Video conferencing has become an integral part of our lives over the past few years, but its convenience has not improved much: using apps like Skype, Discord, and Zoom to attend work meetings or talk to friends and family keeps us technically connected but talking to others through a webcam is not always intuitive. Thankfully, Dell is working on a solution to make video calls more natural with Concept Pari.

I was impressed with Concept Pari, because it is the largest video conferencing solution available.

I was impressed with Concept Pari because it solves the biggest problem with videoconferencing: not being able to look the other person in the eye. Telecommuting is still a relatively new phenomenon, but I felt that this solution of placing a webcam anywhere you want should have been invented long ago.

We saw Concept Pari ourselves last week at a press event Dell held in New York City. The company outlined Concept Flow, an adaptable concept solution that eliminates many of these frustrations and productivity inhibitors.

Concept Pari is a mobile wireless webcam that attaches magnetically to a display. It can be placed anywhere on a compatible display, charging dock, stand, or in the hand. This allows users to make direct eye contact with the person they are talking to. In addition, off-screen content can be easily shared.

The unit we saw is very small and lightweight (less than an ounce) and can handle 1080p video via Wi-Fi; other on-hand features of the Project Pari include a power indicator and a vertical indicator light to aid in positioning. There is also a USB-C dock for wireless charging, and the camera can be mounted rear-facing for privacy.

According to Dell, the Pari could be a companion accessory that "forms part of a 'hybrid work' toolkit as people travel between different locations for work."

I asked the Dell presenter if the Concept Pari would be compatible with non-Dell monitors. Not surprisingly, the webcam only works with Dell monitors. While a bit disappointing, it's a small price to pay for improved work productivity and a better digital social life.

In addition to the Concept Pari, Dell also announced the Concept Stanza. This is another device designed to facilitate hybrid work.

Note-taking is another aspect of work that Dell has considered. When thinking about new ways of working, the company knew there was an opportunity to rethink this most basic necessity at work.

Having an extra screen can greatly enhance productivity and collaboration, and Concept Stanza furthers Dell's exploration of multi-screen solutions with a thin, lightweight, tablet-like, portless 11" companion device designed to make note-taking "easier and smarter."

The idea behind Concept Stanza is to make note-taking feel seamless. For example, with a double tap, scribbles can be converted to text, content can be easily searched, and the screen can be extended to a larger monitor while working. And since notes can be shared across multiple devices, there is no need to take a picture of what you have written and email it to yourself or others.

Concept Pari and Concept Stanza represent a new way to display hybrid work. Both devices are still in the testing phase, and it is unclear when (or if) they will be commercialized. But it is exciting to know that Dell is working on such a clever hybrid work solution, even if it is just a concept. Speaking as someone who currently does hybrid work, I would love to see these concepts come to fruition and see how they could improve productivity for all of us.