Microsoft Office RoundTable

Just read about a new videoconferencing/webcam hybrid product from Microsoft called Microsoft Office RoundTable . It uses a number of webcams housed in a very sci-fi looking base to show a panoramic view of the conference room and utilises some clever software which shows a close up of the person currently speaking. Apparently it can't be fooled by non-human sounds too (such as tapping on the table, clanking a coffee cup on the table etc.). The product is designed for use with Microsoft Office Live Meeting 2007 and Office Communications Server 2007.

Apparently the product uses mirrors so that the people in the meeting don't feel intimidated by a camera pointing directly at them. So in this case, the product really IS smoke and, well, webcams !!