Google Meet is doubling down on virtual backgrounds and visual effects

By Anthony Spadafora
published

New settings panel makes it easier to access effects and backgrounds in Google Meet

Google Meet
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

As businesses prepare to implement hybrid work (opens in new tab) policies with some users working from the office while others work from home (opens in new tab), Google wants to ensure that both you and your workspace look the best you can when joining video calls in Google Meet (opens in new tab).

This is why the search giant is adding a new settings panel to its video conferencing software (opens in new tab) according to a new post (opens in new tab) on the Google Workspace (opens in new tab) blog.

With Google Meet's new settings panel, users will be able to quickly access effects such as background blur, background images and styles before and during a video call.

Green Room

(Image credit: Google)

Green room self-check

In addition to being able to access Meet's new settings panel while in a call, users will also be able try out various effects to see how they work in Google's green room (opens in new tab)before joining a call.

For those unfamiliar, the company's green room allows users to select how they want to sound and look in a meeting. You can also use the green room to check both your audio and video before a meeting so you don't have to fiddle with any settings or menus while in a call.

Google Meet admins can visit the service's Help Center (opens in new tab) to learn more about controlling whether their users can change their backgrounds. It's worth noting that the “Let users select custom images” option is disabled by default for both Education and Enterprise for Education domains.

Video conferencing is an effective way to collaborate (opens in new tab) when working remotely or dealing with a distributed workforce and with Google's new settings menu in Meet, users can make sure their appearance as well as their background are both acceptable.

Anthony Spadafora
Anthony Spadafora

After working with the TechRadar Pro team for the last several years, Anthony is now the security and networking editor at Tom’s Guide where he covers everything from data breaches and ransomware gangs to the best way to cover your whole home or business with Wi-Fi. When not writing, you can find him tinkering with PCs and game consoles, managing cables and upgrading his smart home. 

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