Freelancing vs. Full-Time Remote Work

Owl Labs recently released new survey data about the state of today’s workplace, four years after the COVID-19 pandemic began. Surveying more than 500 full-time knowledge workers across the United States after the annual New Year return to office (RTO) push, the data provides a pulse check on the current state of hybrid work, demonstrating that many employers are grappling with a desire to return to pre-pandemic policies despite employee resistance to attempts to turn back the clock. View the full article

Designing the most ideal office setup has never been a more open-ended process since hybrid work has become the norm. Enterprise technology tools have become essential for large businesses trying to stay connected across multiple offices. In fact, 83% of businesses with over 250 employees use video collaboration solutions. Balancing price, compatibility, and adaptability when deciding on your business technology can be hard, especially with multiple offices, but there doesn’t have to be a tradeoff when you choose a technology franchise that works seamlessly across locations. Video conferencing can make your workplace more efficient, but it’s dependent on which enterprise…

We’re thrilled to share that Owl Connect, Owl Labs’ wireless pairing feature, has been officially recognized by TIME as a special mention for one of The Best Inventions of 2025. Each year, TIME celebrates innovations that are transforming the way we live, work, and connect. This recognition highlights the continued evolution of hybrid technology and the growing need for smarter, more adaptable meeting solutions. View the full article

Owl Labs, a leader in 360-degree AI-powered video conferencing and hybrid collaboration technology, today announced solutions with Lenovo, a global technology leader and powerhouse, to launch Lenovo-powered 360° Microsoft Teams Rooms (MTR-W) solutions. The collaboration combines Owl Labs' award-winning Meeting Owl 3 and 4+ products used by nearly 250,000 organizations globally with Lenovo’s cutting-edge ThinkSmart Core and Tiny Kit to create full-room solutions that are flexible, cost-effective, and meet the needs of both SMBs and Enterprise customers. View the full article

We’re excited to announce that, in addition to our recent Microsoft Teams peripheral certifications, Owl Labs is furthering our partnership with Microsoft by joining the Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform (MDEP). View the full article

We’re excited to announce that the Meeting Owl 3 and the Owl Bar have earned Microsoft Teams certifications, with the Meeting Owl 4+ currently in process. For IT teams and businesses looking to enhance their hybrid meeting experience, this certification provides peace of mind that our products meet Microsoft’s rigorous standards for seamless integration. View the full article

Now that 2023 is officially behind us, we’ve fully shifted our focus towards the year ahead. As we dive into the first quarter, we find ourselves doing what most of you have been doing too, if social media is any indication: identifying what’s in and what’s out in 2024. View the full article

The flexibility and adaptability of Owl Labs' hybrid collaboration solutions allow them to be used in a variety of different settings and verticals, including local, state, and federal government agencies. We know that security and reliability are of utmost importance to our customers in the government sector, and we’re excited to announce that we now offer a solution to meet those needs: our TAA compliant Meeting Owl 4+. View the full article

Ever wonder what fuels a productive (and happy!) team behind the scenes? Well, we recently did a quick poll around our virtual water cooler to find out which collaboration tools truly make our workday sing. The results are in, and we thought it would be a fun peek into how we operate and, just maybe, inspire your own team's workflow. So, grab a coffee, and let's dive into our top picks! View the full article

Owl Labs, the first company to build AI-powered, 360-degree video conferencing solutions for hybrid organizations, today released its ninth annual State of Hybrid Work Report. Owl Labs surveyed 2,000 full-time knowledge workers in the United States to unpack the latest trends and perspectives around remote, hybrid, and in-office work. The report finds that as in-office attendance quietly rises, schedule flexibility, AI and IT have become increasingly important to workers who are trying to reclaim their time while balancing growing in-office pressures. View the full article

Owl Labs today released its eighth annual State of Hybrid Work Report. Owl Labs surveyed 2,000 full-time knowledge workers in the United States to uncover the latest trends and perspectives around remote and hybrid work. Findings include a crackdown on coffee badging, appreciation for the “green flag boss,” office avoidance due to political talk during election season, and employees posting complaints on #WorkTok and other social media. View the full article

