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First, it was Zoom live video conferences that literally changed the way companies and businesses could meet and work together. Now, new technology in the form of an app aims to beam a holographic-type image using just a smartphone.
Beem is a smartphone app for both Android and iOS devices that allows the sender to “beem” themselves in a message where they appear in the home or workplace of the person receiving the message.
Remember when Princess Leia from Star Wars sent a hologram of herself through R2D2? Beem isn’t a holograph so to speak, but it’s pretty darn close if you are watching the message on a smartphone screen.
Here’s how it works:
In the Beem app, the sender records a video message, currently a 15-second message. It’s important to place your phone on a steady surface such as a desk or using a smartphone tripod.
It’s also more effective if the person recording the message is in the camera frame standing so you are recording from your feet to the top of your head.
Record the message through the camera and when you’re pleased with it, tap a button to send the video “into the metaverse” as the app explains. In a couple of minutes, your beem is ready to send.
The message can be sent through a text message, social media post, or email using a web address.
The person receiving the message simply taps on the link and gives Beem permission to use the camera, microphone, and the phone’s gyroscope. The receiver does not need the Beem app installed on their phone.
Once the message is received and permissions granted, the receiver is shown their surroundings on the screen. Tap on the floor and the Beem begins playing, showing the video message as if the person is standing right in front of you.
Beem released the app a few days ago and raised $4 in seed funding for more development.
Beem has big plans for the technology and plans to offer 2-way video messaging in the future. Right now, you can record and send Beem messages and post them to social media or with a QR code link.
If you have a green screen, you have the ability to beem live video messages.
The app is free at the moment. If you’d like to give it a try yourself, I’ve recorded a beem video you can watch by scanning a QR code from a smartphone that you can see in the video.