Google Meet Adds 360-Degree Backgrounds
If you’re a frequent user of custom video backgrounds for online meetings and classes, then you might like Google’s latest addition to the Meet service. The company recently announced that it will be adding animated backgrounds for mobile users. As per the official update on Google’s Workspace webpage:
“Adding to our existing library of immersive backgrounds, Meet users on mobile can use several new 360 degree video backgrounds. These backgrounds—which include a beach and a temple—use your device’s gyroscope to create a dynamic experience that moves with you. Note that Admins can turn backgrounds on or off for their users. (Available on Android and iOS devices for all Google Workspace users and users with personal Google Accounts)”
With that being said, this new feature should add a much-welcome dash of variety to otherwise more static backgrounds which have become the norm lately.
A while back, Google announced that it would be adding Emoji reactions to Google Meet, similar to functionality seen on other video-chat platforms. The reactions appear as a small badge in the sender’s video tile, on the left side of the screen. When there are multiple users in a session, several emojis will be displayed on the left side of the screen and users can share a reaction by selecting a smile icon in the control bar to further open the reaction bar.
Source: Google