Beam me up, Google. Video chats could have a much more sci-fi feel with Google Beam, an AI-powered video communications platform that aims to make it feel like you’re meeting up in person. 

Google announced Beam, an evolution of its Google Starline technology, at its annual I/O developer conference on Tuesday. Google has teamed up with HP to commercialize the system. 

Read more: Google I/O 2025 Live Blog

Google Beam uses a six-camera array that captures the subject from different angles. An AI video model puts the views together in real time to create a 3D person. Google says the system features near-perfect head tracking, down to the millimeter, with video at 60 frames per second.  

The idea is reminiscent of any number of holographic communications systems seen in everything from Star Wars to Star Trek. Unlike the tiny, low-quality Princess Leia hologram from A New Hope, Beam is designed to be life-sized and lifelike. Google once described the technology as a «magic window.»

The platform uses a light field display that doesn’t require wearing any special equipment. CNET’s Abrar Al-Heeti tried out Starline last year and called it «the closest thing to a hologram I’ve ever seen.»

Speech translation, a feature Google is bringing to Google Meet, could come to Beam as well, Google said.

Google introduced Starline as a research project in 2021 and has been testing and refining prototypes ever since. Today’s announcement means the technology is closing in on being ready for prime time.

Video calls have long been plagued with challenges. It can be hard to read expressions and gestures. Traditional video chats are missing a sense of eye contact. Zoom fatigue was a hot topic during the height of COVID-19. Beam wants to address those issues with a more immersive and lifelike experience.

Google said HP will share more about the platform at the InfoComm audio visual technology exhibition in June. Google is also working with Zoom and other audio visual companies. Beam will likely find its footing first with larger organizations that want to shake up the way they handle videoconferencing.

The first Beam devices will be available for early adopters later in 2025, so start practicing your «Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope.»

Beam isn’t Google’s only big announcement of the day. Check out everything that’s been revealed at Google I/O.

When Nintendo revealed the Switch 2 on April 2, there was a lot of excitement over the powered-up portable console. However, some gamers weren’t thrilled about its LCD screen. But, like the original, it appears there might be a Switch 2 with a better display in the works.

Samsung is the display maker for the Switch 2 and is reportedly pushing for a version of Nintendo’s new console to come with an OLED screen, according to a report from Bloomberg on Tuesday. No specifics were provided on whether this variant of the Switch 2 would come out or if Nintendo was committed to it. 

Nintendo and Samsung didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. 

The Switch 2 is only weeks away from launching on June 5. The new console has some significant upgrades over the original Switch, including the larger 7.9-inch 1080p LCD screen, a custom Nvidia processor that outputs graphics better than a PS4 but less than a PS5 and 4K video with a max frame rate of 120fps. 

There have been, however, some concerns over the Switch 2. The big one is its price. At $450, the Switch 2 would be Nintendo’s most expensive console. Coupled with that is the fact that the system will also have its first regularly priced $80 game with Mario Kart World. While the big price tag of the Switch 2 makes sense, considering its components, Nintendo has yet to provide an explanation of why it needs to sell a game for $80, which is $10 more than the typical price of new AAA games. 

Nintendo released its Switch OLED in 2021, four years after the console’s launch. It was $50 more expensive than the original, had a slightly bigger screen and made some other small design adjustments, such as a better kickstand. 

If Nintendo does release a Switch 2 with OLED sometime in the future, the cost of this new console could be more than just an additional $50. The same day the Switch 2 was announced, President Donald Trump released a list of tariffs for US trade partners. Nintendo’s home country, Japan, and the two countries that produce Nintendo’s products — China and Vietnam — were subject to large tariffs. This led Nintendo to delay preorders in the US. 

Since then, Trump has instituted tariff freezes, and Switch 2 preorders were made available for US gamers. However, there is some uncertainty over whether the Switch 2 will stay at its $450 price or see an increase due to tariffs. Microsoft has already increased the price of its Xbox Series consoles, and it appears that Sony might do the same soon. 

Sony is putting its PlayStation Stars rewards program on permanent hiatus. The program, which launched in summer 2022 and arrived in the US later that autumn, offered gamers a chance to earn points, collectibles and games by completing in-game activities similar to Discord’s Quests.

«Since launching the program, we’ve learned a lot from evaluating thetypes of activities our players respond best to, and as a company, weare always evolving with player and industry trends,» Sony said in a blog post. «Through this evaluation, we have decided to refocus our efforts and willbe winding down the current version of PlayStation Stars. We willcontinue to evaluate our key findings from this program, and are lookinginto ways to build upon these learnings.»

Got Stars? These are the dates to know

Sign-ups for Stars have been halted starting Wednesday. Existing members have until July 23 at 7:59 a.m. PT to earn points. After that, players have until November 2026 to redeem any remaining points on their account. Current PlayStation Stars members can continue to redeem Points as long as their Points don’t expire before then, but those who cancel their membership will lose all earned points.

Stars members can still access their Digital Collectibles, even after the program ends.

A representative for Sony did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.

While PlayStation Stars is being shut down, it doesn’t seem to be the end of Sony’s loyalty program efforts. The official website mentions that «the current version of PlayStation Stars is ending,» and the blog post says that new members won’t be able to sign up for «this version» of the program. However, if Sony has a replacement program in the works, there are no details about what it might be or how it’ll work. This is in contrast to Nintendo’s Gold Points program, which was shut down entirely in March with no talk of a replacement.

The latest in a rough year for Sony

Fans of the popular console haven’t gotten the best news in 2025. According to Bloomberg, Sony canceled two unnamed live service games from Bend and Bluepoint in January, and several tour dates for the company’s PlayStation The Concert world tour have been moved or canceled. 

PlayStation fans have also dealt with a PlayStation Network outage, rising console costs due to tariffs and the delay of Grand Theft Auto 6 until 2026.

Pair that with rising game costs, and it’s no surprise that fans have been unhappy with PlayStation Stars shutting down. 

«Well, this sucks,» said a commenter going by NEOMERCER on the blog post. «I liked PlayStation Stars honestly. It did always kind of feel like it was lacking something though. Likethat extra value. Hopefully they can bring that in the future.»