Google wants to upgrade your conference calls with the new Chromebox for meetings.

Utilizing Google+ Hangouts and Google apps like Calendar and Gmail, the miniature machine brings meetings to anyone, from anywhere.

"Meetings need to catch up with the way we workthey need to be face-to-face, easier to join, and available from anywhere and any device," Caesar Sengupta, vice president of Google product management, wrote in a blog post. "Starting today, they can be."

Built on the Chrome principles of speed, simplicity, and security, Chromebox comes with a Core i7 processor, an HD camera, a combined microphone and speaker unit, as well as a remote controlall for $999.

"That means for the same price that companies have typically paid for one meeting room, they'll be able to outfit 10 roomsor more," Sengupta said.

Users can host the box in one room and control their meetings from anywhere via a Web-based management console. And don't worry if your client hasn't ponied up the thousand-dollar cost for a Chromebox. All someone needs is a Gmail account to participate.

Google also makes it easy to join meetings, as well. Forget dial-in codes, passcodes, or leader PINs; just walk into the room, click the remote once, and get connected. Just like the Google+ Hangout feature, Chromebox caps its participant limit at 15 people, each of whom can wirelessly connect a laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

Traditional users, meanwhile, can connect via video-conferencing systems by using a new Vidyo tool, while those who prefer the anonymity of phones can join with a conference call number from UberConference.

The Chromebox service is currently available in the U.S. for $999 via CDW and SYNNEX, and will be sold through Hewlett-Packard and Dell in the coming months. Google plans to launch in Australia, Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, and the U.K. later this year.

The company already boasts big-name users like Eventbrite, Gilt, oDesk, and Woolworths, which tested Chromebox ahead of today's release.

Earlier this week, Asus announced a standalone Chromebox (pictured) for $179, aimed at non-mobile home, school, and business users. Available next month, the simple, Web-oriented computer performs everyday tasks using a fourth-gen Intel Celeron 2955U, 2GB or 4GB of DDR3 memory, integrated Intel HD graphics, 16GB SSD local and 100GB of Google Drive cloud storage, 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, and Gigabit Ethernet.

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