Mar 11, 2017 07:45 AM EST By Mark Spencer, UniversityHerald Reporter

Following Microsoft's lead in Microsoft Surface Hub introduced in 2015, Google jumped into the market with its own Jamboard.

The Microsoft Surface Hub comes in two sizes, the $9,000 55-inch and the $22,000 84-inch version. Which makes Google's Jamboard, introduced in October 2016, an attractive option for $5,000 (plus a $600 annual "support fee") for a 55-inch model, available in May 2017.

Jamboard Specs

The 55-inch Jamboard features a soft-touch plastic touchscreen with 16 touch points with handwriting and shape recognition. Digital Trends reported that it features support for an optional Bluetooth rubber-tipped stylus. The screen itself is capable of 4K (4,096 X 2,160) resolution.

The Jamboard has a built-in camera, speakers, and an additional rolling custom stand, useful for those who would not want to mount the whiteboard. The Jamboard connects via HDMI and has Chromecast support, which makes it easier to mirror a remote device's screen or stream content from Chromecast enabled apps and services.

While Microsoft Surface Hub and Google's Jamboard both sync with their respective companies' enterprise app suite, Jamboard has the benefit of Google search, Hangouts and Cast capabilities, according to The Verge.

Aside from collaborative efforts that can be done with the Jamboard, it is also a video conference machine. Accordingly, each whiteboard has its own shortcode that can be shared to simplify joining a meeting. Additionally, video chat windows can be resized. Remote users can add stuff to what is being worked on the board.

Jamboard users will be glad to know that it packs Google's G Suite, which means integration with Docs, Sheets, Slides and photos in Drive can be accessed easily by the device. There is no limit to the number of users, who can join the Jam.

Though it does not have internal memory, everything worked on is saved to Google Drive, which adds another layer of convenience.

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