Google Meet’s New, Upcoming Mode Removes Distractions While You Walk

Google Meet will soon be less distracting while you're on the move.

The popular search giant had recently added a new interface to its Google Meet app that makes it usable at a glance, allowing users to better focus on their surroundings while moving.

Google has yet to implement this new interface as of press time.

Google Meet New Interface Details

Google Meet is one of the most popular video conferencing apps worldwide, especially during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic since many of us couldn't go to schools/offices to study/work.

However, as time passed, the fear of getting infected with COVID-19 lowered to the point it is now acceptable to go outside without wearing a mask. While that's true, it also means working at the office and going outside to work is necessary again, though remote work remains an option.

Thanks to Google Meet's capabilities, though, people can have audio or video conferences whenever possible, even when on the go. Unfortunately, the app's interface could prove distracting to those always on the move - a problem Google has a solution for.

The company reportedly added code for a new interface accessible in its new mode called "On-the-Go,' per Android Police citing a 9to5Google report. According to the publication, an Android phone would automatically ask its user if it wants to activate the mode if it detects they're walking during an audio or video call.

However, it is possible for the user to manually enable the mode in a call's overflow menu.

Using Google Meet's On-the-Go Mode for the first time will make a note appear that it turned off the phone's camera and video feed to and from participants to help the user focus on their surroundings. The mode's interface will only show the buttons of the app's four most important actions: a big unmute button, the button to raise your hand, an audio output switcher, and a smaller end call button at the very bottom of the screen.

There will also be a small X button to deactivate On-the-Go at any time. Closing On-the-Go will turn on the phone's camera and video feed, making the user viewable to the call's participants again.

Google Meet On-The-Go Mode Availability, Release Date

It is unknown which Android OS and/or Google Meet version will its On-the-Go mode be available on, as Google has yet to officially announce it to the public. However, the company had already added its code to Google Meet sometime ago, as previously mentioned.

However, with the pictures 9to5Google captured of the mode in action, it may be a matter of time before Google officially releases the feature to the public.

Regardless, this new mode is part of Google's efforts to make Google Meet a better background device; the company already started rolling out the ability for the app's web version to work with a new picture-in-picture experience on Google Chrome, which turns the small window into a mini app.