Poly is celebrating the sale of its 30 millionth IP phone. #Poly

Poly has announced today that it has sold its 30 millionth IP phone, marking more than 20 years of beautifully engineered, future-proof voice devices trusted by those who are serious about quality audio and pro-grade communication.

The milestone comes amid rapid changes in the marketplace, as businesses transition from on-premise based phone systems to the cloud, and amidst a global pandemic that has exponentially accelerated the adoption and usage of cloud-based services. Poly voice solutions continue to help IT service providers and customers adapt to how and where people work with a full suite of IP desk phones, wireless phones, USB speakerphones, conference phones, analog telephone adapters (ATAs), and installed audio.

Poly’s voice solutions feature some of the industry’s leading technology in audio innovation, including: smart multi-microphone arrays, HD Voice, Acoustic Fence, and NoiseBlock AI technologies. Poly recently announced its DECT™ IP phone Poly Rove, the first and only phone solution to exclusively feature built-in Microban antimicrobial product protection, designed to give frontline workers the confidence to collaborate in high-touch work settings.

Poly’s line of phones has consistently evolved over time, along with the way we choose to communicate at work. It all started with Polycom’s first-ever SoundStation conference phone, which can be found on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Poly’s iconic CCX series is also the first business media phone of its kind to come with or without a handset, providing the option to be used with a headset or a speakerphone instead.

“Technology has changed drastically over time, but the need for high quality phone systems and the ability to connect are constant,” said John Lamarque, vice president and general manager of the voice collaboration and professional headset business unit at Poly. “Poly’s mission is to outfit any and every type of workspace with pro-grade audio technology and high-quality phones to meet your needs, wherever that may be, so you can focus on what matters most.”

For IT and business leaders, Poly voice solutions provide flexibility. Poly works with more than 60 platforms and service providers, including RingCentral, GoTo by LogMeIn, Vonage, Nextiva, Microsoft Teams, and 8×8, so IT and business leaders have the freedom to pick their partner of choice. Poly management solutions make deployments easy and help remotely troubleshoot an issue to its root cause, without requiring IT to travel beyond the cloud.

Poly is a long-time trusted provider of versatile phone solutions for a wide range of customers, from Fortune 500 companies to non-profit organisations. Now more than ever, as organisations seek to solve the challenges of a hybrid workforce, Poly is leading the way with its innovative pro-grade phone solutions.

Poly’s celebrates its legacy in audio innovation, and beautifully designed phones for mission critical calls.

Poly’s latest phones are designed so you can command the conversation wherever you are:

  • Office solutions – Paying homage to the original SoundStation conference phone, Poly has reimagined conference rooms around the world with the Poly Trio C60, a smart conference phone that features expansion microphones for brilliant audio in large and open spaces. The Trio C60 easily pairs with Poly videoconferencing solutions and makes it easy to launch and join meetings, and also features Alexa for Business so you can join a meeting touch-free. Another device that’s simple to set up and easy to use in the office is the Poly VVX series, beautifully designed, IP desk phones that are compatible with almost any platform. The VVX series features Acoustic Fence technology and blocks out unwanted background noise, so you can sound your best on every call.
  • Flexible work solutions – For those working from home, on the road or returning to the office, the Poly Sync family of smart speakerphones are USB and Bluetooth enabled devices. These beautifully designed smart speakerphones with award-winning audio can be voice activated to join a meeting and are Zoom and Microsoft Teams certified.
  • Essential workplace solutions – For critical and essential workplaces, Poly offers the Poly Rove wireless DECT™ IP phones, the first and only phone solution to feature built-in antimicrobial protection from Microban. With Poly Rove, you have the freedom to move around warehouses and shift floors with the confidence to collaborate in high-touch work settings.

“Poly’s differentiated range of IP phone devices deliver one of the industry’s best audio experiences in the market,” said Alaa Saayed, ICT industry director at Frost & Sullivan. “Over time, the company has successfully invigorated its portfolio with the introduction of new desktop models; the delivery of advanced features and capabilities; the partnering with key call control providers; and the implementation of a rock-solid endpoint management system that allows businesses to manage, provision and update Poly phones in a streamlined and simplified manner.”

For more information on Poly’s phone offerings, please visit https://www.poly.com/us/en/products/phones.

The Upcoming Advancements in Motorcycle Technology

It’s no secret that riding a motorcycle can be dangerous. According to the World Health Organization’s latest report on road safety, motorcyclists made up 28% of global deaths as a result of road accidents. However, significant strides forward in technology are set to make riding a motorcycle both smarter and safer.

