The answer to creating an effective multi-purpose venue is found in flexible components like orchestra shells, and adjustable sound-absorbing materiel deployed when needed and stored when not, creating different sound boxes as appropriate.

FORBES: Connect

Did we mention the Champagne cooler, the humidor, makeup boxes, DVD system and 21-speaker surround-sound system from Bose ?

FORBES: Maybach

Judged on service, some of the new services have their drawbacks: fiddly boxes that must be fitted to telephones, slow connections, fuzzy sound quality.

ECONOMIST: German telecoms