HP Poly chose the InfoComm 2026 stage in Las Vegas on June 16 to announce a significant expansion of its collaboration portfolio, headlined by new AI-assisted room compute devices and the latest VideoOS 5.1 platform. The company also introduced additions to its headset lineup, a purpose-built collaboration keyboard, and new managed services under its Workplace Experience Platform (WXP). The announcements reinforce HP’s ambition to lead the hybrid work era with intelligent, easy-to-manage meeting experiences.

The expansion comes as enterprises demand more from their meeting spaces—AI-driven features, simpler management, and deeper integration with platforms like Microsoft Teams. By weaving native AI processing into the room compute layer and coupling it with updated software and administrative tools, HP Poly is positioning itself to compete head-to-head with Logitech, Crestron, and other room system incumbents.

AI Room Compute: The New Engine of the Meeting Room

At the core of the announcements is a new family of room compute devices designed to power the next generation of video conferencing. HP Poly is leveraging dedicated neural processing hardware to handle real-time AI tasks—intelligent framing, active speaker tracking, advanced noise suppression, and background replacement—directly on the device, without draining cloud resources or attached PCs.

These compute modules are built to slot into existing room system architectures as a central processing unit for all audio and video streams. By offloading AI workloads from general-purpose CPUs to specialized processors, the devices can deliver lower latency and higher reliability, key requirements for enterprises running back-to-back meetings.

HP Poly officials emphasized that the new compute hardware would come with OEM-specific tuning for Microsoft Teams Rooms, Zoom Rooms, and other leading platforms. That means features like multi-camera switching, real-time transcription, and intelligent meeting summaries will run locally, reducing bandwidth consumption and easing security concerns around cloud-based AI processing.

VideoOS 5.1: More Intelligence, More Control

Alongside the hardware, HP Poly previewed VideoOS 5.1, the latest version of the operating system that underpins its room systems. The update delivers a raft of AI-powered enhancements that flow directly from the new compute silicon. Adaptive framing, for instance, can now recognize individual participants and dynamically adjust the video stream to follow active speakers more naturally than ever before.

The software also introduces a refined interface that IT teams can manage through WXP, with granular controls over device health, firmware updates, and meeting analytics. A notable addition is support for third-party AI applications via a secure sandbox, opening the door for developers to create custom meeting tools without compromising system integrity.

VideoOS 5.1 will be available as an over-the-air update for existing Poly Studio X series bars, though full AI feature parity will require the new compute hardware. Existing customers can expect a phased rollout beginning in July 2026.

New Headsets Target the Agile Worker

The headset lineup received fresh attention with models clearly aimed at the hybrid worker juggling focus time and back-to-back calls. HP Poly’s new over-ear and in-ear designs incorporate the latest adaptive noise cancellation, using AI to separate voice from background chatter in even the noisiest coffee shops.

While full model names and specifications were not detailed during the keynote, product images revealed a sleeker aesthetic and plush memory foam ear cushions. Leaked certifications suggest these headsets will be Microsoft Teams certified and will natively support VoIP integration with a forthcoming Poly Desk Phone line.

HP hinted at a “smart audio” feature that automatically switches the device between PC, phone, and tablet connections, reducing the friction of moving between devices throughout the day. Battery life is expected to exceed 30 hours, continuing Poly’s tradition of leading talk time on wireless headsets.

A Keyboard Built for the Meeting Room

In a move that acknowledges the messy reality of room control, HP Poly introduced a dedicated collaboration keyboard. The tabletop device features tactile physical buttons for common in-meeting actions—mute, camera on/off, screen share—plus a programmable touch strip for room-specific shortcuts such as lighting presets or window shade controls.

The keyboard connects wirelessly via Bluetooth or via a dedicated USB dongle and boasts an IP54 rating against spills, a practical concession to the coffee mugs and water glasses that populate meeting tables. It will ship in both charcoal and white finishes to match modern office aesthetics, with an optional desk mount that tethers the keyboard to the table edge.

HP Poly says the keyboard is compatible with any VideoOS-running room system and can be centrally configured through the WXP dashboard, allowing IT to standardize meeting controls across global fleets.

