Latest Generation: Simple Doesn’t Mean Less

The latest addition to the all-in-one video bar lineup is Yealink’s MeetingBar A40, launched in September 2024. While video bars are known for their convenience, they can sometimes fall short of the stability, security, and management features needed for robust corporate use. Yealink addresses this with the A40, offering:

• Improved stability through its one-cable solution that handles sharing, BYOD and PD charging all from one desk cable.
• Enhanced security with Android 13 and Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform (MDEP) support, protecting against cyber threats and data breaches in Teams environments.
• Simplified IT management through remote monitoring, reducing downtime and ensuring smooth operations.

All-in-One Solutions: Beyond Video Bars

While video bars are effective for small rooms, Yealink offers a broader range of all-in-one solutions, including devices that integrate touch displays with built-in cameras, microphones, speakers, and digital whiteboards. These solutions offer plug-and-play simplicity but also transform workspaces into collaborative hubs. So how do you choose between a video bar and an integrated board?

Modern Style: MeetingBoard Solution

The MeetingBoard is ideal for newly constructed or renovated offices, where no legacy devices need to be reused. With a similar budget to a video bar, it offers more features like digital whiteboarding for enhanced hybrid collaboration. It’s also perfect for open spaces, executive offices, or even lobbies, as its movable floor stand allows for flexibility without requiring wall mounting. The dual-system compatibility (Android and Windows) ensures it fits into any office workflow.

Traditional Style: MeetingBar Series

For meeting rooms with existing TV setups, Yealink’s MeetingBar series offers a sustainable and budget-friendly solution. It easily attaches to any screen and is perfect for small spaces like huddle rooms or phone booths, where quick setup and affordability are key.

Conclusion

Whether you’re upgrading an existing room or setting up a new collaborative space, Yealink’s all-in-one solutions provide the right mix of simplicity, flexibility, and performance. With options like the MeetingBar A40 and MeetingBoard, Yealink covers a wide range of needs to ensure seamless hybrid collaboration.

Learn more about Yealink’s all-in-one solutions in this guide.

The post Simple Videoconferencing Solutions: Video Bars & More appeared first on My TechDecisions.

Why DECT Headset?

DECT headsets are the ideal choice for business offices due to their interference-free operation, ensuring uninterrupted communication in high-density workspaces. These headsets offer clear voice transmission in VoIP systems, enhancing efficiency and focus for employees. Additionally, DECT headsets prioritize security by utilizing encryption and authentication algorithms, ensuring privacy for all calls. With their reliable connectivity, superior audio quality, and data protection features, DECT headsets provide a seamless communication experience, making them the preferred option for professionals in the business headphone market.

Hybrid Work Trends

With the rise of hybrid work models and the increasing demand for versatile audio solutions, hybrid wireless technology has emerged as a game-changer. Work is no longer a place you go, but a thing you do. We all know that the base and deployment would limit DECT headsets. But can DECT headsets be more flexible?

Innovative Wireless Mode Expands Possibility

With DECT & Bluetooth hybrid wireless technology in the headset, you don’t have to worry about the base limitation and keeping your mobile phone connecting with the dual wireless technology built-in headset. That’s how the Yealink WH64 hybrid wireless headset can help you.

WH64, Industry first hybrid wireless mode headset certified for UC platform, breaks through various scene and device usage restrictions to meet diverse employees’ needs while ensuring better and more professional experience to enhance work efficiency.

Featuring industry-leading 3-Mic noise cancellation technology, the WH64 headset ensures users can work seamlessly in various environments, including the new open office layout where noise levels can be unpredictable. Its innovative ergonomic design ensures all-day wearing comfort, allowing users to focus on their tasks without discomfort.

In summary, WH64 dual-mode functionality is the preferred choice for business professionals. They offer the necessary features for daily office tasks and are adaptable to different work environments, aligning with the hybrid work trend. With seamless switching between SIP phone networks and mobile phones, WH64 provides flexibility and optimal performance, making them the ideal solution for business communication.

Yealink at InfoComm 2024

Join us at InfoComm 2024, from June 12th to 14th, to witness firsthand the WH64 hybrid wireless headset. Visit Booth C5141 to experience Yealink’s full range of headsets, offering enhanced functionality and superior comfort.

