Google Adds New Features to Google Meet Including Co-Hosting and Screen-Sharing

Sophie Webster, Tech Times 12 August 2021, 11:08 am

Google will be upgrading Google Meets. The video-conferencing tool is set to get more features to make it easier for users to control and direct online meetings.

The features that will be available will depend on whether you are using Google Meet as a regular user or if it is a part of your Google Workspace team.

Google Meet to Get an Upgrade

The main update on the tool is that all users will be able to assign a maximum of 25 co-hosts per meeting, according to Gadgets 360.

The co-hosts will also be given access to controls to limit who can share the screen and who can send chat messages.

Co-hosts will also be given the ability to mute participants with one click, select who can enter the meeting, and end the meeting. In the past, adding co-hosts was only available to Google Workspace for Education customers.

Also Read: Google Meet: How to Change Layout with 49-person Grid View

The Quick Access setting is also getting an upgrade, which will be visible for Google Workspace customers. This will be activated by default, but if you turn it off, the meetings won't be able to start until the host is added.

Users can also block anonymous users from joining the meeting, or they can select invited participants. This can ensure that only those who are supposed to be in the meeting are included.

The changes will roll out on Aug. 16 for the Android version and web version. Meanwhile, the new features will appear on iOS on Aug. 30. Google has released a blog post outlining the changes in detail.

The Google Meets new features, and upgrade came after Google ended the tool's unlimited video call and limited it to one hour only.

Google Meet's Whiteboarding Option

Aside from the additional features set to launch next week, Google Meet will get another whiteboarding option with Miro next year, according to 9to5Google.

Miro is a cloud-based collaboration tool that offers a whiteboard that already integrates with Google Sheets, Slides, and Docs. All shared documents can be embedded into a Miro canvas so users can quickly view and edit them.

Miro can help users visualize and manage all pieces of a project from one organized space. For example, you can create connective lines between the files, create sticky notes, and use timer tools.

The Miro boards can also be saved to your Sheets, Docs, Drive, and Slides by syncing them across the applications, making it easier to work on the latest content.

Google Calendar invites can also be added to Miro boards so that all event participants can be notified when the event comes.

Users can also create breakrooms in advance on Google Meets via Google Calendar.

In 2022, Miro will integrate with Google Meet so users can access a whiteboard during their calls. The video feeds will appear in the right panel, while the Miro board will appear on the left.

Also, Google Meet users will be able to call directly inside their Docs window through an identical panel UI beginning next year. By opening up to third-party collaborators, Google is continuing its work to expand Meet's features and availability.

Miro is a platform that is more focused on productivity than Google's Jamboard app, which is already integrated into Meet as a collaborative tool and currently has a massive education user base.