WXP Managed Collaboration: Bringing Order to the Room

Alongside the hardware blitz, HP fleshed out its Workplace Experience Platform with a new Managed Collaboration module. WXP Managed Collaboration gives IT administrators a single pane of glass to oversee room systems, headsets, and even the new collaboration keyboard. The platform aggregates telemetry on occupancy, device health, and meeting quality, then serves it up in customizable dashboards.

A standout feature is AI-driven anomaly detection. The system can flag when a microphone pickup pattern deteriorates or a camera lens requires cleaning, often before end users file a support ticket. Proactive maintenance workflows can automatically notify facilities teams or dispatch a repair kit.

Room scheduling also gets smarter. WXP Managed Collaboration integrates with popular room booking tools and can release no-show rooms within minutes, based on sensor data. When combined with HP’s broader portfolio of occupancy sensors and air quality monitors, the platform paints a complete picture of workplace wellness—from acoustics to temperature.

Microsoft Teams Rooms: Deep Integration

Given Microsoft’s continued market dominance in enterprise collaboration, it is no surprise that the entire announcement was steeped in Teams Rooms certification. HP Poly confirmed that all new compute devices will ship with a native Teams Rooms experience, including the one-touch join interface and Front Row layout.

In a slight dig at competitors who rely on USB passthrough modes, HP stressed that the compute modules run the full Teams Rooms software stack, preserving the seamless calendar integration and one-tap meeting start that users expect. The AI compute hardware also accelerates Teams’ own Copilot features—transcription, intelligent recap—without the need for a separate room PC.

The new collaboration keyboard doubles as a Teams Rooms controller, putting the familiar mute and raise-hand functions within easy reach. IT managers can lock down certain functions or push custom button maps to specific room profiles, an essential capability for conference rooms shared across departments with different collaboration habits.

Strategy and Market Impact

The announcements at InfoComm signal that HP Poly is fully committed to the room compute space, moving beyond its traditional strengths in audio endpoints. By embedding AI processing directly into the compute box, the company is preempting a trend where high-quality meeting experiences will require local AI acceleration, particularly as features like real-time translation and emotion detection inch closer to reality.

The hardware also gives HP a foothold in the heated competition for the room system “brain.” Crestron and Logitech offer their own compute modules, while Lenovo builds room systems around Intel NUCs. HP Poly’s differentiator appears to be the tight coupling with WXP, which provides the management layer that enterprise IT departments crave.

Notably absent from the keynote were pricing and exact ship dates, though industry insiders expect first units to land in late Q3 2026. Early access programs for existing enterprise customers are already accepting applications.

What This Means for Windows Enthusiasts

While HP Poly’s products are platform-agnostic, the heavy Microsoft Teams Rooms emphasis matters for Windows users. The compute devices run a hardened Windows IoT build, and the AI capabilities leverage DirectML and other Windows APIs. This close alignment means that when Microsoft rolls out new Teams features—like speaker attribution in transcription—HP Poly hardware should be among the first to support and optimize them.

For IT pros running Windows-centric environments, the WXP Managed Collaboration integration with Microsoft Intune and Azure Active Directory will feel familiar. Device compliance policies, conditional access rules, and software updates can be orchestrated through the same tools used to manage laptops and desktops, collapsing a long-standing operational silo.

The collaboration keyboard also speaks to a subtle shift: after years of touch-panel dominance, physical controls are making a comeback in high-touch meeting spaces where speed and muscle memory trump minimalist design. That philosophy—function over form—will resonate with the Windows community, which often values utility and control.

Looking Ahead

HP Poly’s InfoComm 2026 showcase was less about incremental upgrades and more about laying the foundation for AI-native rooms. The new compute silicon, overhauled operating system, and comprehensive management tools suggest a roadmap where meetings become increasingly automated and personalized.

As organizations continue to navigate the hybrid work reality, the pressure to deliver equitable experiences for remote and in-room participants will only grow. HP Poly’s announcement provides a clear signal that meeting room intelligence is moving from optional to essential—and that the companies who control the compute will shape how the world collaborates.