HP and Marriott International Form Alliance to Open Public Access Halo Telepresence Rooms

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What’s the difference between Video Conferencing and Telepresence?

Telepresence picks up where video conferencing left off. Telepresence IS real time, full-high-definition, immersible sound and vision. Telepresence IS most importantly: the feeling of being “there” when you’re “here”. Telepresence is lifelike, video conferencing is not. Telepresence is that hi-line Mercedes AMG, video conferencing is a Ford Escort - Period.

Why Telepresence now?

Video conferencing has been around a while now but has always lacked the feeling we spoke about above. Jumpy computer screens, broken audio and poor lighting add to the impersonal touches of video conferencing (ie slow motion camcorder on top of your computer monitor). Finally, technology, bandwidth, vision and sound have all converged on video conferencing to create the telepresence experience. It’s about time! Crystal clear surround sound and real-time full-high-definition visual effects enhance the feeling of being there – thus telepresence. That nervous twitch, roll of the eyes, sniffle, tap of the foot – things you see when you’re present and sitting across a conference room table – things you don’t see or feel from video conferencing, but do with telepresence.

Today, what “real” uses are there for Telepresence?

There is no short answer even possible here. We’ll name a few, more like we’ll put your imagination to work. Imagine a single specialist doctor in Canada treating patients in Haiti via telepresence. Robots in space doing the actual work while the telepresence operator dons his telepresence helmet and gloves at his workstation in Texas. Meeting your Russian company vice president while you’re in the executive telepresence room at the office in Denver. Just a few…

What are “real” savings of Telepresence?

Your imagination still working on the last answer? Don’t let up yet! What carbon footprint? Don’t need that airplane ticket to go check on your staff in Russia now do you? What lost life in the Iraqi war? Unmanned drones and soldiers via telepresence. Military and combat cost savings? Immeasurable. Less travel costs, airline frustration, fuel, lost time, carbon emissions, etc. Those are tangible, real savings to name just a very limited few.

You starting to see what telepresence can do that video conferencing can’t? We hope you see what we’re seeing! Telepresence – its time has arrived!

Check out the video thread in Section 8 of the Telepresence Forum where you can watch some Telepresence YouTube videos! If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video must be worth a million!

Ride on the "Next Plane of Existence" TM

PALO ALTO, Calif. (Business Wire EON) March 18, 2008 -- The specific locations will be announced at a later date.

HP and Marriott will enable people located around the world to meet in an environment that looks, sounds and feels as if they are just across the table from one another. Participants see each other in life-sized images projected on high-resolution displays and can communicate with no perceived delays, regardless of how far apart they may be.

"In forming this alliance, HP and Marriott are making the benefits of Halo telepresence solutions available to an even larger audience," said Ken Crangle, general manager, Halo Telepresence Solutions, HP. "Now, Marriott guests and small and medium-size businesses will be able to leverage the power and value of HP's telepresence technology."

"The agreement with HP further demonstrates Marriott's commitment and leadership within the hospitality industry by providing our guests with innovative technology options," said Lou Paladeau, vice president, Operations Technology, Marriott International Inc. "The addition of telepresence will give us a competitive edge in key markets. We will be able to offer current clients a great value proposition and telepresence will open new lines of business for our hotels."

HP Halo telepresence solutions at select Marriott hotels will allow the public to take advantage of all the business benefits that Halo offers without the upfront investment. This includes the ability to seamlessly collaborate face to face with multiple companies around the globe at one time, easily share content and ultimately make decisions faster.

Marriott will use the HP Halo Meeting Room edition, which is specifically designed for installation inside an existing conference room space. Marriott customers will benefit from Halo's fully managed service, which includes 24x7 Halo Concierge support, and access to the Halo Video Exchange Network, which is essential to providing a no-perceived delay, "same room" collaboration experience.

More information about HP Halo offerings is available at www.hp.com/go/halo.

About HP

HP focuses on simplifying technology experiences for all of its customers - from individual consumers to the largest businesses. With a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP is among the world's largest IT companies, with revenue totaling $107.7 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended Jan. 31, 2008. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at www.hp.com.

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