More power for other participants to add or mute members of a call: The new Google Meet update allows up to 25 people in a video and voice call to have co-host powers. Previously, this feature was only available to Google Workspace customers —a service for businesses.
Starting with the new Google Meet update, the room host can give at least 25 participants different co-host powers. This means more people can choose who is allowed to share the screen and chat through the room, as well as add or mute meeting members.
Google’s virtual meeting tool will also gain more features, but only for Workspace users.
Google Meet rooms can start without host
Those who pay for the company’s platform suite will have access to new Quick Access tools. They allow conversations to start without the host and are already enabled via default configuration after the update is installed. The new function can be disabled, but by doing so, the user prevents other members from entering until the room creator starts the meeting.
Users can, through the new Quick Access functions, prevent strangers from entering the room, or allow guests to access the meeting without requiring the host’s permission—ensuring that only people who have been prompted to join the chat actually join the call.
Google Meet will now have a tab to search for attendees attending the meeting. On the right side, in the “People” section, where the members list is, the user can use a text box to search for who is inside the room. The host and co-hosts will have a shield emblem next to the name.
The update will be available for iOS from August 16 and for Android on August 30. “We hope that these additional controls will make it easier to hold productive, secure meetings, and prevent potential disruptions,” Google said in a blog post.
