Even though the original Owl concept struggled to do everything well, an all-in-one solution that could be easily integrated by any company employees with basic knowledge of Wi-Fi admin, clearly appealed to many organizations. According to Owl Labs, over 200,000 companies across nearly 50 countries, from small businesses to 89 companies on the Fortune 100 list to educational institutions, have used Owl Labs products to power millions of hybrid experiences.
Owl devices use robotics and proprietary, patented AI-powered software to automatically switch between cameras to capture the best view of in-room attendees, enabling natural, face-to-face conversations that transcend physical distance. With the introduction of the Meeting Owl 4+, Owl Labs now offers enhanced capabilities to more audiences, from small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to larger enterprises. In addition to pairing with more devices to cover larger spaces, the Meeting Owl 4+ has several other enterprise-friendly features, including easier fleet management for IT teams and customizable lighting and sound options upon startup.
Summarizing the improvements in the latest Meeting Owl 4+ system, this is now an even simpler solution to set up (Own Labs says it takes "less than six minutes"), even though the software is now more "enterprise-ready". This means that IT administrators can seamlessly manage their fleet of Owl Labs devices from The Nest management tool, including bulk registration, default settings, and more. More importantly, the Meeting Owl 4+ finally gained a 64-megapixel camera and sensor that is able to stream 4K Ultra HD video within a 10-foot radius. And the 360-degree speakers and smart mics have an 18-foot pickup radius, with users being able to extend the audio range even farther with the new matching, charcoal Expansion Mic.
With the latest AI-powered Owl Intelligence System (OIS) software, the Meeting Owl 4+ pairs with Owl Labs’ customizable connected device system to capture all angles of the discussion. Owl Labs products can connect with others in over 25 different setup configurations, with both center-of-room and front-and-center options. For example, a company can wirelessly connect two Meeting Owls for greater coverage, or a Meeting Owl, and an Owl Bar to ensure all angles are covered, creating a full-room solution. The software is developed in the US by an experienced team of engineers who are continually iterating to make Owl products smarter over time. All software adheres to industry-standard security protocols and Owl devices connect via a private, dedicated wireless network.
As Owl Labs states, "Hundreds of thousands of workplaces have moved beyond traditional conference room setups with equipment permanently mounted to walls and transitioned to user-friendly, plug-and-play Owl products with the flexibility, portability, and affordability that modern distributed offices need. Any type of meeting, in any size room, is covered with Owl Labs’ tailored technology, from sit-down roundtables to stand-up presentations to brainstorms on whiteboards. As companies grow, their video conferencing infrastructure adapts and expands with them."
However the company detected a vast market opportunity remaining as Owl Labs’ State of Hybrid Work report found only 37% of employers upgraded their video meeting technology in the past year. "Non-verbal communication is crucial in the workplace for collaboration and rapport, and studies have even shown that non-verbal communication is at least as important as verbal discussion, if not more," says Frank Weishaupt, CEO of Owl Labs.
"As the hybrid workplace has evolved beyond meetings where everyone is in the same room, we need to do away with outdated video technology that doesn't allow remote attendees to clearly see and hear during meetings. Meanwhile, today’s enterprise businesses are evolving their offices and processes faster than ever to keep up with the pace of economic and AI-driven transformation. At Owl Labs, we’re building easy-to-use meeting technology that’s as nimble as they are, from small businesses to the largest enterprises."
The upgraded OIS software now works better when two Meeting Owls are paired in the same room. The software detects where people are facing even when they’re not speaking, then seamlessly switches to the correct camera with the best view. The software continues to be updated to work seamlessly with Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Skype, Zoom, Google Meet, Slack, and other video conferencing platforms.
The new Meeting Owl 4+ is launching in the United States, Canada and Europe. Customers in the US can purchase it for $1,999 through OwlLabs.com, Amazon, or third-party resellers and distribution partners.
www.owllabs.com
