Google Workspace Changes

We’re introducing a new settings panel in Google Meet for quick access to effects such as background blur, background images and styles during Meet calls.

This panel will also be available before joining a call in the green room self-check. In the green room, you can try out various effects to see how they work before joining a call with others.

Launch of the Appcessori Rayz Rally Pro mobile device speaker dock.

Appcessori is launching the Rayz Rally Pro, a mobile device speaker dock that automatically launches Google Meet for video meetings and provides an enhanced audio experience. It is the first product in the 'Designed for Google Meet' program and supports both Android and iOS.

Logitech Rally Bar Mini and Rally Bar certified for Google Meet.

Google has certified the Logitech Rally Bar Mini and Rally Bar for Google Meet, providing complete room solutions for small and mid-sized rooms. These certified devices ensure high-quality video and audio and are designed for easy deployment and management.

Introduction of the Series One Board 65 all-in-one 4K video conferencing device.

The Series One Board 65 is an all-in-one 65-inch 4K video conferencing device that can be wall-mounted or paired with an optional stand for flexibility. It includes the Jamboard app built-in to facilitate collaboration for team members in small and medium rooms, whether they are in the room or remote.

Introduction of the Series One Desk 27 all-in-one touchscreen collaboration device.

The Series One Desk 27 is a premium all-in-one touchscreen Google Meet collaboration device designed for small, shared spaces or desktops in the office or at home. It features built-in Jamboard capabilities for capturing ideas and can be used with any conferencing service via a single USB-C cable from a laptop.

Replace your background with a video in Google Meet on iOS

Google Meet users on iOS can now replace their backgrounds with video instead of just static images. Currently, three Google-made video backgrounds—a classroom, a party, and a forest—are available, with more options expected soon. This feature expands the video background capability already available on the web version of Google Meet.

Google Meet now notifies users when their system is causing an echo during video calls.

Google Meet is introducing a feature to help users identify and fix audio echoes. When a notable echo is detected from a user's system, a red dot will appear on the 'more options' button along with a text notification. Clicking the notification directs users to the Help Center for troubleshooting steps to prevent echo.

Google Meet expands meeting moderation controls, including co-host assignments and safety features.

Google Meet is introducing expanded moderation controls that allow hosts to assign up to 25 co-hosts per meeting to help manage participants. New safety features enable hosts to limit screen sharing, restrict chat messages, mute all participants, and end meetings for everyone. Additionally, the 'Quick access' setting is being expanded to more Google Workspace customers, and the 'People' panel now includes a search function to quickly find participants and a security shield icon to identify co-hosts.

Google Meet support for Internet Explorer 11 (IE11) ends August 17, 2021.

Beginning August 17, 2021, Google Meet will no longer be supported on Internet Explorer 11 (IE11). Users are advised to switch to a supported browser before this date to avoid any service disruptions.

Google launched a new standalone Progressive Web Application (PWA) for Google Meet on desktop devices.

Google has introduced a standalone Progressive Web Application (PWA) for Google Meet, which offers the same features as the web version but operates as a standalone app to streamline workflow and eliminate the need to switch between browser tabs. The PWA is compatible with Windows, MacOS, Chrome OS, and Linux devices running Google Chrome version 73 or higher.

Hangouts to Google Chat upgrade beginning August 16th, with option to opt-out.

Beginning August 16, 2021, users who have the “Chat and classic Hangouts” setting selected will be upgraded to “Chat preferred,” unless you explicitly opt out. Classic Hangouts will no longer be supported beginning late 2021, and all remaining users will be migrated to Google Chat.

Additional language support for live captions in Google Meet

Expanding live captions in Google Meet to French, German, Portuguese and Spanish (Spain and Latin America) speakers. They were previously only available in English. Live captions allow deaf and hard of hearing users, users with different primary languages, and users in noisy environments to participate more fully in meetings.

Breakout rooms are now available to more Google Workspace customers and new features are added

Breakout rooms in Google Meet are now available to Google Workspace, Essentials, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, and Enterprise Plus customers, as well as G Suite Business and Enterprise for Education customers. New features include Ask for help, Timer/countdown, and additional supported participants.

Voice controls beta for shared meeting spaces

Voice controls are now available in beta for shared meeting spaces to facilitate touch-free meetings. Customers can sign up for the beta, with general availability expected in the coming months.

Updated ASUS Google Meet compute system

Google is refreshing existing ASUS kits with a new Google Meet compute system (formerly Chromebox). This updated system is slimmer, easier to deploy, and features an Intel i7 processor with a 128GB SSD, screwless and magnetic mounting, and single-sided ports for better cable management.