With the world struggling to find the balance between working remotely and in the office, hybrid work is emerging as the way of the future. However, organizations and enterprises are finding solutions to empower collaboration and push productivity further. According to a report by Jabra, a staggering 80% of meetings now happen either fully remotely or in a hybrid fashion. Yet, 37% of employees often feel excluded during these hybrid meetings. This highlights the challenges that accompany the transition to hybrid work arrangements.
To help with this conundrum, Jabra has introduced the PanaCast 50 Video Bar System (VBS). This system is now coming to Malaysia, as part of its PanaCast 50 solution portfolio designed for small to medium-sized meeting rooms.
The PanaCast 50 Video Bar System: Your Ultimate Meeting Companion
The Jabra PanaCast 50 Video Bar System is a comprehensive solution that includes an Android-based compute unit, state-of-the-art System-on-a-Chip (SoC), speakers, microphones, a video camera, and interfaces for network and display, ensuring a hassle-free setup.
One of the standout features is its 10.1-inch touch controller that allows users to manage their meeting experience with a few taps before diving into important discussions. The system, built on top of Android, seamlessly runs Microsoft Teams Rooms or Zoom Rooms. It also supports most major conferencing platforms.
The PanaCast 50 differentiates itself with an immersive meeting experience. It comes equipped with a Panoramic 4K multi-camera that offers a 180° field-of-view. The system can do this thanks to the onboard AI which stitches the images from the three camera sensors to create lifelike representations of all meeting attendees in the room.
The system boasts four powerful speakers in a zero-vibration stereo setup to help with crystal-clear audio quality. This is further complemented by a total of eight professional-grade microphones featuring voice detection and intelligent algorithms that help tune out residual noise.
The PanaCast 50 also offers Intelligent Meeting Room Experiences, which include the Virtual Director, Intelligent Zoom, and Dynamic Composition. These features engage remote participants, enhancing the overall meeting experience. It even comes with an AI-powered feature set that allows the system to highlight and focus on people presenting and speaking even in crowded meeting rooms.
Pricing and Availability
The PanaCast 50 Video Bar System is now available in Malaysia for RM26,070.00.
Logitech has released its latest webcams with the Brio 500 series. The new series of 1080p webcams offer light correction, auto-framing, noise-cancelling mics and a versatile, movable mount.
Be your best self with Logitech’s Brio 500 webcam. Image source: Logitech
No more bad angles with magnetic mount design
In its launch video, Logitech has promised that customers can “Be your best self every video call” with the Brio 500 series webcams. Perhaps the most unique feature is the “Show Mode”. The “Show Mode” allows you to share your desk by simply tilting the webcam. Logitech has improved the mount design to accommodate this movement. The webcam attaches to the mount magnetically and clamps onto your monitor with an adjustable foot lined with microsuction tape. The mount also has a round attachment point to the webcam. This makes it easy to turn the camera horizontally to get the best recording angle for your video call.
The Brio 500’s unique magnetic mount allows for better video call angles while maintaining grip. Image source: Logitech
Better video and audio for video calls
Logitech’s Brio 500 series offers 1080p video calls with a bonus of improved lighting and framing. The new webcams come with Logitech’s latest RightLight 4 technology which automatically corrects lighting in both over lit and poorly lit scenarios. RightLight 4 also performs auto-framing, helping the camera stay centered on you. This is particularly helpful in situations where movement is required such as presentations. To access RightLight 4 and other “advanced meeting experiences”, Logitech requires the download of their Logi Tune software for free. On top of these features, the Brio 500 also has AI-based face image correction for greater clarity during video calls. As for audio, the webcam has dual microphones with beamforming noise-reducing technology. This offers greater call clarity and is capable of capturing your voice even when you move around in front of the webcam.
Other features and pricing
Brio 500’s in built privacy shutter. Image credit: Tom’s Hardware
The Brio 500 includes a built in-privacy shutter that works by rotating the right-end cap on its cylinder-shaped body. Logitech has also developed this webcam series with sustainability in mind. The plastic parts are certified post-consumer recycled plastic, with varying proportions between 54% to 68%, used in its different color offerings. It is available in three colours; graphite, off-white and rose. The Brio 500 series is available in Malaysia now. Retail price as per the official Logitech website is RM609. It is also available in store with authorized retailers and resellers.
Zoom just made an announcement earlier today that they will be acquiring Karlsruhe Information Technology Solutions (KITeS). While an acquisition of another firm may not sound like much, this is a significant acquisition for Zoom. This acquisition should improve the experience and the interface that is Zoom.