To learn more about the new Yealink WH64 Hybrid wireless headset, visit their website here.

The post Hybrid Work Trend Arises: The Impact on DECT Headset & the Role of Hybrid Wireless Technology appeared first on My TechDecisions.

“As more people return to the office, it’s no longer enough to deliver the best remote worker experience; every business needs a solution to deliver the best hybrid meeting experience,” says Smita Hashim, chief product officer at Zoom. “Even with some employees in the office, oftentimes other team members are dispersed, so meeting equity and inclusion become more important than ever. Intelligent Director is the solution that can bring employees together, regardless of location, so they can truly connect face-to-face.”

Intelligent Director is specifically designed for medium- to larger-sized rooms and helps avoid the “bowling alley effect.” Intelligent Director can individually frame up to 16 participants in a Zoom Room using multiple cameras, choosing the best video stream via a Zoom-designed AI, and send that stream to the gallery view of the Zoom Meeting.

An evolution of Zoom’s Smart Gallery feature, which uses a single camera and AI to give each person in a small to medium-sized room their own space in a Zoom Meeting, Intelligent Director takes this same technology for larger conference rooms.

For bigger meeting spaces, it is easier to be hidden by others when only using a single camera; Intelligent Director’s multi-camera configuration and use of video AI technology provide meeting equity to everyone in the room, selecting the best view of each individual, even if they move around or turn their heads. Remote participants can now have face-to-face conversations with each Zoom Rooms participant, allowing in-room participants to be seen and heard.

Intelligent Director is made possible through the support of Zoom’s hardware partner ecosystem. Manufacturers, including Apple, AVer, Dell, HP | Poly, Intel, Logitech, and Yealink have supported Zoom with the computer, controller and camera solutions necessary to produce this major advancement.

Another version of this article originally appeared on our sister-site Commercial Integrator on June 27, 2023. It has since been updated for My TechDecisions’ audience.

The post Zoom Launches AI-Powered Intelligent Director for Zoom Rooms appeared first on My TechDecisions.

InfoComm arrives at an exciting time for Kramer, as the audiovisual experience provider maintains a strong vision. With the accelerated convergence of AV and IT, Kramer expects the transition from product to experience in the buying journey, and a value shift from hardware to software.

The company says it is not only capitalizing on market trends and customer needs, but also leading them. This includes the introduction of a new and enhanced version of the VIA platform, Kramer’s wireless collaboration and conferencing platform, and a new quicklaunch for Education solution. In addition, the company also debuted a new series of interoperable audiovisual signal management products and the new KDS-100, an open-standard 4K60 AVoIP streaming solution.

Kramer CONNECT also showcased an extended portfolio of premium USB-C products, as well as an inaugural range of Services like space design, installation, and technical certification.

To showcase the potential of its audiovisual products, Kramer’s InfoComm booth also featured interactive, life-size examples of a fully equipped hybrid classroom, meeting space and sports bar.

Kramer Partnerships 

Kramer also highlighted new partnerships with Sennheiser, Samsung and Yealink. Kramer’s alliance with Sennheiser has led to the creation of a hybrid teleconferencing solution, based on Sennheiser’s Team Connect Ceiling 2 microphone and Kramer’s AFM-DSP20-AEC audio matrix switcher.

Meanwhile, Samsung and Kramer have teamed up to enable Kramer’s quicklaunch collaboration software to seamlessly work with Samsung’s Flip and QMB display series, for immersive smart learning and collaboration experiences in any type of classroom or office meeting space.

Kramer and Yealink have partnered to improve efficiency in meeting spaces by integrating Kramer BRAINware, Kramer VIA Go, Kramer VIA Connect2 and Yealink MVC II room systems. This collaboration gives presenters full control of Microsoft Teams meetings, the sharing of content, and room elements such as lighting and shades, all via a single, easy-to-use touch panel.

Alongside these partnerships and new products, the company remains focused on ensuring its customers’ business continuity, investing in a robust supply chain that ensures Kramer products are consistently available across hubs worldwide. Kramer has also established regional offices and leaders across EMEA, APAC and the Americas, to enable it to get closer than ever to customers and their local requirements.

