Google Meet, one of the IT tools that have exploded during the pandemic, is receiving a new update. Google’s video call service, in addition to updating its interface, adds improvements when it comes to customizing the background we have or the data consumed in each video call.
Google Meet has a new interface
Google Meet currently has a feature called Data Saver. This function, although it saves data, is more focused on the performance of the service. It regulates video and audio quality based on the quality of the connection. In a way this saves data, but it is not its main function.
With the new update, Google Meet Data Saver will limit Google Meet data usage on mobile networks to save data for both the sender and receiver. Google says this is something really important in countries where data costs can be high, such as India or Brazil.
The video calling service has also updated its interface for some aspects such as screen sharing or meetings with many people. The grid is no longer a grid, and you can change the size of the windows or reposition them to your liking. You can even completely hide the user’s video source.
Regarding the quality of the video that one broadcasts, Google Meet receives two new improvements. The first of these is the automatic regulation of brightness according to the surrounding light. This makes it possible to counteract the low illumination of a place or reduce it if there is overexposure. This is something that Google already did previously, although only in smartphone apps. Now it is coming to the web as well.
On the other hand, Google Meet finally adds custom backgrounds as well. The user will be able to choose between three different backgrounds: a classroom, a party, or a forest. More backgrounds for video calls are promised to come in the future.
The service will be free until July 2021
Google recently announced that it was expanding the free use of the service until July 2021. Recall that Google Meet is a paid service, although for much of 2020 and this 2021 due to the pandemic Google decided to offer it for free and without limitations. Once the free period ends, if Google does not extend it again, its free use will be limited to 60 minutes per day.
Another feature that will soon be limited is Autozoom. This tool will automatically focus on the subject and crop the background so that the user always appears centered. Google says that this feature will be available only to those Google Meet users who pay for the service.
We will have to see what happens with Google Meet after July. In the meantime, there are many other alternatives such as the already established Zoom, Microsoft’s Teams, or open-source alternatives such as Jitsi Meet. Fatigue is also real.