Zoom has been an immensely popular platform since its rise in the recent pandemic situation. In the situation that is the COVID-19 pandemic, most of us are driven to work-from-home measures. That also means that communication with your colleagues and friends are limited to phone calls, online chat platforms, mobile text messaging, and video calls for more intimacy. Hence, the boom in Zoom’s popularity last year.
The company has also been facing plenty of challenges and criticisms when it comes to its user friendliness and, most of all, the platform’s overall security. Of course, the ever so popular video conferencing solutions provider responded to all the security issues pointed out by its users as swiftly as they can. Most of the issues have been rectified, according to Zoom.
The pursuit to the best video conferencing experience is a never ending one for the likes of Zoom though. Recently, Cisco’s Webex have been updated with new interfaces and features. One of the includes a live transcription and even instant highlights of the video call with the help of a clever integrated Artificial Intelligence (AI).
KITeS is a developer of a real-time translation and transcription software, or AI. In some ways, the technology that KITeS is working on mimics the capabilities that Google wants for its Google Translate software except that everything is sort of integrated. At the same time, the technology does sound promising for companies like Zoom.
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Zoom already has their own real-time transcription algorithm integrated within Zoom though. The only issue with the real-time transcription function in Zoom is that it only works with English and no other languages. That is the problem that Zoom’s latest acquisition looks to solve.
With the acquisition of KITeS, Zoom hopes to integrate their clever AI into their video conferencing app to ensure that real-time transcriptions are more accurate than before. On top of that Zoom hopes that the AI would also allow real-time translations from other languages to eliminate the language barriers altogether in international video conferencing.
Zoom did not provide a timeline to when the said functions would make it to Zoom. We also know that Zoom will not be the only video conferencing solutions provider that is looking to integrate more accurate real-time transcription and translation functions in their app. Platforms like Google Meets has already integrated real-time translations into the platform thanks to their clever Google Translate. Microsoft’s Translate algorithm is also integrated into Microsoft Teams, if you are wondering.
Zoom is available for free on all major computing and mobile platforms in the world. Of course, free membership also means limited access to Zoom’s functions. Free membership also means that your video calls are only limited to 40 minutes at a time. Paid subscriptions range from US$ 14.99 a month to US$ 19.99 a month with differing access to features in Zoom. You can find more information on Zoom in their https://zoom.us/.
Your work desk set-up is almost never complete without a PC. But these days, you can sort of do without. Your smartphones today are powerful enough to work with in remote situations and even in the office. For example, ever since Samsung introduced their DeX mode into their flagships, you can see people shifting their workflow to the new mobile optimised workspace like DeX. You can still work on the simplest of Word documents, create impressive looking slides with either Google Slides or Microsoft PowerPoint, you can even create and edit huge Excel sheets with your smartphones.
The only thing you need on your work desk set-up then is a capable display. If you need the most capable desk monitor set-up, you have to have a Dell. You have to have their 2021 line-up of monitors.
Dell has been known as one of the industry leaders in monitor set-up for work and professionals. Of course, they are going to want to retain the lead in that industry amongst others. For this CES 2021, they introduced 11 new monitors for the working class and professionals.
Video Conferencing Made Even Better
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Dell introduced a new monitor class that is made specifically for video conferencing. The world today puts more emphasis on video conferencing more than ever. This is partly thanks to the current global pandemic situation which has driven our work requirements all the way home and in isolation. The only way to meet then is online via video conferencing.
In this class Dell introduces three different sizes to fit different requirements and demands. There is the smaller 24-inch monitor with Full HD resolution (C2422HE), a 27-inch with QHD resolution (C2722DE), and a 34-inch ultra-wide display with WQHD resolution (C3422WE). As far as we can tell, these are the only differences between the displays.
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All the monitors come standard with a 5-Megapixel camera with IR blaster and dual 5W integrated speakers. They also come with noise-cancelling mics for a clear audio transmission from you to the team. A 5-Megapixel camera also means that you can transmit up to 1080 Full HD videos to your video conferencing software of choice. The IR sensor also means that you get to work with the benefit of Windows Hello integrated security with facial recognition.
All of the monitor also comes with an RJ45 port for direct and stable connectivity for better video conferencing experience. They also come with their own USB-C ports for you to either charge your devices or plug your USB Type-C hubs into. These monitors could easily be your USB hub, if you think about it. For more flexibility, the 34-inch ultra-wide variant support dual HDMI inputs and Picture-in-picture mode for added flexibility.
