Google’s Debut ‘Beam’ Videoconferencing Device, ‘HP Dimension’, Launching Late 2025 for $25,000

Now, here’s a funny thing. HP, which is like, everywhere with printers, decided last year to dive into this Google Beam thing—used to be called Project Starline. It’s all about doing 3D video calls, but not like your usual ones at all. And guess what? They just showed off this new gadget, calling it ‘Dimension’. Eh, to each their own with names, I suppose.

So, Dimension—who comes up with these names?—is targeting businesses, and it’s a cool 25 grand if you wanna snag one. Oh, and don’t get too excited right away, cause you have to buy the Google Beam magic license separately. Typical, right? I guess it’s the “batteries not included” of the tech world.

Picture this: six cameras and some super-fancy AI stuff coming together to beam your face in 3D glory (or, I don’t know, 3D chaos?) onto one of those big 65-inch screens. It’s supposed to look like you’re right there, eye contact and all. Spooky or awesome? Maybe a bit of both.

Now, mark your calendars for late 2025—they’re only selling to certain folks to start. If you’re into Zoom calls that are more Star Trek than Skype, this might be your jam. They’re doing it up for Zoom Rooms, Google Meet, you name it. It’s like a video chat buffet, but with extra pixels.

Helen Sheirbon, some fancy pants over at HP, says the whole idea is about making real human connections. She says this thing’ll turn virtual handshakes into, well, almost the real deal. Who knows? Maybe she’s onto something here.

Can’t forget the roots. Beam—or Starlight or whatever—showed up back in 2021 with a pretty cool idea: give folks that 3D chat feel without VR headsets squeezing their temples. It’s kind of like saying, “Let’s meet face-to-face, but through a screen.” Weird, right? But kinda genius.

And speaking of tests—they ran some numbers, and it turns out people notice more stuff non-verbally, follow convos better, and even remember more bits and pieces with Beam than with plain old video chats. More non-verbal cues or just more ways to embarrass yourself on a call? You decide.

Anyway, that’s the lowdown. Are we ready for 3D calls? Maybe. Wait, what was I saying? Oh yeah, it’s pricey and cool and probably coming to a boardroom near you. Or not. Who knows?