Google Meet has introduced a new 360-degree virtual background for video calls on cell phones.Google first announced the new feature last month, and now it’s available on iOS and Android, using the device’s gyroscope, the background can move with the chat subject.
As you can see in the embedded GIF, the 360-degree background will change depending on the position of the phone or tablet. So if the user moves the phone left or right, the background adjusts to show a different view. Google says users can apply “several” new 360-degree backgrounds to video calls, including one showing beaches and temples.
While the feature looks cool, the backgrounds can be distracting if you’re on a call with someone who’s constantly moving their phone.
Last month, Google began rolling out emoji reactions for Meet, including heart, thumbs up, carnival, clapping, joy, surprise, thinking, crying, and thumbs up, but if it wants to catch up to Zoom, the There is still a long way to go for a rich expression library. Google is also gradually transitioning users to the new Meet app, which incorporates Duo’s features, and issued a final shutdown notice last month as it prepares to transition users to Meet.