A version of this article originally appeared on our sister site Commercial Integrator. 

The post Kramer Unveils New Products, Partnerships & Services at InfoComm 2023 appeared first on My TechDecisions.

We turned to Danny Hayasaka, senior director of marketing and emerging technology with Call One, Inc., and Hello Direct, Inc., who has developed a reputation as a product tester for various devices. Today, he oversees a YouTube channel with 10,700 subscribers and well over five million views. One major reason for its popularity is his fierce independence. “I test solutions across multiple brands,” Hayasaka explains. “No one pays me to talk about these devices.” 

So, when Hayasaka praises Yealink’s MeetingBar A10, it’s because the product truly deserves it. “The goal is to help people and businesses make more informed purchasing decisions,” he explains. Discussing his early interactions with Yealink several years ago, Hayasaka recalls the company’s desire to attain excellence and its appetite for candid feedback. “They really are huge into creating the best product for people,” he attests. Those initial conversations, spurred by Yealink looking to break into the headset space, evolved as video blew up during the pandemic. Hayasaka immediately knew Yealink was a natural fit with the solutions Call One and Hello Direct provide to their customers. “They have so many ideas and solutions that they’ve passed my way,” he marvels. 

The Yealink MeetingBar A10: Price and Performance 

Hayasaka is truly excited about the MeetingBar A10, an all-in-one video bar that includes microphones, speakers, a 4K camera and more. It’s designed for smaller meeting spaces, including dedicated offices, small focus spaces and huddle rooms. Leveraging the Android 11 OS, the MeetingBar A10 is remarkably flexible, running Microsoft Teams and Zoom Rooms natively and permitting BYOD. Hayasaka praises the framing modes, which include manual PTZ, auto-framing and speaker tracking. He compliments the MeetingBar A10’s transitions, saying that, if a speaker being tracked moves from one location to another, it’ll do a fade effect. 

With the rise of soft-codec solutions and the shift to the cloud, it’s now possible to video enable many spaces across corporate campuses. Hayasaka recalls, “It [used to] cost anywhere from $25,000 to $50,000 or more to outfit one of these spaces” with bulky, hardware-centric solutions. But with soft codecs, the cost per room has plummeted. Hayasaka praises the MeetingBar A10’s price point ($899), saying, “It’s actually one of the least-expensive options that’s going to be available.” He adds, “Having all the capabilities, features [and] functionality of the MeetingBar A10 for less than $900 is outstanding.” 

The Yealink MeetingBar A10: Simplicity and Wireless Sharing 

Hayasaka praises the simplicity of the MeetingBar A10. Defining “simple” from an end user’s perspective, he explains, “I don’t need to pay some installer to come in and install every room.” Instead, any team member can do it. After all, Hayasaka says, even the most tech-phobic among us can plug in an HDMI cable or plug in a network cable. And users get a familiar-feeling experience because the MeetingBar A10 is certified on Teams and Zoom. 

The MeetingBar A10 truly stands apart in its wireless sharing capabilities. Consider this typical scenario: Someone walks into a collaboration space with their laptop, and they want to not only share content but also take over the hardware that’s in the space — without having to connect anything. Competitor products, Hayasaka says, require a third-party wireless conferencing solution. By contrast, with the MeetingBar A10’s Device Mode and the WPP30 Wireless Presentation Pod (an inexpensive accessory), Yealink achieves true wireless flexibility. Users simply plug the WPP30 into the video bar, get a message indicating successful pairing and disconnect it. Then, they can plug the WPP30 into any laptop (via USB-C or USB-A) to drive the MeetingBar A10. “Within seconds, now you’re sharing,” Hayasaka enthuses. After that initial pairing with the MeetingBar A10, the WPP30 can stay in the room, ready for whoever wants to connect wirelessly. 

