Author: Mobile Syrup

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You’ll soon be able to send original quality images on WhatsApp

One of the major drawbacks of using WhatsApp is that it compresses images sent over the messaging service.

Now, as spotted by WABetaInfo in WhatsApp beta for Android ‘2.23.2.11 update,’ WhatsApp finally seems to be working on a new feature to allow users to send photos in their original quality.

It’s worth noting that a feature already available in WhatsApp, called ‘Media Upload Quality,’ lets you select between ‘Auto,’ ‘Best Quality,’ and ‘Data Saver’ options to send images. However, even with ‘Best Quality’ selected, WhatsApp doesn’t send photos in their original quality, and compresses them ever so slightly. This allows for faster messages and less storage space taken up.

With the new Beta update, however, WhatsApp plans to integrate a new setting icon within the drawing tool header where users would be able to configure the quality of photos being sent, including ‘original quality.’

The new feature is included in the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.2.11 but is currently under development and not yet available to beta testers. It’s unclear if this new feature will also extend to videos sent on the platform. There is also no release timeline for the new photo quality picker.

Source: WABetaInfo

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Mobile Syrup

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra spotted in unboxing with camera samples

It looks like Samsung’s S23 Ultra has been unboxed on Twitter. Videos shared by Edward Urbina show off the upcoming smartphone’s ‘Cotton Flower’ colour variant.

It’s unclear how Urbina got his hands on the device early but based on pictures he’s posted, the device looks to match up with leaked renders and rumours.

Urbina has also shared several sample images (seen above) that show off the smartphone’s improved low-light performance and telephoto images. The device is rumoured to feature a 200-megapixel primary shooter, and thanks to its larger sensors, it offers improved low-light performance. However, telephoto-wise, the cameras are the same, so we shouldn’t see anything too different this time around.

The S23 Ultra, alongside the S23 and S23+, will launch on February 1st.

Source: @edwards_uh Source: 9to5Google

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Mobile Syrup

Everything you need to know about streaming services in Canada

Does anyone reading this have traditional cable TV? I can’t even remember when I last paid for cable TV. When my family first dropped cable, Netflix was really the only streaming service in town… assuming you don’t count pirating content.

However, since then, many more streaming services have come onto the scene, making a vast amount of content easily accessible. While Canada doesn’t have every major streaming service that our neighbour to the south does, in researching this piece, I found that Canadians have access to many more streaming platforms than I initially thought.

This article is by no means a comprehensive list of streaming services available in Canada. There’s a lot out there, to say the least, and plenty of bad ones, too. Instead, this article is a great resource to discover a new streaming service for your favourite genres and see how different services compare in quality.

Let’s get into it:

Netflix

Netflix is perhaps the most popular streaming service in the world. Despite recent questions about user growth, the platform has maintained chiefly its first-mover advantage. Netflix’s catalogue is quite broad, appealing to every demographic and genre. Additionally, Netflix has rapidly expanded its original content library and has ventured into the mobile gaming space over the past few years.

Unlike some of the other major players on this list, video streaming is essentially Netflix’s whole business. As a result, the service is pretty pricy. Netflix offers four tiers for consumers to choose from: Basic with ads, Basic, Standard and Premium.

Basic with ads is Netflix’s latest pricing tier costing $5.99 per month, allowing for one stream at a time and 720p HD video quality. As the name implies, you’ll also see ads. One thing to note is while this tier may save you some cash, not all of Netflix’s library is available.

Basic, Standard, and Premium tiers remove ads, give users access to Netflix’s entire content library, and allow offline downloads. Basic maintains only one simultaneous stream and 720p HD video quality for $9.99 per month. Standard is $16.99 per month, allowing for two concurrent streams of up to 1080p video quality. Finally, for $20.99 per month, you can have up to four simultaneous streams at 4K video quality. Netflix does not offer a free trial.

Netflix is available on iOS, Android, Xbox, PlayStation, desktop and more.

Disney+

Disney+ was long thought to be the Netflix killer and streaming service champion. While Disney+ hasn’t yet achieved that, it’s still a successful streaming service featuring content from the Disney vault, with Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, National Geographic, and 20th Century Fox under its Star banner.

