ClearOne launches a new Beamforming Microphone Array to support tabletop and wall applications and, in doing so, joining a giant list of ProAV manufacturers using the term "game-changer" in their announcements. Game-changer has been an industry buzz-term for a while now in tech and is used as a way to hype a new product the manufacturer believes is something that everyone will want to know about and need. Much like "state-of-the-art" and "best-in-class," game-changer means nothing specifically.

So, you be the judge, is their new Beamforming Microphone Array a game-changer?

Here's what ClearOne says about the product:

"While others are trying to catch up, we are well ahead, creating new solutions for our value-added distributors, integrators and resellers to offer more options in servicing their customers," said Zee Hakimoglu, chief executive officer and chairman of ClearOne. "The Beamforming Microphone Array is truly a game-changer for the Pro AV industry — as the only professional microphone array of its kind. It now has the flexibility to be used in wall mode for video conferencing, tabletop mode for conference rooms, and ceiling mount for applications as critical as operating rooms." Read more...

Designed primarily for the telepresence market, Video Furniture International's (VFI) new Table T3500 is part of its new "SLIM line" that brings a clean, high-tech look to today's conference rooms.

Table T3500 (for five people) is offered stand-alone or as VFI configured room packages. It's available in three different packages with just the table, the table with one display and the table with two side-by-side displays.

You can also by an extension that adds either 29" (for two more people) or 55" (for four more people) to the length Read more...

Dubai-based FVC, a leading value added IT distributor in Middle East & North Africa (MENA), joins its partner, Sight & Sound, to launch a Telepresence Centre in Nairobi, Kenya.

Launched in collaboration with Orange, the commercial facility complete with a Polycom OTX 300 Immersive Telepresence Suite, will be hosted at the ESBC’s new Business Centre at the Landmark Plaza. The new Telepresence Centre will be used to demonstrate the value of video conferencing to local businesses.

“Collaborative work groups, global development teams and everyday meetings are enhanced by the clarity, rich video and content detail offered by Polycom’s Open Telepresence Experience (OTX)…” says FVC’s General Manager for East and West Africa, Ahmed Youssef. Read more...

Christie’s press release says: The days of passing cables and adapters across meeting room tables, installing additional software, rebooting laptops and apologizing for delayed or bungled presentations have ended with the launch of Christie Brio, a new meeting presentation and collaboration system that takes the hassles out of single and multi-site workplace meetings.

And, they’re right. There are a handful of manufacturers here at InfoComm with wireless room systems that leverage the Network. Barco was first to market with a totally wireless presentation system called ClickShare.

Developed by Christie, Brio enables multiple attendees at meetings to run audio and video presentations from their own devices (that includes devices like tablets running Windows 8, Apple iOS and Android). Both the node control and presentation connection work the same for tablets and smartphones as they do for PCs and Macs. Read more...