Videoconferencing is a pretty good way to communicate with fellow workers and business clients without having to be in the same room together. But existing solutions can be more complicated to use than the average person would like.
Hello is a voice-controlled videoconferencing camera that easily connects to a TV via HDMI. It offers wireless screen sharing and live broadcasting capabilities, as well as security surveillance with motion detection.
Because it works with TVs, it can also be used to see and speak to family and friends while traveling or when one is away from home for some other reason. It works in conjunction with an app for Android and iOS devices. Hello ships in December at $199. But Kickstarter backers can order one for a pledge starting at $149 for early birds. Its makers hope to raise $30,000 by Sept. 7.
This is an affordable alternative to high-end videoconferencing systems. But it’s not exactly original, trailing the very similar Biscotti. Hello also lacks the innovative design of similar products like the 360-degree 1080p HD Panoporter camera.