The flat-screen device is called the Surface Hub and, according to CNET, “it’s essentially a gigantic tablet running Windows 10.” Kinect motion sensors in the device can interact with people in the room and its microphones can pick up conversations in close proximity to it.
It also runs any Windows app and can interact with tablets, laptops and desktop computers even if the device is not running Windows 10. It is a device designed to create an online and easy to use teleconferencing tool that Microsoft is hoping will replace older teleconferencing systems. In fact, it’s the perfect hardware to take advantage of the advanced videoconferencing features currently offered by the cloud-based solution, Blue Jeans Video Conferencing.
Surface Hub is designed to be easy to use and will allow any connected device to use it, as long as they are running Windows software. This means even Apple iPad users could connect over Surface Hub. Microsoft is counting on businesses to find the device an appealing alternative to pricey, hardware driven teleconferencing solutions.
“You’re not going to use Google, Apple or Samsung,” said Mike Angiulo, Corporate Vice President of Microsoft’s Devices Group. “We had to create machinery that didn’t exist.”
Surface Hub can be controlled by multi-touch, voice, gesture, pen or keyboard. The Kinect sensors and dual wide-angle cameras complement the motion and touch sensors to allow up to five users to simultaneously, and physically, interact with the device from its physical location while other users interact with it.
According to Microsoft, “The Surface Hub features state-of-the-art digital white boarding; instant remote conferencing; the ability for multiple people to share and edit content on the screen from a laptop, tablet or phone; and a trusted platform for large-screen apps. Available in two sizes — 55-inch and 84-inch — the Surface Hub removes the current limitations of traditional conference room scenarios to empower teams to create their best work together.”
Surface Hub’s price has not been released, yet, but with it being marketed to businesses that rely on telemarketing, it will probably not be cheap.
