January-February developments
As we step into a new year, online platforms are unveiling innovative features designed to enhance the way we interact, create, and connect. From refined user experiences to intelligent collaboration tools, these updates set the stage for a dynamic year ahead.
Microsoft Teams is introducing a streamlined way to share meeting recaps, allowing participants to generate and share a direct link to the recap directly from the meeting thumbnail in the chat or the recap tab. This enhancement simplifies post-meeting follow-ups and ensures seamless access to essential discussions.
Another major improvement in Teams is the enhanced control over shared content during screen sharing. Participants can now take control of shared content, enabling real-time editing and seamless collaboration. They can switch slides effortlessly, request or release control for a more interactive experience, and zoom in on shared screens to focus on critical details.
Teams is also introducing Intelligent Recap, a smarter way to review meetings. Participants can access meeting recordings, transcripts, and shared content such as notes, agendas, and files directly from chat. Timeline markers allow users to jump to key moments, such as when a specific name is mentioned, making it easier and faster to review important discussions.
Teams Premium introduces advanced AI tools like name mention markers, screen share markers, and AI-generated notes, automatically creating meeting summaries and follow-up tasks.
This update provides participants with the ability to download webinar and event transcripts in .docx or .vtt formats, ensuring seamless access and effortless integration. If transcription is paused, separate files are created. Organisers can manage recordings and transcripts, while users can save them for reference or sharing—making capturing key decisions, action items, and shared content effortless.
This month, Google Meet is expanding interoperability support between Google Meet devices and Zoom Rooms to include customisation of meeting layout. This update allows users to choose the most effective layout for improved focus and engagement. When joining a Google Meet call from Zoom Rooms, participants can adjust their view by selecting the ‘View’ option, with choices including tiled view, speaker spotlight view, or sidebar view.
Attendees who connect to Zoom Meetings from a Google Meet hardware device can personalise their layout by accessing the Change Layout feature in the device settings. This allows users to choose between gallery and speaker views and improve their meetings with a more personalised display.
A new feature called Overlays has been introduced by Zoom, enabling participants to customize their video feeds with important information.
Now, participants can display their name, title, and pronouns directly on their video, making it easier to identify and connect with others in meetings. Additionally, if their surroundings are not ideal, participants can enhance their virtual presence by replacing their background with a branded virtual background featuring their organisation’s logo.
Are you planning an online meeting or event and need urgent advice?
Our ConfTech Help desk provides countries and organisations with immediate advice on how to organise and run online meetings and events. Get in touch with us at conftech@diplomacy.edu.
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