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.

The post Google Meet launches 360-degree virtual background for video calls appeared first on TechGoing.

(Image from: Google Workspace Updates)

Google explains that the feature will bring improvements in display for users who tend to stay close to their devices.

"We've learned that many users are getting closer to their devices than ever before, and Dark Canvas mode is a great way to reduce display brightness while maintaining a good look and feel.
"

There have also been minor changes to Google Meet’s admin console — the Wallpaper setting is now called the Home Screen.

"Users can choose from two canvas modes, dark (Canvas - dark) / light (Canvas - light), with their own collection of wallpapers. However, if you insist on using custom wallpapers, dark mode will not be used.
"

For those who want to activate the Dark Canvas theme on Google Meet, you can do the following.

"Go to Devices → Google Meet Hardware → Settings → Device Settings → Home Screen."

Finally, the above enhancements will be rolled out to Google Workspace, G Suite Basic and G Suite Business users starting immediately.

The post Google Meet hardware home screen welcomes Dark Canvas theme support appeared first on TechGoing.

(via 9to5Google)

Interestingly enough, many Android users still saw the blue icon before the update when they searched for “Google Duo” globally recently.

And when confused people tried to click on it, they found that both icons could jump to Google Meet.

Shortly after, officials responded that the move was made to make it easier for end users to upgrade to the combined Google Meet app.

For reference, Google Duo has an installed base of 5 billion, while Google Meet only has an installed base of 500 million — perhaps one of the main reasons why Google decided to bring the former back for a “limited time.

Finally, while Google has not yet changed the description of Google Duo in the Play Store, the company does plan to merge the Google Duo website into Google Meet in the future.

At least according to the three icons in the image, both Duo and Meet will eventually be “unified” – the original Google Meet with the green icon will be gradually replaced in the enterprise user community (even though the original experience will remain in the optional Gmail mail service).

The post Google Duo returns as an icon for a limited time on the Android platform appeared first on TechGoing.

“Meet Original”, the existing Meet, will be phased out in the future; the new Meet will integrate the functionality of both Duo and Meet apps. The combined app will allow you to make group and one-on-one calls, as well as hold meetings.

If you already have Duo installed, you won’t have to do anything. Last month, Google pushed out a Duo update that added Meet functionality, and today, Google is rolling out an update on iOS and Android that will change the Duo logo to a Meet icon. By September, anyone who downloads the Google Meet app will receive the new Meet/Duo combination. Google notes that duo.google.com will redirect to meet.google.com/calling in the coming months.

Now, if you’re a Meet user, you don’t have to do anything right now if you just want to keep using it as it’s always been there without any additional benefits from Duo. Google may eventually end support for the original Meet, so keep that in mind if you wish to continue using the app. Google says it will notify original Meet users when “should migrate to the new app experience,” but didn’t say when that would happen.

The post Google Duo upgraded to Meet, existing Meet app continues to exist appeared first on TechGoing.

If desired, Google Workplace administrators can assign live streams that are publicly available to corporate accounts. Some guardrails are also provided to ensure that “stand-up” is not programmed with “open mic”.

"This feature update is now available to most paying customers, including Enterprise (Starter/Standard/Plus), Education Plus, Education Upgrade Pack, individual Workplace subscriptions, and members of the Google One Premium program in certain market regions.

At the same time, most starter, basic, legacy and Essentials subscribers will not have access to the YouTube live streaming option."

Before starting a Google Meet live tank, administrators need to request it in advance through the official YouTube channel, and the approval process can take up to 24 hours.

Live streamers can also specify the length of the event in the privacy settings. For more details, please go to the official support page (portal).

[By the way].

In June 2021, Google Meet launched an update for teachers and mentioned the ability to live stream school board meetings and other events on YouTube, which has now become more widely available.

In March 2022, Google Meet received a few more small but useful changes, such as picture-in-picture and emoji features.

The post Google Meet Now Easier to Open Public Broadcasts on YouTube appeared first on TechGoing.

These features are not available on every Google One plan. They are only available to users who pay for 2TB or more of storage, which means paying at least $10 per month or $100 per year for a subscription.

These features also won’t be rolled out to every 2TB Google One subscriber right away. Google’s announcement says they will only be available in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, and Australia for now, with more countries coming soon. This is a helpful little upgrade for Google One, giving individuals access to some of the more advanced features of Google Workspace.

Google’s announcement suggests that this may not be the last time that Google One plans to add “additional advanced features” to Meet, Gmail and Calendar in the future.

The post Google Meet’s advanced video calling feature will be available to individual users appeared first on TechGoing.