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Hangouts gets improved screensharing & ambient noise filters, any Google account for work

Google-Hangouts-logoGoogle announced today that it’s introducing some new features for its Hangouts video calling service with some nice improvements specifically for Google Apps for Work customers. First up, Google is adding the ability for Google Apps for Work users to invite anyone with a Google account to join a Hangouts meeting through a URL.

That includes either a work or personal Google account, but does have some restrictions that Google outlines here. Google notes that “Uninvited guests can join only from a web browser” and “Joining from a mobile device is not currently supported.” Previously Google required users joining a meeting to have a Google apps account.

In addition, Google is rolling out other improvements for all Hangouts users today including new features for screensharing when presenting to a large group and improved ambient noise filters:

Easier to show what’s on your screen. Presenting to a large group? When using the screenshare app in Hangouts, you can now present to everyone in the meeting. No one needs to search for the right tiny screen to click on — presenters can now make their screen front and center for everybody, automatically…. Reducing ambient noise. When you’re in a video call, keyboard noise and other background sounds shouldn’t get in the way of your conversation. We’ve improved our ambient noise filters so now, instead of muting you entirely when you’re typing, we’ll detect the key clicks and only filter those out.

Google has more info on the tweaks to the screenshare app here.

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Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jordan Kahn

Jordan writes about all things Apple as Senior Editor of 9to5Mac, & contributes to 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, & Electrek.co. He also co-authors 9to5Mac’s weekly Logic Pros series and makes music as one half of Toronto-based Makamachine.