Microsoft Surface has a new rival, but it's not who you think it is
MICROSOFT's eye-wateringly expensive Surface Hub has a new competitor – and it comes courtesy of an unlikely new rival.
Introducing the Google Jamboard
The Surface Hub has a new rival, courtesy of Google.
The California-based search firm has announced the pricing and availability of its 4K Ultra HD digital whiteboard, dubbed Google Jamboard.
Google first took the wraps off the 55-inch wall-mounted tablet back in October. The Jamboard will reportedly reach store shelves sometime in May.
In a nutshell, the Google Jamboard is a powerful 55-inch smart TV with 16 simultaneous touch points which allow you to manipulate whatever is on the display.
Jamboard is powered by a variation of Android Marshmallow. Google has not yet revealed the processor inside the 55-inch tablet.
It's also Google Cast-enabled, obviously, and has a built-in camera and NFC, alongside handwriting and shape recognition.
Google wants to make the Jamboard part of its G Suite, so users can directly access and edit Docs, Sheets, Slides, as well as any images stored in your Google Drive folder.
Unfortunately, the product will not be able to run apps natively at launch, as you will have to use a companion app before you and your teammates can get to work.
The Google Jamboard is a direct competitor to the recently announced Microsoft Surface Hub.
However, when it comes to price – there is no competition.
While the new Jamboard will cost you some $5,000 (plus an additional $600 a year "support fee"), the Surface Hub is expected to start at $9,000 and spiral up to an eye-watering $21,000 for the 84-inch model.
In October, Microsoft announced that it has shipped Surface Hubs to some 600 customers across the globe.
Surface Hub is powered by a custom build of Windows 10, and offers optimised versions of OneNote, Skype for Business, and the Microsoft Office suite.
Unlike Surface Hub, you can’t install third-party apps on the Jamboard.
