Why has no one replaced speakerphones yet?

To the budding entrepreneurs of Hacker News, I issue a challenge: develop a technology to replace speakerphones. There is nothing like being on the receiving end of a speakerphone and straining to understand what the guy in the back of the room is trying to say.

I can't say how this should work - that's up to you to work out. One solution might entail everyone synchronizing their smart phones. Another solution might involve a receiver and a room full of bluetooth headsets.

Perhaps I am thinking too narrowly about the problem, and some brand new mode of teleconferencing will render speakerphones obsolete. Regardless, thanks for your consideration! I look forward to never having to talk to a speakerphone again.

Speakerphones are a get-what-you-pay-for kind of thing. Polycom speakerphones are expensive, but they work really well.

I agree. The polycoms with secondary microphones pick up those guys in the background you care about.

Being entrenched in the corporate culture, if you tried to sell my department on a brand new "speakerphone" that required the use of my cell phone, or was enhanced by my cell phone, I'm going to ask why my phone isn't corporate issued then, if I have to use it on all of my work conference calls.

If everyone used their own phone, then you might as well dial into a bridge, and I think that's a solved problem.