While Disney+ is widely viewed as the go-to children’s service, it’s also the ultimate place for Star Wars and Marvel fans. Additionally, Disney+ features a lot of mature content like Family Guy and the Simpsons, thanks to Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox.

Disney+ is $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year, with offline downloading and simultaneous streaming for up to four devices. Disney+ features 1,600+ movies and 28,000+ episodes with 100+ titles in 4K resolution.

Disney+ is available on iOS, Android, Xbox, PlayStation, desktop and more.

Apple TV+

Unlike Netflix, which focuses on quantity, Apple TV+ focuses on quality. While Apple TV+’s content library is probably the smallest on this list, it is likely the best in terms of quality. Apple has invested vast sums of money per show in getting some of the best actors, writers, and cinematographers. Additionally, nearly all of the content on Apple TV+ supports Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision and is 4K quality.

Apple TV+ does its best to appeal to a wide range of audiences, but because of its limited library, there are few shows per genre. If you’re interested in a wide range of genres, Apple TV+ may be a good choice, featuring shows like Severance, Ted Lasso, and the Morning Show.

Despite the name, Apple TV+ is available on a wide range of devices, both Apple and non-Apple. The service is $6.99 per month or $69 per year. Alternatively, Apple TV+ is included in every tier of an Apple One bundle. Apple TV+ is also sharable with up to six people at no additional cost when using Apple’s Family Sharing feature. Users can try Apple TV+ out for free with a 7-day trial or three months free with a purchase of an eligible Apple device.

Apple TV+ is available on iOS, macOS, Xbox, PlayStation, desktop and more.

Crave

Crave is Canada’s go-to streaming service for watching HBO, HBO Max, and Starz content. In addition to popular HBO content, Crave offers Star Trek, Harry Potter, and originals like Canada’s Drag Race. Crave is actually uniquely Canadian, being owned and operated by Bell Media.

Crave offers two tiers: Crave Mobile and Crave Total. Mobile-only allows for streaming on the web or the Crave mobile app. Streams are limited to one at a time, and the resolution is limited to 720p. Additionally, casting and offline downloads are not available. The offline downloads part is odd to be omitted from the mobile-focused tier, but here we are. Crave Mobile is $9.99 per month or $99.90 per year.

Crave Total, on the other hand, is $19.99 per month or $199.90 per year. For that extra $10 per month, users get access to four simultaneous streams, 1080p and 4K video quality, offline downloads, and the ability to cast to their television or streaming box. It is also possible to subscribe to Crave through your cable provider.

Crave is available on iOS, Android, Xbox, PlayStation, desktop and more.

Amazon Prime Video

While Amazon may be most well known for its fast delivery, the company also offers a Video Streaming platform as part of its Prime membership. Personally, I’m not a massive fan of the content selection on Prime Video, having only ever watched The Man in the High Castle and Two and a half Men. However, I’ve heard others say positive things about the service. Prime Video features a wide range of content catering to various interests and demographics.

Prime Video is a nice perk if you’re already subscribed to Amazon Prime. Prime Video on its own is $8.99 per month, while the Amazon Prime membership is $14.99 per month or $139 per year. A neat feature of Prime Video is it’s also a store where you can rent or buy movies or subscribe to “Channels” to access more content at an additional cost.

Prime Video is available on iOS, macOS, Android, Xbox, PlayStation, desktop and more.

Discovery+

Discovery+ is a streaming service featuring a wide range of content from channels like HGTV, TLC, the Food Network, Discovery, and animal planet. Discovery+ features over 70,000 episodes of content, including its own Discovery+ originals. Discovery+ is available to stream on a wide range of devices and costs $4.99 per month with ads or $6.99 per month without ads. A decent deal compared to many other platforms on this list if lifestyle content on the service appeals to you. However, there is no free trial.

Discovery+ is available on iOS, Android, Xbox, desktop and more.

Paramount+

Paramount+ features blockbusters and originals from the Paramount brand, such as Yellowstone and Halo. Paramount+ offers content ranging from dramas to reality TV to comedies to SciFi. The service costs $9.99 per month and offers a seven-day free trial.

Paramount+ is available on iOS, Android, PlayStation, desktop and more.

