Google announces improved background effects, cloud processing for Meet on desktop – Times of India

Google Meet will now support “improved background and foreground separation” for web users, offering “more accurate background blur, background replace, immersive background and styles.” Moreover, Google Meet on the desktop will also use cloud processing on “devices that are not best designed for running real-time video effects.”
The tech giant has updated its blog post to reveal the new changes for its (recently unified) video calling platform. Google has confirmed that the company has already started rolling out these two updates for Meet on the desktop which will help the platform improve accuracy and minimise the performance impact of background effects.
Google Meet new update availability
The blog suggests that the improved background and foreground separation will be available for all users on eligible devices. Meanwhile, cloud-based processing will be available only to some select users which include — Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus customers, and Workspace Individual users on eligible devices in eligible countries in regions like –Northern America, Europe, Northern Africa, Central Asia, Southeastern Asia.

However, the cloud processing will not be available for Google Workspace Essentials, Business Starter, Enterprise Essentials, Education Fundamentals, Education Plus, Frontline, and Nonprofits, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers. Furthermore, this new update will also not be available for users with personal Google Accounts.
How will Google Meet use cloud-based processing for backgrounds
As per the blog, Google Meet will now use cloud-based processing on devices that are unable to run “real-time video effects.” The video calling service will now automatically adjust between device-based and cloud-based background effect processing “to offer the best possible experience.”

Apart from improving the video quality of the service, this feature also claims to “save battery and up to 30% of CPU” on the device. Initially, cloud processing will be used for background blur and light adjustment, but it is expected to be included in background place and additional effects in the upcoming days.