UltraSharp – Details Matter
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Dell’s UltraSharp is currently the industry standard in monitors that are designed for work. There is a good reason for that. Dell UltraSharp displays always boast highly accurate colours that is heavily relied upon in the creative industry. They also boast some of the latest industry innovations when it comes to colour accuracy and more effective workflow.
Plenty of the monitors in the market have already sort of caught up to Dell’s UltraSharp line-up though. So how does Dell maintain their #1 position in the market? By introducing even better products of course.
Meet Dell’s latest 24-inch (U2422H, U2422HE), 27-inch (U2722D, U2722DE), curved 38-inch (U3821DW), and curved 40-inch (U4021QW) monitor options. These are monitors that is designed to make short work of, well, work. These will be industry defining monitors for Dell.
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The 24-inch and 27-inch variants come with the option of USB Type-C hub abilities (U2422HE, U2722DE). But the 24-inch only comes with a Full HD resolution while the 27inch variants boast QHD resolutions. Stepping up a notch to the 38-inch gives you a larger workspace area with an ultra-wide curved screen factor. THe 37.5-inch panel boasts WQHD resolution too, so you will not be missing out on resolutions either. USB Type-C and RJ45 hub capabilities comes standard on the 38-incher and the 40-incher. The 40-inch monitor boasts a curved ultra-wide display form factor too, but with more pixels packed in at WUHD resolution.
All monitors come calibrated with 100% sRGB and at least 95% DCI-P3. The 40-incher (U4021QW) boasts a colour accuracy of 98% DCI-P3 though, making it perfect for the creative professionals that needs a highly accurate monitor to work with. Whichever display you go with though; you know you are getting great displays for colour correction and extra editing. All the monitors also come with TÜV Rheinland certified ComfortView eye protection.
Bigger is Better – 4K Interactive Touch Monitors
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We have always advocated large displays. We like large displays because they justify more pixels. 4K on 55-inch panels are perfect. We are also quite used to TVs with 4K resolution. Dell is taking that concept one further.
The introduced their new 55-inch display with 4K resolution. Get this though, this is a touch display. No, it is not made for gaming, that is another topic for another day.
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The new 4K Interactive Touch Monitors, as they call it, is meant to be used in a work team environment allowing multiple users to interact with the display. There is also two 20W speakers built-in on the display so that it can also be used in group video conferencing environments. For even more flexibility and even easier use case, Dell put their Dell Screen Drop feature to improve reachability.
Of course, it also comes with a USB Typ-C port with 90W power delivery to conveniently charge connected devices. It even has an RJ45 port in addition of the usual HDMI port for even more connectivity options. The RJ45 port can also be used for quick IT support action, if ever the department needs to be contacted.
Accessorize to be More Productive
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Alongside the monitors, Dell also has unveiled new accessories for better productivity and work agility. They introduced a new USB Type-C Mobile Adapter designed to expand your modern notebook’s connectivity options. They also introduced a wireless keyboard and mouse combo (KM7321W) with Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. Finally, they unveiled also a new rechargeable wireless mouse MS7421W with options of Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity or 2.4GHz pairing.
Pricing and Availability
The Dell Video Conferencing monitors will be available globally February 16th, 2021 onward with prices starting at US$ 519.99 (MYR 2,087*) for the 24-inch variant, US$ 719.99 (MYR 2,890*) for the 27-inch variant, and US$ 1,149.99 (MYR 4,616*) for the 34-inch variant. No word on local (Malaysia) availability and pricing just yet.
The Dell UltraSharp U2422H, U2422HE, U2722D, and 2722DE 24-inch and 27-inch monitors will be available globally March 30th, 2021 onward with prices starting at US$ 359.99 (MYR 1,445*) for the 24-inch variant (US$ 459.99 [MYR 1,846*] for U2422HE), and US$ 579.99 (MYR 2,328*) for the 27-inch variant (US$ 679.99 [MYR 2,729*] for U2722DE). The UltraSharp 38-inch curved USB Type-C Hub monitor and 40-inch curved USB Type-C Hub monitor will be available globally 28th January 2021 onward with prices at US$ 1,499.99 (MYR 6,020*) and US$ 2099.99 (MYR 8,428*) respectively. No official word on local availability and pricing just yet.
The Dell 4K Interactive Touch Monitor is available in 55-inch and 65-inch variants. The 4K monitors will be available globally starting March 30th, 2021. There are no mentions of price just yet. According to Dell, prices will be revealed on a later date. There are also no mentions of local pricing and availability just yet.