CBC Gem

CBC Gem is an impressive streaming service for its size. Being from CBC, the service is only available to Canadians and features primarily Canadian content such as Workin’ Moms and Dragons’ Den. The service is predominantly free, supported by ads with limited access to live TV. However, for $4.99 per month, you subscribe to CBC Gem Premium, removing the ads and gaining access to CBC News live. CBC Gem offers a 30-day trial.

CBC Gem is available on iOS, Android, Fire TV, Chromecast, desktop and more.

YouTube Premium

Many may not consider YouTube a streaming service, but I do. YouTube competes for our attention just like any other streaming service. Of course, YouTube is free with ads. However, there’s a YouTube Premium subscription that I have subscribed to for years and absolutely love. When you sign up for YouTube Premium, you get access to offline downloads, background play, and an ad-free experience.

As someone who watches a ton of YouTube, eliminating the ads makes YouTube feel completely different. Some of you may say to install an ad-blocker, and while that’s always an option, I like knowing I’m supporting the creators of my favourite channels.

YouTube Premium is $11.99 per month and offers a 30-day free trial.

YouTube Premium is available anywhere you can download the YouTube app, including iOS, Android, Xbox, PlayStation, desktop and more.

Niche Services

Above I shared the largest and most popular streaming services available in Canada. However, there are several smaller niche streaming services too! Here’s a quick breakdown of their focus and cost so you can decide if they interest you.

Hayu is all about reality TV. The service features categories like The Real Housewives, The Kardashians, and Romance. Hayu is $6.99 per month, $33.99 for six months, or $61.99 for 12 months. All plans offer a seven-day free trial. Hayu is available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Xbox, desktop and more. 

Crunchyroll is a streaming service that exclusively delivers anime content. Crunchyroll is free to join with ads or offers two premium tiers: Fan and Mega Fan. Signing up for either premium tier allows users to watch new episodes one-hour after their stream in Japan, access Crunchyroll’s digital manga library, and removes all ads.

The Fan Tier is $9.99 monthly and allows streaming on a single device without offline viewing. The Mega Fan tier is $12.49 per month or $124.99 per year and allows users to stream on up to four devices with offline viewing. Both subscriptions offer a 14-day free trial. Crunchyroll is available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Xbox, desktop and more. 

If you’re a big fan of horror movies, then Shudder is the service for you. Shudder offers an algorithm-free, ad-free experience for horror, thriller, and supernatural films. Shudder is $4.75 per month with a 7-day free trial. Shudder is available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Xbox, desktop and more. 

You may have heard about Nebula from your favourite YouTuber. Nebula is an education-focused streaming service created by countless popular content creators and Curiosity Stream. Nebula features an ad-free experience, offline downloading, and original content that YouTube would generally deprioritize or demonetize. Nebula costs $5 per month or $50 per year. Nebula is available on iOS, Apple TV, Android, Roku, Fire TV and desktop.

Speaking of Curiosity Stream, it’s a documentary service with thousands of titles. Curiosity Stream offers two tiers: Standard and Premium. The Standard tier is $4 per month or $26.75 per year, with the ability to stream on a single device in HD quality and download content for offline viewing. Meanwhile, the Premium tier costs $13.50 per month or $94 per year with the addition of simulations, 4K streaming and bundled access to Nebula. Curiosity Stream is available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Xbox, desktop and more. 

History Vault is another documentary streaming service run by the History Channel. While this service is not a full History Channel replacement for cable cutters, it does offer a wide selection of History Channel content and popular documentary series. History Vault is $7 per month or $65 per year. History Vault is available on iOS, Apple TV, Android, Fire TV, and Roku. 

If you’re interested in British content, Britbox or AcornTV may suit your fancy. Both offer thousands of hours of British TV shows and movies. BritBox is $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year. AcornTV is $8.99 per month. Both offer a 7-day free trial. Britbox is available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, desktop and more. AcornTV is available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, desktop and more.

Out TV is the go-to streaming service for LGBTQ+ TV series, movies, and documentaries. Out TV offers a 7-day free trial and is $3.99 per month, $21.99 for 6 months, or $39.99 per year. Out TV is also available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, desktop and as a Channel on Prime Video or the Apple TV app.

The Criterion Channel offers 1,000+ classic and contemporary films. The Criterion Channel is $10.00 per month or $99.99 per year. Additionally, new subscribers can get a 14-day free trial. The Criterion Channel is available on iOS, Android, Xbox, desktop and more.

