videoconferencing
Latest
Microsoft Teams makes it easier to host meetings using sign language
Microsoft Teams now has a sign language view that helps people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Google will soon test Project Starline video chat booths in the real world
Google now plans to test its huge video chat booths in real life with companies like T-Mobile and WeWork.
Zoom's desktop apps now respond to raised hands and thumbs-up gestures
You can now send a reaction in Zoom on PCs just by raising your hand or giving a thumbs-up.
HP buys Poly, the company formerly known as Plantronics
HP has bought Poly, the company formerly known as Plantronics — but not for its headphones.
Zoom's new animal avatars are like Animoji for meetings
Zoom has introduced animal avatars that aim to bring fun into meetings — or at least, hide your face.
Zoom's meeting room features help you safely return to the office
Zoom has unveiled Rooms updates that will help you return safely to the office, including a virtual receptionist and meeting room controls on your phone.
Zoom will officially support Apple's M1 Macs on December 21st
Zoom is adding support for Apple Silicon through an update on December 21st, improving video call performance on M1 Macs.
Zoom plans to offer stronger encryption to paying customers (updated)
A Zoom official says the company will provide stronger encryption to paying customers, raising concerns about security for free users.
Zoom's latest changes to prevent 'zoombombing' arrive on May 9th
Zoom has improved its admin controls and basic account security to further prevent 'zoombombing' from unwanted guests.
Google Meet will soon be free for anyone with a Gmail account
You’ll soon be able to access Google Meet for free even if you’re not a G Suite customer: Starting in early May, you’ll be able to sign up for Meet as long as you have a Gmail account.
New York allows clerks to perform weddings by video conference
New York is dealing with the realities of COVID-19 by allowing clerks to perform weddings by video conference.
'Saturday Night Live' returns to TV with a remote episode on April 11th
'SNL' is using videoconferencing to keep the comedy show going when performers can't be near each other.
Hangouts Meet has been renamed to Google Meet
Google continues to back away from the Hangouts name by relabeling its videoconferencing service.
Zoom will remove server behind Mac webcam security hole
Zoom is acting quickly on the security flaw that let intruders hijack Mac users' webcams. The video conferencing firm is releasing a patch on July 9th (that's today, if you're reading in time) that removes access to the local web server behind the vulnerability. It'll also let you manually uninstall Zoom and remove all traces of the app so that there's no chance of an exploit later on. Another update, due for the weekend of July 12th, will also ensure that rookies who choose "always turn off my video" will automatically have their preferences honored in those situations where a meeting host would normally require that video switches on.
How AI made Facebook’s Portal your ‘personal cameraman’
After releasing its Portal video-calling tool to largely positive reviews (especially from its employees) last November, Facebook is finally cracking open the device and giving the rest of us a glimpse at the Portal's inner workings. Engadget sat down with Facebook's Rafa Camargo, Vice President of Hardware, and Matt Uyttendaele, Engineering Director of Mobile Vision to discuss the device's development and the artificial intelligence that powers Portal.
50 years ago, 'the mother of all demos' foretold our tech future
Innovation usually happens in slow, measured steps over many years, but a demo in 1968 transformed the world of personal computers in just 90 minutes. In a presentation dubbed "the mother of all demos," Douglas Engelbart showed off technology that would lead directly to Apple's Macintosh, the internet, Windows, Google Docs, the computer mouse and much, much more. The most insane part was that it happened 50 years ago in 1968, when microchips were just a gleam in scientists' eyes.
Google's redesigned Voice app is better at juggling your calls
Google recently added Voice to its enterprise G Suite, and the revamped app has now arrived for iOS users. As suggested by the redesigned icon (which strongly resembles the Hangouts Dialer icon), its main job is to give users calling features via standard telephony over and above what you'd expect on regular apps. As such, it can do things like email you about missed calls, transcribe messages, enable "do not disturb" based on your working hours and access contacts stored elsewhere in G Suite.
GoPro licenses camera tech to other companies amid sales struggles
There's no question that GoPro is hurting: sales are struggling, its drone plans are dead and it's not clear that the company can survive purely on sales of action cameras like the Hero6. What's it going to do? Offer its technology to other companies, apparently. GoPro has unveiled a licensing deal that lets Jabil use its camera lens and sensor tech for a wide range of products. The two aren't specific about what this will involve, but Jabil sees uses in everything from law enforcement (think body cameras) through to videoconferencing and self-driving cars. Yes, the tech that documents your mountain bike trip could also drive you across town some day.
Google's video conferencing kit gets an AI camera and display
Google has been trying to get a seat in your board room this year, courtesy of its tools and products for meetings. In March, it pivoted its Hangouts app to businesses, following it up with a $5,000 interactive display with collaborative cloud features. Not content with the two-punch software and hardware combo, the big G is now taking another stab at video conferencing. Remember the Chromebox for meetings bundle the company dropped in 2014? Well, it's back, courtesy of some rebranding and a bunch of upgraded products.
Google is ready to take over your office chat with Hangouts
Google's work of transitioning Hangouts from being its default chat app to a more business focus is nearly complete. First up is the formally announced Hangouts Meet. Sound familiar? That's because it semi-officially arrived at the first of the month. Now Google is ready to take it wide. At its core, Meet is all about making video conferencing faster and easier. That comes down to not needing any special software or logins for video chat -- just a shared link. No WiFi? No problem because people can dial in with a dedicated phone number too. So long as their organization is a G Suite Enterprise customer, of course. Meet will support video calls with up to 30 people.