Read on to find out more about a few measures that have been designed to do exactly that.

Adaptive cruise control

Maintaining a safe distance between vehicles can be difficult when traffic is heavier. It requires constant attention and even a momentary lapse in concentration can result in an accident.

With adaptive cruise control, motorcycles will be able to adjust their speed based on traffic conditions, reducing the likelihood of rear-end crashes.

Even you feel like such a product gives you greater protection while out on the roads, it will still remain important to make sure you have the best motorcycle insurance for your needs.

Blind spot detection

It can feel like you need eyes everywhere when you take your bike on a busy road. Blind spot detection uses sensors to do that for you.

If you attempt to change lane and a vehicle is sensed to be nearby, you’re alerted to that by a warning light – usually on your wing mirror.

In October 2020, Ducati announced the production of the first motorcycle to use front and rear radar technology had begun.

But you might not have to get a new bike to benefit from blind spot detection, with aftermarket solutions set to launch in the near future.

Emergency call systems

A feature in passenger vehicles for a number of years already, emergency call systems – also known as eCall – automatically send out an alert in the event of a crash.

In the EU, all new cars must be equipped with eCall, but the case is not the same for motorcycles.

For those still keen to benefit from such a system, Bosch have developed Help Connect. This programme uses your smartphone’s sensors and an algorithm to detect your accident and trigger an emergency call with Help Connect.

A member of their team will receive your location and accident data and contact the local emergency services in the event of a serious accident. If the incident is deemed minor, they will call you and discuss your options.

It works across 11 countries, including the UK and Ireland, and is available for just €39.99 per year.

High-tech helmets

Augmented reality (AR) technology has already been widely embraced in the car industry on heads-up displays and could soon make the jump to motorcycles.

LiveMap plan to develop a helmet that projects images onto the road ahead, allowing riders to navigate their route without taking their eyes of what is in front of them.

The images are designed to be clear in all conditions and could also display other parameters like speed, time and date.

Dell Adds Cherry MX Mechanical Keyboard to Alienware Line-up. #Dell #Alienware

Alienware m15 R4 and Alienware m17 R4 laptops have been refreshed by Dell to include Cherry MX ultra low profile mechanical keyboards, with per-key lighting. According to Dell, the new keyboards aim to be an extension of the gamer’s senses, and allow you to press deeper with more emphasis. This mechanical switch delivers a full 1.8mm of key travel in a self-cleaning mechanism. Its two-piece keycap structure and cross-point contact system ensure precision and wobble-free keystrokes during intense virtual gaming sessions.

Many gamers prefer mechanical keyboards because they are more responsive, and are usually more durable. For some of us, a mechanical keyboard just feels better to use, plus the sound of a mechanical keyboard can be good feedback as well. Apart from the change in keyboards, the laptops still run on 10th Gen Intel Core processors and offer up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 GPU support.

Vivian Lien, Vice President of Alienware and Dell Gaming, said: “PC gaming experience is guided by our fingertips. It is why gaming keyboards are crucial – they’re the gateway to connecting a gamer to their PC. But let’s face it: not all gaming keyboards are created equal.

“Delivering the next level of immersive gaming to mobile gamers, we’re thrilled to bring you the CHERRY MX mechanical keyboard on the new Alienware m15 R4 and Alienware m17 R4. These are the world’s first gaming laptops designed in collaboration with the leading German switch maker CHERRY MX.

“Our partnership with CHERRY MX (aka Project X) began over three years ago. We had the shared goal to create a ‘binary mechanical switch experience’ and shrink it down into a laptop form factor—something that’s never been done before. Not an easy task, but one that has brought the benefits of a mechanical keyboard to mobile PC gaming, delivering the edge needed to dominate virtual battle arenas.”

Alienware m15 R4 & Alienware m17 R4 specifications

The Alienware m15 R4 and Alienware m17 R4 were refreshed in January at CES 2021 to include the new Nvidia GeForce 30-series GPUs. The two laptops have now been made available in a Cherry MX ultra low-profile mechanical keyboard configuration. All the other specifications remain the same. The laptops are powered by the 10th-Gen Intel Core i7-10870H or Core i9-10980HK CPU with up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM. They will include the latest Nvidia GeForce RTX 30-series GPUs

The Alienware m15 R4 features a 15.6-inch display, whereas the Alienware m17 R4 has a 17.3-inch display. Both are equipped with up to 360Hz full-HD screens (up to 300Hz on m15 model) or UHD displays with standard 60Hz refresh rate. Audio is handled by 2-way stereo speaker design that includes discrete Smart Amp Woofer technology. They come with multi-touch gesture precision-point glass touchpads with integrated scrolling.

