Teleconferencing vendors say they're trying to strike the right balance between security and usability after security researchers found they could dial in to the conference lines of major companies and manipulate video cameras to spy on boardrooms.

When you think about Polycom, the first image that might pop into your mind is the company's 'iconic, triangular speakerphone.' But CEO Andrew Miller wants you to know that Polycom is much, much more than that. In this installment of the IDG Enterprise CEO Interview Series, Miller spoke via Polycom's high-definition telepresence system with IDGE Chief Content Officer John Gallant about why Polycom should really be known as a software company and about Polycom's move to the cloud. Miller also discussed the impact of mobility on the visual communications market and why -- despite all the talk about video from Cisco Systems CEO John Chambers -- Polycom is in a better position to help companies drive the next era of collaboration. He also talked about the powerful partnerships Polycom has built with top-tier service providers and enterprise stalwarts like Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, IBM, and others.

Panasonic has appointed Matthew Connolly to the position of product marketing manager of unified communications.

Hear about the latest products, upgrades, routers, data management, solid state drives and mobile communication tools

Technology Review's annual Emtech event at MIT always bursts with fresh-faced innovators awkwardly touting their world-changing breakthroughs. However, the 2011 event held this week at the new MIT Media Lab also includes plenty of established companies, from Google and IBM to Verizon and Polycom, promoting lots of new ideas backed by their significant financial and human resources.

Polycom has acquired ViVu, a provider of software for embedding videoconferencing in websites, for an undisclosed sum.

The next time you’re on a Google+ hangout or other video call, relish any computer- or network-based communications delays between you and the other participant. After all, such seemingly awkward and frustrating silences can actually enhance the conversation, according to research out of Ohio State University.

Mobile is the new frontier of videoconferencing, with several vendors bringing mobile devices into the fold for video meetings. Polycom is set to become the latest, with high-definition calling capability on the Apple iPad, Motorola Xoom and Galaxy Tab.

Videoconferencing is available for desktops and even through specially designed rooms called telepresence systems, but on wireless handhelds? According to Robert Hagerty, who has been CEO of Polycom for 10 years, it could be widely available soon.