In a bid to enhance user experience and provide healthy competition to rivals like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, Google Meet has launched a unique and sophisticated feature - the portrait touch-up mode. Aimed at augmenting your look during video calls, this new capability sweeps in a range of beauty enhancements, from smoothing one's complexion to lightening under-eye zones and even brightening the eyes.
Diving deeper into the specifics, Google Meet grants its users two dynamic portrait modes - Subtle and Smoothing. Opt for a 'Subtle' touch or a more enhanced 'Smoothing' effect, depending on your mood or the seriousness of your work call. Each mode skillfully accentuates your appearance while maintaining a natural feel. Google explains in their announcement that these modes are meant to help users "feel their best," be it after a strenuous gym session or during those pesky jet-lagged days.
Interestingly, the feature has yet to be incorporated just for the sake of innovation. Google mentions that the portrait touch-up mode was developed in response to high demand from users. Reflecting on similar features available in other video-conferencing apps that allow users to apply virtual makeup or blur their skin, it is evident that this demand stems from the need to present one's best self in the virtual world.
However, there exist certain conditions for your path to moderated beauty on screen. Currently, users with personal Google accounts cannot access the feature. The portrait touch-up mode is exclusively available to premium account holders like Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Education Plus, Google One, and Google Workspace Individual. The launch, for now, is confined to mobile devices, with plans to bring the feature to the web platform by the end of 2023.
In conclusion, Google Meet's addition of the portrait touch-up mode is a strategic maneuver catering to an existing demand. While it ups the game against renowned rivals like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, it simultaneously promotes the premium plans by exclusively offering the feature to those users. Moving forward, it will be intriguing to watch how Google Meet further evolves to strike a balance between productivity and personal aesthetics in our increasingly digital video-conferencing world.