Zoom, Zoom, Zoom, Zoom... I want you in my room. That's how Zoom hopes you'll feel about its new $599 video chat device. The hardware, called "Zoom for Home – DTEN ME" (catchy), is not actually being made by Zoom. Zoom's partner, DTEN, is producing it — Zoom just loads its software on:
- The hard specs: The 27-inch screen monitor comes with three wide-angle cameras, eight microphones, and touchscreen display. So everyone can see your Zoom Face in HD.
- The soft specs: Zoom software is pre-loaded and the interface gives you easy access to popular features. Exciting stuff like: start meeting, make call, choose generic background.
Why you so obsessed with Meet?... Zoom for Home is Zoom's bet that WFH is here to stay. With COVID cases surging in the US, remote work won't be losing steam any time soon. Zoom wants to capitalize on that (even more than it already has) — so it's investing in an immersive, souped-up WFH setup.
- It's not alone... Google’s Nest Hub, Facebook’s Portal and Amazon’s Echo Show are similar video chat devices. They're also much cheaper than ZFH (e.g. Nest Hub costs $90).
- But have you ever seen anyone actually use those? Zoom thinks its synonymousness with "WFH" gives it a better shot (than FB's flopped Portal). Plus: it doesn't really want you to buy ZFH...
Zoom is really trying to win over your boss... Given the $600 price tag, it's clear that Zoom is targeting employer wallets (not employees). As WFH drags on indefinitely, companies have whole task forces dedicated to making remote employees feel as engaged and productive as possible. Zoom wants to convince companies that it can recreate real-time collab productivity at home. If it succeeds, ZFH could become an "expensed" fixture.