From the Meeting Owl to our latest product, the Owl Bar, Owl Labs has been redefining video conferencing for years. Our ecosystem of devices has continued to grow, which is why Owl recently hosted a Product Webinar in January 2024 that detailed what the current ecosystem of Owl Labs devices looks like, the power of multi-camera pairing, and what some of the core differentiators are that set Owl Labs apart from the competition. View the full article

Team meetings are beneficial to keep everyone aligned no matter where they're located. If you're a remote team manager or a leader within your company, it's important to consider every time you ask your team to join a meeting if the meeting is necessary, beneficial to everyone involved, and at a time that is convenient to all remote team members. View the full article

It’s 2025, and the shift in how we work is undeniable: more than half of all professional meetings now include remote participants, and hybrid work continues to accelerate as we quickly approach 2026. View the full article

When working as a member of a remote or hybrid team, strong communication is the key to success. This isn’t a new revelation, but a reminder that if you and your team have been running into speedbumps lately, your mode of communication may be the reason why. View the full article

Video conferencing meetings are central to the way we work. Whether your team is in-office, hybrid, or remote, most meetings have at least one remote participant. Face-to-face communication is important, even if you can't all meet in person. With the right video conferencing platforms and solutions, teams can work together or with customers and clients effectively, no matter where they're located. View the full article

The modern workplace is increasingly hybrid, blending in-office and remote workstyles. While offering flexibility, this model presents unique challenges, particularly for meetings. How do you ensure remote participants feel as included and engaged as those physically present? View the full article

In the dynamic and ever-changing world of work, remote work has emerged as a prevalent practice, offering employees a variety of benefits, including flexibility, convenience, and reduced commuting time. However, effectively navigating the remote work landscape demands the strategic implementation of cutting-edge tools and technologies to foster seamless collaboration, communication, and productivity. View the full article

Commuting has always been a necessary part of an in-person work schedule, but workers are increasingly dissatisfied with the long trek in, and they have been adjusting their commute times and workday accordingly. Unfortunately, the trend of changing transit times has cut into actual time spent in the office, with more employees heading in later and leaving earlier. View the full article

Since its inception in 2017, the Meeting Owl has revolutionized how teams collaborate in hybrid work environments. From the introduction of the original Meeting Owl to the latest addition, the Meeting Owl 4+, Owl Labs has continued to adapt and improve over the years. Each updated Meeting Owl - along with integrated devices like the Whiteboard Owl, Expansion Mic, and Owl Bar - allows teams to enhance communication, foster collaboration, and drive productivity better. Hybrid work models can be complex, but the Owl Labs ecosystem provides a seamless solution that empowers teams to connect, engage, and innovate confidently from anywhere. View the full article

In today's rapidly evolving professional landscape, the traditional 9-to-5 office model is quickly becoming a relic of the past. As businesses navigate the complexities of a hybrid work world, one truth stands out: flexibility remains essential. Smart, adaptable workplace technology is not just a trend; it's a strategic imperative for organizations aiming to improve employee well-being, boost engagement, and make more effective use of their valuable office space. View the full article

The honeymoon phase of "figuring out hybrid" is officially over. View the full article

The shift to hybrid work promised flexibility, but it also introduced a pervasive, often-overlooked challenge: the psychological burden of constant video conferencing. While initially hailed as the essential bridge for remote teams, the relentless string of video calls has led to a widely recognized phenomenon—"Zoom fatigue"—which is just the surface of a deeper, more complex issue impacting employee well-being, engagement, and inclusivity. View the full article

We know our Meeting Owl line is special - why else would Time Magazine name itas one of the 100 Best Inventions of 2020? But it’s always exciting to see Owls recognized out in the wild. That’s why we’re excited to announce that our latest-gen Meeting Owl, the Meeting Owl 4+, has won a PC Pro Excellence Award! View the full article

In a world where flexibility reigns supreme, traditional notions of the nine-to-five grind are gradually giving way to a more fluid approach to work. Enter polyworking: the growing trend of working more than one full-time job simultaneously. Are people actually polyworking? Is polyworking here to stay? What exactly is polyworking? Let’s take a closer look. View the full article