[airstrike]

> This could actually be a huge step forward in not needing videoconferencing equipment in meeting rooms. So far, one of the biggest reasons has actually been dealing with echo and feedback -- when people are in the same call with multiple devices in the same room, it tends to end badly. But if the audio processing is designed for that... the results could actually be quite amazing.

> And it's well-known that the "bowling alley" visual of meeting participants (camera at the end of a long conference table) isn't ideal. If each participant has their own laptop camera on themselves, it could be a vastly better experience for remote participants.

It seems to me that these days the simpler solution to both these problems is to just have people use airpods.

[crazygringo]

That doesn't work for multiple people in the same room all wearing AirPods. Everyone's mic picks up everyone's voice, not just the "real" speaker.

And a lot of meetings have most (e.g. 10) people in a single room, with another handful (e.g. 5) of remote participants.

[airstrike]

Airpods don't really capture other people's voices really well. It's basically inaudible unless you've got it plugged in your ear pointed at your mouth

[andai]

How about a regular headset?

[lrem]

Most headsets come with omnidirectional microphones. Even some "noise cancelling" microphones are actually omnidirectional, just with an arm long enough to be reasonably close to the mouth. When I recently decided I need a cardioid microphone on my headset, I've ended up spending about $300 total.

[diroussel]

Which headset was that? I’ve been looking for one with a cardioid mic but wasn’t able to track any down.

[lrem]

AT BPHS1. That has an XLR connector, so I also got a Scarlett Solo. I also recommend replacement cushions, e.g. from Brainwavz, as the stock ones are for people with some tiny ears (my ears hurt pretty badly after a long stream of meetings).

I've heard good things about Sennheiser PC 8 for tighter budgets, but haven't tried personally.

[LegitShady]

Perhaps this is why simpler isn't always better. You aren't really solving the problem and the cost of your solution outweighs its "simplicity".

15 people around the table in a conference room and each person wearing airpods (thus being connected to their own device) is an expensive solution with a lot of points of failure.