Connectivity options on the Alienware m15 R4 and Alienware m17 R4 include Thunderbolt 3, USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 with PowerShare technology, two USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, Alienware Graphics Amplifier port, Mini-DisplayPort 1.4, an HDMI 2.1 port, RJ-45 Killer Ethernet, and a microSD slot. They also come with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.1. Both models have 86Wh batteries.

The new Alienware m15 R4 and Alienware m17 R4 are available in Ireland from www.dell.ie.

Radio Paradise MQA Audio Coming Exclusively to BluOS Players. #MQA #BluOS

Radio Paradise, Lenbrook International and MQA today announced a new hifi internet radio service exclusive to the BluOS platform. Radio Paradise, a listener-supported internet radio station known for its high quality audio streams, is now providing MQA-encoded audio on all four of its mix channels, utilising high-resolution 24-bit masters where available.

Lenbrook International, the owner and developer of the market-leading BluOS high-resolution multi-room platform, has announced that all BluOS devices will receive an update in April 2021 to enable Radio Paradise MQA as a native music streaming option. It will be included in all current and future BluOS Enabled devices from leading audio brands like Bluesound, NAD Electronics, DALI Loudspeakers, Monitor Audio, Roksan, Peachtree and PSB Speakers. The collaboration marks the first time an internet radio station will carry MQA-encoded content.

Screenshot of Radio Paradise’s RP Rock Mix in MQA

“As music lovers and audiophiles ourselves it was a revelation to hear the performance difference in music when encoded into MQA, even when only 16 bit/44 kHz masters are available,” explained Bill Goldsmith, long-time radio personality and founder of Radio Paradise. “It’s a unique opportunity for us to provide improved audio performance to our BluOS listeners who are very serious about their content quality. The team at BluOS has been 100% committed to delivering high-res audio direct to the listening room and has long supported our work at Radio Paradise. Our shared values for best-in-class audio make this collaboration a totally natural evolution.”

“Radio Paradise MQA is the perfect vehicle for the musical curation of Bill and the Radio Paradise team,” says Mike Jbara, CEO of MQA. “We are proud to play a part in helping showcase their talent and expertise alongside our long-time collaborators on the BluOS platform team. The world’s best sounding entertainment is what customers of BluOS have come to expect following their years of leadership and innovation In high-resolution audio.” 

“The BluOS ecosystem has the largest selection of MQA enabled players in the world,” states Gord Simmonds, President & CEO of The Lenbrook Group, the company developing the BluOS platform. “We wanted to offer our discerning customers something they cannot get anywhere else. Now our BluOS family of brands and their global customers have an exclusive 24/7 mix of MQA content at their fingertips. To partner with Bill and Radio Paradise and our MQA friends to offer this great sounding music to our customers, for whom high resolution audio and hifi are paramount, is an outstanding alignment of our shared visions.”

realme 8 Pro officially on sale from March 31st, available on Amazon UK and realme.com/uk. #realme8Pro #Tech

Following its official launch event last week, realme 8 Pro will officially go on sale in the UK on Wednesday March 31st, along with realme Watch S Pro and realme Buds Air 2.

The realme 8 Pro 8GB + 128GB, which features a 108MP sensor camera, worry-free battery life, and trendsetting design – weighing just 176g at a super slim 8.1mm – will be available to purchase on Amazon UK and realme.com/uk, priced at £279.

realme Watch S Pro, priced at £199, along with realme Buds Air 2, priced at £46.99, will also be available.

realme 8 Pro – The most affordable 108MP smartphone

realme 8 Pro features the brand’s first ever 108MP sensor camera, offering a maximum resolution of 12000×9000 for ultra-sharp photo quality. With In-Sensor Zoom,  a 3X zoomed photo captured with realme 8 Pro delivers better quality than some optical telephoto lenses in terms of sharpness. Trendsetting photography features like Starry Time-Lapse set realme 8 Pro apart from the competition, with Tilt-Shift Time-Lapse Video being a world-first for a smartphone.

