Logitech is marketing its Extend product line as a solution where “anyone can walk into an Android or BYOD-based meeting room, plug in with the USB-C cable, and launch a meeting (using Zoom, MS Teams or Google Meet) on their own laptop or mobile device.”

If that sounds familiar, it should. This is a similar approach to what Barco launched in 2020 with its ClickShare Conference solution (now the CX-50 and CX-230). It’s also what Lightware has been promoting with its Taurus TPX, it’s what Extron does with its UCS 303 and it’s what Aurora, WyreStorm and INOGENI have been doing too.

So, if you don’t understand the BYOM (bring-your-own-meeting) trend in conference rooms, watch this launch video from Barco from 2020:

Anyway, the point is this concept — instead of building a room around one single UCC platform, you should let people use whatever they want on their own laptop and to run a meeting — isn’t new. But, in doing so, manufacturers MUST simplify connectivity of the microphone, speakers, camera and display via USB. Otherwise, it destroys the entire purpose. This is what the ClickShare Conference pioneered back in 2020, and now a lot of companies do.

I’m excited to see Logitech buy into this concept via its new Extend product. However, keep in mind that with Logitech Extend, you can drive your BYOD meetings in rooms with the Rally Bar Family, configured for Microsoft Teams on Android, Zoom Room Appliances, or Google Meet on Android. Logitech wants users to use its peripherals; of course. So if you’re Logitech loyal, but you prefer to drive a meeting from your personal device, this will be a hit.

All in all, this is a simple approach that provides Logitech with an all-in-one approach to meeting rooms. And since Logitech has the Rally Bar Family configured for Microsoft Teams on Android, Zoom Room Appliances or Google Meet on Android, it’s a perfect complement accessory. Kudos to them!