Sometimes users need to walk around during a conference call and understanding this reality, Google is currently working on a new Google Meet mode called “On-the-Go”. This mode transforms the interface of the Android video conferencing app into a much simpler interface that is better suited for traveling outside while on a call.
The concept behind this mode is that walking while tuning is in a mode Google Meet meeting much safer. It achieves this by creating a much more intuitive layout that according to 9to5Google, “will turn off your camera during a call and stop streaming video from other participants. You’ll also be greeted with a new layout with just a few large, easy-to-press buttons for mute, audio (to switch between Bluetooth, speaker, etc.) and up (by hand).”
You can check the screenshots showing what the new layout will look like when enabled:
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“On-the-Go” can be enabled in two ways: the first is that Google Meet detects that you are walking using your smartphone’s motion sensors and prompts you to switch to the new mode. For the second method, you can enable the mode manually through the connection menu.
Google currently hasn’t rolled out this feature to everyone yet, but judging by the screenshots, it’s most likely approaching a public release.
Google Meet just gets even better
Google is working to make its video calling app more functional and intuitive to use. In both 2022 and 2023, there were many changes to the user interface, and in 2023 there were changes such as adding new features to picture-in-picture modeblocking video feeds from other meeting participants to easier to focus on people you want and using generative artificial intelligence create new backgrounds during meetings.
In 2022, Google added some other features such as object tracking to better focus on the participant by allowing users mute and unmute in the computer version by using the space bar and automatically adjusting the participant’s microphone input to avoid particularly large discrepancies in volume.
It’s good to see the tech giant is looking to improve its services given how many people rely on it for remote work. While these seem like minor improvements, quality of life changes to an app or service always add up to a great extent and really help improve the user experience.