Free Services

Who doesn’t like free stuff? Well, there are a few free streaming services available to Canadians. Content availability varies between these services, but they’re worth checking out to see if there’s anything of interest to you. 

Tubi is ad supported. Knowledge is free as part of B.C.’s public broadcaster. Kanopy is accessible through your local public library or post-secondary institution. Pluto TV is a newcomer to Canada, offering hundreds of channels with both live and on-demand content, all for free. Tubi is available on iOS, Android, Xbox, Playstation, desktop and more. Knowledge is available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, and desktop. Kanopy is available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, desktop, and more. Pluto TV is available on iOS, Android, Windows, desktop, and more.

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Here’s what to expect from Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Unpacked event

Like every year, Samsung has announced that it will unveil its new S series smartphones at an upcoming Unpacked keynote.

This year’s keynote takes place on February 1st at 1pm ET/10am PT. The video will stream on the South Korean tech giant’s website and YouTube.

During the keynote, we expect to catch a glimpse of the Galaxy S23 series:

Galaxy S23 Ultra

Samsung’s event will almost certainly reveal the Galaxy S23 Ultra, S23+ and smaller S23. The trio of devices will reportedly feature a ‘Canadybar’ design, with the S23 Ultra offering a similar shape to the S22 Ultra (the new Note). The main highlight of this year’s top-of-the-line Galaxy will be its 200-megapixel primary camera, alongside its high-level specs and S-Pen.

Here are some of the specs we expect to see in Samsung’s 2023 Ultra flagship:

  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Android 13, One UI 5
  • 8GB of RAM, 12GB of RAM
  • 256GB of storage, 512GB of storage, 1TB of storage
  • 6.8-inch, 1440 x 3080-pixel resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
  • IP68 water/dust resistant
  • Stylus 9ms latency, Bluetooth integration
  • 200-megapixel, 10-megapixel f/4.9 (periscope telephoto) 10x optical zoom, 10-megapixel f/2.4 (telephoto) 3x optical zoom, 12-megapixel f/2.2
  • 8K video recording at 24fps, 4K video recording at 30/60fps
  • 12-megapixel f/2.2 selfie camera
  • 5,000mAh battery
  • 45W fast charging
  • ‘Phantom Black,’ ‘Botanic Green,’ ‘Misty Lilac’ and ‘Cottom Flower’

A previous leak of the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s Australian price — $1,950 AUD (roughly $1,833 CAD) — indicated the phone would cost about $100 more compared to last year’s S22 Ultra. However, leaked U.S. carrier pricing suggests there might not be a price increase. It remains to be seen what happens with the Canadian price.

S23/ S23+

Samsung’s event will also have the S23 and S23+, which will offer weaker specs than the Ultra variant.

So here’s what we expect to see on the S23 and S23+

  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Android 13, One UI 5
  • 8GB of RAM
  • 128GB of storage (S23 only), 256GB of storage, 512GB of storage (S23+ only) 
  • 6.6-inch, 1080 x 2340-pixel resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ (S23+) 
  • 6.1-inch, 1080 x 2340-pixel resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ (S23) 
  • IP68 water/dust resistant
  • 50-megapixel, 10-megapixel 3x optical zoom, 12-megapixel
  • 8K video recording at 24fps, 4K video recording at 30/60fps
  • 10-megapixel f/2.2 selfie camera
  • 4,700mAh battery (S23+) 
  • 3,900mAh battery (S23) 
  • 25W charging (S23) 
  • 45W charging (S23+) 
  • ‘Botanic Green,’ ‘Phantom Black,’ ‘Cotton Flower,’ Purple’

The 128GB S23 model would cost $1,350 AUD (roughly $1,269 CAD), and the S23+ costs $1,650 AUD ( roughly $1,551 CAD).

What else can we see

Samsung’s Galaxy Book 3 is also rumoured to make an appearance at the S23 reveal.

There will reportedly be a number of Galaxy Book 3 variants, including the Book 3, Book 3 360, Book 3 Pro, Book 3 Pro 360 and Book 3 Ultra. In the U.S., you can already pre-reserve a Book 3 device.

The Book 3 Ultra will be equipped with the new 13th Gen Intel Core i9 processor with up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of memory, according to GizmoChina. The device also sports a 3K 16-inch AMOLED screen with a 2880 x 1800-pixel resolution.

