What the Tech? Beem augmented reality messaging app

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (What the Tech?) — First, it was Zoom live video conferences that literally changed the way companies and businesses meet and work – and now there’s new technology that beams a holographic-type image using just a smartphone and an app.

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 hologram 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). 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.

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.

After processing, your Beem is ready to send through a text message, social media post, or email. 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 was released in February 2022. They have big plans for the technology and plan 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.

There have been some hiccups, however.

When the app was first released, videos took only a few minutes to process. Recently, videos can take hours – if they process at all.

The app is being updated regularly and there are Beem apps in both the Google Play Store for Android devices and Apple’s App Store for iPhones.

If you’d like to try it for yourself, tap on this link on your smartphone