Anker’s Getting Into Affordable Home Office Gadgets

Anker makes a huge kitchen range of affordable family gadgets , admit shelling packs , security system Cam River , wireless charging stands , and more , but now the ship’s company is stepping into the abode office with the launch of a new AnkerWork tune .

Many mass have shifted to work from domicile during the pandemic , and a lot of jobs are bear to remain remote even when rejoin to the function is potential post - pandemic , so Anker ’s pivot into household office and business gear seems will - time . And like other Anker appliance , its Modern AnkerWork gimmick still embody the same simple , no - furbelow approaching with affordable pricing you see from Anker ’s other equipment .

AnkerWork ’s first new gadget is a key part of any advanced home office : the PowerConf C300 webcam . At $ 130 , the C300 seems balance to undersell Logitech ’s $ 170 Streamcam , put up like eyeglasses , let in 1080p/60fps video transcription , threefold mics , and AI - powered tracking technology to help you keep your face centered in the inning .

Photo: Sam Rutherford

The C300 even back up HDR and has an adjustable field of view , with three different mount for unaired ( 78 degrees ) , normal ( 90 degrees ) , and ultra - wide ( 115 degrees ) to effective suit your telecasting - vocation want . Along with support for Zoom , Teams , and all the other major video - conferencing apps , Anker said the C300 will also support livestreaming software program like XSplit , OBS , and others .

If your home office meeting revolve more around boastful conference call option , AnkerWork also has the PowerConf S500 portable loudspeaker system . ( FYI , the logical thinking behind AnkerWork ’s naming scheme is that “ S ” stands for loudspeaker system and “ C ” stands for camera . ) build up off of Anker ’s previousPowerConf Bluetooth Speakerphone , the S500 has four mics to help oneself seize 360 - arcdegree sound recording , along with a 10 - watt speaker system and a built - in battery that deliver up to 16 hours of unplugged call time . The S500 is designed for masses who often ask to take group call while traveling and sustain meetings of up to 12 citizenry at a time , though you could daisy chain a yoke of S500s together to increase the number of participant to 16 or more .

Unfortunately , Anker has n’t give up a price or release date for the S500 just yet . However , I have had a chance to bring around with the C300 and establish on my initial examination , I wish what I see so far , including good prototype quality for the price . Out of the box , the C300 does n’t want any additional software to appear as a generic webcam for Zoom , Google Meet , and the like . However , you will necessitate to put in Anker ’s app if you want support for the AI - powered motorcar framing or the AI - enhance color tuning . Anker ’s app was still in beta during my testing , so I did n’t get a chance to match out more modern feature like HDR and video recording .

Photo: Sam Rutherford

Photo: Sam Rutherford

The C300 ’s pattern is straightforward while still let in all the basics like an adjustable stand with built - in tripod trading and a USB - C larboard and cable that come with a USB - A adapter for use with older computers .

I ’m also a big rooter of the adhesive privacy shield that comes with the C300 , which has a simple shutter you’re able to slide over the webcam ’s lens whenever you want to make spare sure your provender is block . It might not fathom like much , but compared to the huge electron lens crown that comes withRazer ’s Kiyo Pro(which does n’t have a place to hive away the lens cap when not in use ) , Anker ’s skidder shutter is a more utilitarian and elegant solution for making trusted you ’re not being spied on .

Anker enjoin it expects to release more Anker workplace equipment throughout the class . The PowerConf S500 ’s release day of the month is still up in the air , but the PowerConf C300 is available today for $ 130 .

Sadly, Anker doesn’t have a release date for the PowerConf S500 yet, so I haven’t been able to test it out.