Have you ever thought of being able to make video calls so real as to immerse yourself in the same environment as the interlocutor? Now they're closer than you think, thanks to the Finnish startup's new virtual pod framery.
Neither up close, nor on Zoom
Our world is becoming increasingly digital, with video calls becoming an integral part of our daily working lives. But, let's face it, Zoom or Teams can't replace face-to-face meeting entirely. This is why there are many companies that warm up their engines to create solutions capable of bringing distant people together in an immersive environment that reproduces the sensation of physical co-presence.
I have already told you about Starline, tested by Google, and del Project Ghost developed by Logitech. Also PORT goes in this direction. Now this pod also comes into play, a sort of "phone booth 2.0" by Framery, which promises to revolutionize our video calls.
How does it work?
The pod, which is the size of a phone booth but much more spacious and modern, uses a large screen and ultra-high-definition video streaming to recreate the feel of an in-person conversation.
Before the philosophers of "nothing can replace physical presence" I want to clarify: only one transatlantic flight produces 1.7 tons of CO2 emissions, the entire life cycle of a Framery pod, from production to recycling, generates only 1.4 tons. In many cases, for the sake of the "old-fashioned way", video calls are a better solution for us and the planet.
More "humane" video calls
My initial impression is that this new pod manages to create a better feeling of human connection than typical video calls, but that's not all. In some cases it may even generate a greater sense of intimacy than face-to-face conversation, since many business meetings don't take place in relatively quiet, dark, and isolated environments.
Admittedly, Framery's virtual pod won't completely replace traditional video calling (at the moment, however, it still doesn't provide built-in options for showing slideshows or integrating with external apps). However, it may prove more useful for those looking to hold high-level, private virtual meetings without necessarily having to get on a plane.