Tech Must Adapt to Us 

Device Mode aligns well with our expectation for technology solutions to adapt to our own workflow and preferences. These days, many companies are making an organizational commitment to Teams or Zoom, but the MeetingBar A10, via Device Mode, offers much greater flexibility. “[People] want that wireless capability and the ability to join whatever meeting platform they want, when they want,” Hayasaka propounds. “I can join whatever meeting I want right from my laptop and utilize the MeetingBar A10 as my audio and video device, wirelessly.” It’s just another way Yealink’s MeetingBar A10 stands apart. 

Watch Hayasaka discuss Yealink’s MeetingBar A10:

To get more information, visit https://www.yealink.com/en/product-detail/microsoft-teams-rooms-meetingbar-a10. 

The post Yealink MeetingBar A10: Revolutionizing and Democratizing Collaboration  appeared first on My TechDecisions.

Businesses around the world are transitioning to hybrid workplaces, with a majority of managers introducing more flexible work policies, according to recent data. To help companies adjust to the new normal, Yealink has partnered with Intel to create a video conferencing solution that is efficient, secure, and easy to use.

Yealink’s video conferencing solution uses Intel architecture, including an Intel® Core processor, to encode and decode multiple video channels simultaneously, resulting in higher audio and video quality with no freezing or lagging. It also leverages the Intel® Media SDK to enhance video conferencing by performing hardware decoding on video streams. Yealink’s solution is designed to meet the various requirements of video conferencing, with up to 20 1080p@30FPS high-definition video streams, sound source location, facial close-ups, intelligent noise cancellation, intelligent facial recognition, and other advanced technologies that provide immersive video conferencing experiences.

The joint video conferencing solution from Intel and Yealink is optimized for popular video conferencing software like Microsoft Teams and Zoom, and comes with essential components such as MCore microcomputers, MTouch II touch panels, a full range of 4K AI tracking cameras, and scenario-customized audio components to provide full-scenario coverage. This not only addresses the long-standing issues that have hindered widespread adoption, such as poor audio and video quality, but also tackles other common obstacles like limited network compatibility, complex equipment usage, and high deployment and maintenance costs.

Both companies are committed to relying on AI technology to incorporate more office automation and remote desktop technologies into the solution, enabling video conferencing systems to evolve from a meeting tool to an office platform, while achieving seamless office automation and further improving productivity.

Yealink and Intel also intend to incorporate Intel vPro® technology and Intel® DPDK into the solution, providing IT administrators with enhanced security and remote manageability. They are aiming to build a more secure, convenient, and high-quality video conferencing solution through continuous innovation to help businesses improve efficiency while employees achieve a better work-life balance.

The post Intel and Yealink Offer Innovative Video Conferencing Experiences Against the Backdrop of Hybrid Work appeared first on My TechDecisions.

Per a statement, users can combine Yamaha’s ADECIA Ceiling Array Microphone RM-CG and Tabletop Array Microphone RM-TT with Yealink’s intelligent cameras and touchpanels. With this, users can thus enhance their audio and video experience. The joint solution not only enables presenter tracking and speaker tracking but also includes technologies. These comprise adaptive echo cancel, automatic gain control, noise reduction and dereverberation. With this, remote attendees can thus avail an immersive video and audio experience.

Related: AVer, Lenovo, Yamaha Collaborate on Hybrid-Room Bundle

“We’re very excited to partner with Yealink, a brand that provides exceptional full-line unified communications and collaboration Solutions. We believe the combination of their cameras with our microphones will  achieve  high quality video and audio experiences.” says Nobuo Ikematsu, senior general manager of information and communication division, Yamaha.

“Yealink is happy to partner with Yamaha to provide this joint solution that brings more flexibility to our customers when designing their meeting spaces,” adds Alvin Liao, vice president of product at Yealink. “We believe combining our video solution with Yamaha’s audio solution empowers teams everywhere to collaborate effortlessly.”

Check out Yamaha Unified Communications’ complete line of products on our sister-site AV-iQ here.

Another version of this article originally appeared on our sister-site Commercial Integrator on March 23, 2023. It has since been updated for My TechDecisions’ audience

The post Yamaha UC Partners With Yealink for Audio & Video Collaboration appeared first on My TechDecisions.