50W SuperDart Charge means the realme 8 Pro’s 4500mAh battery can be charged from 0 to 100% in just 47 minutes. Super Power Saving Mode allows 5% of battery to last for 32 hours on standby, providing worry-free battery life. realme 8 Pro’s back features the texture of natural mineral crystal which provides a unique matte finish. The smartphone weighs only 176g and is a super slim 8.1mm, making it comfortable to hold in hand.

realme Watch S Pro and realme Buds Air 2

 

realme Watch S Pro is the brand’s first stainless steel watch, featuring a large  1.39  inch AMOLED touchscreen with advanced Always-On Display, 15 sports modes, 5 ATM water resistance, and GPS sensor.

realme Buds Air 2 support Active Noise Cancellation, noise reduction depth of 25dB, and can effectively reduce most low-frequency noise. They are ideal for all-day use, with up to 25-hour battery life, 10 mm Large Drive and only 88ms low latency mode.

The realme 8 Pro 8GB + 128GB is priced at £279, available on 31st March at realme.com/uk and Amazon UK, along with realme Watch S Pro and realme Buds Air 2.

Skullcandy is launching new tiny earbuds costing £29.99. #Skullcandy #Dime

Skullcandy, the #1 selling brand in Stereo Headphones*1 and True Wireless Earbuds*2 under $100, announced today its all-new Dime True Wireless Earbuds. Priced at £29.99 MSRP, the latest solution outperforms other earbuds at the same price point, offering an affordable way to get into the true wireless game.  Dime grants users the freedom to live without wires, combining expertly tuned audio with a noise-isolating fit and must-have features, like a microphone in each bud. Available now at Skullcandy.co.uk and major retailers nationwide, Dime delivers a pocket-friendly, stylish form factor in a variety of colours that won’t break the bank.

Dime is an ideal, everyday audio companion that boasts up to 12 hours of battery life, freeing users from the hassle of snagging, yanking and tangling wires. When earbuds are removed from the charging case secured with a snap lid, the buds automatically turn on. Easy connection offers a simplified listening experience that’s perfect for those new to true wireless. Intuitive, touch-enabled media controls on the compact stick-style buds enable Dime users to effortlessly take calls, change tracks, adjust volume and activate native voice assistants like Google and Siri, all without ever reaching for their devices.

“Despite being the fastest-growing segment in stereo headphones, true wireless earbuds still account for less than half of the market,” said Jeff Hutchings, Skullcandy Chief Product Officer, referring to 2020 NPD Unit Share data. “Our all-new Dime True Wireless Earbuds are intent on changing that. Offering stellar sound and unmatched simplicity at a price that makes it possible to throw a pair in every bag, Dime breaks down all barriers formerly associated with true wireless.”

Dime was designed and engineered with a range of features to meet everyday lifestyle demands, including: 

• Up to 12 Hours of Battery Life – Listen longer with 3.5 hours of battery life in the earbuds and 8.5 hours in the charging case

• True Wireless via Bluetooth® 5.0

• Microphones in Each Bud – Use either bud solo without losing the ability to take calls

• Full Suite of Media Controls on the Buds – Take calls, change tracks, adjust volume controls and activate native device assistants (Google, Siri, etc.) without ever touching a phone

• Auto On/Connect – Enjoy automatic turn on and pairing with the last device used

• Noise-Isolating Fit – Experience supreme sound with expertly selected and tuned microphones and drivers

• IPX4 Sweat and Water Resistance – Go on an adventure without missing a beat

• Integrated Lanyard – Rely on secure portability that protects the charge case and buds from drops

• Micro-USB Charging Case with Snap Lid

Available in a range of colourways, Dime gives users the freedom to express themselves. Users can choose between four colourways including Dark Blue/Green, Light Grey/Blue, Dark Grey and True Black to show off their personality or style match individual looks.

Dime was built to keep up with an active lifestyle and is backed by Skullcandy’s Fearless Use Promise®. If a user happens to lose or break any of the components, they can purchase buds and cases separately from Skullcandy to replace them with ease.

For more information on Dime True Wireless Earbuds visit: www.Skullcandy.co.uk/dime-wireless-earbuds

*1. The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, based on US Stereo Headphone Dollar Share and Unit Share 12ME Dec. 2020. *2.The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, based on US True Wireless Earbuds Dollar Share and Unit Share 3ME Dec. 2020

Elite Dangerous: Odyssey’s Alpha touches down today. #Gaming

Frontier Developments plc (AIM: FDEV) announced today the start of the highly anticipated Elite Dangerous: Odyssey PC Alpha. Available for Lifetime Expansion Pass owners and players who have pre-ordered the Odyssey Deluxe Alpha expansion pack, this Alpha phase is the eagerly awaited first contact with the new, feet-on-the-ground Elite Dangerous gameplay experience.

