At Google’s I/O conference this year, the company previewed something called ‘Companion Mode’ for Google Meet. It’s billed as a way to help level out access to collaborative tools in a hybrid work environment. Basically, it was created to connect everyone in a remote team while giving them access to all of the same tools, despite the device they dial in from. In many ways, it’s able to be used as a second screen experience or ‘companion’ to the primary web application for calls.
With this new mode which will be rolling out in September (coming soon to mobile), Google wants to give every meeting participant access to interactive features like screen sharing, hand raising, Q&A, live captions, in-meeting chat, polls, and more whether they’re on their Chromebook, desktop, phone, or in some cases, even smart displays. Additionally, to help meeting organizers better plan for such hybrid meetings, invitees will soon be able to RSVP with a specific join location in the Calendar event. This means that if someone is joining the meeting room or virtually, event coordinators will have a better understanding of the tally beforehand.
