy look like a happy man?

Maybe because Lifesize is celebrating its two-year anniversary of its cloud-based video collaboration application by sharing its story of substantial growth in cloud business and some interesting platform updates.

Moving from Logitech into an independent operating entity in December 2015 (with the support of $17.5 million in venture capital), Lifesize says it has undergone a significant transformation to address the growing need Read more...

The developer of video wall management software, VuWall jumps into the meeting room with the launch of CoScape, a wireless presentation system designed for meeting rooms.

CoScape allows easy collaboration and sharing of computer content on a video wall, a large monitor or a projector-- whatever device you customers are using, be it a laptop, a smartphone or a tablet.

With CoScape, there are no cables cluttering the meeting room table and no training is required to understand how it works. Just plug and go.

Marshall Electronics Teleconference PTZ Camera delivers broadcast quality video to teleconference and pro AV applications of all types.

USB3.0 support provides an ability to use state-of –the-art video performance as high as 1920x1080p 60/50fps. Its small size makes the CV610-U3 versatile and able to be integrated into teleconference and huddle room environments using any familiar UC video application.

It features a compact design yet operates with 350º Horizontal pan, 120º Vertical tilt.

With a 2 Megapixel 1/2.8-inch Sensor, CV610-U3 provides Read more...