SYNNEX Continues to Invest in Google Ecosystem to Offer Cloud Services for Recurring Revenue

THIS IS A PROMOTED POST FROM SYNNEX   Everyone in nearly every industry is talking about the cloud. And, you likely already use it — whether you realize it or not. If you have your smartphone backing up your photos online, that’s the cloud. If you collaborate on documents with others, that’s the cloud. If […]

SYNNEX Continues to Invest in Google Ecosystem to Offer Cloud Services for Recurring Revenue

Savant Adds Google Home

Savant has announced compatibility between Savant’s smart home ecosystem and the Google Home Assistant speech-recognition engine. Savant pioneered the use of voice control as part of the connected home by introducing the Savant Pro Remote, enabling homeowners to activate a Savant Scene, choose a favorite channel or select a source within their entertainment system. With […]

Savant Adds Google Home

Chromecast Now Supported in Roon — a New Hi-Fi Experience Awaits

Good news, everyone! Roon now streams to any Chromecast device, Google Home smart speakers, Chromecast Audio and Chromecast audio receivers, as well as a ton of third party devices. Roon announced it on their blog earlier this month (07/06/18) and you can read the full announcement here. “In addition to Chromecast streaming, today’s release includes […]

Chromecast Now Supported in Roon — a New Hi-Fi Experience Awaits

Videxio Announces Interoperability for Hangouts Meet by G Suite

Videxio has announced that it has signed an agreement with Google Cloud in partnership with Pexip and will be one of the first to offer video conferencing interoperability for Hangouts Meet. The new Hangouts Meet interoperability service means that users will be able to join Hangouts Meet using their existing video communication solution, whether that […]

Videxio Announces Interoperability for Hangouts Meet by G Suite

Techlash vs Technological Advancements

Recently, a friend came to visit and left “The Economist” magazine on my table.  He said he tried to give it to his sons. But as I opened them up, the pages were stiff, as if they had just been retrieved from the printing press.  I flipped to the Editor’s page titled, “The World in […]

Techlash vs Technological Advancements

Amazon vs. Google Part 2

Smart homes and smart buildings aren’t for the ultra-rich… anymore. We’ve come to a time in our existence where our technological advancements have allowed for desire, need and know how of a more connected lifestyle, between home and work. After all, it’s no longer about a work-life balance, it’s really all about the work-life blend […]

Amazon vs. Google Part 2

Amazon VS. Google Part 1

Is anyone really surprised that Amazon bought Ring Labs? It doesn’t seem like that big of a shock, or shocking at all for that matter. Since they released their original Echo product, initially to Prime members only, and then later to the masses in mid 2015, the smart assistant, Alexa enabled, speaker and personal assistant […]

Amazon VS. Google Part 1

Google Updates Jamboard by Adding AI-Powered AutoDraw Integration as Well as a Mobile App

Google’s Jamboard is the company’s version of a collaboration board — exclusively for Google’s G-suite of apps. In addition to adding new country availability, Google has added an AI-powered feature called AutoDraw. AutoDraw is a new drawing tool in Jamboard that auto-detects sketches you make and pairs them with images. This works with both local and rooms […]

Google Updates Jamboard by Adding AI-Powered AutoDraw Integration as Well as a Mobile App

Google Enters the Videoconferencing Market With Hardware Kit

Google has had Hangouts — a software-based SORT-OF videoconferencing suite for years. But hardly anyone uses it. But now the company’s launched a hardware kit hardware including an ASUS Chromebox, USB camera (10.1” diagonal, IPS, 16:10, 1280×800 resolution), controller, speaker and mic set, known as the Speakermic. The Speakermic, custom designed and built by Google, […]

Google Enters the Videoconferencing Market With Hardware Kit

Advanced Partners with Google and BenQ to Launch New Google Jamboard in Canada

Continuing its efforts to promote the integration of innovative collaborative technologies into corporate and educational spaces, North American AV and collaboration technology solution provider Advanced today announced a new partnership with Google and BenQ to distribute Google Jamboard throughout Canada. Google Jamboard is a 55-inch, 4K display on which users can write, explore and import content on the web, […]

Advanced Partners with Google and BenQ to Launch New Google Jamboard in Canada

Advanced Partners with Google and BenQ to Distribute Google Jamboard in Canada

AV and collaboration technology solution provider Advanced today announced a new partnership with Google and BenQ to distribute Google Jamboard throughout Canada. Google Jamboard is a 55-inch, 4K display on which users can write, explore and import content on the web, and save their sketches and brainstorms to the cloud. Users can draw on the […]

Advanced Partners with Google and BenQ to Distribute Google Jamboard in Canada

Do Collaboration Boards Have a Place in Higher Education?

