Collaboration Services News and Updates

Introducing Google Meet’s new layout

Recently, Google announced a refreshed look is coming to Google Meet which also introduces movable and resizable video feeds, consolidated controls, clearer speaker indicators, and the ability to more easily see what you are presenting. Below is the full list of updates and differences from the old look and new look.

Feature Availability

This feature is currently rolling out to our domain and is anticipated to be available by June 17, 2021. Some may see it before others even if in the same Meet, so don’t panic if you don’t see it yet!

Change List

Video Feeds:

• Hover over your video feed for options between a tile in the grid or a floating picture. You can also resize, reposition, and hide it to concentrate on the call.
• Your self-view appears in the bottom right of the grid to put more video feeds at eye-level as you look into the camera.

Viewing and presenting experience:

• See what you are presenting while in Google Meet.
• Unpin the content you or others share to see more and larger video feeds.
• Participant names are always visible regardless of meeting size.

Bottom bar: 

• Meeting dial-in codes, attachments, the participants list, chat, and other activities are at the bottom right to create more vertical space for seeing people and content.
• Controls are consolidated in one place with descriptions available upon hover.
• Leave call button is moved away from the microphone and camera buttons to prevent accidental call hang-ups.
• Bottom bar is always visible, while not covering captions and bottom video feeds.

Other visual updates:

• When someone speaks, their tile is outlined in blue.
• Mute indicators are subdued to reduce visual distraction.
• When there are more participants than can be shown on the grid, a tile is added so you always remember who’s on the call.

Layout changes

The following numbers represent the locations of layout elements in both the new and old layout:

1. Host controls quick access menu (only appears if you are the host, also found under “More options” → “Host controls”)
2. “Chat with everyone” panel
3. “Show everyone” menu
4. “Meeting details” information panel
5. “Leave call” button
6. “More options” menu
7. “Present now” button
8. “Raise hand” button
9. “Turn on captions” button
10. “Turn on / off camera” button
11. “Turn on / off microphone” button
12. Time
13. Self-view panel options
14. Activities menu (if you are in a meeting with Activities available)

Old layout

New layout

Categories Google Feature Updates and Changes, Google Meet, Google Workspace News