The Dell USB Type-C Mobile Adapter will be available globally from the January 28th, 2021 onward at US$ 99.99 (MYR 401*). The Dell Premier Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard and Mouse KM7421W combo and Wireless Rechargeable mouse MS7421W will be available in the United States (U.S.) region January 19th, 2021 onward and other reagions on March 18th, 2021 onward with prices starting from US$ 99.99 (MYR 401*) each as well.
*Approximately based on Conversion Rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.01 as of 7th January 2021 (xe.com)
Despite its developing economy, Malaysia is still prone to instability and disruption, both natural and man-made.
The ongoing pandemic has shown us that, but it has also raised another concern – how do businesses continue to manage and maintain operations when staff are unable to physically access the workplace or technical facilities, and yet are still required to be ‘present’ and productive by their employers?
In the long term, the solution will require a change in mindset, organisational behaviour, and a new way of doing business. However, in the short term, technology can help.
Technology steps up in time of need
As millions of workers remain isolated, the pivotal role of technology and how it helps keep the country’s economic engine running has been pushed into the spotlight.
Over the past few turbulent months, a range of software, solutions and applications have ensured that prescient businesses continue operating while navigating the recent unpredictability and uncertainty.
Without a doubt, cloud technology has helped. The adoption of public, private and hybrid cloud services provided access to, and availability of, critical data.
At the same time, the transition from hardware-based to software-defined infrastructure has meant that physical access to offices, tech facilities or datacentres is no longer required and central operations can be handled remotely or by a skeleton staff. Thus, the heart of many organisations has continued pumping.
A truly mobile workforce
VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) and DaaS (Desktop as a Service) are perfect examples of how technology is keeping businesses across Malaysia and Asia running. VDI is a cloud-hosted desktop normally located in an on-site datacentre and operated and maintained by in-house IT personnel.
The advantages of VDI is that it provides the ability to customise and control the on-site hardware and environment – ideal for companies with highly sensitive data. The flexible infrastructure can also be easily expanded incrementally. This is an optimal solution in the face of unforeseen demand surges we have all experienced recently.
That said, the true benefit for the enterprise is that it provides mobility and flexibility for personnel without compromising business security, productivity or performance. VDI allows employees to work from anywhere, on any device with secure and complete access to their work desktop, files and network.
At the height of the Hong Kong unrest, the city’s financial giants used VDI to maximise the safety of their staff, avoiding unpredictable and hazardous commutes, and allowing them to operate safely and securely at peak capacity.
DaaS on the hand is a fully outsourced solution providing a virtual desktop. It neither relies on, nor consumes, any internal hardware. It provides the same flexibility, safety, security and access as VDI – but it is fully handled by a third-party cloud provider and hosted on their cloud.
A software-based future
Together, VDI and DaaS provide Malaysia’s businesses with a simple and accessible option for ensuring their staff remain productive and efficient no matter where they are physically located. The two models are set to become central pillars of the nation’s business survivability strategy as companies seek to mitigate future risk and disruption.
For those businesses caught with an isolated workforce, there is affordable, accessible and immediate relief at hand.
As VDI and DaaS are cloud-based solutions, virtual workspaces for teams, customers, or partners can usually be up and running in under an hour. Isolated staff can then have safe and secure access to any application simply from their home web browser, with no software download or upgrade required. It is almost as simple as point and click.
For Malaysia’s intelligent businesses, their prudent approach in a volatile region is already paying dividends. For the rest of the country’s companies, the sooner we all embrace the modern tools we require to keep our staff safe, mobile and productive, our business resilient to disruption, and our economies growing in turbulent times, the sooner we will secure our future. It is up to all of us to ensure Malaysia continues to play a leading role in ASEAN’s future success.
The current pandemic has spurred the need for video conferencing platforms as more and more people look for options to meet while keeping in line with the increasing number of lockdowns around the world. Popular video conferencing platform, Zoom, was propelled into the limelight thanks to this. However, after being embattled in a privacy controversy, people are looking for alternatives.
Google is stepping up to the plate by offering their Google Meet platform for free starting next week. Google Meet isn’t something new from the tech company, in fact, many of their government, corporate and education users already use it for patient consultations, meetings and classes.
Google Meet will also not need users to download separate apps on laptops and desktops. It is able to run natively on Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox and other modern browsers. Google claims that this makes the service more secure. It is also already available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Google is promising a more secured experience when it comes to using Google Meet. The company highlights that it has created a strong set of host controls; allowing hosts to deny entry to meetings and even remove participants. In addition, participants will need to have a google account to enter or use the service and more complex meetings code help deter unknowns.
