Google has made a major upgrade to the Meet app, offering new screen reading options for users with vision impairments. This latest update includes improved features for handling screen reader responses, making the experience more accessible and comfortable. All of the new features are available now and ready to use.
See also: Google Meet brings automatic video call framing to everyone
Screen reader settings can be changed at any time during the meeting, either by pressing Shift + R or through the Settings menu (three-dot button -> Settings -> Reactions -> Accessibility). Starting this week, the following settings will be available in Google Meet:
- Don't announce reactions: No announcements are shown or heard when a reaction is received.
- Play a sound for all reactions: Play a sound when a reaction is received.
See also: Google Meet: Ability to display chat messages in live streams
- Announce all reactions: Announces only emojis when a reaction is received, for example “Bravo”.
- Announce all reactions and senders: Announce an emoji and who sent the received reaction, for example “Elisa Beckett and 2 others reacted with thumbs up.”
Once the user adjusts their new screen reader settings, they will automatically persist from meeting to meeting, so they don't have to repeat the same settings unless they have been modified in some way.
See also: New ClickFix attack: Fake Google Meet errors distribute malware
According to Google, the new Meet update is rolling out starting February 3rd, but it may take more than two weeks to reach all users. Speaking of which, these new features should be available to Google Workspace and users with personal Google accounts.
Source: phonearena