The Book 3 Pro, on the other hand, will have displays that measure in at 14 and 16 inches and come with a 3K AMOLED display.  You can also expect Core i5 and i7 processors, 16GB of RAM up to 1TB of storage and an Intel Iris XE graphics card.

While we know all three smartphones will be available in Canada, it’s unclear which laptops will be making it to the North.

Oddly, we’re not expecting any new earbuds or tablets this year.

Image credit: @evleaks

Source: WinFuture, Max Weinbach, GizmoChina, @_snoopytech_, SamMobile, 91mobiles

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Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra rumoured to offer better ‘portrait video’

Samsung Galaxy S23 series won’t have a lot new; however, rumour has it that we’ll see a better ‘portrait video’ to the S23 Ultra.

The Galaxy S23 Ultra will reportedly be able to separate the subject from the background better and will work with higher resolution and frame rates — 4K at 30fps. This would match what’s available on the iPhone 13 and 14 devices.

While the S22 Ultra also had Portrait video, it was limited to 1080p at 30fps.

This leak comes from Ice Universe on Weibo, who hasn’t said whether the S23 and S23+ would also get this update. Ice also says that the thermal control on the S23 Ultra is “relatively good,” which means it won’t overheat while in this mode.

Samsung will officially unveil the S23 Ultra and all its features at its Unpacked event on February 1st.

Source: 9to5Google, Ice Universe

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Apple’s rumoured mixed reality headset could be called ‘Reality Pro,’ offer iOS-like features

More rumours about Apple’s virtual reality/augmented reality (VR/AR) headset have appeared.

According to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, the often-rumoured VR/AR headset will feature an ‘iOS-like” operating system with “many functions” already available on the iPhone and iPad, making it “feel familiar to Apple users.” This includes a home screen with app icons that can be arranged and customizable widgets.

Gurman goes on to say that the headset — rumoured to be called the ‘Reality Pro’ — will allow wearers to see their Mac’s display in VR, while controlling it with a physical keyboard and trackpad/mouse (Apple is working on air typing but it reportedly won’t be available at launch). The headset’s “major selling point” will be external cameras that track the user’s hands and eyes, removing the need for a physical controller like Meta’s competing Quest Pro and Quest 2 use. This technology could give Apple a unique advantage in the mixed reality (MR) space — of course, if it actually works.

Other reported features include the ability to switch between AR and VR on the fly, overlaying virtual objects in the real-world and a pass-through feature that can be activated with a Digital Crown-like knob.

On the app side, Apple’s VR headset will reportedly feature FaceTime-like video chat and virtual meeting rooms, along with VR content from notable companies like Disney and Dolby. Apple TV+ content will also be optimized for the headset, says Bloomberg. Other compatible apps include Safari, Photos, Mail, Messages, Apple TV+, Apple Music, Calendar and Podcasts. There will also be an App Store that features third-party content and Siri compatibility.

According to the report, Battery life will reportedly come in at roughly two hours thanks to a swappable external battery pack. Those who wear glasses will also be pleased to learn that this report corroborates earlier rumours regarding custom lenses that sit directly within the headset.

Previous reports indicate Apple’s VR headset features dual Micro OLED 4k Displays and a price tag of roughly $3,000 USD (about $3,736 CAD).

Generally speaking, Gurman’s latest reporting regarding Apple’s MR headset backs up much of what The Information reported at the beginning of January, indicating that there’s likely at least some level of truth to these rumours.

While the tech giant’s plans could change once again given its VR/AR headset has been delayed multiple times, most rumours point to Apple’s VR headset launching at some point in 2023.

Source: Bloomberg Via: MacRumors

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Google might be working on Profiles for Google Messages

After expanding end-to-end encryption to group chats in Google Messages in December 2022, Google is now reportedly working on profiles for Messages.

Reddit user u/seeareeff recently shared a screenshot of what appears to be a setting menu for “Profile” in Messages, with toggles for ‘Profile Sharing,’ ‘Notifications for contact updates’ and ‘Notifications for new contacts found.’

