Your Google Meet calls are about to get a lot more immersive, you lucky things

360 degree video backgrounds are now available

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Having recently expanded its range ofimmersive backgroundsforGoogle Meetcalls, which add minute animated touches to backdrops such as an apartment and a cafe,Googlenow thinks it’s got something better.

The new “dynamic experiences” wereannouncedin theGoogle WorkspaceUpdates weekly recap for February 17, 2023, consisting of two new 360 degree backgrounds - a beach and a temple - using your phone’s gyroscope, and the power of artificial intelligence, to seamlessly move the background as you do.

The new additions are now available for use onvideo conferencingcalls on Android and iOS devices for all Google Workspace and Personal accounts, although Google do point out that admins have the ability (and, let’s be honest, sworn duty) toturn off whimsical backgrounds at work.

Analysis: Not this again

Let’s get it out of the way: The backgrounds are well done, in the sense that they’re high fidelity and the transitions in motion are seamless.

The issue is that they’re so obviously static images that they look even more devoid of personality than the already available “immersive backgrounds”, or, God forbid, the actual real world space you exist in.

TechRadar Procoversthisstuffalot, and my take, at least, is always very reliable: please don’t force me to smile at template whimsy, as I would rather be renditioned.

New Google Meet emoji reactions will let your co-workers know exactly how you feel>Microsoft Teams vs Google Meet: Which video conferencing service is best?>We’ve also listed the best business webcams right now

You shouldn’t be this embarrassed about your office or bedroom backdrop unless you have a shrine to Harry Potter. We all know you’re not getting a tan on the beach, you’re cooped up in your semi-detached, wondering where it all went wrong, and if they’re coming back. It’s fine, we’re all here for you.

Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!

You have to think of the progress we’d make if tech companies took the developers working on this stuff and gave them something of literally any worth to Google Meet, or life itself, to get on with.

Luke Hughes holds the role of Staff Writer at TechRadar Pro, producing news, features and deals content across topics ranging from computing to cloud services, cybersecurity, data privacy and business software.

7 myths about email security everyone should stop believing

Best Usenet client of 2024

Phishing attacks surge in 2024 as cybercriminals adopt AI tools and multi-channel tactics