The Elite Dangerous: Odyssey PC Alpha phase will run over several weeks, gradually introducing players to new gameplay features and expanding the amount of content they can access. This progressive roadmap will give the Elite Dangerous development team invaluable data to adjust and fine-tune the gaming experience ahead of Odyssey’s full PC release in late spring.

The Elite Dangerous: Odyssey PC Alpha phases include*:

  • Phase 1: First Steps. Focussing on Odyssey’s core systems and network features, Phase 1 will group all Commanders in a single star system to maximize player interaction. Players can purchase the Remlock Maverick scavenger suit and the Takada and Kinematic weapon sets, and take part in a selection of activities, including salvage, collection and delivery. Players will not have access to spaceships at this stage, but in-system travel will still be possible thanks to the new Apex Interstellar feature.
  • Phase 2: Combat. Introducing Elite Dangerous: Odyssey’s first person combat experience, Commanders will have access to the Manticore Dominator combat suit. Faction conflicts will be enabled, in time for the Frontline Solutions Mercenary Company to start operations in this phase. Additionally, players will be able to travel up to 20 light years in their own spaceships, and can get involved in an expanded variety of missions, including trading with settlements in neighbouring systems.
  • Phase 3: Exploration. Expanding the playable bubble to 50 light years, this phase shall include unexplored planets and the coveted “First Footfall” experience. Commanders can now don the Supratech Artemis explorer suit and analyse alien organics with the Genetic Sampler tool.
  • Phase 4: Compatibility. In the final phase of the Elite Dangerous: Odyssey Alpha, players will have access to their own Commanders, and test the inclusion of existing features in the main game, like Fleet Carriers, ship-launched Fighters and SRVs.

*Areas of play and features during the Alpha are subject to change.

Elite Dangerous: Odyssey releases on PC in late spring 2021. Prospective PC Commanders can pre-order now and secure access to the Alpha via Steam, the Epic Games Store and the Frontier Store.

Releases on the PlayStation4 computer entertainment system and the Xbox One all-in-one games and entertainment system are planned for Autumn 2021.

Groov-e’s garden gadgets, affordable tech for the outdoors this Summer. #Tech

The mini heatwave this week is giving everyone a taste of summer and what gadgets could you use in the back or front garden whilst enjoying the sun that are super affordable, Groov-e have a range of products below for you to check out and stay tuned for reviews soon.

Groov-e Wave II
Price: £24.99 Buy from Groov-e, Curry’s Link to buy
Proving big sound comes in small packages the Wave II Bluetooth speaker means that compromising on power for portability is a thing of the past thanks to the 6W built-in speaker. There’s no need to panic if a spontaneous water fight or downpour breaks out as the Wave II is IPX4 water resistant or in simple terms: Splash Proof. The rechargeable 1200mAh battery offers 6-8 hours playback and a charging cable is included. The carabiner clip means it can easily be attached to bags, belts and keys for portability.

Groov-e MusicBuds true wireless earphones Price: £24.99 Available from Groov-e Tesco, Curry’s

Enjoy crystal clear audio and a wire-free experience in the garden with Groov-e’s affordable MusicBuds. Bluetooth 5.0 technology delivers powerful bass and true stereo sound. Music can be controlled by pushing gently on the earbuds, enabling them to play and pause, skip forward and back through tracks, alter the volume and even activate Siri or Google voice assistant.

Being able to just speak a command such as play favourite music, dial and answer calls or even ask for the weather forecast makes life even easier. The MusicBuds also feature a built-in mic for clear hands-free calls.

Stylish and ultralight, the MusicBuds are comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.

They provide up to four hours of music playback from a single charge – and an additional seven hours using the portable intelligent charging case.

Groov-e Venice Portable DAB Radio with Bluetooth Speaker

Price: £29.99 Available from Groov-e, Curry’s, Tesco, Amazon

Enjoy your favourite radio station, sport, podcasts and music with this DAB radio and speaker. With a compact, curved black design Groov-e Venice is a budget portable DAB Radio with Bluetooth, so it can also connect to your phone or tablet and be used as a portable speaker. Weighing just 399g and the option to power by mains or two AA batteries, it’s ideal for moving around the house or on-the-go as it easily fits into a backpack. The 3.5mm headphone jack offers crystal clear DAB audio for a private listening experience.

