The company announced the new features in a blog post (via TechRadar) while also bringing new additions to Zoom Events. As most Zoom users know, virtual backgrounds can be changed from meeting to meeting. However, this also opens up the possibility of the user inadvertently using a sensitive/private virtual background while on a work call. To rectify this, Zoom said it will now allow admins to set a default virtual background which automatically resets at the start of each call or meeting. So this takes the work out of the individual having to change the virtual background while switching between private or work-related meetings. Although this doesn’t seem like a problem that affects many, Zoom begs to differ.
Zoom admins can now add a video to the virtual waiting room
In addition to this minor addition, Zoom now lets hosts add a video to the virtual waiting room. This is the virtual area where call participants wait before being allowed into the meeting. Furthermore, admins can now enable or disable the visual Watermark during a meeting. However, this feature requires all participants to be on the latest version of the Zoom desktop client. Zoom has emerged from being a little-known app to one of the most recognizable video conferencing apps in the world. Its growth reached new heights after the pandemic. Zoom was also one of the few apps to support group calling without an elaborate app or sign-up process. While its competitors have significantly scaled their products to match the current standards, Zoom remains one of the most popular apps. The platform also has an excellent free version, though things have considerably changed over the past few months. The company started showing ads to customers on its Basic plan in November. “This change ensures that our free Basic users are able to continue connecting with friends, family, and colleagues with the same robust platform we have always offered,” Chief Marketing Officer at Zoom, Janine Pelosi, said about the changes.
