Project Starline, the secretive 3D communication platform Google is developing with HP, is now Google Beam — and it'll ship to customers starting later this year. Most people will never get to try Beam, as it's an enterprise-grade piece of equipment that is sure to cost a small fortune, at least. I got to try it at Google I/O 2025, and while it doesn't seem like a major improvement over last year's Starline experience, it's still the best way to communicate remotely.
I wasn't allowed to take photos inside the Google Beam demo booth, but that's okay because the equipment looks identical to the setup Android Central captured at the 2024 event. I'm not even sure the hardware is changed — all the upgrades Google touted during its keynote are software-focused. There are three modules at the top and sides of the unit, with six cameras at multiple angles to capture the person accurately in 3D.
