Google is rolling out custom backgrounds for video calls held via Meet.
The search engine giant took to an official blog post to make the announcement. The feature allows for users to change up their backgrounds using custom images or with one already available within Google Meet. These range from abstract backdrops to more professional options, like office spaces.
Desktop Google Meet users are able to change up their backgrounds now, but the feature is rolling out soon for those on mobile. Google states in its blog that it could take up to a week before everyone on Google Meet will have access to the new features.
Google Meet is one of the latest videoconferencing platforms to introduce this feature, behind Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Slowly, however, Google has been rolling out a variety of new features, given users’ reliance on video calls during the coronavirus pandemic. Most recently, Google introduced real-time captioning, background blurring, low-light mood, and a tile view that can support up to 49 people at once.
According to The Verge, Google CEO Sundar Pichai stated that Meet supports around 235 million conferences daily, as well as 7.5 billion video calls every day. It looks like as long as people continue to use Meet, Google will keep introducing new tweaks. For now, the ability to change one’s background during a conference should be useful for many.
