In these strange times, people are turning to business video conferencing apps to share their cats and connect with friends during a nationwide quarantine.
Zoom has gained a lot of attention in recent weeks as Americans search for the right video chat app. Many have chosen this business-focused service because it includes Android users and allows for more video callers than Google Hangouts or FaceTime.
Despite some serious privacy concerns with Zoom, people are diving into the app, even if they aren't entirely sure how to use it. That's where these five essential Zoom features come in handy to make the most of your video calls:
1. Virtual Background: One of the standout features is the virtual background. You can change your Zoom background to add some fun to your calls. Whether it's to hide a messy room or to spice things up, customize your background by clicking on the arrow next to "Stop Video" in the lower left and choosing "Choose Virtual Background." You can even add images or videos as your background.
2. Hotkeys: Zoom offers a range of built-in hotkeys to help you navigate the app more efficiently. For instance, on Mac, you can quickly turn your camera on/off with Command+Shift+V. You can customize these hotkeys in the "Keyboard Shortcuts" section of the settings.
3. Copy Invitation: In the settings menu, there's an option under "General" to automatically copy the meeting invitation link to your clipboard when you start a call. It's a small time-saver for those who frequently initiate Zoom calls.
4. Overcoming Time Limits: The 40-minute time limit on free video calls can be a hurdle. However, there are ways to bypass this limitation without paying. Some users have hosted long calls without interruptions, and you can easily start another call if needed. Alternatively, you can pay $15 for a month of unlimited calls.
5. "Touch Up My Appearance": In the video settings, you can enable "Touch Up My Appearance," which applies a soft focus to make your skin look better on camera. It's a simple feature that might come in handy if you don't have time to prepare before a call.
These tips cover some of the essential Zoom features to enhance your video conferencing experience. While teleconferencing might not be the ideal way to interact with friends, we can make the most of the situation.