Google Meet on the web lets you easily set background blur, visual effects

A new update for Google Meet's web version will make applying visual effects like blurred or animated backgrounds easier. The app gets an "Apply visual effects" button in the three-dot overflow menu beside the app's end call button. This button will open a side panel with a preview feed that shows two blur intensities and then a grid of static, custom, and animated backgrounds.

You can preview these options in the self-check green room. 9to5Google pointed out that it looks like this section gets an update, too. There are tabs for "Audio and video" details, the new "Effects" section, and "Preview." This visual effects panel starts rolling out, and it is available to all Google Workspace customers and G Suite Basic and Business customers.

Google Meet's full-day free calls are extended until June 30th

Source: Google

Google has chosen to extended longer Meet calls for free users once again, meaning you can stay in chats up to a full day until the end of June 2021. When Google the company gave free access to Gmail account holders, it waived that 60-minute limit for calls. And it was initially supposed to come back on September 30, 2020, and then March 31, 2021. But it looks like Google wants to help you stay in touch with your friends, family, and co-workers through the pandemic.

Source: Google | Via: Engadget

Google wants to improve the video calling performance of Meet and Zoom on Chromebooks

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Schooling in the age of a pandemic requires a lot of video calls. That's why Google wants to improve its Meet app and Zoom to perform better on Chromebooks. The company wants devices to handle video conferences throughout the day while running other apps and software. 

It said they "improved how Meet videos are streamed" on Chrome OS" without causing any performance issues with other apps. The company also will allow users to use more advanced features like grid views while making sure "audio and video data don't require unnecessary processing." 

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Google Meet begins rollout of custom backgrounds on web app

Custom backgrounds are popular on Zoom, so it wasn't a surprise when Google announced it was bringing the feature to Google Meet. Now, the new feature has started to roll out to most users on Chrome OS, Windows, and Mac, given that you access Meet through Chrome. You won't be required to install an extension or additional software. Mobile support is "coming soon," according to Google.

Google offers a library of images to choose from, or you can upload your background of choice. If you can't access the feature yet, just be patient. It could take the company up to seven days to roll out this new functionality. Once it is live, you will see an icon on the bottom right of the interface that lets you change your background.

Source: Engadget