NEW YORK: Google is introducing custom backgrounds for its Meet videoconferencing platform, the company announced in a blog post.
According to the blog post, one can be able to access the feature in Chrome OS as well as on Windows and Mac laptops and desktops. The feature is “coming soon” to mobile, Google says.
The company further wrote, “There’s no browser extension needed to activate custom backgrounds; one can add a background image from own photo collection or from a library of images provided by Google that includes landscapes, abstract art and (for some reason) offices.”
“It may take up to a week before all Google Meet users can access the new custom background option,” the company added. This built-in capability does not require an extension or any additional software.
Rival videoconferencing services Microsoft Teams and Zoom both already allow the use of custom images for meeting backgrounds. The three have been adding new features as more people depend on video calls working and schooling from home during the pandemic.
Recently, Google Meet added a blur effect for meeting backgrounds, and introducing real-time captioning, low-light mode, hand-raising and a tile view (the giant Brady Bunch screen) that displays up to 49 people.