This time, Yealink shows it to the world that how the crystal-clear sound quality, sleek design and multi-devices/UC Platforms collaboration ability innovate the way people work and deliver an intuitive experience for hybrid workers in the post-pandemic era, against the coming challenge of noise in changeable places, long-time wearing and multi-parties collaboration.

Moreover, tailored for hybrid work, Yealink BH7X series headset has amazing performance in battery efficiency, with 35 hours of talking time of BH72 BH76 and 30 hours talking time of BH71.

Yealink has also launched the innovative PowerStation & UC Workstation to simplify desktops and redefine personal collaboration across various devices and platforms. With seamless integration into leading UC platforms and multi-devices. Yealink is driving communications and collaboration forward.

Yealink BH71

The Yealink BH71 offers more than just noise cancellation and wireless communications with a 4-mic array beamforming noise cancellation, reducing up to 90% of background noise. It boasts an adjustable ear hook that facilitates comfortable wearing too.

No matter how far a journey is, users don’t need to stay plugged in: the BH71 allows up to 10 hours of talk time plus an additional 20 hours with the charging case. Its lightweight design at only 50g makes it easy to carry around, allowing for collaboration and communication anywhere they go.

Revolutionary noise cancellation combined with its sustainable features makes this product perfect for those on-the-go who want a comfortable but reliable experience until their destination is reached.

Yealink BH76 & BH72

The Yealink BH76 and BH72 headsets are pioneering in their Point-of-Collaboration (POC) and ANC abilities (only available for BH76, allowing users to focus on communications and collaborate more.

The new design has incorporated Acoustic Shield Technology to generate an optimal sound environment by reducing up to 90% of background noise with its noise cancellation microphones.

Their 35 hours long talk time maxes out employee conversations and collaborations so that they never have any worries. For added convenience and comfort, the headset is built with a retractable microphone boom arm that allows users to adjust it with ease.

No matter where employees go, the BH76/72 will deliver unparalleled sound quality and a comfortable wearing experience.

Staying Focused

This range of headsets provides users with an intuitive experience, crystal-clear sound quality, and a sleek design. With the Brand-new BH71 mono Bluetooth headset for hybrid working, the upgraded BH72 essential Bluetooth headset for daily usage, and the BH76 premium Bluetooth headset with incredible noise cancellation abilities, these headsets are perfect for businesses that thrive on mobility.

Whether at the desk or on-the-go, Yealink’s BH7X Series Bluetooth Headsets offer unrivaled sound quality and comfort to keep employees connected and focused.

So why wait? Check out Yealink’s new range of BH7X Series Bluetooth Headsets today and start your journey toward the future of communications and collaboration!

The post New Yealink BH7X Bluetooth Headsets, New Standard for Hybrid Work appeared first on My TechDecisions.

According to Microsoft, whiteboarding on Teams Rooms on Android was previously only possible in a Teams meeting context which required prep time, including setting up a Teams meeting or having a user’s device be invited to one, and then share whiteboard within that meeting.

With the release of Microsoft Teams Rooms on Android update 3 (App version: 1449/1.0.96.2022120503), users can walk up to a device and start whiteboarding using the new Whiteboard button on the home screen, Microsoft says in a Tech Community blog. The one-touch functionality allows users to launch Microsoft Whiteboard instantly and collaborate outside of a Teams meeting, removing friction from the starter experience and helping organizations stay productive in meetings.

These new features come after Microsoft earlier this year announced the certification of Neat Board and Yealink Meeting Board, a new form factor for Teams Rooms on Android where audio, video, touch display and compute are combined in a single unit.

The new release also allows users to seamlessly switch from a local collaboration experience to an online co-creation space by tapping “Start meeting” on the local whiteboard screen, Microsoft says. This kicks off an ad hoc meeting and automatically presents the whiteboard that was started on the home screen onto the meeting stage. Users can then add remote participants into the meeting and contribute across the same whiteboard in real-time.

The new features also allow users to see remote participants side-by-side with Whiteboard.

With a redesigned share menu, users can find all content options that can be shared in one place, including Whiteboard. This experience is now supported on resource accounts, Microsoft says.

