Zoom has embedded third-party apps within the Zoom Meetings and desktop client experience with Zoom Apps, while also introducing an all-in-one platform for creating interactive and immersive virtual events.
Zoom Apps let users access their favourite applications from directly within Zoom Meetings and desktop client experience, unlocking more tools for collaboration, productivity, and entertainment for today’s hybrid workforce.
Carlin Sack, Product Marketing Manager at Zoom, said: “We know video meetings have become a big part of how you stay connected –– for work, school, and everything in between.
“Zoom Apps help you make your meetings more efficient, effective, and engaging, while maintaining elements of fun and well-being!”
“Zoom Apps combine your favourite apps with the power of video communications by allowing you to access them directly in your Zoom Meetings. You can enrich your Zoom experience with a variety of apps that cover many use cases — including whiteboarding, project management, note-taking, gaming and more.”
A host of apps are available at launch from the likes of Asana, Dropbox and Survey Monkey. You can view a full list of the 50-plus apps here.
Users are able to access and work within the same apps during meetings, while apps can also be shared with other attendees.
Zeus Kerravala, Principle Analyst at ZK Research, said that the launch of Zoom apps is the latest step in the vendor’s transition from a meeting application to a true communications and collaboration platform.
“Zoom Apps provide users with access to their favourite entertainment, productivity, wellness, and lifestyle apps while maintaining the Zoom meeting experience – empowering them to accomplish more with video communications,” he added.
To take advantage of Zoom Apps, users need to make sure that they have downloaded the latest version of the Zoom client. The Zoom Apps tab will then appear alongside ‘contacts’ or in the bottom toolbar of a Zoom meeting.
Zoom Events
Zoom Events is also now live, giving businesses an all-in-one platform to create virtual experiences for attendees.
First announced in May, Zoom Events gives entrepreneurs, small businesses and large organisations a comprehensive solution to host and monetise events such as fitness classes, trade shows, corporate summits and theatre presentations.
Zoom Events is powered by the same technology behind Zoom’s Meetings and Webinars platform.
Oded Gal, Chief Product Officer at Zoom, said: “The past year has fundamentally changed the way people connect, learn, work, attend events, and much more, with the best of in-person and virtual experiences coming together for maximum productivity and flexibility.
“Event organizers are looking for an all-in-one comprehensive and easily scalable platform for hosting immersive virtual and hybrid events, and we are delivering to their needs with the Zoom Events solution”
Zoom highlighted some stand-out features of the Events platform:
- Manage and host interactive sessions or one-to-many presentations using Zoom Meetings and Zoom Video Webinars
- Build your own branded event hubs
- Create multi-session events
- Provide a chat lobby for attendee networking, both inside and outside a session
- Offer customizable ticketing and registration
- Host free or paid events, public or private
Zoom said that users can expect to see new capabilities added later this year, including support for multi-day and multi-track events.
Businesses can start using Zoom Events by clicking here.
