Elain Brown Tech 09.10.2022 02:Sep AM EDT

Google Plans To Equip ChromeOS with Background Blur, Video Call Tools

Google will soon release a background blur feature for ChromeOS.

Google is planning to add numerous features to ChromeOS that will help improve the quality of video calls.

Due to the pandemic, video calls have been on the rise. People are taking more and more calls both professionally and personally. These calls have changed the way numerous people work and interact, paving a new way of behavior among their users for several years.

Google is aware that most users are now utilizing apps like Meet, Zoom, Skype, Discord, and other widely used apps for video calling.

With that, Google plans to explore and release new features that will improve the experience of users.

Google's Background Blur for ChromeOS

Google is planning to implement a background blur feature using machine learning. According to 9To5Google, this means that it will only be available on newer ChromeOS devices.

There are different apps out there that offer their own unique ways to improve the quality of their video calls. Some apps have improved video call settings, like allowing the users to change their background, blur their surroundings, adjust lighting, add filters, and many more.

In the meantime, some more recent devices, such as Macs with Apple Silicon, come equipped with built-in video effects such as portrait blur and Center Stage reframing features that are compatible with all applications that make use of the camera on the device.

As can be seen in Google's latest source code, the project is now in progress. In addition, it appears that the ChromeOS team at Google is working toward the goal of recreating the built-in video camera effects found in MacOS.

Things will get rolling with the introduction of an option for built-in background blur, which is suspected to be released on top of a new feature that the company will introduce.

Google is currently testing the background blur feature on Chromebooks that have the 12th and 11th Gen Intel processors.

Aside from that, it is reported that the company will release not just the improved background blur feature but also additional features that users can use on Pixel mobile devices and other software.

The company is highly speculated to be working on an auto framing feature that sounds similar to what Google Duo offered. A Googler also mentioned that they are testing out the portrait lighting effect that is built into the Google Camera on Pixel phones.

Google Meet Improves Visual Effects

Google recently rolled out another improvement to its Meet software that is also inline with their initiative to focus on improving the video call experience of their customers.

The tech company recently released one of the most awaited features, improving the quality of background visual effects. This might not be the direct background blur or auto framing that is built into the ChromeOS, but the effort appears as though it might roll out sooner.

According to Chrome Unboxed, "When using Google Meet on the web, background effects will now look more accurate thanks to background and foreground separation improvements."

Users now have the ability to blur their background, replace it, or replace it with a video, an image, or an immersive background, any of which will help reduce the number of distractions that occur during meetings or make them more enjoyable.

Users also have the ability to apply styles to their videos in order to customize them using a variety of color filters, styles, backgrounds, and light.