Microsoft says it is also introducing new touchscreen support that allows users to control the room system from both the touch display at the front of the room and the touch console, making it convenient for users to operate a Teams Room using whichever device is closer to them. In addition, 4K is now supported to enhance meeting experiences on larger screens.

The post Microsoft Announces New Whiteboarding, Touch Features for Teams Rooms on Android appeared first on My TechDecisions.

Verizon says as organizations look for ways to create collaboration equity across work modes in today’s post-pandemic workplace, the latest updates to the BlueJeans Gateway were designed to drive Teams engagement without needing to replace existing hardware investments.

Additionally, to make the in-office meeting experience one that is simple and fluid across services, BlueJeans Rooms and Microsoft Teams Rooms customers will soon be able to take advantage of Microsoft’s Direct Guest Join one-touch capability to connect to alternative meeting services by leveraging the web application on the latest conference room systems.

“For more than three years, BlueJeans has successfully accompanied us and helped our employee base of more 100k collaborators connect their Teams meeting using our classic videoconferencing hardware,” said Vincent PAGOT, product owner, IT Visioconference & Digital Event, TGITS – EUS, in a statement. “Our partnership continues to grow, but BlueJeans was the first CVI solution to connect all users throughout the world—at our offices, or at home—in order to work together. These seamless join experiences will help us continue driving growth in our Microsoft Teams ecosystem in a way that supports employee well-being and productivity.”

BlueJeans Gateway for Microsoft Teams Features

With the high cost of technology solutions is the number one issue preventing IT leaders them from achieving successful outcomes, according to a study by Verizon and Omdia, organizations are exploring new cost effective ways to improve employee experiences and boost productivity.

With new features to optimize legacy room hardware endpoints for users, Verizon says the BlueJeans Gateway helps to create meeting parity for those in the office with their remote participants, in the following ways:

• Ability to show participant names on screen while content is being shared through the room system
• Lobby Notifications on Teams-enabled room systems to allow moderators to accept those in the meeting waiting room from their Teams desktop/mobile client
• Presentation Rights feature, which prevents in-room attendees from presenting/sharing during a Teams Meeting, unless permitted
• Raised Hand notifications viewable in the meeting room in the top right corner
• Locked Meeting status prevents unwanted endpoints from joining a meeting
• Ability to self-mute room video from the device’s dual-tone multi-frequency signaling (DTMF) menu
• Static Images for video muted participants, giving actual representation of participants in the meeting when not on video
• Enhancements to fix audio/video quality

Customizations for Better Meeting Experiences

To empower dispersed teams to do their best work, BlueJeans has added new customizations to the BlueJeans Gateway to drive seamless collaboration. These include:

• Custom background color options for meeting banners and notifications
• China Premium Access general availability (GA) for China user access into a Teams meeting through a fully-qualified domain name (FQDN)
• DTMF Menu Customization means enterprise administrators have more control on the display of menu options
• Trusted Rooms support for Teams Live Events ensures only whitelisted IPs/domains can join Live Events
• Enterprise Domain Name Whitelisting enables trusted room systems to bypass the lobby and connect directly into the meeting

With new additions to the BlueJeans Command Center for Gateway, Verizon says administrators can now get a more holistic overview of Teams Meeting performance from Teams Gateway-enabled room systems. Support includes ‘Call Quality Scores’ for live and past Meetings, as well as the ability to search meeting room names and in the History Tab, to perform diagnostics and get real-time insight into room system health.

In addition to Direct Guest Join support and the BlueJeans Gateway, Verizon launched Verizon VoIP for Microsoft Teams and Verizon Mobile for Microsoft Teams. As one of the first U.S. providers for Microsoft Teams Phone Mobile, Verizon Mobile for Microsoft Teams allows enterprise customers to experience the full power of Teams calling using a mobile device’s native dialer.

Verizon Mobile for Microsoft Teams will be available in Q1. Direct Guest Join general availability will start in Q1 2023 with the Poly Studio X30 and X50 devices with BlueJeans Rooms-as-a-Service (RaaS) and will be enabled on Yealink and other BlueJeans RaaS devices shortly thereafter.

The post Verizon Improves BlueJeans Gateway for Microsoft Teams appeared first on My TechDecisions.