In a major update, Google Meet will soon allow Android users to create customised AI-generated backgrounds for their video meetings, enhancing the platform’s features and user experience.
In a significant update to its video conferencing platform, Google Meet is set to bring AI-powered meeting backgrounds to its Android users, enhancing the app’s functionality which makes it stand out amidst numerous other video chat applications. This feature debuted on the web version last year and now extends its reach to Android devices as demonstrated in a recent APK teardown by tech site Android Authority.
This new capability, fuelled by Google’s AI system known as Gemini, will allow users to generate custom backgrounds for their meetings. According to the findings from Android Authority, the feature is embedded in the latest Google Meet version, 277.0.693808058.duo.android_20241105.16_p1. Though still in the developmental stages, it provides a glimpse into how Android users will soon have the ability to craft their meeting landscapes directly from their mobile devices.
Users will be able to access the “Generate a background” option within the Effects menu of the app. Upon selection, they are directed to a prompt page where they can input their desired imagery, such as “a street with colourful walls,” to create personalised backgrounds. The app generates the background in real time, allowing users to preview and make tweaks before joining meetings. The system also supports re-generating prompts for varied results, thus offering some level of creative control over the generated images.
In addition to this, the feature is set to include various visual styles for these AI-generated images. Users can choose from a range that includes Photography, Sci-fi, Illustration, 3D Animation, Fantasy, and Monochrome. In a nod to the festive season, a Christmas-themed style is also being introduced, although this is, for now, exclusive to the Android version with no immediate plans for web integration. This aligns with Google’s strategy to expand upon the initial rollout last year, providing unique experiences for users equipped with either the Google Workspace Labs or specific Google subscriptions like Gemini for Google Workspace add-on and the Google One AI Premium.
While the AI backgrounds are not yet accessible on Android to the general public, there’s an anticipation of its imminent release as the development appears nearly complete. This will provide users a novel way to personalise their meeting environments, thereby enhancing the overall virtual interaction experience.
As the rollout details are anticipated, users look forward to integrating these dynamic backgrounds into their professional and personal virtual meetings, signalling another step in the evolving functionalities of Google Meet.
Source: Noah Wire Services
More on this & verification
- https://www.phonearena.com/news/android-users-of-google-meet-could-be-getting-ai-generated-backgrounds-soon_id163686 – Corroborates the upcoming feature of AI-generated backgrounds for Google Meet on Android, highlighting its current availability on the web version and the expected rollout to Android devices.
- https://support.google.com/meet/answer/13784433?hl=en – Details how to use the ‘Generate a background’ prompt in Google Meet on the web version, including entering prompts and selecting styles, which is expected to be similar on Android.
- https://www.androidauthority.com/google-meet-ai-backgrounds-android-3489795/ – Provides evidence from an APK teardown that Google is working on bringing AI-generated backgrounds to the Android version of Google Meet, similar to the web version.
- https://www.androidpolice.com/google-meet-android-ai-background-images/ – Confirms the development of AI-generated backgrounds for Google Meet on Android, noting its current limitation to the web version and the requirement for specific subscriptions like Gemini for Google Workspace or Google One AI Premium.
- https://support.google.com/meet/answer/13954947?hl=en – Explains the availability of the ‘Generate a background’ feature through Google Workspace Labs and specific subscriptions, and how users can create and customize background images using AI.
- https://www.phonearena.com/news/android-users-of-google-meet-could-be-getting-ai-generated-backgrounds-soon_id163686 – Mentions the integration of the ‘Generate a background’ feature in the Effects menu on Android, aligning with the web version’s functionality.
- https://www.androidauthority.com/google-meet-ai-backgrounds-android-3489795/ – Details the expected functionality of the Android version, including the ability to input prompts and select styles for the generated backgrounds.
- https://www.androidpolice.com/google-meet-android-ai-background-images/ – Highlights the creative control users will have over the generated images, including editing prompts and generating multiple samples.
- https://support.google.com/meet/answer/13784433?hl=en – Lists the various visual styles available for AI-generated images, such as Photography, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy, which will also be available on the Android version.
- https://www.phonearena.com/news/android-users-of-google-meet-could-be-getting-ai-generated-backgrounds-soon_id163686 – Discusses the anticipation of the feature’s imminent release and its potential to enhance the virtual interaction experience for users.
- https://www.androidpolice.com/google-meet-android-ai-background-images/ – Notes that the feature is still in the developmental stages but is expected to be released soon, providing a novel way to personalize meeting environments.
