- Zoom on Portal to available in September.
- Zoom on Amazon Echo Show and Zoom on Google Nest Hub Max to be available by year-end.
Bengaluru: Zoom Video Communications is adding its video communication capabilities to smart displays such as Amazon Echo Show, Portal from Facebook, and Google Nest Hub Max to take advantage of the work-from-home environment.
Zoom on Portal is expected to be available publicly in September; Zoom on Echo Show and Zoom on Assistant-enabled Smart Displays, including Google Nest Hub Max are expected to be available by the end of the year.
As a part of Zoom for Home, Zoom Meeting users will be able to extend integrated calendar and HD video and audio for Zoom Meetings.
Oded Gal, Chief Product Officer at Zoom, said that it’s more apparent than ever that people are looking for easy-to-use displays for their video communications needs, both professionally and personally.
Video-conferencing apps have seen major surge in usage due to more people working from home as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Zoom’s mobile app had 173 million monthly active users in May, up from a mere 14 million in March.
Immersive calling experience
“Together, Portal and Zoom create an immersive calling experience that can go from powering your workday to connecting you with family and friends, with one dedicated device,” said Micah Collins, Director of Portal Product Management at Facebook.
Facebook’s Portal devices will be adding a Zoom app (along with new apps for BlueJeans, GoToMeeting, and Webex), and will rely on Facebook’s “smart camera” technology to keep you in the frame, just like it does for Facebook’s own Messenger and WhatsApp calls.
Zoom on Portal will be available on Portal Mini, Portal and Portal+ with support for Portal TV in the future.
“Portal’s big screen frees up your laptop so you can stay productive, while the AI-powered Smart Camera makes work and personal communication effortless by always keeping you in the frame,” Collins said.
Alexa customers will soon be able to join Zoom video conferences from select Echo Show devices in the US later this year, beginning with Echo Show 8.
“It’s more important than ever to offer features like these to help people stay connected with their friends, family, and co-workers,” said Brian Oliver, Director of Alexa Communication.
Zoom on Google Nest Hub Max will be fully integrated with Google Calendar and Google Assistant, customers will be able to enjoy hands-free controls with commands. “One of the most popular ways people use Assistant-enabled smart displays is for video calling, and we want people to be able to use the video calling service of their choice to keep in touch with friends and family,” said Lilian Rincon, Senior Director of Product Management, Google Assistant.