The new EPOS smart audio solution is optimized for Microsoft Teams Rooms (not to be confused with "Tea" Rooms) - a solution that Microsoft is trying to relaunch for corporate spaces, as soon as people are again able to return safely to those buildings and spaces. Following the global pandemic and work from home experiences, at least millions more potential users now know that Microsoft Teams even exists (it is still a clumsy and resource-heavy version of Skype, mixed with Slack collaboration, but at least it offers many of the features that people already know how to use), and Microsoft can only hope that the return to office buildings will enable it to resume its strategy in the space. Of course, now fully embracing hybrid environments.
And EPOS is also ready to explore that opportunity by offering a fully-optimized smart speakerphone that takes the concept to a new level. The new EXPAND Capture 5 was designed to empower professionals whether they’re working remote or from the office, for optimal collaboration and communication. Meeting participants can join from an onsite meeting room and they will gain a high-quality speaker that automates live transcriptions, allowing remote participants to follow what is being said and by whom.
As the latest addition to the collaborative Microsoft Teams Rooms experience, the EXPAND Capture 5 combines advanced audio with innovative communication, AI and collaboration technology (apparently it is even ready to also work with Cortana, Microsoft's voice assistant). The speaker features a premium driver optimized for voice intelligibility, and a seven-microphone array that altogether enable superior audio and voice recognition to ensure a natural lifelike conversation as if all meeting participants were in the same room. The intelligent speaker is designed for meeting rooms for up to 8-10 people, and identifies in-room participants by their voice, attributing their remarks to their name in the automatically-generated meeting transcript.
"We are thrilled to launch the EXPAND Capture 5 together with Microsoft. Being one of the first of its kind on the market, the EXPAND Capture 5 rethinks the modern meeting room at a crucial time where we all adapt to a more hybrid way of work and ensure that our joint customers can be productive as never before regardless of their location," says Theis Moerk, Vice President of Product Management at EPOS.
Building on EPOS’ existing EXPAND product line, the new EXPAND Capture 5 smart speakerphone was optimized for collaboration, and specially designed to address the varying needs of professionals working together across workspaces, locations and time zones. Certified for Microsoft Teams Rooms and suitable for up to 8-10 in-room participants, the EXPAND Capture 5’s core focus is on medium-sized meeting rooms, and support EPOS’ ambition to empower businesses to better communication and collaboration between customers and colleagues.
Even if Microsoft Teams and Teams Rooms doesn't go anywhere, EPOS will always be able to leverage the technology and the design experience from the EXPAND Capture 5 to launch further smart speakerphones that work with any collaboration software and ecosystems that users can carry everywhere to work remotely.
The EPOS EXPAND Capture 5 (US $469 MSRP, or EUR €419 excl. VAT) will be available throughout North America as of April 2021 through EPOS sales channels and a newly established relationship between EPOS and Lenovo. The speaker is expected to launch in EMEA and APAC during 2021.
EPOS is a new brand focused on audio communication solutions for business professionals and the gaming community, inheriting the activities of the former Sennheiser Communications division. EPOS is part of the Demant Group – a world-leading audio and hearing technology group with more than 115 years of experience, with headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark.
www.eposaudio.com