When SMART put out its first SMART Boards years ago, I found the concept intriguing. However, being in higher ed, the software that went along with the products always seemed a bit too elementary for the people I work with. Additionally, I could not see many uses where a small white board would be sufficient […]

Do Collaboration Boards Have a Place in Higher Education?

Google and BenQ Ship Jamboard Collaboration Board

The category of Collaboration Boards really became big earlier this year with the launch of 10+ new brands into the space at ISE in Amsterdam. One of those was Google. The Google Jamboard is a 55″, 4K (3840×2160) digital whiteboard that teams can use to brainstorm, write notes, sketch plans and receive immediate feedback from remote team members […]

Google and BenQ Ship Jamboard Collaboration Board

Is the Microsoft Surface Hub An Overpriced Collaboration Board?

With the deluge of new collaboration boards that will hit the market over the next six months (this was the most popular launch product at ISE  in Amsterdam, last month), there’s no question that Microsoft will have to cut the price of their Surface Hub — or, no one who knows any better will buy it. They can’t keep ripping […]

Is the Microsoft Surface Hub An Overpriced Collaboration Board?

Will Microsoft Be Able to Continue to Rip People Off With Their Surface HUB?

With the deluge of new “Collaboration Boards” that will hit the market over the next six months (this was the most popular launch product at ISE this month), there’s no question that Microsoft will have to cut the price of their Surface Hub. They can’t keep ripping people off at $8,000 — $9,000 (55″) and $20,000 (84″) […]

Will Microsoft Be Able to Continue to Rip People Off With Their Surface HUB?

Google’s Jamboard Will Now List for $5,000 and Ship in May

We have a new, lower, price ($5,000 and a $600 per board annual service contract) and a shipping date (May 20th) for the Google Jamboard.Want to save $300 on the service contract? Buy it now — as it will only be $300 if you buy one before the end of the summer. As we reported last […]

Google’s Jamboard Will Now List for $5,000 and Ship in May

The Crazy, Cautious and Amazing Future of Collaboration Boards — My Virtual Visit to ISE 2017

I am in Amsterdam. Or, at least I believe I am at this point. As many of you know, I am in the middle of a very large project and was unable to travel to Amsterdam for ISE this year. This is a pilgrimage I’ve made every year for quite a long time, in fact […]

The Crazy, Cautious and Amazing Future of Collaboration Boards — My Virtual Visit to ISE 2017

Hello? Is Anyone Listening?

Amazon’s hottest selling items for 2016 were the Echo and its little brother Dot. These devices, along with their competitors from Google and Apple, are revolutionizing the way we interact with our homes and are quickly moving into the workplace. These voice command and control devices allow the participant to use their voices with simple […]

Hello? Is Anyone Listening?

Why Google’s JamBoard Could Actually Be a Disruptive Game-Changer

Yes, it’s only 55″ but, don’t discount it as a potential game-changer in our market. Every single PR firm in the commercial AV market has used the term “game-changer” or “disruptive” to describe a client’s new product or service. But most of the time, that’s just hype or hyperbole. However, even though Google (and their […]

Why Google’s JamBoard Could Actually Be a Disruptive Game-Changer

More About Google’s Jamboard, the 55″ 4K Interactive LCD Whiteboard Aimed at InFocus MondoPad, Sharp AQUOS BOARD, Microsoft Surface Hub and Smart Technologies

Google, yesterday, announced an exclusive (at least so far) deal with projector company BenQ to distribute its new interactive LCD called Google Jamboard. It’s a portable (on four wheels), 55” 4K (3840×2160) resolution LCD monitor that’s integrated with Google’s G Suite — email, videoconferencing, cloud collaboration of Google Docs, device management, file sharing, etc. Pull […]

More About Google’s Jamboard, the 55″ 4K Interactive LCD Whiteboard Aimed at InFocus MondoPad, Sharp AQUOS BOARD, Microsoft Surface Hub and Smart Technologies

BenQ Gets Distribution Deal with Google’s Collaboration Panel, Jamboard

BenQ America today announced it will exclusively bring to market Jamboard, a 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD) touch-enabled device aimed at enhancing collaboration in the enterprise workplace. Headlining BenQ’s portfolio of interactive flat panels (IFPs), the 55-inch Jamboard is part of Google’s collaboration line of products called G Suite — designed for conference room or […]

