Project Starline impressed the world back in 2021 with “magic window”-like video calls. It seemed a bit like a glorified tech demo at the time, but now, Google is back with an exciting update. The search giant has announced a hardware partnership with HP, aiming to sell and integrate the technology into existing video-conferencing platforms like Google Meet and Zoom beginning in 2025.
First showcased at Google I/O 2021, the core of Project Starline is a blend of cutting-edge technologies, including advanced 3D imaging, AI, and display capabilities. The platform aims to bridge the gap between physical and virtual interactions, creating a sense of presence and realism akin to face-to-face meetings.
Google describes the experience you get when using Project Starline as though you’re “looking through a sort of magic window, and through that window, you see another person, life-size and in three dimensions. You can talk naturally, gesture, and make eye contact.” In a sense, it’s a problem companies have been trying to solve in VR, such as Vision Pro’s Personas or avatars in Microsoft Teams.
With the latest announcement, Google believes that HP’s expertise in computing, coupled with its investment in Poly’s collaboration solutions, positions it as a key player in delivering innovative experiences globally.
“With body language contributing over half of communication’s meaning and intent, an immersive collaboration experience is vital for fostering genuine human connections,” Alex Cho, president of personal systems at HP, said in a statement. “We’re proud to collaborate with Google in bringing this technology to market, leveraging AI to shape the future of collaboration.”
The collaboration between these tech giants signifies a significant step forward in the evolution of video-conferencing technology. Google’s extensive expertise in software development and innovation is complemented by HP’s hardware prowess, ensuring that Project Starline delivers a seamless and intuitive user experience.
It is important to know that the implications of Project Starline extend beyond mere virtual meetings. The platform’s potential applications span diverse industries, from business and education to health care and entertainment. Imagine a future where remote collaboration feels as natural as being in the same room, or where virtual events and conferences offer an immersive experience like never before.
Mozilla is giving Firefox’s Smart Window two new tricks. If you haven’t tried it yet, Smart Window is an optional AI mode in Firefox with a built-in chat that helps you get things done while you browse. With this update, it can fill out online forms using details from your tabs and keep an eye on websites for you.
Tired of typing the same details into every form?
The absolutely absurd idea of putting a touchscreen display on a mouse isn't exactly new. Turtle Beach already did it with its Command Series MC7, which features a 2.25-inch control screen. But apparently, even that wasn't ridiculous enough for Arctic Fox Technologies. Its new Super Mouse looks like someone took the chunky old Atari ST mouse, slapped a touchscreen and scroll wheel on it, and called it an upgrade.
The result is a rather unusual-looking mouse that is now on Kickstarter, starting at $199. And as ridiculous as it looks, some of its features are genuinely intriguing.
Apple is less than a day away from launching its highly anticipated OLED MacBook Pro with a touch-sensitive screen. But it appears that the upgrade is going to cost a pretty penny. According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly eyeing a starting price of $2,899 for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, while the 16-inch version could start at $3,399 in the US.
"At $2,899, the 14-inch model would mark the highest starting price for a new MacBook Pro model, surpassing the $2,799 Apple charged for a 17-inch version introduced in 2006," says the report. The report claims that Apple is targeting a minimum price hike of $400 for its upcoming redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.