BLOG: Meetings Got a Hoot Better – How Wahl Let an Owl Take Over the Conference Room
By Jarrod Adams
In the age of hybrid and remote work, the benefits of working from home have been widely celebrated—flexibility, reduced commute times, and a better work-life balance. However, the importance of seamless communication between in-office and remote teams has never been more crucial. We wanted to step up our virtual meetings at Wahl by bringing the in-office experience to our fully remote employees. Enter the Meeting Owl 3 by Owl Labs—a device designed to bridge the gap between physical and virtual meeting spaces. With its 360-degree camera, high-quality audio capabilities, and intuitive AI-driven features, the Meeting Owl 3 ensures that every meeting feels immersive and inclusive, regardless of where our team is located.
Enhancing Virtual Communication with the Meeting Owl 3
At Wahl, the shift to remote work opened up new opportunities but also presented challenges particularly when it came to virtual meetings & presentations. Often, it felt like our remote employees were missing out on the full meeting experience. They couldn’t pick up on non-verbal cues or quickly jump into conversations as easily as those of us in the office. That’s why we introduced the Meeting Owl 3 to close this gap and make our virtual meetings feel more connected, engaging, and collaborative.
The Meeting Owl 3’s 360-degree camera is one of its standout features. It captures every person in the room and dynamically shifts the focus based on who is speaking. No more awkward switching between cameras or wondering who’s talking—the Owl does it all automatically. This has been a game-changer for us. Remote team members now see a panoramic view of the meeting room, and when someone speaks, the Owl zooms in on them, providing a seamless, real-time experience.
High-Quality Audio for Clearer Communication
Another area where the Meeting Owl 3 excels is audio quality. Previously, remote employees would struggle to hear quieter voices or pick up on side conversations that happened in the office or during a presentation. With its microphone array, the Owl captures sound from all directions, ensuring that everyone in the room is heard clearly, even those sitting far from the device. Its AI-driven audio processing also isolates and enhances the voices of active speakers, cutting through background noise for a clear, high-quality sound.
The ability to hear every word crisply and clearly has greatly improved the engagement levels of our remote employees. They no longer feel like passive listeners but active participants in the conversation.
Simplicity and Seamless Integration
Despite the high-tech features, the Meeting Owl 3 is remarkably easy to use. It’s a plug-and-play device, meaning all we had to do was connect it to the conference room computer via USB, and it was ready to go. This simplicity was crucial for our team, as we didn’t want to spend time learning new software or dealing with complicated setups. The Owl integrates seamlessly with our existing platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, making the transition smooth and hassle-free.
A More Inclusive Hybrid Experience
Perhaps the most valuable impact of the Meeting Owl 3 at Wahl is how it has helped us foster a more inclusive meeting environment. Remote employees no longer feel like they’re on the outside looking in. The Owl’s ability to follow conversations, capture video and audio clearly, and create a more natural meeting flow has brought everyone—whether in the office or remote—onto an equal playing field.
Conclusion
The Meeting Owl 3 has transformed our virtual meetings at Wahl by bridging the divide between in-office and remote teams. Its advanced features have created a more immersive and inclusive experience, allowing us to collaborate effectively no matter where we are. For any organization navigating hybrid work, this tool is a powerful asset to ensure that remote employees feel just as engaged and connected as those in the office.
SOURCES
https://owllabs.com/products/meeting-owl-3
Photo by Photostock Editor from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-owl-standing-on-grass-1149816/