BenQ Gets Distribution Deal with Google’s Collaboration Panel, Jamboard

Integration Is What You Do — Not What Apple, Google and Amazon Do

CEDIA CEO Vin Bruno recently told a group of residential integrators that his organization wants to help the AV integration community transition away from using the term “integrator” and move towards using the term “technologist.” While I applaud CEDIA for proactively moving towards helping the integration community as a whole — something they clearly haven’t […]

Integration Is What You Do — Not What Apple, Google and Amazon Do

Head of Global Sales – Strategic Partners at Google becomes President of Americas Business at Pexip

I was delivered this news this morning that, as I and others will see it, certainly impacts the video conferencing world: Pexip Hires Amy Kim of Google, Inc. as President of its Americas Business Pexip, one of the industry’s leading innovators in scalable, distributed collaboration software, today announced that it has hired Amy Kim of Google, […]

Head of Global Sales – Strategic Partners at Google becomes President of Americas Business at Pexip

Convergent TechWeek 10/2

A High School Student, An Inexpensive Ebola Test and a $50,000 Grand Prize  A science fair took place where 20 finalists’ projects – originally selected from thousands of submissions from more than 100 countries – came from 11 countries: Bosnia, Canada, France, India, Lithuania, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This […]

Convergent TechWeek 10/2

Convergent TechWeek 9/4

Google Life Sciences to Focus on Diabetes Outcomes Through Data and Disease-Centric Approaches  Earlier in the week, it was reported in WIRED (and other publications) that the newly created Alphabet holding company’s Google Life Sciences has its first big mission — developing new ways to treat and manage diabetes. In a sign that the company is serious […]

Convergent TechWeek 9/4

Y is for You: Google’s Alphabet and Personal Branding

I read with interest the restructuring announcements from Google this week, as they rebrand the parent company into Alphabet, building out the letters with innovative products and business models — starting with “G” for Google, which remains a wholly-owned subsidiary. It’s a bold move for a company that doesn’t want to be conventional. This got me thinking about […]

Y is for You: Google’s Alphabet and Personal Branding

Google Launches Smart Home Hub Called OnHub

They say that imitation is the best form of flattery. The new Google OnHub looks, well, almost identical to the Amazon Echo — both are cylindrical towers. Google’s is a Wi-Fi hub that’s designed to be a central controller for everything Google-owned or “approved” that can keep you entertained through your TV (or Android phone […]

Google Launches Smart Home Hub Called OnHub

The abc.xyz’s of Goog… Alphabet

On Monday evening, after spending a bit of time on social media as well as searching the internet (on Google no less), I came upon an article that announced a major shake-up of Google’s operating structure, creating a new holding company which will contain subsidiaries to separate its core internet businesses from ventures including driver-less […]

The abc.xyz’s of Goog… Alphabet

Hypersign Integrates Google and Samsung to Create Digital Signage Offering for Education

Hypersign today announced the availability of a new digital signage solution for K-12 in collaboration with Google and Samsung Electronics America. The bundled offering enables students and staff to receive a wide range of content on digital signage and desktop PCs such as standard school broadcasts to timely alerts for emergency preparedness. With the combination […]

Hypersign Integrates Google and Samsung to Create Digital Signage Offering for Education

Google’s Chromeboxes Will Grow Digital Signage Market Overall — Thanks to AOPEN

Since last year’s Digital Signage Expo and the introduction of Chrome’s single app kiosk mode, many customers and developers have built digital signage applications on Chromeboxes. Now, Chrome is coming to digital signage in an even bigger way: The Chrome Sign Builder is designed to help create intelligent digital signs that are easy to build, […]

Google’s Chromeboxes Will Grow Digital Signage Market Overall — Thanks to AOPEN

Home Automation: Increasingly Affordable

Home automation has long been the domain of the upper middle class and wealthy. Expensive, professionally installed proprietary systems have traditionally dominated the home automation landscape. The rise of mobile tech and ubiquitous wireless communications — combined with less expensive and more powerful sensors and electronics — are finally enabling the availability of relatively affordable devices. […]

Home Automation: Increasingly Affordable

Streaming Media Stick Wars

It began in August 2013 when Google introduced the Chromecast. A small, Rubenesque HDMI dongle that allows you to stream music and video to your TV or home theater, the $35 Chromecast was an instant hit. This groovy petite player allows popular media services like Pandora, YouTube, and Netflix to easily be sent to your home theater from any […]

Streaming Media Stick Wars