Zoom Rolls Out New Whiteboard and Gesture Recognition Features

The software company's new Gesture Recognition feature lets users physically raise their hands to notify attendees.

Video conferencing company Zoom has recently unveiled a series of new features in a bid to make virtual collaboration even easier.

Among the updates are a redesigned Zoom Whiteboard, a Gesture Recognition feature, and Zoom IQ for Sales, a tool that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze calls.

With the desire for flexible working conditions showing no signs of slowing down, it looks like Zoom will become even more of an asset to business leaders looking for effective ways to manage hybrid and remote workforces.

Zoom Welcomes New Features

Luckily for its current users, Zoom has recently released a slew of features aimed at drawing in more customers before the pandemic boom draws to a close.

Zoom Whiteboard feature

According to a recent blog post issued by the software giant, Zoom Whiteboard is one of the major new releases. The redesigned whiteboard experience has been built directly into Zoom desktop client, Zoom Meetings, and Zoom Rooms. The updated feature allows you to add images, sticky notes, shapes, and connectors to your whiteboard, making notetaking even more interactive.

Zoom has also added a new Gesture Recognition feature which allows you to physically gesture to raise rand in a meeting, instead of clicking on a reaction manually. However, this function is only available to those using a 5.10.3 version or later.

Colleagues on Zoom Call

Zoom IQ for Sales is another savvy tool that the company has recently added to its arsenal. The feature uses AI technology to analyze customer interactions in sales and content meetings. These useful insights can then be used by businesses to boost sales and operate more efficiently.

Finally, Zoom users are now able to disable in-meeting webinar chat notifications. This can make it easier for customers to focus on the call at hand, instead of tending to endless notifications.

Is Zoom really the best video conferencing software?

There’s no denying it, Zoom is one of the biggest video conferencing platforms around. However, despite its impressive industry standing and usership, is it really the best solution of there for businesses?

Well, according to our research, Zoom is an incredibly strong option — but it doesn’t take the crown. If it’s conference call software you’re up to, GoToMeeting is our top pick, due to its flawless video quality and affordability.

If you’re more concerned about video conferencing applications, Zoom falls short of GoToMeeting again. However, RingCentral, Google Meet, and Lifesize also offer promising alternatives.

Check out our Zoom pricing guide, and if you’re interested in comparing the top web conferencing solutions even further, you can refer to our table below.

0 out of 0
Price from
The lowest starting price for a paid plan. The lowest price available for your business will depend on your needs.
Free plan
Best for
Maximum participants
Pros
Cons

Beginners

Security

Google Workspace users

Microsoft 365 users

Team messaging

300

200

1000

300

50

  • Intuitive interface for beginners
  • Multi-language automated captions on all plans
  • Browser functionality (no download required)
  • End-to-end encryption
  • Live captions in 10 different languages
  • Saves chat logs
  • Easy integration with Google apps
  • Unlimited recordings and transcriptions
  • Live captions in 30 different languages
  • Integrates with Microsoft 365
  • Top tier team messaging
  • Massive selection of integrations
  • Design features for colorful meetings
  • Poor audio quality
  • Limited third party integrations
  • No end-to-end encryption with free plan
  • Limited project management tools
  • Spotty connectivity
  • Limited note-taking features
  • No gallery view for guests
  • Steep learning curve
  • Only 50 participants allowed for meetings
  • Free plan only allows one-on-one meetings
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Written by:
Isobel O'Sullivan (BSc) is a senior writer at Tech.co with over four years of experience covering business and technology news. Since studying Digital Anthropology at University College London (UCL), she’s been a regular contributor to Market Finance’s blog and has also worked as a freelance tech researcher. Isobel’s always up to date with the topics in employment and data security and has a specialist focus on POS and VoIP systems.
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