Google Meet Gets Long-Awaited Redesign

Louis Eriakha -

Made by Google '24 event came with many major hardware and software releases. Beyond the launch of several device lineups and showcasing several AI capabilities, the tech giant announced some much-needed enhancements to their Meet App.

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The first notable changes are the introduction of in-call messaging and screen sharing, previously limited to meetings. They have been expanded to personal and group calls to enhance the user experience. But these aren't the only changes Google promised to roll out in the coming months. Here's a rundown of some of those features.

An extremely useful feature is the "on-the-go" feature. If you've been using the app for meetings for a while, you would understand how this is a no-brainer when it comes to making calls while up and about. This interface only shows the essential interface but supersized, thereby cutting down on distractions.

In addition to this, the app now allows you to stack multiple effects, like background changes and stickers, simultaneously. All while being able to express yourself through emojis on the call.

The changes made seem to be more personal with many of the features seemingly catering to not just the average user but to those with disabilities, like the live caption feature that now works in over 70 languages or the "Take Notes for Me" feature that quite literally takes notes for you during a call so you don't have to.

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Admittedly, this is still Google subtly flexing the power of its AI model, but, since studies have shown that captions improve comprehension and hearing, especially in noisy environments, and the note-taking feature can be great for people who struggle with paying attention and keeping up, these features help bridge the gap between both worlds.

While the changes might not be groundbreaking, as similar features exist in apps like Zoom, they contribute to a more streamlined user experience by addressing inconsistencies in the app design, reflecting Google's attention to detail. I look forward to experiencing more of these quality-of-life changes implemented in more Google apps.