Zoom Launches Lots Of New Features Including Live Translation

Zoom is constantly improving and offering new features in its app. (photo: zoom)

JAKARTA – Zoom announced several upcoming updates at the Zoomtopia conference on Monday, September 13, including the addition of direct translation to the automatic direct transcription feature and the expansion of the whiteboard feature into a more full-featured application.

Automatic live transcription and closed captioning in English will be available in February 2021 for free Zoom accounts. Zoom also said it "plans to provide real-time transcription for (as many as 30 additional languages) by the end of next year."

As part of that push, Zoom will also offer translation services for paid accounts, with the aim of "supporting real-time translation in 12 languages by the end of next year."

The Zoom whiteboard feature will also undergo significant changes. Zoom currently lets you create and share whiteboards during meetings so you can doodle together while you talk, but later this year, a planned expansion will make Zoom Whiteboard available outside of meetings in the Zoom app and on the web.

The basic drawing tools appear to be the same as what Zoom currently offers; the main difference is that Whiteboard is treated as a product next to video calling, not a feature in it. On your board, you can then add sticky notes, pictures, and comments, and you can view them at any time.

Zoom will also be available in Facebook's Horizon Workrooms early next year. According to Zoom, shared VR meeting rooms will be able to host video meetings and connect to the Zoom Whiteboard. You can pin the Zoom Whiteboard to a virtual desk or wall for everyone to see in VR, and draw with colleagues in meetings via a traditional computer.

Zoom is also expanding its communications platform with apps that complement its Phone Meeting, Chat and Webinars offerings. The Zoom app has been integrated into the meeting workflow to provide a more immersive experience.

Other hybrid-inclusive and specific solutions, such as Hot Desking and Zoom Rooms Smart Gallery, were also announced. Hot Desking, according to Zoom, will allow employees to reserve desks and space in the office, with interactive maps and simple authentication. Individual video feeds of indoor participants created using AI in the Zoom Rooms Smart gallery. This solution is unique in that it allows those working remotely to feel included.

Zoomtopia adds many new features to the platform. Some of the new inclusive solutions, such as Rooms Smart Gallery and Horizon Workroom, are one-of-a-kind, but may take some time to implement.