The feature, if implemented, would allow users to create their own profiles using their email addresses or their phone number, and upload a profile photo to personalize the profile. There may also be a visibility option to select who can view the profile, such as ‘public,’ ‘contacts,’ or ‘only you,’ similar to how profiles work on other popular messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram.

According to some of the comments in the Reddit thread, the UI for Profiles has been in the app for “the past couple months,” but it’s not implemented, and is “just a bare bones UI.”

It’s worth noting that the Profiles feature is not yet functional in the Google Messages app, and it’s unclear when it will be made available to the public. However, the addition of profiles to Google Messages will bring a new level of personalization to the app, and bring it on level terms with applications like WhatsApp and Messenger.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Source: Reddit ‘seeareeff‘

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Film outlining BlackBerry’s rise and fall to premiere at Berlin International Film Festival

A film outlining the rise and fall of the Canadian smartphone company behind BlackBerry will make its world premiere next month.

Aptly titled “BlackBerry,” the movie follows the work of Research in Motion (RIM), the company that created the iconic smartphone.

As The Canadian Press reports, the movie is directed by Matt Johnson and will premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival. Jay Baruchel will play Mike Lazaridis, and Glenn Howerton will portray Jim Balsillie.

Lazaridis Balsillie co-founded RIM in 1984 in Waterloo, Ontario. Originally focusing on wireless data, it moved on to consumer devices, including smartphones. The Blackberry was once the most popular smartphone in the world, but the company was unable to keep up with the competition, notably Apple.

I wonder if Ontario Premier Doug Ford will watch the movie.

Source: The Canadian Press

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OnePlus Buds Pro 2 to launch with Spatial Audio

OnePlus’ February 7th event is all about the company’s upcoming flagship OnePlus 11, and the updated Buds Pro 2.

While we already know a lot about the OnePlus 11, the company has detailed new information about the Buds Pro 2.

For starters, the new buds will feature 11mm woofers and 6mm drivers for deep sound, as well as new ‘MelodyBoost drivers’ for improved vocals and balanced bass. Further, Spatial Audio is finally coming to the OnePlus buds, which means users of the upcoming buds would be able to move their heads in different directions while the music would seem to stay in one spot, replicating a wider soundstage and giving the feeling of being at a live performance.

In addition to spatial audio, the Buds Pro 2 will also feature Google’s Fast Pair. The feature allows users to easily connect the earbuds to new devices and switch between them using the same Google account. Additionally, the Buds Pro 2 will include a Pixel Buds Pro-exclusive feature called ‘smart audio switching,’ which allows users to switch between connected devices using machine learning.

For example, if you are listening to Spotify on your tablet and a call comes through on your smartphone, it will automatically transfer the audio over. Users can also switch back via a notification if the software has made a mistake at any point. The feature is similar to how Apple AirPods can quickly switch audio between an iPhone, Mac, and iPad.

Pricing for the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 has not yet been confirmed, but more information will be available on February 7th.

Source: @OnePlus_IN Via: 9to5Google

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Google Meet, Zoom to roll out hardware interoperability on January 26

As promised back in October 2022, Google and Zoom are now rolling out support for interoperability between Google’s Meet platform and Zoom’s video calling software.

That means you can now hop onto a Meet call from a Zoom Room (as the name implies, a room for Zoom) and use Meet hardware for Zoom calls. Before you get too excited, this doesn’t appear to allow anyone to hop onto a Zoom call using Google Meet (or vice versa) — it’s interoperability for the in-office hardware used to combine in-person and remote workers into one meeting.

Unfortunately, that means if you absolutely despise Zoom’s awful interface and detest using it (like I do) this is not the escape you’re looking for.

Anyway, it’s worth keeping in mind that interoperability only supports “core video conferencing features,” according to Google:

“Some advanced features, such as polls, wired present, and dual-screen support may not be available when using Meet hardware to join Zoom Meetings and vice versa… Scheduled join and join via meeting code will be supported, as will the ability to configure no-knock joining (lobby bypass) in either direction.”

Interoperability will be available at no additional cost. Moreover, Google notes that it offers similar interoperability between Meet and Cisco Webex and Pexip also offers the ability to join Meet meetings.

The features will be available starting January 26th (Meet integration in Zoom Rooms will be available right away, while Zoom on Meet hardware could take up to 15 days to roll out). Learn more here.

Source: Google Via: Android Police