Since its inception in 2017, the Meeting Owl has revolutionized how teams collaborate in hybrid work environments. From the introduction of the original Meeting Owl to the latest addition, the Meeting Owl 4+, Owl Labs has continued to adapt and improve over the years. Each updated Meeting Owl – along with integrated devices like the Whiteboard Owl, Expansion Mic, and Owl Bar – allows teams to enhance communication, foster collaboration, and drive productivity better. Hybrid work models can be complex, but the Owl Labs ecosystem provides a seamless solution that empowers teams to connect, engage, and innovate confidently from anywhere.
The Meeting Owl: Where it all began (2017)
The original Meeting Owl was the first all-in-one 360º smart video conferencing camera when it was released in 2017. Designed as an all-in-one solution to make hybrid meetings smoother, the Meeting Owl combined a 720p HD resolution camera, 8 omnidirectional beamforming microphones with a 12-foot pickup radius, and a noise-canceling speaker in one device that was easy to set up and intuitive to use. The Meeting Owl interfaces with most web conferencing platforms, setting a new standard for high-quality hybrid meetings, making it an essential tool for modern teams to improve their collaboration, communication, and productivity in hybrid work environments.
The Meeting Owl Pro: Enhancing collaboration (2019)
The Meeting Owl Pro took the center-of-the-room concept that was key for so many hybrid teams to new heights of audiovisual quality, software accuracy, and device compatibility. With a sharper 1080p 360º camera, a tri-speaker system, and an extended 18-foot (5.5 meters) mic pickup radius, the Meeting Owl Pro featured updated hardware on all fronts and improved other smart meeting features like automatic speaker tracking and echo reduction to make the user experience even more immersive and accessible for all team members.
The Whiteboard Owl: Introducing immersive brainstorming (2021)
Recognizing how important visuals can be for team collaboration, Owl Labs unveiled the Whiteboard Owl in 2021. This groundbreaking device revolutionized how teams interacted with whiteboard content during hybrid meetings. The Whiteboard Enhance feature ensures that the presenter remains transparent, eliminating obstructions and guaranteeing clear visibility of the whiteboard. The Whiteboard Owl also significantly reduces glare and shadows to boost image clarity and optimize the viewing experience. Combined with its higher-quality graphics, the Whiteboard Owl ensures that every detail of the whiteboard is vividly captured and shared in real-time. By facilitating seamless collaboration and idea sharing, the Whiteboard Owl empowers teams to unleash their creativity and maximize productivity in hybrid work environments.
The Meeting Owl 3 and Expansion Mic: Expanding possibilities (2022)
In 2022, Owl Labs propelled the Meeting Owl ecosystem to new heights with the debut of the Meeting Owl 3, combining cutting-edge hardware with AI-driven software to deliver the most immersive hybrid experience possible. The high-resolution 1080p camera combined with a 360º field of view captures every angle of the room with remarkable detail. Its eight omnidirectional beamforming Smart Mics, enable audio pickup from a radius of up to 18 feet (5.5 meters) so that every participant’s voice is heard. The Meeting Owl 3 also offers direct USB-C device compatibility, making it easier for teams to connect their devices.
Complementing the Meeting Owl 3 is the Expansion Mic, also introduced in 2022. The Expansion Mic connects to the Meeting Owl 3 and extends the audio pickup range by an additional 8 feet (2.5 meters). The Expansion Mic enables teams seated at longer tables to optimize their space for inclusive hybrid meetings. Together, the Meeting Owl 3 and Expansion Mic redefined the boundaries of hybrid collaboration, empowering teams to communicate, connect, and collaborate with unparalleled ease and efficiency.
The Owl Bar: Putting things front and center (2023)
In 2023, the Owl Bar marked Owl’s first release of a cutting-edge front-of-room camera, microphone, and speaker system. The Owl Bar offers remote participants a new perspective on all the action in the room. With its 4K resolution camera and 30 MP sensor, the Owl Bar delivers crystal-clear visuals.
Paired together, the Meeting Owl 3 and Owl Bart capture every angle of a room. This creates a more natural meeting experience by facilitating more face-to-face communication between remote and in-person team members where everyone can be clearly seen and heard.
The Meeting Owl 4+: Unveiling the next generation (2024)
The journey continues in 2024 with the launch of the Meeting Owl 4+, our next-generation all-in-one collaboration device. The Meeting Owl 4+ features a new 64 MP sensor, which outputs 4K Ultra HD video in 360°, combined with award-winning speaker-switching software and purpose-built enterprise features. Whether used on its own or paired with other Owl devices, the Meeting Owl 4+ empowers teams to collaborate seamlessly in any space.
As we reflect on the evolution of the Meeting Owl, one thing is clear: innovation and adaptability are at the core of our mission to enable and continuously improve immersive hybrid collaboration for teams around the world. Join us as we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of hybrid work.