With up to 20 presets, you can save and easily access your favourite stations.  The backlit LCD display details station information and the radio is easily controlled using the straightforward buttons.

It also has an alarm clock function and users are able to choose between being awakened by a traditional alarm noise or their favourite radio station.

Groov-e SportsBuds Price: £39.99 Available from Groov-e, Tesco, Curry’s

Enjoy the sunshine while working out, ideal for listening to music, podcasts or following guided runs and garden workouts, the Groov-e SportsBuds are an affordable pair of Bluetooth headphones designed especially to withstand sweat and exertion. At just £39.99 they offer excellent sound quality, comfortable ear hook design and have IPX4 sweat resistant rating. The included charging case has an 1800mAh offering 28 hours wireless playback while on the move, ensuring you’re covered for long cycles, hikes and runs. The built-in microphone means users can easily make wireless calls or use voice commands too.

Groov-e Ultra Wireless Charging Bluetooth headphones

Price: £34.99 Available from Groov-e, Tesco, Curry’s

If dad loves his music, podcasts, audiobooks or sports commentary then these wireless charging headphones are sure to hit the spot. Available in black or gold, the Ultra headphones are affordable at just £34.99 yet feature the latest technology. Bluetooth 5.0 and 40mm drivers deliver high quality sound with dynamic bass making them perfect for listening to music or watching videos. Completely free from cables, they also support wireless charging.

Hybrid Working Is Here To Stay As Offices Prepare To Burst Back To Life. #Konftel

The traditional office is set to bounce back soon, but according to leading global collaboration manufacturer Konftel, rapid transformation will need to take place to deliver safer working conditions.

“Video conferencing will continue to drive meeting communications across a mix of remote working and phased office life,” UK Sales Director Jeff May said. “More companies are reorganising their offices and preparing to facilitate increased video meetings. That’s why we’re urging resellers to fully prepare their customers for the next phase of Covid recovery – backed by the latest independent research and a new educational webinar.”

Konftel estimates more than half of businesses are planning to accelerate IT budgets this year, with video meeting room technologies being one of their top priorities. May says the hybrid workplace will continue to grow, blending a combination of working from home and a gradual return to offices.

The company’s views have been reinforced by new research from strategic advisory analysts Metrigy and discussions with distributors and resellers across the globe.

“The traditional office is already going through a significant transformation,” May continued. “It’s clear many successful companies are already experiencing a rapid return on investment and are planning to invest more in meeting room technologies and hardware for remote workers.

“Versatile, cost effective and ‘climate neutral’ solutions (with no net impact on the planet) will be key. Konftel ticks every box.”

To support a safe office return, Konftel advises:

  • Limiting capacity of office spaces to ensure adequate social distancing
  • Converting existing meeting rooms into video enabled conferencing
  • Installation of touchless device technologies such as ‘contactless conferencing’
  • Adding more enclosed work zones 
  • Increased general cleaning and sanitation

“Future workgroups will likely consist of a mix of in-person and remote participants, with professional-quality video meetings becoming the benchmark for collaboration success, wherever people are working. Flexibility is key.”

May added: “Clearly it is an evolving situation in all four corners of the world. But one thing is for sure, businesses need to prepare for greater numbers in the office, whilst also maintaining remote working too.

“We are planning a new webinar over the coming months to advise and assist resellers on how they can best equip their customers for the next phase of Covid recovery.”

Konftel has seen huge demand for flexible USB-based video kits, whilst early orders for its new Konftel Cam10 business webcam have exceeded expectations. A series of new products are in the pipeline, such as a high performance speakerphone and combined video cameras.

Contactless Conferencing

May emphasised: “Safety and social distancing will be vital when more people return to offices. No-touch solutions will be increasingly popular. Take our Konftel Unite app for example, that switches the operation of audio-based meetings from the traditional keypad to the screen of a mobile phone or tablet, easily via Bluetooth.”

Konftel has always argued for flexibility when it comes to all the collaboration tools available, such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Webex. It says safety is paramount too. At the office, Bring Your Own Meeting (BYOM) means the user can take their laptop into the meeting room with their choice of collaboration app installed and then connect the computer to the speakerphone, conference cam and screen using a single USB cable (Konftel OCC).

May concluded: “In addition our Konftel 800 audio device for example can be daisy-chained to significantly increase the distance between people, yet ensure they are still clearly heard even in the biggest of rooms. Returning to the office, embracing the hybrid workplace and working from home long term are the three main factors organisations need to be addressing now.”